SPEEDWEEKEND 2010 is officially over, but will live on for many years in our memories. Even Hurricane Earl couldn’t dampen our spirits for long. Sunday’s Auto Value 250 was one of the best ever. We saw long green flag runs and several strong cars, but none stronger than Johnny Clark.
The Last Train to Clarksville
Speedway 660 may have to change its name to Clarksville. That’s because Johnny Clark all but owns the joint. He led 208 laps in winning his second Auto Value 250 and ended up with a payday of over 26 thousand dollars! Back in June, Clark roared into Speedway 660 and won the Pro All Star Series race.
No wonder he likes it here. Just like Scott Fraser back in the late nineties, Johnny Clark has this place figured out. We used to call it Fraserville way back then, but today even though his name is not on the deed it’s fair to say that Johnny Clark owns Speedway 660!
Even though Johnny led the most laps, took the half way challenge and won the race it wasn’t as easy as it may have looked. He had several serious challengers including Jonathan Hicken, the determined Prince Edward Island driver who dogged Clark throughout most of the Auto Value 250.
And what about Shawn Turple? The Nova Scotia sensation gave Johnny all he could handle, but for the second year in a row Shawn had to settle for the runner-up spot in the Auto Value 250.
Bragging Rights
Maine has pulled into a tie with New Brunswick for the most Auto Vale 250 wins. Clark’s two plus wins by Kirk Thibeau and Scott Chubbuck give the Mainers four titles. Lonnie Sommerville also has two to add to wins by Shawn Tucker and Dave O’Blenis, which give NB a total of four. Nova Scotia has a pair of wins coming from the late Scott Fraser and Craig Slaunwhite. Prince Edward Island is still looking for its first Auto Vale 250 championship.
Sportsman Domination
Myles Harris must have been watching Johnny Clark closely on Sunday night. On Monday afternoon Harris took a page out of Clark’s playbook and dominated the O’Leary Buick-GMC 150. Like Clark, the veteran Sportsman driver had some serious challengers but dominated the race and took the checkered flag.
Our Weekly Hero
Johnny Clark is the man! There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Clark is the best pro stock driver we have seen in a long time at Speedway 660. I hesitate to say he’s the best ever, because I still have vivid memories of Scott Fraser and the way he dominated racing here. But one thing is for sure Johnny loves this place and knows how to get it done here.
We’re Not Done Yet
This Saturday night Speedway 660 will light up for the last time in 2010. Our final Enduro will run under the lights and its going to be a hoot. Teenager Courtney Barton from Minto is worth the price of admission. If you haven’t seen this young lady wheel a car you had better spin on down. Oh yeah, the rest of the Enduro drivers aren’t too shabby either.
It’s been a great year at Speedway 660 and it’s hard to believe it is almost over. Saturday night the curtain will fall on one of our best seasons ever. See you at 7PM and make sure to hang in for the big fireworks show at the end of the night.
