**Please note, this event has been postponed due to rain. A makeup date, if it can be found, will be announced soon.
(FREDERICTON, NB – May 11th, 2022) – Speedway 660 is kicking into high gear this Sunday as Riverview Ford Lincoln presents the 2022 Season Opener. All four house divisions will be in action as they begin their respective 2022 championship chases that will wind their way through the Summer months to the Day of Champions in September. Action begins at the Geary, New Brunswick oval on Sunday, May 15th at 2pm.
The Riverview Ford Lincoln Season Opener is anchored by a 100-lap feature for the RE/MAX East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division. As of press time, a dozen cars from across the Province of New Brunswick and one from the State of Maine have signaled their intent to compete in the 100-lap showdown. The race is expected to be a battle of heavyweights with the entry list led by former Pro Stock 250 champions Lonnie Sommerville (Barnesville, NB), Ryan Messer (Harvey, NB) and Dave O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB). Devin Snell (Saint John, NB) ended 2021 at the track with a podium finish in the 250 while Kevin Moore (Fredericton, NB) owns a podium run from last June in a 100-lap contest in the Geary woods.
Wyatt Alexander (Ellsworth, ME) will make the trek to Speedway 660 for the first time in several seasons. Former Speedway 660 track champion Chris Duncan (Hampton, NB), Ian Rasmussen (New Denmark, NB), Dustin Tucker (Darling’s Island, NB), Robert Lee (Fredericton, NB), Ben Pelletier (Saint John, NB) and a returning Mike Rodgers (Moncton, NB) round out a stout field for the RE/MAX East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division during the Riverview Ford Lincoln Season Opener.
In addition to extended laps on Sunday, the RE/MAX East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stocks will compete for championship points. This is the first time since 2019 the division will race for a track championship at Speedway 660. While the Pro Stocks begin their first title chase in three seasons, the Late Model Sportsman, Shur-Fit Auto Parts, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock and Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooters will begin collecting points of their own beginning on Sunday.
The 2021 season for Alexandra O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB) began as a part-time one. It ultimately ended with not only a marquee win on SpeedWeekend but with the season long championship. O’Blenis will look to defend her crown in 2022 beginning with Sunday’s Riverview Ford Lincoln Season Opener. The division not only sees Alexandra O’Blenis return for a title run but her sister Courtney (Boundary Creek, NB) along with Richard Atkinson (Geary, NB) and Hudson Weston (St. Martin’s, NB) are pre-registered to compete for the full campaign. Caleb Urquhart (Harvey, NB) has made the jump to the Late Model Sportsman division to compete for Rookie of the Year in the class aboard his No. 11 ride. The Late Model Sportsman are slated to compete in a 75-lap feature on Sunday.
The Shur-Fit Auto Parts, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock class is set for a season that will see several extended distance races throughout, including a 50-lap feature on Sunday. Among those that have registered to race for the championship include past champions Shawn Hyslop (St. Stephen, NB), Rob Raynes (Saint John, NB) and Rick Cashol (Saint John, NB), reigning Maritime Street Stock Series titlist Michael Cormier (Grand-Barachois, NB), former Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter champion Kyle MacKinnon (Lincoln, NB), veteran Vance McMillan (Lower Greenwich, NB) and Street Stock freshmen Jonathon Hanley (St. Stephen, NB) and Ron Enkel (Saint John, NB).
With Riley Goodwin (McAdam, NB) sliding into a part-time Street Stock schedule after winning the championship in 2021, the crown is wide open for the taking. Several part time competitors will fill the fields out nicely, including Justin Cole (Harvey, NB), who has his eyes set on Riverview Ford Lincoln Victory Lane on Sunday. Sunday’s race may not determine a champion out of the box, but will give fans a good indication on who to watch throughout the Summer of 2022 in the Shur-Fit Auto Parts, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock division.
The biggest house division at Speedway 660 is the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooters. With several races pushing or exceeding 30 cars in 2021 and strong pre-season registration numbers, starting strong at the Riverview Ford Lincoln Season Opener will be key for a championship drive. BJ Gillespie (Harvey, NB) is the reigning champion but will be challenged by several big names if he wants to stay on top. Matt Martin (Harvey, NB), Randy Titus (French Lake, NB), Daniel Atyeo (Chipman, NB), Jesse Madore (Newcastle Creek, NB) and Ryan Bernard (Minto, NB) only begin to scratch the surface of talent looking to race the title away from Gillespie. In total, 28 competitors have registered to compete in the class this season with more expected as the year progresses.
For the sixth straight season, children aged 15 and under will be admitted to the grandstands for free to every stock car event at Speedway 660. The admission structure makes it easier for families to attend race events at the track and received positive feedback from fans when implemented mid-season in 2017.
Adult grandstand admission price for Sunday’s Riverview Ford Lincoln Season Opener featuring the Pro Stock 100 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. Pit gates for competitors will open at 9am on Sunday, grandstand gates open for spectators at 1pm with racing getting underway at 2pm. An optional pre-season practice session and tech day will take place on Saturday, May 14th beginning at 12pm for all divisions competing at the Riverview Ford Lincoln Season Opener. A complete race day format will be available via the track’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Speedway660.
New for 2022, anyone entering the pit area will be required to sign their insurance waiver online. This can be done on any smart phone and takes seconds to complete. The link to the form can be found on Speedway660.com under the “Race Team Information” menu.
For more information about upcoming racing events at Speedway 660, visit Speedway660.com, like @Speedway660 on Facebook or call the Speedway 660 Raceline at (506) 454-7223.
About Riverview Ford Lincoln:
Riverview Ford Lincoln Sales is the number one choice for all things Ford in Fredericton, NB and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re in the market for a new or quality pre-owned vehicle, servicing, parts or accessories, you’ll find everything you need along with the warmest of welcomes here at Riverview Ford Lincoln. Your complete satisfaction is our absolute priority, and that philosophy permeates through every aspect of our operation. Ford has what must be the most impressive lineup of new vehicles in its history available right now, and you’ll find them all here at Riverview Ford Lincoln. Visit them at 970 Hanwell Road, online at RiverviewFord.ca or call them at (506) 453-0400.
About Speedway 660:
Speedway 660 is one of Canada’s premier stock car racing facilities. Located in New Brunswick’s Fredericton region, it has attracted race teams and fans from the Maritimes, New England and Quebec since 1994. The Speedway 660 racing season runs from mid May until late September. SpeedWeekend, one of the most prestigious short track events in eastern North America, is the marquee event of the Speedway 660 season on Labour Day Weekend.
Photo by Michelle Roy
