19th Annual Shriner's Classic for Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman Division

One of the most meaningful races on our Scotia Speedworld schedule is upon us in the 19th Annual Shriner’s Classic for the Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman.

This race has been a long standings favorite amongst our Sportsman drivers ever since the trophy went from going to a Street Stock winner before the class was dissolved in the late 90s. The list of winners is a Who’s Who of short track greats in this region and while this race has eluded some, the ones that win the race cherish this win as much as any other win they will ever put on their racing resume.

The hottest driver in this race in recent years is set to make his return to Sportsman racing this Friday night. Jeff Dillman picked up a championship winning Sportsman car from New Brunswick in the past month and his goal is to get his first laps in the car Friday night. Dillman tied the late Terry Roma’s record of three Classic wins last season by taking his third Shriner’s Classic in four years.

Other previous winners expected to be in the field on Friday include Harry Ross White (2000 + 2008) and Tony Leonard (2001). With the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour off this week and the Classic being the only major Sportsman event in the region on the weekend, we may also see 2010 champion Colby Smith in the field. Smith bested Roma in the late laps of the 2010 race to capture his only Shriner’s Classic victory. Smith lost out on the 2011 Classic in a photo finish to Dillman.

While this race is important to win with the prestige and the donation to the Dartmouth and District Shrine Club in the winner’s name, it is also a full blown point event for our Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman Series drivers. When it comes to points, it’s a one point advantage for Darren Wallage of Oakfield over Aaron Boutilier of Porter’s Lake. While both have won extended features before of 50 laps or more, neither have won a Shriner’s Classic and a win on Friday could push them closer to a Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman Series title, something Wallage is hoping to bag for the first time in his career as well.

White, who will look to tie the mark of Roma and Dillman with his third Classic win on Friday, sits third in front of three others who are just seven points behind him. Rookie DJ Casey is just a couple points out of the #18 for third with Wade Slauenwhite and Brentley Pirri tied for fifth, just five points behind Casey. Between Casey, Slauenwhite and Pirri, they have five Shriner’s Classic starts between them.

Completing the top ten in points include Owen Barkhouse, Alex Johnson, Fred Schofield and feature winner this season in Chris Dingle. Tyler Hallahan, Mike Banks, Marie Brown, John Poan, Travis Roma, Tony Mason and Bronson Shanessy among others will be ones to watch on Friday.

While we do not have a complete entry list to tell you who is and is not going to show on Friday, we can tell you Russell Smith Jr is expected to be racing on Friday night. Smith has won almost everything there is to win in Sportsman racing in this region in the last few seasons, except for two big races - the Dartmouth Dodge 100 and the Shriner’s Classic. He can strike one of those off his list on Friday night.

One driver that will not be joining us in regular Jordan Veinotte. Veinotte destroyed his primary car last Friday at Riverside Speedway and the team is frantically preparing the back-up car to be fully prepared for the Dartmouth Dodge 100 in a couple weeks.

Shriner’s Classic Past Winners
1995 - Gordie Ryan (#65)
1996 - Troy Slaunwhite (#80)
1997 - Terry Roma (#38)
1998 - Ron Tibert (#64)
1999 - Mel Tibert (#01)
2000 - Harry Ross White (#18)
2001 - Tony Leonard (#74)
2002 - James Graves (#27)
2003 - Craig Slaunwhite (#99)
2004 - Terry Roma (#38)
2005 - Terry Roma (#38)
2006 - Sheldon Pemberton (#62)
2007 - Craig Slaunwhite (#99)
2008 - Harry Ross White (#18)
2009 - Jeff Dillman (#08)
2010 – Colby Smith (#77)
2011 - Jeff Dillman (#08)
2012 - Jeff Dillman (#0)

As exciting as the Sportsman race will be Friday, the battle in the Legends class is heating up as well. Cy Harvey took the point lead two weeks ago by one point over reigning champion Cole Butcher. With his podium run, Dan Michaud Jr moved to third in the standings, 15 points back of Harvey for the lead. Michaud better not look back though, as first time feature winner Jeff Cruickshank and third year driver Emily Meehan are tied for fourth and only one point behind the Mark Whynot owned #2 car. Matt Moore is sixth, four points out of fourth while Danny Harvey sits one point back in seventh. In total, there are 21 points and five others between Danny Harvey in seventh and his uncle Cy Harvey in the lead. Who will edge ahead on Friday? Find out at the track!

For point situations in the Coors Light Trucks, Hydraulics Plus Bandoleros and ACE Lumbermart Lightning classes, flip back to last week’s preview. As we didn’t race, the points are the same from the last time we spoke.

It’s going to be a wonderful night of racing at Scotia Speedworld, so please join us on Friday for some great short track racing entertainment!

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