At Speedway 660 it’s time to take a breather before a fast and frantic finish to the 2014 racing season. We hope everyone has a fun-filled and safe holiday weekend and nice vacation. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights so far this season.
The 2014 racing season has been pretty amazing. The action has been fast and furious, in a couple of cases rivalries have boiled over and fans have been treated to some awesome Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons in the Geary Woods.
During the long August holiday weekend break it might be fun to look back at some of the highlights. I thought I would rate them in a top ten count-down. Having said that, I’ll bet there will be folks who don’t agree with my order or think some stuff on my list shouldn’t be there or think I’ve over-looked other things. But that’s half the fun, so here goes.
Number 10: Justin Cole’s Jensen Financial Hat-Trick Award on opening night. May 24th was a big night for Justin. He’s got a great team, strong sponsors and above all a supportive family. He needs a big finish to bring the DMR Auto Sales & Service Street Stock championship home to Harvey.
Number 9: MacKenzie Brewer’s first-ever Bando feature win. Brewer got his first-ever Westwood Estate Apartments Bandolero podium early in the season and on June 12th grabbed a feature win. MacKenzie has now positioned himself as one of the top Bando drivers in Atlantic Canada.
Number 8: Cashol vs. Madore. The on-going rivalry between the five time DMR Auto Sales & Service Street Stock champ and young “Hollywood” has been intense for a couple of years, but got pretty nasty on June 28th. Rivalries are good for the sport, but after that last “go-around”, I expect these guys will settle down, race each other hard and give each other the respect they deserve for the rest of the season.
Number 7: Dawson McIntee’s first Sportsman feature win. There are three impressive young drivers battling for Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman Rookie of the Year honours. On May 31st Dawson became the first to win a feature.
Number 7 Take two: (Can I do that? I guess so it’s my list!) Alexandra O’Blenis gets her first-ever Sportsman podium.On July 26th Alex won her heat, came 2nd in the dash and was 3rd in the feature. It was a great night for another one of those impressive Sportsman rookies!
Number 6: Shawn Turple’s Irving Oil Blending & Packaging 100 win. The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour visit to Speedway 660 was exciting and Shawn’s reaction after winning the July 12th race was incredible. It was his first win here since 2008 and it was a joyful occasion!
Number 5: Jeremy Doran’s rough ride. Jeremy emerged from the wreck OK after getting up-ended on the back-stretch on May 31st. Doran has battled back and is still a contender for the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter title.
Number 4: Cole Boudreau’s first Pro Stock feature win. Cole came second behind Derek Christie the race before winning his feature on June 28th. This Re/Max Group Four Realty Pro Stock rookie is the real deal and has an amazing future as a race car driver!
Number 3: Andrew Rodger’s $3000 amazing race! Andrew won his first-ever Sportsman feature, then a week later on June 21st he out-dueled Brent Roy in one of the best finishes ever to win the Martin’s Home Heating 100.
Number 2: Johnny Clark’s Pro All Star Series win. Johnny’s win on June 7th was impressive because it was his fourth straight PASS win here and fifth win in his last six 660 starts! That cat has got this place figured out.
Number 1: The Big Night for Team O’Blenis. On May 31st, Alexandra, Courtney and Dave O’Blenis combined for an unbelievable six visits to the Riverview Ford Victory Lane. Dave had a Jensen Financial Hat-Trick in his Pro Stock, Courtney won her Bando heat and feature and Alexandra won her first-ever Sportsman heat race. That was amazing!
So there you have it…my top ten, make that eleven moments so far in the 2014 season.
I hope you enjoy your long August Holiday Weekend and please drive safely when you hit the highways. It’s the busy tourist season and there’ll be a lot of traffic out there. We look forward to seeing you for the stretch run at Speedway 660. The Firecracker 150, Fan Appreciation Night, the Night of Champions and SpeedWeekend are all on the August schedule.
We’ll see you at the races!
