(FREDERICTON, NB – July 7th, 2022) – A busy stretch for Speedway 660 continues this Saturday as one of the biggest grassroots races of the season takes to the track. The Gunslinger 50 spotlights one of the largest four cylinder divisions in Atlantic Canada as the domestic forward class will compete in this extended distance special. The racing card will also include championship point racing for the Late Model Sportsman and Shur-Fit Auto Parts, Bumper to Bumper Street Stocks. Racing begins on Saturday evening in Geary, New Brunswick at 6:30pm.
A total of 27 entries have competed in at least one Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter race this season with 21 taking the green flag in last Sunday’s regular distance feature. Reigning track champion BJ Gillespie (Harvey, NB) has hit his stride, scoring the last two feature wins in the class including a non-point exhibition on June 25th. In four point feature events this season, Gillespie’s worst finish is seventh, which has resulted in an 18 point cushion on his nearest competition in the standings.
While Gillespie has the proverbial target on his back in the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooters class heading into the Gunslinger 50, he’s got about two dozen others who want to occupy Riverview Ford Lincoln Victory Lane on Saturday. In the point standings, Alex Gallant was able to slide by Daniel Atyeo (Chipman, NB) for second after last week. Atyeo suffered misfortune in last Sunday’s feature but was neck and neck with Gillespie prior to that race with two feature wins on the season. Atyeo will look to put the orange and white No. 15 car back in victory lane in the biggest race of the season for the class.
With a big race comes big challenges and usually a visiting car or two looking to steal the glory of the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter regulars. The likes of Randy Titus, Mitchell Harvey, Jason Duffield and Randy Storey are all looking for their first feature podium finish of the year. Darren Wilcox has one feature win in his pocket while Jesse Madore, Wesley Harnish, Austin Harnish and Malcolm Suley will all look to join him as a feature winner to go along with their podium finishes already earned in 2022.
With some extra cash and prizes on the line along with extra laps to test both driver and machine, this showcase of four cylinder racing will be one that will thrill every motorsport fan!
Alexandra O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB) continued her streak as the only Late Model Sportsman driver in the Geary woods to podium in every race thus far in 2022. The elder O’Blenis sister collected the Urquhart Construction Firecracker 100 last Sunday with Matt Rodgers (Smithtown, NB) and Courtney O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB) joining her on the podium. They will get back to point racing this week with a regular distance feature as Alexandra leads her sister Courtney in the championship chase by four and Richard Atkinson (Geary, NB) by 15.
Michael Cormier (Grand-Barachois, NB) scored the 68 team their fourth win in five races last Sunday in the Shur-Fit Auto Parts, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock division. That win, combined with a flat tire that ended Rick Cashol’s (Saint John, NB) race early, has opened up the point lead to 28 markers between the youth and experience at the head of the table after five races. Ron Enkel (Saint John, NB) closed the gap a bit on Cashol but the rookie Street Stock driver still has some points to gain and races to do so beginning with Saturday’s feature.
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 prices are $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. New in 2022, all those entering the pit gates must complete their insurance waiver online prior to heading to the track. 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 or by going to Speedway660.speedwaiver.com. A complete race day format will be available via the track’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Speedway660.
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 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.
