Oyster Bed Speedway Surf & Turf

After a weekend off, as we head into our third weekend of Racing at Oyster Bed Speedway (OBS) I thought it best to review some of the early action. Already the competition is stronger than it has been in my recent memory at OBS. We have always been blessed with great action over the years, but this season looks different. With all the excitement of a second Premier Street Stock event https://streetstockshowdown.com/ it appears a number of street stock teams have stepped up their game early this season and are in mid-season form already. You have about ten race teams that are favorites to win on any given night, plus a number of up and coming teams that are starting to compete for wins. Mini stock has ten different drivers or more that are favorites to win on any given night with a good crop of rookies looking to make some noise. The outlaw division has already had 15 different cars take laps this season and a small but mighty field of late models rounds out the weekly regulars. Maybe it’s just me but it feels like there is a different buzz in the air about this season.

After the dust settled following two weekends of racing in the Central Engine Services Street Stock Division Amanda Wheatley finds herself at the top of the standings. This fresh off five consecutive top three finishes after opening the season just outside the podium with a fourth. The test now for the sophomore driver will be to navigate through one of the toughest packs of cars assembled in a long time when that last race of the night comes around.

At the start of the season there may not have been another driver more excited to get back behind the wheel than Brandon Snow after missing the entire 2016 Racing Season because of an ATV accident. Snow was strong in his return to the track on opening day placing second, however the rest of the day would remain tough for the driver. The team rebounded in week 2 as he opened up with a heat win followed up with a Feature win to cap off a strong night for the driver.

In the McCallum’s Waste Management Late Model Division, Mark LeClair and former Division Champion Matt Palmer continue their rivalry as the pair seemed attached at the mirrors for most of the day in week two. Both drivers raced each other close and hard and as clean as one can at those speeds, resulting in each postings a win and once going for a spin into the infield. The pair would finish bumper to bumper in all three races on the day with the Edge going to Palmer for besting LeClair in the Feature.  However, I am sure LeClair is enjoying his view from the top of the standings better. Overall a very good day for both teams and more importantly the fans who were witness to some great racing.

In the Provincial Credit Union Outlaw Division, Shaun Morrison snapped up 5 top three finishes in his first 6 races of the season including a win. This puts him as the early leader in the points race with Cody Byrne parked in second. Bryne who also continues to cut his teeth in the Late Model division, secured his second win of the season in the Feature on the second weekend. With eight different winners in the first ten races this is proving to be another exciting Outlaw season.

Both Jorden LeClair and Jeff Richard lead the Chris’s BobCat Service Four Fun Division in wins with three each including a feature. Both drivers are expected to be at the top of the Division and early on neither have disappointed their fan bases. LeClair has continued the torrid pace of winning he set last season and finds himself at the top of the standings never finishing out of the top three so far this season in any race. Mitchel Montgomery has yet to find victory lane this season but after solid finishes in his first 6 races the Defending Champion is second in season points.

My very first Oyster Bed Speedway “Surf” goes to Street Stock Driver Brandon Albert for capturing his first ever Oyster Bed Speedway win. Brandon is one of many Albert’s to claim a checkered flag at the Speedway, and this all coming even before he got a chance to score at his own Prom. Prom was next weekend. With all kidding aside congrats on the big win Brandon, we are expecting more to come.

My very first “Turf“ goes to Mother Nature. During week two she gave us a very cold and windy day. Not a good combo for OBS. But luckily the fans who braved the cold were treated to almost every race finishing with the two front cars side by side coming out of turn four. Right now as of press time the weather is iffy for week 3, but I am always optimistic and glass half full. Let`s hope she isn`t a part of the discussion on Saturday.

Thanks all and don’t forget to share share share and see you at the track.