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Maritime Racing

Oyster Bed Speedway Surf & Turf

#4 Shane Bridges PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Francis

Oyster Bed Speedway is all set for yet again another Matinee date this Sunday at 2 pm. As a thank you to their fans the Speedway is offering a $5 general admission to the grand stands. The race card will feature another round of the Centennial Auto Sport and Tire Eastern Mini Cup Series, Bandalero racing along with all four local divisions.

Locally the Chris’ Bobcat Service Mini Four Fun division will feature their second 30 lap Super Series. The first came on opening day which saw Shane Bridges capturing the Feature over two fierce competitors in defending Division Champ Mitchel Montgomery and current leader Jordan LeClair. Following a catastrophic mechanical failure in week two, Bridges followed it up in week three with a triple win. Bridges, LeClair and Jeff Richard lead the way in total wins ties with four in the division. The talent and competition in this division has never been better and is no longer the races you wait for so you can go to the canteen.

#47 Jordan LeClair PHOTO BY Mike Francis:

In the Provincial Credit Union Outlaw Division mainland import JR Lawson Stole the show with a feature win alongside a heat win last Sunday. Lawson would finish no lower than second on the day. Former two time Champ Kendall Palmer has the division lead heading into the weekend.

After running more than 100 laps on Sunday the Central Engine Services Street Stock division will be back and running for points after the Maritime Street Stock Showdown last Sunday. After capturing the inaugural Showdown, two time Division Champ Nick Chaisson will set his sights on current division leader Amanda Wheatley. Colton Ford finished second in the Showdown and rounds out the top three in points.

The MacCallums Waste Management Late Model Division hasn’t turned a lap in almost a month so look for those drivers to be anxious this Sunday. Mark LeClair will take the division lead into the weekend.

Oyster Bed Speedway “SURF”

This week’s Surf goes to a gentleman who we all need to be very thankful for, as we would not all be here at OBS every weekend enjoying Stock Car Racing like we do. James “Merrill” Cronin is being inducted into the Maritime Motor Sports Hall of Fame under the builders category. Here is an exert from his nomination form.

In 1981, Merrill and his friend, Kevin Power, purchased Raceway Park, a local drag strip located in Oyster Bed Bridge, Prince Edward Island. The partners ran the track successfully over the next few years and, having earned the respect of local drivers and patrons, were continuously asked to consider opening an oval track. After an act of arson took the drag building in fall of 1984, the partners made the decision to not only rebuild, but to expand the facility to include a ¼ mile stock car oval in spring 1985. Opening night brought between 2,000 to 2,500 spectators out. It became apparent that there was a market for stock car racing in Prince Edward Island and so began the humble beginnings of what is now Oyster Bed Speedway, currently the longest continually run paved track in the Maritimes.

I couldn’t think of a more deserving candidate. Even after opening the track some 30 years ago he continues to join us for almost every race day in the tower to log the Leaders and the Laps on the scoreboard. Be sure if you see him at the track or out on the streets, be sure to Congratulate him and shake his hand. We will be doing something a little more formal at OBS in the coming weeks.

Oyster Bed Speedway “TURF”

This week’s TURF is the lack of racing under the lights this season at OBS. Following a series of rain cancellations and postponements and a Canada Day on Saturday, a night under the lights has not yet happened. Now, I know this was not intentional and Mother Nature is to blame, but I am missing the magic that happens under the lights. And it won’t be until July 22nd till we are scheduled for the next night race. Sorry Gary Ford I guess it’ll be your time to shine soon enough at OBS.

That’s all from here. Be sure to celebrate Canada this weekend in any way you can. We are very fortunate to live in one of the Best Countries in the World.

Track Announcer: Jeremy MacDonald

PHOTO CREDITS this week go to the very talented Mike Francis.

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