Bluenose Pools
Beginner Bandolero

Heat 1: 11 12 29 15 16 38 17 43 88-1

While several new faces showed their skills in the Bluenose Pools Beginner Bandolero division, it was Shelby Chisholm (Antigonish) who took home the win in Week One. A final late race restart with two to go saw Chisholm hit her marks flawlessly to lead the field to the finish. Newcomer Adlee Lively (Middle Sackville, NS) was second with Brandon McGrath (Antigonish) breaking up the all female podium bid with a late pass for third after misfortune with Addison Veinotte (Porters Lake). Sophomores Brayden Wood and Ryder Smith completed the top five in the nine car field.

Veinotte took home the checkers in the heat race.

Bluenose Pools Bandolero

Heat 1: 27 85 13 5 99 2 47 92-3

Similar to last year, Avery DeCoste (Antigonish) turned heads at the season opener. This time though, the No. 13 paced the field and picked up the victory, his first overall in the Bluenose Pools Bandolero division.

The No. 13 Dr J. DeCoste Family Eye Clinic Bandolero was aggressive on restarts, a trait that ultimately allowed him to take the lead and held off all challengers for the win. Behind him, it was a revolving door of sorts for positions with Ethan Hicken (New Glasgow) taking second, his challenge for the victory ultimately falling just a bit short. Hailey Bland (Lakeview), who paced practice earlier in the day, rebounded for third after an early spin. The 2023 Beginner Champion Bristol Matthews (Nine Mile River) and Bella Pashkoski (Beaver Bank), in her new colors, rounded out the top five.

Bland was the heat race winner.

Toursec Mini Stock

Heat 1: 14 0 92 17 75 20 80 34 87

Heat 2: 48 84 68 13 03 71 10 18 72-1

Heat 3: 99 00 45 33 47 58 3 93

Another race, another edge-of-your-seat caution free affair for the Toursec Mini Stocks.

Twenty-five drivers started the 25-lap feature on Opening Day but ultimately the day belonged to a returning Chris Drover (Lower Sackville). The 2023 Bud’s Speedway Mini Stock champion was previously ineligible to compete with his No. 48 Lobster Mafia Honda Civic, but with Hondas allowed to return in 2024, Drover made good to take home the win.

Drover weaved his way through lapped traffic late and put a healthy gap on two former track champion in Dave Matthews (Nine Mile River) and Ross Moore (Lake Egmont) to take home the checkers.
The best battle throughout was the battle for fourth with several drivers challenging for the spot. Ultimately, a returning Mike Jollimore (Halifax) held off Travis Keefe (Chester), a battle that carried over from the heat race, to finish fourth in the No. 00 car. Chris McMullin charged hard at the end but could not get by either for a top five finish.

Darren Hodder, Drover and Matthews were qualifying heat race winners.

Strictly Hydraulics &
Industrial Suppy Legends

Heat 1: 44 71M 00 27M 07 73 14M 27

Heat 2: 66 0 19 25 9 71 45 29

Heat 3: 8 24 18 39 7 14 34 99

Heat 4: 88 13 20 81 97 17 89

In a field of 32 cars, 31 of those who started the feature, it was Owen Mahar (Hubley) scoring big for the first Strictly Hydraulics Legends win of the year.

Mahar started on the outside pole and battled for the 25-lap duration with Nathan Blackburn (Timberlea) for the victory. Blackburn led the opening 17 laps but a restart with eight laps to go was the ticket for Mahar to inch by the No. 44 and hold on over the final eight laps of green to capture the checkered flag. Ayden Christensen (Windsor Junction) got by Cory Hall (Pictou, NS) in the final corner to take third. Hall, who drew the ire of several drivers throughout the event, settled for fourth with reigning track champion Gage Gilby (Enfield, NS) in fifth.

Blackburn, Mahar, Dawson Noble (Upper Nine Mile River) and Nicholas Naugle (Dartmouth) captured heat race victories.

Maritime Auto Glass Sportsman

Heat 1: 92 51 74 25 85 7
Heat Race 2: 18 44 37 88 66 62
Heat Race 3: 94 27 96 14 47 01

Two of the “Big Three” ended up on the podium during the Season Opener for the Bay Equipment Rentals Late Model Sportsman. Deven Smith (Lakeside) started his season off with a convincing win in the 40-lap feature. Smith started third by virtue of his heat win, took advantage over Pete Miller (East Gore) on a Lap Three restart and held court from there. The final restart took place on Lap 17, going green for the final 23 laps to the finish.

Miller looked poised to take the runner-up spot after a spirited battle with Smith in the opening segment but Dylan Dowe (Bedford) took the second place spot on the final restart and gapped Miller for the final podium position. Kyle Bent (Berwick) shadowed Miller for most of the second half but could not crack the podium. Alex Johnson (Enfield) struggled all Sunday with handling and gave a run to the top five late but couldn’t get past Brentley Pirri (Three Fathom Harbour) for the spot. Pirri and team had to go to work after a Test n Tune crash to put their car back together to grab fifth.

Smith, Miller and Harry Ross White (Noel Road) took home heat wins.