Maritime Racing
Rookie Austin Hiscock Wins CSS Insurance Most Popular Driver Award
Austin Hiscock has made Tim’s Corner Motorsports (TCM) history by being voted as the 2017 CSS Insurance Most Popular Driver in Atlantic Canada.
Hiscock, a Beginner Bandolero competitor in his first year at Avondale, Newfoundland’s Eastbound Park, won the third and final round of voting in the TCM Best of Racing Awards to take the win. He is the first rookie driver to win the Most Popular Driver honor in the six years of the award and is the first driver from Newfoundland to bring the honor to the province.
The winner of the Award was announced Friday night during the Eastbound Park Banquet in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
All rights to photos to their respective photographers including AH Photography, McCarthy Photographic, Marlie Rayner, Theresa Andrews.
TCM Most Popular Driver Voting Format:
Round One – All of the 125 nominated drivers (a record for the TCM Most Popular Driver Award) are placed on the same ballot. After Round One of voting, the field will be trimmed to the top 25 drivers for the second round of voting.
Round Two – The second round of voting will feature the top 25 27 drivers from the first round of voting. The top ten from this group will transfer into the final round of voting.
Round Three – The final round of voting for the 2017 CSS Insurance Most Popular Driver Award will feature the top ten from the second round of voting. The winner of this final vote will receive the sixth annual TCM CSS Insurance Most Popular Driver Award.
ROUND ONE RESULTS
| Pos. | Name |
| 1 | #9 – Owen Groves – Hearts Delight, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 2 | #02 – Austin Hiscock – Freshwater, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 3 | #77 – Randy Millar – Tyne Valley, PE – Late Model – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 4 | #06 – Sara Thorne – Chance Cove, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 5 | #23 – Shawn Waterfield – Sydney, NS – Sportsman – Riverside Speedway |
| 6 | #7 – Brandon Snow – Oyster Bed Bridge, PE – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 7 | #02 – Shane Coffen – Chance Cove, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 7 | #10 – Megan Parrott – Beaver Bank, NS – Trucks/Four Cylinders – Scotia Speedworld |
| 9 | #23 – Michael Neary – Portugal Cove, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 10 | #5 – Matt Palmer – Miscouche, PE – Late Model – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 11 | #67 – Dylan Blenkhorn – Truro, NS – Pro Stocks – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 11 | #67 – Cody Byrne – Orwell Cove, PE – Mini Stock – East Coast Mini Stock Tour |
| 13 | #80 – Amanda Wheatley – Warren Grove, PE – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 14 | #85 – Ken MacKenzie Jr – Salisbury, NB – Limited Late Model – Petty Raceway |
| 15 | #71 – Chris Hanley – St. Stephen, NB – Street Stocks – Speedway 660 |
| 16 | #11 – Jordan Veinotte – Porters Lake, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld |
| 17 | #29 – Mitchell Fahey – Carbonear, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 17 | #48 – Jeff Richard – Tignish, PE – Four Fun – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 19 | #06 – Alex Sheehan – Oyster Bed Bridge, PE – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 19 | #16 – Ross Thorne – Chance Cove, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 21 | #18 – Kyle Hedderson – St. John’s, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 21 | #84 – Noah Healey – Upper Gullies, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 23 | #22 – Kyle MacKinnon – Lincoln, NB – Sharp Shooters – Speedway 660 |
| 24 | #1 – Ryan Messer – Harvey, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 25 | #4 – Shane Bridges – Ellerslie, PE – Four Fun – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 25 | #32 – Ashton Tucker – Lyttleton, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 25 | #48 – Courtney O’Blenis – Boundary Creek, NB – Sportsman – Speedway 660 |
| 28 | #40 – Robbie MacEwen – Sherwood, PE – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 28 | #74 – Alexandra O’Blenis – Boundary Creek, NB – Sportsman – Speedway 660 |
| 30 | #52 – Dustin Tucker – Fredericton, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 30 | #68 – Michael Cormier – Grand Barachois, NB – Street Stock – Petty Raceway |
| 32 | #8 – Kent Vincent – Crapaud, PE – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 32 | #13 – Cassius Clark – Farmington, ME – Pro Stock – Open Comp. |
| 32 | #77 – Riley Goodwin – MacAdam, NB – Street Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 35 | #58 – Logan Power – Riverview, NB – Street Stock – Petty Raceway |
| 36 | #1 – Ryan St. George – Whitbourne, NL – Legends – Eastbound Park |
| 36 | #18 – Darren MacKinnon – Charlottetown, PE – Pro Stocks – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 36 | #32 – Sarah McKay – Quispamsis, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 36 | #99 – Shawn Hyslop – St. Stephen, NB – Street Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 40 | #01 – Joey Livingstone – Pictou Landing, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld |
| 40 | #08 – Nicholas Naugle – Dartmouth, NS – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 40 | #22 – Brooke Dowe – Bedford, NS – Bandolero – Scotia Speedworld |
| 43 | #9 – Roger Ryan – Georgetown, NL – Hobby Stock – Eastbound Park |
| 44 | #23 – Drew Greenlaw – Eastport, ME – Sportsman – Speedway 660 |
| 44 | #28 – John Rankin – St. Martin’s, NB – Sportsman – Speedway 660 |
| 46 | #08 – Cory Hall – Jolicure, NB – Legend – Scotia Speedworld |
| 46 | #21 – Mitchell Montgomery – Tyne Valley, PE – Four Fun – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 46 | #22 – Jeffrey Breen – Antigonish, NS – Sportsman – NAPA Sportsman |
| 49 | #00 – Matt Crocker – Lincoln, NB – Street Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 49 | #00 – Jamie Stewart – Brackley, PE – Late Model – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 49 | #23 – Brandon McFarlane – Placentia, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 49 | #30 – Makenzie Upshall – Foxtrap, NL – Hobby Stock – Eastbound Park |
| 53 | #0 – Shawn Turple – Enfield, NS – Pro Stocks – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 53 | #12 – Sam Rogers – Lower Onslow, NS – Bandolero – Scotia Speedworld |
| 53 | #29 – Greg Fahey – St. Stephen, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 53 | #30 – Johnathan Upshall – Foxtrap, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 53 | #30 – Gerald Hicks – Conception Bay South, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 58 | #51 – Jesse Deveau – Greenwood, NS – Mini Stock – Scotia Speedworld |
| 58 | #52 – Destiny Enkel – Saint John, NB – Street Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 58 | #91 – Scotty Wright – St. John’s, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 58 | #97 – John Flemming – Halifax, NS – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 62 | #29 – Jeff MacInnis – Bedeque, PE – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 62 | #48 – Dave O’Blenis – Boundary Creek, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 62 | #75 – Emily Meehan – Rawdon Gold Mines, NS – Legend – Scotia Speedworld |
| 62 | #91 – Dylan Gosbee – Cornwall, PE – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 66 | #2 – Lonnie Sommerville – Barnesville, NB – Pro Stock – Open Comp. |
| 66 | #17 – Kirsten McFarlane – Torbay, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 68 | #13 – Drew MacEachern – Dartmouth, NS – Four Cylinder – Scotia Speedworld/East Coast Mini Stock |
| 68 | #17 – Ricky Millar – Alberton, PE – Four Fun – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 68 | #53 – Cole Butcher – Porters Lake, NS – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 71 | #10 – Evan Lane – Riverview, NB – Bandolero – Petty International Raceway |
| 71 | #99 – Craig Slaunwhite – Terence Bay, NS – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 73 | #44 – Russell Smith Jr – Lakeside, NS – Sportsman – Open Comp. |
| 74 | #5 – Jonathan Hicken – Brudenell, PE – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 74 | #27 – Austin MacDonald – Pictou, NS – Bandolero – Scotia Speedworld |
| 74 | #37 – Brandon Albert – Summerside, PE – Street Stocks – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 74 | #89 – Donald Chisholm – Antigonish, NS – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 78 | #2 – Corey Breen – Antigonish, NS – Sportsman – NAPA Sportsman |
| 78 | #38 – Travis Roma – West Chezzetcook, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld |
| 80 | #3 – Joey Arsenault – Middle Cove, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 80 | #26 – Brent Roy – Hanwell, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 80 | #29 – Darren Price – Main-A-Dieu, NS – Sportsman – Riverside Speedway |
| 80 | #49 – Jesse Hicks – Conception Bay South, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 80 | #99 – Phil Barkhouse Jr – Hammonds Plains, NS – Limited Late Model – Petty Raceway |
| 85 | #6 – Adam Meehan – Rawdon Gold Mines, NS – Legend – Scotia Speedworld |
| 85 | #73 – Allison Hall – Oromocto, NB – Sharp Shooters – Speedway 660 |
| 85 | #77 – Colby Smith – Cape Sable Island, NS – Sportsman – Riverside Speedway |
| 88 | #40 – Richard Atkinson – Geary, NB – Sportsman – Speedway 660 |
| 88 | #42 – Kyle Reid – Fort McMurray, AB – Pro Stock – Open Comp. |
| 88 | #49 – Harry Ross White – Noel Road, NS – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 88 | #71 – Scott Kennie – Fredericton, NB – Sharp Shooter – Speedway 660 |
| 92 | #5 – Tom Druken – Conception Bay South, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 92 | #11 – Phil Fowler – St. John’s, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 92 | #87 – Nick Cudmore – Petitcodiac, NB – Street Stock – Petty Raceway |
| 95 | #1 – Greg Butler – Hoyt, NB – Modified – Petty Raceway |
| 95 | #92 – Pete Miller – Kennetcook, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld |
| 95 | #171 – Tom Stewart – Stewiacke, NS – Lightning – Scotia Speedworld |
| 95 | #194 – Deven Smith – Lakeside, NS – Lightning – Scotia Speedworld |
| 99 | #08 – Matt Vaughan – Bedford, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld |
| 99 | #1 – James Matchett – Miramichi, NB – Street Stock – Petty Raceway |
| 99 | #22 – Darren Flemming – Belnan, NS – Thunder – Scotia Speedworld |
| 99 | #92 – Neil Crawford – Salisbury, NB – Limited Late Model – Petty Raceway |
| 103 | #2 – Matthew Rushton – Dartmouth, NS – Bandolero – Scotia Speedworld |
| 103 | #14 – Alex Johnson – Enfield, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld |
| 103 | #16 – Dylan Sutherland – Beaver Bank, NS – Legend – Scotia Speedworld |
| 103 | #21 – Patrick Horne – Lawrencetown, NS – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 103 | #44 – Nathan Blackburn – Timberlea, NS – Bandolero – Petty Raceway |
| 103 | #66 – Chris Garnett – Havelock ,NB – Mini Stock – Petty Raceway |
| 103 | #99 – Dave Matthews – Kennetcook, NS – Thunder – Scotia Speedworld |
| 110 | #4 – Aaron Boutilier – Porters Lake, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld |
| 110 | #92 – Dylan MacMillan – Glenholme, NS – Bandolero – Scotia Speedworld |
| 112 | #15 – Dan Duke – Moncton, NB – Street Stock/Late Model – Petty International Raceway |
| 112 | #30 – Stevie Lively – Shubenacadie, NS – Pro Stock – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 112 | #72 – Tylor Hawes – Porters Lake, NS – Legend – Scotia Speedworld |
| 115 | #22 – Shane Lively – Middle Sackville, NS – Legend – Scotia Speedworld |
| 115 | #37 – Cy Harvey – Elmsdale, NS – Legend/Pro Stock – Scotia Speedworld |
| 115 | #37 – James Sample – Antigonish, NS – Sportsman – Riverside Speedway |
| 115 | #39 – Dan Smith – Lower Sackville, NS – Trucks – Scotia Speedworld |
| 115 | #75 – Doug Matchett – Miramichi, NB – Modified – Atlantic Modified |
| 115 | #87 – Danny Chisholm – Canning, NS – Bandolero – Scotia Speedworld |
| 121 | #49 – Gary Wade – Hampton, NB – Street Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 121 | #101- Willard Hurlbert – Yarmouth, NS – V8 Stock – Lake Doucette |
| 123 | #10 – Justin Goodwin – Yarmouth, NS – Sportsman – Lake Doucette |
| 123 | #14 – Kyle Bent – South Berwick, NS – Four Cylinder – Valley Raceway |
| 123 | #141 – Richard Drake – Halifax, NS – Lightning – Scotia Speedworld |
Notes:
– 1,485 total votes cast.
– Owen Groves edged Austin Hiscock by one vote for the top spot.
– Positions 28th to 41st were less than 10 votes out of the top 27. Robbie MacEwen and Alexandra O’Blenis finished two votes out of a transfer spot.
ROUND TWO RESULTS
| Pos. | Name |
| 1 | #77 – Randy Millar – Tyne Valley, PE – Late Model – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 2 | #7 – Brandon Snow – Oyster Bed Bridge, PE – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 3 | #10 – Megan Parrott – Beaver Bank, NS – Trucks/Four Cylinders – Scotia Speedworld |
| 4 | #02 – Austin Hiscock – Freshwater, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 5 | #9 – Owen Groves – Hearts Delight, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 6 | #5 – Matt Palmer – Miscouche, PE – Late Model – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 7 | #06 – Sara Thorne – Chance Cove, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 8 | #84 – Noah Healey – Upper Gullies, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 9 | #23 – Shawn Waterfield – Sydney, NS – Sportsman – Riverside Speedway |
| 9 | #11 – Jordan Veinotte – Porters Lake, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld |
| 11 | #32 – Ashton Tucker – Lyttleton, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 12 | #85 – Ken MacKenzie Jr – Salisbury, NB – Limited Late Model – Petty Raceway |
| 13 | #67 – Dylan Blenkhorn – Truro, NS – Pro Stocks – Maritime Pro Stock Tour |
| 14 | #71 – Chris Hanley – St. Stephen, NB – Street Stocks – Speedway 660 |
| 15 | #67 – Cody Byrne – Orwell Cove, PE – Mini Stock – East Coast Mini Stock Tour |
| 16 | #48 – Jeff Richard – Tignish, PE – Four Fun – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 17 | #18 – Kyle Hedderson – St. John’s, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 18 | #22 – Kyle MacKinnon – Lincoln, NB – Sharp Shooters – Speedway 660 |
| 19 | #23 – Michael Neary – Portugal Cove, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park |
| 20 | #80 – Amanda Wheatley – Warren Grove, PE – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 21 | #4 – Shane Bridges – Ellerslie, PE – Four Fun – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 22 | #48 – Courtney O’Blenis – Boundary Creek, NB – Sportsman – Speedway 660 |
| 23 | #02 – Shane Coffen – Chance Cove, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 24 | #1 – Ryan Messer – Harvey, NB – Pro Stock – Speedway 660 |
| 25 | #29 – Mitchell Fahey – Carbonear, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
| 25 | #06 – Alex Sheehan – Oyster Bed Bridge, PE – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway |
| 27 | #16 – Ross Thorne – Chance Cove, NL – Sportsman – Eastbound Park |
Notes:
– 1,190 votes cast.
– Brandon Snow won the second round by 13 votes over Randy Millar.
– Ashton Tucker finished five votes out of tenth place. Richard, Byrne, Hanley, Blenkhorn and MacKenzie finished within 20 votes of the top ten cut off.
FINAL ROUND RESULTS
10th Place – #23 Shawn Waterfield – Sydney, NS – NAPA Sportsman Series
Round One Results: 5th (3% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 9th (4% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 10th (4% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: First final ballot appearance
9th Place – #11 Jordan Veinotte – Porters Lake, NS – Sportsman – Scotia Speedworld/Petty Raceway
Round One Results: 16th (2% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 9th (4% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 9th (5% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: First final ballot appearance
8th Place – #5 Matt Palmer – Miscouche, PE – Late Model – Oyster Bed Speedway
Round One Results: 9th (2% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 6th (6% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 8th (5% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: First final ballot appearance
7th Place – #10 Megan Parrott – Beaver Bank, NS – Trucks/Mini Stock – Scotia Speedworld
Round One Results: 7th (2% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 3rd (8% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 7th (8% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: 2016 – 5th; 2015 – 8th
6th Place – #84 Noah Healey – Upper Gullies, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park
Round One Results: 21st (1% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 8th (5% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 6th (9% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: First final ballot appearance
5th Place – #9 Owen Groves – Hearts Delight, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park
Round One Results: WINNER (4% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 5th (6% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 5th (9% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: 2016 – 9th
4th Place – #77 Randy Millar – Tyne Valley, PE – Late Model – Oyster Bed Speedway
2016 Champion
Round One Results: 3rd (3% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 2nd (8% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 4th (13% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: 2016 – Champion; 2015 – 6th; 2013 – 7th
3rd Place – #7 Brandon Snow – Oyster Bed Bridge, PE – Street Stock – Oyster Bed Speedway
Round One Results: 6th (2% of Vote)
Round Two Results: WINNER (9% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 3rd (15% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: First final ballot appearance
2nd Place – #06 Sara Thorne – Chance Cove, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park
Round One Results: 4th (3% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 7th (5% of Vote)
Round Three Results: 2nd (16% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: 2016 – 3rd
WINNER – #02 Austin Hiscock – Freshwater, NL – Bandolero – Eastbound Park
Round One Results: 2nd (4% of Vote)
Round Two Results: 4th (7% of Vote)
Round Three Results: WINNER (17% of Vote)
Previous TCM Most Popular Driver Finishes: First final ballot appearance
Notes:
– 1,962 votes cast.
– Austin Hiscock is the first Rookie to win the TCM CSS Insurance Most Popular Driver award, the first Bandolero driver to take the award and first driver who hails from Newfoundland to win the Most Popular Driver vote. Hiscock, at 10 years of age, is the youngest TCM Best of Racing Award winner, eclipsing Sara Thorne when she won the TCM Breakout Performer of the Year in 2016.
– Randy Millar becomes first driver to reach the final ballot in four of the six years of the ballot. Millar (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) leads three time finalists Megan Parrott (2015-17), Brent Roy (2014-16), Sarah McKay (2013-15), Emily Meehan (2012, 2014, 2015) and Cole Tanner (2012-14). Meehan and former champions Roy and McKay were eliminated after the first round while Tanner was inactive in 2017.
Previous champions of the TCM CSS Insurance Most Popular Driver Award:
2017: Austin Hiscock of Freshwater, NL
2016: Randy Millar of Freeland, PE
2015: Brent Roy of Hanwell, NB
2014: Sarah McKay of Quispamsis, NB
2013: Mike Stevens of Salisbury, NB
2012: James Doucette of Miscouche, PE
About CSS Insurance:
CSS Insurance has been operating in Halifax since 1968, and is one of the few fully independent insurance brokerage firms remaining in the area. Our success has been built on the high level of customer service we provide to our clients. We are located in downtown Halifax. Please contact us by visiting CSSInsurance.ca, by phone at (902) 422-1211 or visit us at 2625 Joseph Howe Drive, Suite #14 in Halifax.
