It’s hard to believe, but there are only two weeks of racing remaining in the 2009 season! The anticipation is building for Speed Weekend, but let’s not over-look this weekend’s events at Speedway 660.
It’s Fan Appreciation and the Evening of Champions. Fan Appreciation sees all of the cars and teams on track at 6PM, with fans invited to meet their favourite drivers, get autographs, take pictures and check out the cars. Many teams hand-out treats and special driver photos, then during the races we have a ton of prizes to give to our race fans.
The Evening of Champions is a must-see, because our drivers and teams work so hard all season chasing championships. Everyone will go all-out Saturday night to finish as high up in the points as possible. At Speedway 660, a top five or top ten in the points is a great accomplishment.
Heading into the Evening of Champions, Brian Fox is still hanging onto the Coast Tire Street Stock points lead, but he’s got to be hearing the roar of the 54 closing in on him. Rick Cashol, the defending champ, has cut the deficit to just nine points. Not long ago, many people thought Cashol was out of the hunt, but he has made big strides in the last few weeks. The Flying Fox still has some work to do to win the title over Cashol and Jason Shannon who trails the leader by 17 points.
In Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman, Michael Banks has been steady all season, but if he looks in his rear-view mirror he will see young John Rankin who has closed to within six points. Banks will have to stumble and Wade Harris (-13), Brent Roy (-15) and Glyn Nott (-20) all need things to go just right for them to win the title.
In the Irving Lubricants Pro Stocks it’s a two man battle at the top of the charts. Greg Fahey has a 12 point advantage over Glenn Rasmussen. If Greg is as steady as he’s been all season long he has a great shot to win back-to-back titles, but Glenn is a four-time champ and he knows what it takes to be the King of the Mountain! Big Kevin Moore has a firm grip on 3rd place.
Only three points separate fourth through seventh in pro-stocks. Brian Gillespie (306), Brad Mann (305), Brian MacNaughton (304) and Chris Duncan (303) will be running hard to secure a top five spot in the points. And that could be crucial, because there is a provisional starting position saved for the highest driver in Speedway 660 points, who does not secure a position in the Peterbilt 250 after qualifying wraps up.
Last week The Lapointes our guest national anthem performers were amazing. It was easy to see and hear why Janice, Joel and Andy have four East Coast Music Awards and a Juno nomination.
It was also great to see George Jamieson back at the track. The dedicated Dodge driver has missed almost two months after a couple of power-plant failures. George didn’t just show up last Saturday, he propelled his number 44 to a 3rd place finish and if the feature had been five laps longer he could have very well had his photo taken in the Auto Pride Victory Lane!
Fan Appreciation and the Evening of Champions will be a special event at Speedway 660. There will be lots of fun for everyone, great racing and the chase for our championships will wrap-up. Make sure to beat a path to The Geary Woods to cheer for your favourite Saturday Night Hero!
