6/7/2023
Speedway 660
STREET STOCK COMPETITORS 'TARGETT' CENTER STAGE SATURDAY!
(June 7th, 2023) – The night sky in the Geary Woods will light up for the first time in 2023, as Speedway 660 transitions to its traditional 6:30pm Saturday night slot for the third race of the season. Fittingly, the first night race will see some old school racing in the spotlight, as the Shur-Fit Automotive, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock division takes center stage for the 4th Annual Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100!
Intense action will be the theme of the night as drivers enter the mid-season grind, with the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter division in action alongside the returning Atlantic Modified Tour. The first points race is on tap for the Re/Max East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division. The youngest drivers will take to the track too – as Speedway 660 hosts Power Wheels races for the first of three times in 2023!
Targett’s Windows and Doors 100 Gives Street Stock Stars Center Stage
A stout field of Shur-Fit Automotive, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock competitors is preparing to do battle in the Fourth Annual Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100. As of press time, seventeen (17) entries are expected by Speedway 660 officials, for what will be the first of three extended distance features on the calendar. With championship points on the line – and serving as a crucial tune-up before the 5th Annual Ricky Bobby 150 on July 1st – there will be plenty at stake in addition to the $1000 grand prize for the race winner.
No former winner of the Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100 is on the entry list, giving the opportunity for someone new to claim their first win in the event. Shawn Hyslop (#99) has held a hot hand at Speedway 660 as of late, winning three of the last four features, dating back to the last extended distance event during D. Gillespie and Sons Trucking 100 at Speedweekend 2022! Hyslop enters as the points leader by one point over his close rival Justin Cole (#38), who is the only driver to score podium finishes in every race so far this season.
So many stars of the old school Street Stock division will look to take the trophy this weekend. Kyle MacKinnon (#22) is fresh off a runner-up finish last time out and would love to post a strong run in a big event. Defending champion Rick Cashol (#54) may be the elder statesmen in the class, but “The Villain” continues to entertain every race and is known for his prowess in long distance races. Luc McLaughlin (#11) should be a driver to watch too, should he overcome engine issues that have plagued the early portion of his season.
Many more Speedway 660 regulars will be giving fans something to cheer for – some making their first starts of the season! Karl Schaefer (#00) – who nearly captured a podium two weeks ago – Jimmy Sommerville (#5), Jonathan Hanley (#16), and defending Rookie of the Year Ron Enkel (#52) all are looking for their first victories, and all have proven to be contenders so far this year. Rob Raynes (#41) and Bill Storey (#53) are also on the entry list as they will make their 2023 debuts.
Northern New Brunswick will see a strong representation of entries in the field, with former Speedway Miramichi champions Darcy O’Neill (#68) and Brad MacLean (#13) making the trip over. The most recent winner up north was Tom Nicholls, and while he won’t be driving his car, co-driver Brodie MacQuarrie (#28) will be piloting it for 100 laps. Drew Lewis (#61) has a podium finish already in 2023 at Speedway Miramichi and will join Shawn Furlong (#97) as competitors representing the Moncton area. USA will be represented by Bimbo Look (#33) who made a few starts at Speedway 660 one year ago, creating a wide geographic representation for this race.
Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100 Expected Entries:
- Karl Schaefer #00 - Woodstock, NB
- Jimmy Sommerville #5 - Fredericton, NB
- Luc McLaughlin #11 - Geary, NB
- Brad MacLean #13 - Black River, NB
- Jonathan Hanley #16 - St. Stephen, NB
- Kyle MacKinnon #22 - Lincoln, NB
- Brodie MacQuarrie #28 - Brackley Beach, PEI
- Bimbo Look #33 - Jonesport, ME
- Justin Cole #38 - Harvey, NB
- Rob Raynes #41 - Saint John, NB
- Ron Enkel #52 - Saint John, NB
- Bill Storey #53 - Nashwaak Bridge, NB
- Rick Cashol #54 - Saint John, NB
- Drew Lewis #61 - Moncton, NB
- Darcy O’Neill #68 - Miramichi,NB
- Shawn Furlong #97 - Moncton, NB
- Shawn Hyslop #99 - St. Stephen, NB
Past Winners of the Targett’s Windows and Doors Street Stock 100
2020 – Chris Hanley #71
2021 – Michael Cormier #68
2022 – Kenny MacKenzie Jr #85
First Time Winners Streak Dominates Sharp Shooter Storylines
The story in the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter division has been first-time winners, with Mitchell Harvey (#19) and Jason Duffield (#91) scoring their first career feature wins through the first two races of 2023. Heading into race three, Todd Day (#4), Terry Lawson (#14), and Austin Harnish (#13) could be among the favorites to keep the streak alive – they find themselves sitting in the top ten in points thus far in 2023 and are poised to pounce.
With many drivers facing some sort of adversity thus far, it’s a dynamic points battle brewing. Last year’s runner-up Alex Gallant (#5) holds a slim one-point advantage over most recent runner-up feature finisher Randy Titus (#75). Darren Wilcox (#32) has had a strong start to the year to sit third in points just three points back of the lead through two events. Matt Martin (#33) has quietly and consistently run well, pacing himself to a fourth place points position ahead of Mitchell Harvey and Wesley Harnish (#61).
Another year of strong car counts has produced action packed racing for the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter division through two events, with nearly twenty (20) cars competing at each event so far. Car counts are anticipated to continue growing, and another thrilling thirty (30) lap feature will be contested this weekend.
Points Battle Gets Underway for Elite Pro Stock Division
After touring series kicked off the first two events of 2023, the house Re/Max East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division will commence their points championship on Saturday. Wyatt Alexander is the defending champion but is not intending on defending his crown, opening the door for a new champion. Kevin Moore (#88) has long been close to a championship, and he hopes 2023 could be his year. Ian Rasmussen (#81) came close to a championship with a third-place effort in points one season ago. Robert Lee (#41) has experience on his side, as the veteran readies for the season. Rookie competitors such as Clark Moore (#54) and Curtis Collins (#27) moved up from the Sportsman division and in few starts have been impressive thus far, and certainly will be closely watched by fans.
Seventy-five (75) laps will be the scheduled distance for the Re/Max East Coast Elite Realty Pro Stock division on Saturday.
Atlantic Modified Tour Makes Second Stop in Geary Woods
The fierce competitors of the Atlantic Modified Tour make their second appearance at Speedway 660 in 2023. At the Riverview Ford Season Opener, it was Chris Wilson (#2W) holding off a hard charging Yves McCray (#58) to score the victory. It was the fifth career Speedway 660 AMT win for Wilson, tying Joe Hoyt (#17) as the all-time Modified wins leader at Speedway 660. Wilson will look to take sole ownership of the top spot, while Hoyt seeks to utilize his home track advantage to turn around a slow start to his season.
McCray may have finished second opening day, but he picked up the most recent AMT win during a stop at Speedway Miramichi to take over the points lead. A three-time winner at Speedway 660, McCray knows the way to victory lane. Braxton Stafford (#91) is another AMT competitor familiar with Speedway 660, the lone win of his championship season one year ago came at Speedway 660. Kevin Bailey (#4) is a local standout from the Fredericton region who has a victory at his home track, with his victory coming at Speedweekend in 2018. Doug Matchett (#75) has a Speedway 660 podium streak dating back to last year, but Mr. Excitement has yet to pick up a victory in the Geary Woods.
A strong field of Modifieds is expected to bring the thunder to Speedway 660 on Saturday, with upwards of a dozen cars expected, including several rookie competitors and some veterans making their first starts at Speedway 660. The Atlantic Modified Tour will contest a thirty-five (35) lap feature.
Power Wheels Race During St. Louis Bar and Grill Intermission
Since its introduction in 2021, Power Wheels races have been a popular St. Louis Bar and Grill Intermission headline for the youngest drivers at Speedway 660! This weekend, the first Power Wheels race of the summer will be contested. The youngest fans can bring their power wheels entry to the Speedway on Saturday to compete. All entries are required to wear a helmet and have a non-modified Power Wheels car.
Stay in the Know
Action starts at 6:30pm on Saturday June 10th. Pits for competitors will open at 1:00pm with practice getting underway at 2pm. Grandstand tickets are $20 for adults, and as always kids fifteen (15) years of age and under will be admitted free to the grandstands. Pit admission is $25 and is restricted to those at least 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.
Article Credit: Denver Matchett
Submitted By: Stephen Muzzerall
