(GEARY, NB – July 10th, 2019) – Speedway 660 is getting ready to host Street Stock teams from across Atlantic Canada on Saturday, July 13th at 6:30pm. Preparations are well underway for the second edition of the Ricky Bobby Street Stock 150 presented by DMR Auto with fans and teams alike counting the days until they see their favorite Saturday night heroes try to “git’r to the front” in memory of Rick “Ricky Bobby” Arbeau.
What can you expect to see at Speedway 660 during the biggest Street Stock event in Atlantic Canada? Here’s a small preview to get your motor running in advance of this weekend event.
150-LAPS; THE LONGEST STREET STOCK RACE IN ATLANTIC CANADA
In 2018, 25 cars hauled to the Geary oval to compete in the inaugural Ricky Bobby 100 presented by DMR Auto with Geary’s Luc McLaughlin driving away with the victory. This season, Mike Francis and Randy McCoy from DMR Auto have upped the ante with more laps for the teams in the Street Stock division.
At the request of Ricky Bobby, Francis and McCoy made the announcement to teams at the annual Awards Banquet in January that the event would consist of 150 green flag feature laps. The format will see two 75-lap features with the remainder of the feature events on the evening sandwiched in between the DMR Auto Street Stock twin bills. All finishing position prize money will be awarded to teams at the completion of Lap 150.
With a majority of regular distance Street Stock feature events lasting 25 to 30 laps in duration and most “extended distance” Street Stock division races in the region tipping the scales at 50 to 75 laps, the Ricky Bobby 150 will test driver and car to the limit on July 13th at Speedway 660.
OVER $10,000 UP FOR GRABS IN RICKY BOBBY 150
The Ricky Bobby 150 presented by DMR Auto will be the longest Street Stock races in the region in 2019 and is also expected to be the richest with at least $10,000 in cash and prizes for the racers that haul to Speedway 660 on July 13th.
Of that purse, a guaranteed $1,500 will go to the winner of the Ricky Bobby 150. Laps are being sold for $50 with the leader of those sponsored laps receiving the money pledged. The race will pay well throughout the field, with every driver that starts the feature guaranteed a minimum of $100.
The Speedway 660 Kids Club Position Bonuses will also return in 2019. Five lucky boys and girls will be special guests at the race and will get to greet drivers during introductions and receive event jackets commemorating the Ricky Bobby Street Stock 150. In addition, each Kids Club winner will pull a position at random prior to the race. The driver that finishes in that position will receive a $400 cash bonus courtesy of DMR Auto and the contingency sponsors of the event.
For those drivers competing in the Ricky Bobby 150 from the Province of Prince Edward Island, a complimentary Confederation Bridge pass will be available to those hauling to Speedway 660. In 2018, Alex Sheehan and Brodie MacQuarrie made the trip from the Island to race in the Ricky Bobby with Sheehan leading the Island contingent to a fifth place finish.
Several contingency awards are still being finalized that will recognize drivers throughout the field. Lisa MacIntosh Realty will present the Hard Luck Award, giving a Monte Carlo nose cone to a driver that suffers misfortune throughout the day. McLaughlin Roof Trusses will be making a draw for two tires and Wilkins Signs will be giving away a decal package with both being drawn for at the Drivers’ Meeting. Alex Condly-Powell will be awarding $100 with the “Cleanest Driver Award.” The leader at the end of the first 75-lap segment will receive a $500 bonus.
A complete breakdown of the purse will be posted in the week leading up to the Ricky Bobby 150 at Speedway660.com.
SOLID STREET STOCK FIELD ASSEMBLING
To win the Ricky Bobby 150 presented by DMR Auto, a driver will have to bring their “A Game” to Speedway 660 on Saturday.
Through the first five races at Speedway 660 this season, it has been 2013 division champion Roger Slocum (Chipman, NB) showing the way, both in the point standings and in the win column. Slocum is the only two time feature winner with Michael Cormier (Grand-Barachois, NB), Peter Martin (Saint John, NB) and Shawn Hyslop (St. Stephen, NB) picking up single feature victories thus far in 2019.
Luc McLaughlin (Geary, NB), who has been focusing on his first Late Model Sportsman season in 2019, will return to the CB Warren’s Auto Care Street Stock to defend his Ricky Bobby 150 presented by DMR Auto title. He is expected to be joined by over 20 drivers with the same goal that was he able to accomplish one year ago, race to victory lane in the biggest Street Stock showcase in the region.
Fan favorites including multi-time track champion Rick Cashol (Saint John, NB), Riley Goodwin (McAdam, NB), Justin Cole (Harvey, NB), Courtney Barton (Minto, NB), Chris Hanley (St. Stephen, NB), James “Hollywood” Matchett (Miramichi, NB) and reigning Rookie of the Year Kyle MacKinnon (Lincoln, NB) are also expected to race for the prestigious hardware on Saturday. With Petty International Raceway’s Street Stock division idle this weekend, fans can expect sophomore driver Brandon Carter (Moncton, NB), Ryan Richard (Saint John, NB) and last weekend’s winner and former champion Logan Power (Riverview, NB) to make the trek up the highway to the Geary woods.
There are always a few last minute entries that show up or come out of the woodwork for this big event. One of those drivers is expected to be Brody Levesque (Lincoln, NB). One of the top drivers in the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooters division, Levesque will do double duty in his four cylinder to go along with 150-laps in his Street Stock debut.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND CONCERT FRIDAY, BREAKFAST SATURDAY
Speedway 660 will be the venue for a Celebration of Life for Rick Arbeau, beginning on Friday evening at 6:30pm. Following the Celebration of Life, The Walking Contradictions will entertain those at the track.
Saturday morning, Speedway 660 will host the Ricky Bobby Breakfast. The breakfast will consist of ham and scrambled eggs, home fries, tea and coffee, begins at 8am and is a cost of $10. All proceeds from the breakfast will go towards a charity to be announced.
RACING FOR RICKY BOBBY
The Ricky Bobby 150 presented by DMR Auto is being run in honor of Rick Arbeau, known around Speedway 660 as Ricky Bobby. Arbeau was diagnosed with stage four small cell cancer and fought hard every day until his passing in May prior to the start of the racing season. Arbeau was a fixture at the race track since its opening in 1994 and is dearly missed by all at Speedway 660.
PRO STOCKS, SPORTSMAN AND SHARP SHOOTERS ON THE CARD
In addition to the DMR Auto Sales Street Stock special event, three divisions will contest point paying features. The stars of the RE/MAX East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock, Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman and Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooters will be up on the wheel to put on a show of their own in front of the big crowd on July 13th. These features will run in between the two 75-lap segments of the Ricky Bobby 150 presented by DMR Auto.
“THE FINE PRINT”
Adult grandstand admission price for the Saturday, July 13th running of the Ricky Bobby 150 presented by DMR Auto is $20 (aged 16 and up). Pit admission is $25 and is restricted to those 16 years of age and older. Tickets are available at the gate on race day. As with all Speedway 660 events, youth aged 15 and younger are admitted free to the grandstands. Dry camping is available for the weekend at a cost of $28.75.
Pit gates for competitors will open at 12:30pm, grandstand gates open for spectators at 5:30pm with racing getting underway at 6:30pm. A complete race day and weekend format will be available at Speedway660.com in the week leading up to the event. Should inclement weather interfere on Saturday evening, a rain date has been set for this event for Sunday, July 14th at 2pm.
Speedway 660 and DMR Auto would like to thank the following marketing partners for their promotional consideration on the Ricky Bobby 150 presented by DMR Auto. These individuals and businesses include Dobbelsteyn Service & Maintenance, Martin’s Home Heating, National Alarm, Crystal Clean , Michelle Roy – RE/MAX, Auto Value, Jardine Auctioneers Inc., Fredericton Mitsubishi, Certa Pro Painters, Dairy Queen, Jim’s Waste Management, McLaughlin Roof Trusses, Capital City Auto Parts, Rumble’s Sausage, Lisa MacIntosh, Wilkins Signs, Alex Condly-Powell, Ideal Trailers, Northside Ventilation and Miramichi Fall Brawl.
For more information about Speedway 660, visit Speedway660.com, like @Speedway660 on Facebook or call the Speedway 660 Raceline at (506) 454-7223.
About DMR Auto
The DMR in DMR Auto stands for “Deals Made Right.” DMR Auto is a family friendly and locally owned small business that takes pride in offering their customers great quality used vehicles at the best price possible. Every vehicle is checked over by Auto Pride Limited, assuring their customers a new safety inspection and oil change on all vehicles purchased. DMR Auto offers financing through several lenders that can assist those with perfect credit to not so perfect credit. You can visit DMR Auto at their location across from the Pepper Creek Plaza on Route 10 in Fredericton, call them at (506) 457-4554 or check out their inventory online at DMRAuto.ca.
About Speedway 660:
Speedway 660 is one of Canada’s premier stock car racing facilities. Located in New Brunswick’s Fredericton region, it attracts race teams and fans from the Maritimes, New England and Quebec. The Speedway 660 racing season runs from mid May until Labour Day Weekend. SpeedWeekend, one of the most prestigious short track events in eastern North America, wraps up Speedway 660’s racing season.
—
RICKY BOBBY 150 PAYOUT
1st – $1,500
2nd – $750
3rd – $500
4th – $400
5th – 10th – $300
11th to back – $100
Plus Lap Leader bonuses ($50/lap for sponsored laps), $500 to leader at end of first 75 lap segment, contingency awards and more!
