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The Thanksgiving weekend, October 11th and 12th, is finally upon us and with it comes the finale of the 2008 stock car season in Maritime Canada. The season has been punctuated by "Big" races from start to finish and the winners list reads like a "who's who" of racing. Tributes have been held for Scott Kelly and Jimmy Halihan, the IWK had another big race in their honour which raised a pile of funds, and a NASCAR star came to Riverside and delivered the performance people wanted to see, winning the event.
Reagan Smith, the driver who lost the NASCAR race last weekend to Tony Stewart on a ruling which made little sense, considering what happened in other races earlier in the year, came to Riverside for the second year in a row, and claimed victory in the IWK 250. Smith put on a great show last weekend and did at Riverside as well.
It's only fitting that the season will end at Shediac's Centre for Speed, the track that was struggling earlier in the year but has rebounded, with the 8th annual Atlantic Championships. At last count yesterday, over 150 cars have registered for the event, with 32 Pro Stocks and 40 Sportsman already lined up and ready to go.
It's a two day event, with the Pro Stocks and Sportsman running on Saturday in 150 and 100 lappers respectfully, and the Street Stocks, AOW, and Mini's running on Sunday. The weatherman has called for sun all weekend and the races start at 1 o'clock, making it an all daylight affair. Other years, the event has stretched into the darkness, when the temperatures dropped to near uncomfortable levels.
The Pro Stock battle should be intense, with Pro Stock champion Wayne Smith and PASS competitor John Flemming already registered. Local competitor Sandy Livingston Jr is also entered and hopes to do well at this, the track where he started his Prostock career, and where he won the last Pro Stock points competition in 2005. Every Street Stock champion in the Maritimes has entered the fray for Sunday, ensuring some great "rock em, sock em"action in what famous Maritime announcer Cyril Hall calls "the sideways sliding, crash and burn, thrill show" division. A large crowd is expected for the event both days, with overnight camping available on the grounds. Several fun events have been scheduled for Saturday night after the races and should add to a full weekend of racing excitement.
The only other tracks still operating are Lake Doucette and Avondale Speedway, over in Newfoundland. Both are wrapping up activities this month as well, bringing down the curtain on a very exciting season.
While the local season may be done after this weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup battle is intensifying. Jimmy Johnson appears poised to make a run at a third consecutive title, while team mates Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Gordon appear doomed to also ran status. Carl Edwards, Geg Biffle and Jeff Burton can still overtake Johnson, with six races stiil to come, but there seems to be an air of "rising to the challange" around Johnson and the 48 team. Clint Bowyer appears to be "home and dry" in the Nationwide series while Ron Hornaday, who raced at Speedway 660 on Labour Day, has a slim lead over Johnny Benson, who raced at Speedway 660 twice a few years ago.This battle is one to watch as both drivers are determined to put this one in their camp. Hornaday is the defending champion in the Truck Series.
Once this weekend is over, the banquet circuit gets in full swing with lots of turkey everywhere. Tickets to each of these events are available by contacting the track or Tour officials to purchase some. These events give everyone the chance to get up front and personal with some of the big names in Maritime racing.
Well, that my two cents worth for this week. Why not come out and join us for a full weekend of great racing at Shediac. You'll be glad you did !!!
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