It's Go Time

For those looking to win a Scotia Speedworld Weekly Racing Series Championship in the 2011 campaign, it’s make or break time. With each division only having less than a handful of point races left in the season, there is no time for faults.

In the six divisions we have racing weekly, I count a total of 20 drivers who have a realistic shot at their respective championships in 2011. I’m counting guys that are within about an average of 12-15 points a race of the leader (ie, 3 races remaining/45 points) of their division. That’s not counting guys that are “longshots” that mathematically still have a shot at their championship glory.

Some divisions have closer battles than others. It appears that Jorden Smith would have the Lumbermart Lightning class wrapped up with a nice bow on top at this point with a 71 point lead with three races to go. In reality, at the minimum,Cody Singer would need to make up 41 points on him during the remaining main features this season if Smith were to sit out the last three heat races of the season. On the other hand, if the #144 DaBest Construction Neon can leave Scotia Speedworld Friday night with an 80-point lead, all he would have to do in the next two races would be to start the features to clinch the title. It’s a lot of numbers thrown at you at once, I know but the easiest way to put it is that guys that still have a shot at Smith, the likes of Singer, Jamie Dillman, Nick Hurshman and Craig Cordeau will not give up until the completion of the Lumbermart 50 in September.

Meanwhile, the Lumbermart Thunder boys are at it again with a handful of drivers still in contention for the title. Last time the Thunder cars were on track it was Matthew Warren entering as the point leader. After a late race altercation, Warren now sits third in the standings, eleven points in the rears of Dave Matthews. Both are looking for their first point championship in the class, as is Tylor Hawes. Hawes, who finished runner-up to Stevie Lively last season has clawed his way back into the points picture and now is just eight points from a championship. Should something happen to the top three, it will open the door for Joey Lawson, Stevie Lively and Andrew Warren, who are 31, 37 and 42 points back respectively. With only two races left, these guys still have a chance at the top spot but will need some help from the top three to bring them back into the picture.

The Coco Beach Legends are in command of Steve Pye with four races to go. He has the Blenkhorns nipping at his back bumper with Dylan just 13 points behind. We saw last season in the finale that the points could sway big time with just one race. Dylan’s father Paul is 29 points behind Dylan with Cy Harvey (13) and Matt Moore (19) within striking distance of the 2010 Canadian champ.

The Hydraulics Plus Bandoleros also have four races to go and four drivers have established themselves as the top drivers in the division in the 2011 campaign. Rookies Cole Tanner and Adam Meehan sit first and second in the class with Tanner having the advantage by 16 points heading into Fan Appreciation Night. Jarrett Butcher chases his first title in the class by sitting in third, just one point behind Meehan. Luke Ettinger is 33 points back but do not count out the 2010 Rookie of the Year in this pivotal championship stretch.

The Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman Series sees Jeff Dillman atop the standings with three races remaining. Dillman, who enters Friday with an eleven point cushion was involved in a crash during the Dartmouth Dodge 100 and as of Thursday, the team was still thrashing on the race car, which received heavy front and rear end damage. Dillman is looking to become the third two-time champion in this decade, joining Craig Slaunwhite (2006, 2007) and Mel Tibert (2005, 2002) .

Aaron Boutilier has quietly made his way into second in the standings. Boutilier, who is the top running driver in the Lewis Kelly Excavating Fill and Top Soil Consistency Award has just six points on freshman Russell Smith Jr. in the standings. Jordan Veinotte has had a terrific season so far but with 68 points between he and Dillman, the #11 has to be considered a longshot for the Sportsman title in 2011.

So we have many storylines entering into Fan Appreciation Night. Can Boutilier win his first feature of 2011 and tighten the Sportsman points? Can anyone catch Jorden Smith in the closing races of the Summer? How about the Thunder guys, will we have a clear cut favorite heading into Finale Friday? The only way to find out the answer to these questions and more is to visit Scotia Speedworld on Friday night.

Before I close the Notebook off, some love has to be shown to The Score. If you didn’t know, as of September 1st, Sirius Radio is pulling the plug on Channel 158 The Score. The Score, along with Race Time Radio believes in Canadian Motorsports and believes firmly in the Parts for Trucks Maritime Pro Stock Tour and Scotia Speedworld, as shown with last weeks broadcast of the 12th Annual Atlantic CAT 250. If you believe that Sirius Radio is making a mistake by axing The Score, please contact their customer care center by calling 1-888-539-7474 or go to their website at Sirius.ca and make your voice heard!

Until Friday, keep the hammer down and we’ll see you at the track!