(GEARY, NB – July 24th, 2019) – The Capital Region of New Brunswick might be in the heat of Summer, but a cool wind from the north will blow in a special guest to the Geary woods on Saturday evening, July 27th. Santa Claus and his friends from the North Pole will make a special appearance on Saturday for Speedway 660’s annual Christmas in July celebrations. In addition to Santa and his elves bringing treats for all the good fans and teams at Speedway 660, he will bring the chance for drivers to earn championship points in the four track house divisions. The bells will begin to jingle on Saturday evening at 6:30pm when the green flag goes in the air.
The pre-season hype has lived up to all expectations in the RE/MAX East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division. Three former champions are duking it out in this heavyweight battle at the top of the class, with Brent Roy (Hanwell, NB) having the slight edge with four events to go. His advantage is just four points over Dave O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB), who owns three of the six regular point paying features on the 2019 season. Greg Fahey (St. Stephen, NB) is also in the title discussion, sitting 22 points out of the top spot. Ian Rasmussen (New Denmark, NB) can put himself back in the conversation with a good point night on Saturday.
Curtis Collins (Barnesville, NB) was a winner once again the last time out in the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman division. Collins has won half of the six regular point paying features but even with his strength when it comes to the 40-lap feature events, his point lead is only 10 over Richard Atkinson (Geary, NB). The consistency of “the Old Musket” has the veteran well within title contention with four point races to go including Saturday evening. Alexandra O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB) sits just 14 points out of the lead. Alexandra’s younger sister (and Ricky Bobby Street Stock 150 winner) Courtney O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB) and Ryan Raynes (Saint John, NB) are hoping to find some points under the Christmas Tree in victory lane on Saturday evening as they are 31 and 45 markers out of the top spot, respectively, with just four events remaining.
Roger Slocum (Chipman, NB) returns to the point battle with a fight on his hands in the DMR Auto Street Stock division. The division, which is coming off the Ricky Bobby Street Stock 150, sees the 2013 champion lead the title chase by a mere five points over Charlotte County driver Chris Hanley. They have a 40 point cushion on the fight for third in the standings featuring Courtney Barton (Minto, NB), sophomore Kyle MacKinnon (Lincoln, NB) and “The Villain” Rick Cashol (Saint John, NB).
Brody Levesque (Fredericton, NB) has rose to the top of the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter division. While several divisional favorites have stumbled over the year, Levesque has been consistent and now has the biggest point lead of any leader at Speedway 660 with an 18 point advantage over rookie Tristan Harris (Harvey, NB). Matt Martin (Haneytown, NB) recorded his third podium finish of the season the last time out and sits third in points with most recent winner Scott “Bat Hubby” Kennie (Fredericton, NB) in fourth. Rookie Jon Forsythe (Oromocto, NB) sits fifth, 51 points back of the overall championship lead and 33 points out of the Rookie of the Year lead.
When it comes to the racing calendar, this event is on an island of its own, so to speak. With an off-week last weekend for fans to enjoy the IWK 250 at Riverside Speedway and the traditional New Brunswick Day long weekend seeing the track idle, teams will have a chance to get up on the wheel and crank out a checkered flag before the championship stretch run. This is the only opportunity all season to see Santa and Frosty in victory lane though and the drivers would rather see a trophy under the tree as opposed to a lump of coal at the end of their respective features.
Fans are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled throughout the evening for Santa and his helpers. In addition to giveaways throughout the evening, Dairy Queen has provided DQ Coupons for the kids in the crowd on Saturday! Talk about a good way to cool off on a hot Summer day!
Adult grandstand admission price for Saturday’s event is $15 (aged 16 and up). Pit admission is $18 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. Pit gates for competitors will open at 1:00pm, grandstand gates open for spectators at 5:30pm with racing getting underway at 6:30pm. A complete race day format will be available at Speedway660.com in the week leading up to the event.
For more information about Speedway 660, visit Speedway660.com, like @Speedway660 on Facebook or call the Speedway 660 Raceline at (506) 454-7223.
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.
