(August 28th, 2023) – A three-day celebration of motorsports, SpeedWeekend 2023 runs from Friday September 1st to Sunday September 3rd. The most anticipated weekend of the summer will fire up on Friday night and continue through Sunday, featuring star-studded Street Stock and Sportsman shows for the D. Gillespie & Sons Trucking Street Stock 100 and the Riverview Ford Sportsman 150 on Friday and Saturday respectively. These events will serve as appetizers leading into Sunday’s prestigious 23rd Annual Pro Stock 250.
The Saturday night Sportsman spectacle has been a fan favorite race for many years as it sets the stage for Sunday. Headlining an event that features the Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour, the Pub’s Drive Thru Bottle Exchange Mini Stock 50, and the Westwood Estates Bandolero Blast, action will kick-off earlier than in past years with a special 4pm start time on Saturday. A stellar field of the Maritimes top Sportsman stars have signalled intent to enter, with upwards of twenty (20) entries expected by race time on Saturday for the Riverview Ford Sportsman 150.
One of the biggest changes over previous SpeedWeekend’s is the Shur-Fit Automotive, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock division moving to Friday night. Historically held on Sunday, the D. Gillespie & Sons Trucking Street Stock 100 moves to a headlining role on Friday, alongside a championship points race for the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter division, and the George Fitzpatrick Memorial Race for the Atlantic Modified Tour. Plus, the popular kick-off concert and bonfire is back for 2023, returning to the infield for the first time in years in an event open to fans of all ages! Hazzard will rock the Geary Woods upon completion of the racing action. Start time is 6:30pm Friday for heat racing, with the kick-off concert slated to commence at 10:30pm.
Sensation Saturday Sportsman Show Preview
One season ago, the Riverview Ford Sportsman 150 was a thrill ride that entertained fans with many battles throughout – including between Brady Creamer (#10) and Wyatt Alexander, who was subbing for Drew Greenlaw (#23). However, late in the race chaos ensued, allowing Creamer to emerge victorious as many of his closest competitors, including Alexander, were collected in carnage. Caleb Urquhart (#11) emerged from the dust with a career night finishing second ahead of Chris Reid (#8).
The Riverview Ford Sportsman 150 has largely been dominated by O’Blenis Motorsports over the past eleven running’s. Seven (7) victories have gone to Boundary Creek, with Dave O’Blenis earning five of those wins, and sisters Alexandra O’Blenis (#74) and Courtney O’Blenis (#48) splitting the other victories. It’s been a rough season for the O’Blenis girls at Speedway 660 thus far, with no victories yet between them. They hope to change that on the biggest weekend of the year.
Meanwhile, Drew Greenlaw (#23) will perhaps be the driver to watch, as he enters the Riverview Ford Sportsman 150 undefeated at Speedway 660 this summer. The 2018 track champion has never won on SpeedWeekend – he dominated this race several times before late race adversity and unfortunate fate intervened. This may be his best opportunity yet.
SpeedWeekend is the time many shine in the spotlight. Richard Atkinson (#40) long has battled for wins in big races and wants a SpeedWeekend victory. Brody Seveck (#44) has had a great season and sits top five in points. Michael Cormier (#68) wants to take his Street Stock experience and prowess and execute in a big Sportsman race, while BJ Gillespie (#69) hopes the Nackawic Nite Train rolls back into SpeedWeekend victory lane.
Nova Scotia will be well represented. Defending Maritime AllStar Sportsman Series (MASS) champion Deven Smith (#94) will make the trip to the Geary Woods for his maiden voyage on the 1/3-mile oval. Scotia Speedworld standout Joey Livingstone (#01) is also preparing for his first laps at Speedway 660.
Riverview Ford Sportsman 150 Expected Entries
- #01 Joey Livingstone
- #10 Brady Creamer
- #11 Caleb Urquhart
- #19 Charles Mercer
- #23 Drew Greenlaw
- #30 Marcel Leblanc
- #37 Brayden Tingley
- #40 Richard Atkinson
- #44 Brody Seveck
- #46 Koven Lewis
- #48 Courtney O’Blenis
- #65 Brandon Carter
- #68 Michael Cormier
- #69 BJ Gillespie
- #74 Alexandra O’Blenis
- #88 Luc Bourgeois
- #94 Deven Smith
Entry list subject to change without notice
Past Winners of the Riverview Ford 150
2002 – Glyn Nott #12
2003 – Steve Rodgers #42
2004 – Bradley Logan #37
2005 – Brian Gillespie #69
2006 – Brian Gillespie #69
2007 – Glyn Nott #12
2008 – Dave Biggar #70
2009 – Dan McNeil #80
2010 – Myles Harris #31
2011 – Lonnie Sommerville #27
2012 – Dave O’Blenis #48
2013 – Colby Smith #77
2014 – Dave O’Blenis #48
2015 – Dave O’Blenis #48
2016 – Ryan Messer #1
2017 – Dave O’Blenis #48
2018 – Dave O’Blenis #48
2019 – Curtis Collins #27
2020 – Courtney O’Blenis #48
2021 – Alexandra O’Blenis #74
2022 – Brady Creamer #10
An extended distance Mini Stock race will be held on Saturday, the Pub’s Drive Thru Bottle Exchange 50. Utilizing Petty International Raceway rules, expect a healthy mix of out of town stars to battle with Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter regulars. A race that will pay $1000 to win if 25 cars are in attendance, many will want their opportunity at the big payday. Ryan McKnight (#46) has won everywhere he has raced and will be one to watch as he chases an elusive Speedway 660 win. But to do so, he will have to beat the stout field of Speedway 660 regulars, plus more. Petty International Raceway regular Chris Garnett (#66), and Speedway Miramichi regular Michael Savoie (#20) are a few of the drivers who have stated intentions to compete.
The Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour rolls back into Speedway 660 for the only time in 2023. It will be a double header for the Legends, contesting forty (40) lap features on both Saturday and Sunday. Owen Mahar (#66) is the defending Maritime League of Legends Tour champion and was a SpeedWeekend winner in 2021. Danny Chisholm (#87) swept the pair of races one season ago on SpeedWeekend. Thus far in 2023, six different drivers have gone to victory lane through six events for the Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour, with Gage Gilby (#25), Cory Hall (#08), Ayden Christensen (#24), Caden Tufts (#00), Dawson Noble (#8) and Colton Noble (#03) all finding glory. Stay tuned for more details from the Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour.
Bandolero drivers will make their lone stop to the Geary Woods for the summer on Speedweekend. Down the road at Petty International Raceway, Daniel Vandenburg (#97) and Hudson Ruff (#83) lead the points in their respective divisions. Ayden Christensen is the defending Bandolero Blast champion, but fans will see Christensen competing in a Legends car this weekend!
Street Stock 100 and Hazzard Headline Unforgettable Friday Night
The D. Gillespie & Sons Trucking Street Stock 100 fires up SpeedWeekend 2023 on Friday night. Traditionally a Sunday race, the Street Stock show on Labour Day weekend has grown every year. Originally a 50-lap affair, then a 75-lapper, and now a 100-lapper, the cars and stars of the Shur-Fit Automotive, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock division will spotlight the racing side of Friday night, setting the stage for Hazzard to rock the Speedway 660 infield once the checkered flag flies.
For 2023, the SpeedWeekend Kick-Off will return to the infield with the concert featuring music from Hazzard, and the popular bonfire – with the winner of the D. Gillespie & Sons Trucking Street Stock 100 earning the distinguished honours of igniting the bonfire.
Justin Cole (#38) will be looking to complete a perfect trifecta of extended distance races in 2023 at Speedway 660. Cole, who is leading the points and is the most recent feature winner, also had early season dominance winning the Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100 in June, and the prestigious Ricky Bobby 150 in July. A win on SpeedWeekend has eluded Cole and would cap off a dream season for the Harvey driver.
A stellar field of past SpeedWeekend Street Stock winners will assemble to try and repeat their past performances. Defending D. Gillespie & Son’s Trucking Street Stock 100 winner Shawn Hyslop (#99), celebrated his win breaking an axle doing post-race burnouts in a memorable moment. It was Hyslop’s third SpeedWeekend win, adding to triumphs in 2008 and 2019. Rick Cashol (#54) is a multi-time SpeedWeekend winner in 2004 and 2012. Winner in 2015 Rob Raynes (#41), 2018 winner Luc McLaughlin (#11), 2020 winner Riley Goodwin (#77) and 2021 winner Michael Cormier (#68) all will challenge for victory.
It is sure to be a talented field, with former Speedway Miramichi champion Bryar Ellis (#95), last years SpeedWeekend runner-up Martin Landry (#15), and PEI standout Mitchell Arsenault (#51) all traveling to Speedway 660 to challenge regulars such as Jimmy Sommerville (#5), Kyle MacKinnon (#22), Ron Enkel (#52), Karl Schaefer (#00), Jonathon Hanley (#16) and Dan Gillespie (#60).
Prior to the Street Stock main event, the Atlantic Modified Tour will contest their 2nd Annual George Fitzpatrick Memorial Race. Thirty-five (35) laps will be the distance, and Chris Wilson (#2W) enters as the defending winner, while two-time SpeedWeekend winner Yves McCray (#58) is the most recent Atlantic Modified Tour winner at Speedway 660. Many of the Tour’s stars will shine under the lights at Speedway 660. Being a non-points race, it can also be a pivotal test for when the Atlantic Modified Tour returns to Speedway 660 on Sunday.
The Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter division will contest their first of two points races on the weekend. As the season winds down, it’s been an extremely competitive season with seven (7) different feature winners in seven races. In points, it’s a two-horse race for the title between popular veterans – most up to date standings have Darren Wilcox (#32) hanging on to a two (2) point lead over Randy Titus (#75). Wilcox has a feature win to his credit, but Titus does not this summer. Evan Gallon (#9), Todd Day (#4) and Alex Gallant (#5) round out the top five, but you can expect over twenty (20) of the best battling for the win during Friday’s thirty (30) lap feature.
Action kicks off at 6:30pm on Friday September 1st, and at 4pm on Saturday September 2nd. Ticket prices for Friday’s D. Gillespie & Sons Trucking Street Stock 100 are $25 for adults, and $30 for the pits. Saturday’s Riverview Ford Sportsman 150 is $40 for adults, and $45 for pit passes. Weekend passes and weekend camping are also available. Head to speedway660.com or “Speedway 660” on Facebook for more updates on the most anticipated weekend of the year!
For the second year in a row, fans around the world will be able to tune in live on FloRacing to watch the entirety of SpeedWeekend 2023, including the 23rd Annual Pro Stock 250. Live flag-to-flag coverage will be available to all subscribers on FloRacing’s platform.
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.
