Atlantic Canada’s biggest short-track stock car racing event of the season is about to begin. SpeedWeekend 2012 kicks off on Friday evening with a popular corn-boil and infield party at Speedway 660. Racing takes place Saturday night, Sunday afternoon & evening and Monday afternoon.

“Campers have been rolling in here all week, the excitement continues to build for SpeedWeekend and the race teams will soon begin to arrive” said Speedway 660’s Steve Burns. “It’s our biggest event of the year and we will continue working non-stop to make sure we are ready to host fans, race teams and sponsors.”

The Coastal Blending and Packaging Sportsman 150 highlights racing action on Saturday at 7PM. Qualifying for the Auto Value 250 gets underway at 2PM Sunday and the biggest pro stock race of the season takes the green flag at 7PM. On Monday at 2PM the final Enduro 200 wraps up the racing season.

Over eight thousand race fans and the best Pro Stock drivers in eastern North America will invade Speedway 660 for Sunday’s Auto Value 250. The Coastal Blending Packaging Sportsman 150 and the Enduro 200 are also part of SpeedWeekend 2012

“The level of competition in the Auto Value 250 this year will be intense, we’ve got two, three time winners plus three other former winners and a long list of other strong contenders” said Speedway 660’s Chris Johnston. “The Coastal Blending and Packaging 150 is also attracting a lot of interest and we’ll see a large field of cars attempt to qualify for that Sportsman race.”

Shawn Tucker is the defending Auto Value 250 winner. Tucker, who has won the race twice, will be joined by Johnny Clark and Lonnie Sommerville who are also two time winners. The elite of the Pro All Star Series and Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour will also be out to win the 250. In addition, Speedway 660’s A.L. Gullison Disaster Kleenup Pro Stock division drivers, including 2012 champ Dave O’Blenis, will defend their home turf.

“It’s basically a who’s who of short track racing and we are happy to see SpeedWeekend continue to grow and attract race teams and fans from all over eastern North America” said Johnston. “We are also pleased to showcase all five of our weekly racing divisions and I think the fans are going to be on the edge of their seats all weekend long.”

In addition to the Coastal Blending and Packaging 150 on Saturday night, fans will also be treated to the fastest growing brand of racing at Speedway 660. The Fredericton Jewellers four cylinder division will entertain fans along with the Martin’s Home Heating division and visiting Sportsman racers. On Sunday the Hanwell Village Mart Bandolero and RV World Street Stock drivers will race during the afternoon of Auto Value 250 qualifying. The Fredericton Hyundai Street Stock 50 is always a highlight of SpeedWeekend. The Enduro 200 at 2PM Monday afternoon wraps up Speedway 660’s 2012 racing season.

“Speedway 660 has worked hard to be fan-friendly and it’s nice to see familiar faces and first time fans land here for SpeedWeekend” said Burns. “I want to thank all of our weekly fans, sponsors, race teams as well as our employees and volunteers for helping us grow SpeedWeekend into the short-track racing spectacle that it has become.”

Speedway 660 officials say there are still a few campsites available for the weekend. Fans interested in claiming one of those sites or advance SpeedWeekend event tickets are encouraged to call the Speedway 660 raceline at 506-454-7223.