(Aug. 19, 2015) – The biggest stock-car racing event in Atlantic Canada just got a lot bigger! Irving Blending & Packaging has stepped in as the major sponsor for SpeedWeekend, from September 4th to 7th,  at Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick. 

20,000 fans expected at Speedway 660 as racers battle for $110,000 

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to get out and meet our valued customers; the fans and racers who use our products,” said Chris Taylor, Marketing Manager with Irving Blending & Packaging. “We’ve long supported the 150 Sportsman race and this year we’re very excited to support an entire weekend of racing.”

Attendance for the four day Irving Blending & Packaging SpeedWeekend is expected to top more than 20,000 fans from throughout the Maritimes, New England and Quebec. The highlight of SpeedWeekend is the 250 lap Pro Stock race on September 6th. It attracts some of the best short-track drivers in North America who race for an $85,000 purse. The total purse for the three days of racing is $110,000.An All-Maine Podium! Travis Benjamin (center) won the 250 on SpeedWeekend in 2014, while Ben Rowe (right) was second and Austin Theriault was third.  Fans can expect to see another incredible Pro Stock race when the Irving Blending & Packaging 250 goes green on SpeedWeekend!

“Irving Blending & Packaging has been a big supporter of racing for several years and we’re thrilled to announce their increased support of our fans, our race teams and our sport,” said Shawna Roy, representing the Speedway 660 ownership group. “Their support allows us to continue to grow the sport and bring SpeedWeekend to a new level.”

Many of the race drivers in Atlantic Canada and Maine use Irving Blending & Packaging lubricants in their cars. Several of them are sponsored by the company including: Travis Benjamin, winner of the 2014 Pro Stock 250; Lonnie Sommerville, a two-time 250 winner; Cole Boudreau, the 2014 RE/MAX Group Four Realty Pro Stock Rookie of the Year, Cole Butcher, winner of two Maritime Pro Stock Tour races in 2015 and; Dave O’Blenis, a former 250 winner, and his daughters Alexandra and Courtney.

“This is exciting news for our sport and I’m really happy the folks from Speedway 660 got together with Irving Blending & Packaging to take SpeedWeekend to new heights,” said O’Blenis, a five-time Speedway 660 Pro Stock champion. “Irving Blending & Packaging has been great to me over the years; their products and support of our Street Stock, Sportsman and Pro Stock cars is the main reason our cars have been to Victory Lane as often as they have been.” Dave O’Blenis heads up one of the most successful short-track racing teams in the Maritimes. Dave and his daughters Courtney and Alexandra use Irving Blending & Packaging lubricants in all of their Street Stock, Sportsman and Pro Stock race cars. 

The Irving Blending & Packaging SpeedWeekend runs from Friday, September 4^th until Monday, September 7^th. The Harvey’s Family Corn-Boil and Infield Concert, with Tristan Horncastle kick things off on SpeedWeekend Friday and this year Irving I-24 is sponsoring the crowd favourite Sportsman 150 race Saturday night. On Sunday the best drivers in eastern North America will converge on Speedway 660 for the Irving Blending & Packaging 250 Pro Stock race and SpeedWeekend wraps up on Labour Day Monday with the Capital City Auto Parts ENDURO 200.

About Speedway 660

Speedway 660 is one of Canada’s premier stock car racing facilities. Located in New Brunswick’s Fredericton region, it attracts race teams and fans from the Maritimes, New England and Quebec. The Speedway 660 racing season runs from mid May until Labour Day Weekend. SpeedWeekend is one of the most prestigious short track events in eastern North America.

About Irving Blending & Packaging

Irving Blending & Packaging is Atlantic Canada’s premier blending, packaging, storage and marketing services provider. Located in Saint John, New Brunswick, Irving Blending & Packaging markets Irving and Cobra branded lubricants, chemicals and DEF and provides full private label manufacturing services. Operating within a 157,000 square foot facility, Irving Blending & Packaging has over 10 million litres of bulk storage capacity with logistical access for truck, rail, marine shipping and export.