(July 25th, 2024) – After nearly a month’s hiatus that saw several weekends of action packed destruction entertain fans, stock car drivers at Speedway 660 will return to competition Saturday night with a fan favorite event! Christmas in July sees signs of the holiday season overtake the Geary Woods in the midst of July heat – with Santa promising a great night of action for all the drivers and fans.

Twin 100-lap features co-headline the Christmas in July race – the Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100 will mark the second consecutive major event for the Shur-Fit Automotive, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock division, while the Summit Dodge Sportsman stars will see their first extended distance feature of the season. Points racing will also be contested in the Re/Max East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock and Changing Hands Thrift Shop Sharp Shooter divisions when the green flag drops at 6:30pm on Saturday July 27th.

Summit Dodge Sportsman Take The Spotlight

The first big dance of the season comes on Saturday for the Summit Dodge Sportsman division at Speedway 660. With Lyle Bongards RV Sales SpeedWeekend just over a month away, many drivers will have their eye on shaking down in a longer race that is sure to see attrition ahead of September. However, fans will have their minds on what transpired the last time the Sportsman stars battled at Speedway 660. It was just over a month ago when Brady Creamer (#10) stole a late race victory after a thrilling battle between himself, Matt Rodgers (#42) and Kenny MacKenzie Jr (#85). That finish set the bar for what to expect from this class, and with more laps on tap, this round is sure to be intense.

With championship points on the line, could we be eyeing up a long anticipated Richard Atkinson (#40) championship? Atkinson leads the way after two events at Speedway 660, but “The Old Musket” has chased top honours in the class for decades but come up short. Fresh off a podium finish for the first time at Petty International Raceway, he has momentum on his side! Jacob Logan (#37), Courtney O’Blenis (#48) and Charles Mercer (#19) are all chasing Atkinson heading into this weekend’s 100-lap event, as are the rest of the field who look to play spoiler and climb the standings!

Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100 Second Consecutive Marquee Event

The last stock car race held at Speedway 660? The prestigious Ricky Bobby 150 for the Street Stock competitors. Another big race – the Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100 – will book-end the month of July as drivers chase the increased payout that goes with the big race – and valuable championship points.

Points leader Justin Cole (#38) is the defending winner of the Targett’s Windows and Doors 100 – but Cole is hungry for redemption. Originally declared the winner of the Ricky Bobby 150 when rain struck after 126 laps, Cole ended up forfeiting the win in post-race technical inspection. While a tough pill to swallow, this team is ready for redemption. A second win in this weekend’s race is top of mind, as is a second consecutive Shur-Fit Automotive, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock division championship. Currently, Cole shows the way by what is now just a mere four (4) points over Riley Goodwin (#77) and these two are ready to battle all the way to the end of the season. For Goodwin, he will look to break through with a win in a big race as part of what has been a stellar season for his team!

Kyle MacKinnon (#22) sits third in points, having been emerging as a perennial contender this season – but his work is cut out if he wants to hang in with the top two. He also has his hands full holding off the driver sitting in fourth in standings – which is another driver who is hungry for redemption. Luc McLaughlin (#11) may have had the fastest car at the Ricky Bobby 150, but the stars did not align for him. The Targett’s Windows and Doors 100 will be a great chance to return to the top and score a redeeming victory.

The extra laps is sure to entice many of the regions top talents to return to the Geary Woods for a second course after the Ricky Bobby 150 – could Michael Cormier (#68) go back to back, or might a Kenny MacKenzie Jr (#85) defend his Targett’s Windows and Doors 100 win from 2022?

Pro Stocks Have Tightest Points Battle Thus Far In Season

Of all Speedway 660 house classes, the Re/Max East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stocks have the best points battle brewing – with the top two holding massive storylines on their bid for the championship while being separated by one position on the track..

On top is the “Big Black Dodge” and second generation talent Ian Rasmussen (#81). Rasmussen – who is still searching for his first career victory – is looking to follow in the footsteps of his father Glenn as a champion in the class. Glenn achieved top honors four times in the class, and Ian’s title bid would be monumental for the family team.

Chasing Rasmussen just two points back is Kevin Moore (#88). It’s no secret – a championship at Speedway 660 has been on Kevin’s bucket list but has eluded him for years. Moore has come close – as close as second on multiple occasions. Readying for the second half of the season, Moore does not want to watch another opportunity slip through his finger tips.

It is not a breakaway by any means though, as Clark Moore (#54) finds himself nine points back and within striking distance. Behind Clark Moore is Marcel Leblanc (#30) who has been having a respectable rookie campaign to date. 

When it comes to winners, part-time drivers have been picking up victories with Steve Halpin (#03) and Devin Snell (#10) all cracking into victory lane thus far in 2024. The battle for the wins and the championship is sure to create a thrilling dynamic during this weekend’s 50-lap feature.

BJ Gillespie Leads Sharp Shooters Into GunSlinger Prelude

When the calendar flips to August, the Changing Hands Thrift Shop Sharp Shooter division will be front and center for their signature event – the GunSlinger 75! But first, there is a race to run this weekend – and being the final laps before the GunSlinger, expect a large field to enter in one last preparation effort. 

BJ Gillespie (#69) sits atop with a commanding points lead – holding that lead over the most recent winner in Jason Duffield (#91). Duffield became only the second driver not named Gillespie to earn a feature victory in 2024, and looks to carry momentum into a potential come from behind title run with his sights set on the 69 machine.

The stout field of Sharp Shooters has consistently exceeded twenty entries, with many drivers being on the verge of a breakthrough into Riverview Ford Lincoln victory lane. Curtis Tremblay (#00) sits third in points and may be the next to breakthrough, while fourth in points Todd Day (#4) has garnered a pair of heat race victories that he hopes to translate into feature success. Tyler Collett (#21), Braden Carr (#74) and Robert Kamphuis (#99) are among the healthy crop of drivers who have been showing promise, and look forward to a strong second half of the season.

It will be a 30-lap feature for the Changing Hands Thrift Shop Sharp Shooters as they kick off the Christmas in July event with the first feature.

Christmas in July racing begins at 6:30pm on Saturday July 27th with heat racing starting the night off. Grandstands open at 5:00pm while pit gates open at 1:30pm. Grandstand tickets are just $25, and as always, kids fifteen (15) years of age and under are admitted free! Pit admission is $30, and please note that pit access is restricted to those aged sixteen (16) years of age and older, except for youth who are direct family members of a driver, who can enter the pits with proper signed waivers. All entrants to the pits must complete the e-waiver prior to entering the pits.

For all up-to-date info from Speedway 660, check us out online at Speedway660.com, or find them on Facebook at “Speedway 660”.

 

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.