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TCM Best of Awards

NOW CLOSED – Round Two Voting for 2018 TCM Best of Racing Awards

The field has been narrowed to 25 in the TCM Most Popular Driver Award and it is time to axe the field down to the final ten!

The second round of the TCM Best of Racing 2018 Awards are now here and ready for your voice to be heard. You can now vote for Round Two of the TCM Most Popular Driver Award along with four other short track, series and event related accolades.

You can also submit a consideration for the Kings County Performance Rookie of the Year and Dulux Paints Breakout Performer of the Year Awards. While not mandatory, your write in could help us narrow our field to ten for the Round Three ballot.

Read below about the Most Popular Driver format with a returning first round twist for 2018, the nominees for the TCM Fan Favorite Touring Series, Events and Short Track Food and cast your vote for in the second round of the 2018 TCM Best of Racing Awards!

TCM Most Popular Driver Voting Format:

Round One – All of the 110 nominated drivers 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. Voting closes for Round One on Wednesday, October 31st at NOON Atlantic.

BACK FOR 2018 – for the first round only, because there are so many drivers on the ballot, you can select up to three drivers in the first round. You can select one if you wish but the option is open to select up to five from the list. This choice will be in play for the first round only. Team up with other drivers on your campaigns, get your fans and theirs to help out to get to the second round!

The Round Two Ballot for the TCM Best of 2018 Awards runs from Thursday, November 1st at 6pm Atlantic to Thursday, November 15th at Noon Atlantic.

The Round Three Ballot for the TCM Best of 2018 Awards runs from Thursday, November 15th at 6pm Atlantic to Friday, November 30th at Noon Atlantic.

TCM Fan Favorite Touring Series:

Atlantic Modified Tour: The Atlantic Modified Tour continued to grow in 2018 with car counts in the double digits for most races. The Series grew on the North Shore with the return of “The Racing Ranger” Kim Hallihan and Zean Dutcher, even “Hollywood” James Matchett found himself with a car. Joe Hoyt was the 2018 Tour Champion with Braxton Stafford (Petty Raceway) and “Mr. Excitement” Doug Matchett (Speedway Miramichi) taking home track titles within the Series. The Atlantic Modified Tour also returned to Speedway 660 for the first time in a number of seasons for two races in addition to races at Speedway Miramichi and Petty International Raceway.

East Coast Mini Stock Tour: The East Coast Mini Stock Tour was formed in December 2016 to give Mini Stock racing in the Maritime Provinces a unified home. Featuring four cylinder Honda models, the series hosted races at five venues in 2018 including Petty International Raceway, Riverside Speedway, Speedway 660 and inaugural trips to Scotia Speedworld and Lake Doucette Motor Speedway. Matthew Warren was the champion in 2018 and took home a Revolution RMR6 Lift from Series sponsor MJS and Prime Lift for his title.  

Eastern Super Mini Cup Series: The Eastern Super Mini Cup Series returned to “touring series” status in 2018 when the Series ventured from Oyster Bed Speedway to the Shediac CENTRE For Speed and Speedway Miramichi at the end of the year. Even with an accident during the last race of 2018 at Speedway Miramichi, Mark Ferguson was able to lock up a second championship in two years for the Series.

Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (Four Time Winner): The reigning TCM Fan Favorite Touring Series champion saw Cole Butcher hoist the championship for the second time in his career. The racing, which took place at Scotia Speedworld, Riverside Speedway, Petty Raceway, Speedway 660 and Oyster Bed Speedway, was close from flag-to-flag and featured some exciting edge-of-your-seat Pro Stock action through every turn! Their schedule runs from May to September.

Maritime League of Legends: With the guidance of new President Jason Foster and Vice President Jonathan Bull, the  Maritime League of Legends Tour continued to draw a stable car count in 2018. The series contested events at Petty International Raceway, Riverside International Speedway, Oyster Bed Speedway, Scotia Speedworld and Speedway 660. The series runs from May to September.

TCM Fan Favorite Major Short Track Event:

IWK 250 @ Riverside Speedway: The first major on the Maritime racing calendar takes place in mid-July, anchored by the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis. Kenny Wallace was the winner of the IWK 250 in 2018 with Cory Hall and Colby Smith racing to wins on the Friday night Legend and Sportsman card. The event kicks off with two days of practice on Wednesday (Legends/Sportsman) and Thursday (Pro Stocks) with the Tailgate Party grooving on Saturday night prior to racing competition kicking off.

McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 @ Speedway 660: The McLaughlin Roof Trusses 250 is a Labour Day Classic. The 2018 edition of the race was won by Harvey’s Ryan Messer and capped a weekend that saw seven unique divisions, including three Touring divisions, race for the win. Friday night features a Corn Boil, Saturday is the big money Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman 150 before the Pro Stocks highlight the weekend on Sunday.

Mike Stevens Memorial 200 @ Petty International Raceway: While not a “crown jewel 250,” the late September showdown at Petty International Raceway in memory of Mike Stevens has grown into a event all of its own. Friday night of the weekend sees all support class racing, including Bandoleros, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks and Atlantic Modifieds with Saturday night being reserved for Late Model competition. Dylan Blenkhorn (Pro Stock) and Laurie Cormier (Sportsman) took home the big Late Model wins in the 2018 Mike Stevens Memorial.

Toromont Cat 250 @ Scotia Speedworld: The oldest of the four majors, the Toromont Cat 250 has been making memories since 2000 when John Flemming won the inaugural running of the HRM’s biggest stock car race. Friday night sets the stage with over two dozen Sportsman cars taking to the track for a 100-lap display, won by Matt Vaughan in 2018. The Maritime League of Legends Tour warms up the track Saturday for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour. Cassius Clark was the winner of the Toromont Cat 250 in 2018.

TCM Fan Favorite Short Track Event:

Atlantic Championships @ Shediac’s CENTRE For Speed: Celebrating 19 years in 2018, the Atlantic Championships hosts a neural battleground for one more big event every year. In 2018, the event saw races in the Pro Stock, Sportsman, Street Stock, Four Fun, Mini Stock, Bandolero divisions and Eastern Super Mini Cup Series.

Bumper to Bumper 300 @ Riverside International Speedway: The only visit of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series to Atlantic Canada is always a highlight for race fans in the region. Once again, the event played a key role in determining a champion as LP Dumoulin took home the 300-lap event for the Pinty’s Series at Riverside.

Fanfest @ Scotia Speedworld: This event continues to grow in popularity with both fans and drivers alike. The event features a full racing card of Weekly Racing Series action, plus an autograph session. Did we mention front gate admission is FREE to Scotia Speedworld on Fanfest with a sponsor ticket?! It is the only free admission event in stock car racing in Atlantic Canada!

Maritime Street Stock Showdown @ Oyster Bed Speedway: In its second year, the Maritime Street Stock Showdown attracted more than 30 cars to compete at Oyster Bed Speedway for the $1,500 to win Street Stock race. In the end, Mike Duskey avoided the late race fireworks and drove to victory lane.

Ricky Bobby 100 @ Speedway 660: Speedway 660 now has a marquee Street Stock event to call their own. Running to honor familiar face at the Speedway in Ricky “Ricky Bobby” Arbeau, the event drew entries from all over the Maritimes to compete for the big purse. Luc McLaughlin defended his home turf in July during the inaugural race.

River Glade International @ Petty International Raceway: Rich in history, the River Glade International ran its 54th edition in 2018. The two day show is highlighted on the Friday night with a 125-lap Sportsman feature, won in 2018 by Jordan Veinotte and a 200-lap Pro Stock feature for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour on Saturday, which was won by Jonathan Hicken.

Showdown on the Shore @ Lake Doucette Motor Speedway: For the first time in almost a decade, Lake Doucette Motor Speedway hosted a touring series on their half mile oval. The Bruce Honda Showdown on the Shore for the MJS and Prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock Tour packed the stands with fans for a phenomenal afternoon of racing. In the end, Matthew Warren took home the win in the 75-lap feature.

The Very Best Fall Shootout @ Speedway Miramichi: The Chi City Showdown was renamed to The Very Best Fall Shootout at Speedway Miramichi in 2018 and continued tradition of being one of the last big events on the calendar. Luc McLaughlin once again showed his Street Stock strength by picking up the big cheque in the 100-lap Street Stock headliner.

The 150-lap Finale @ Eastbound Park: The Season Finale traditionally closes off a busy season at Eastbound Park and is also the longest event for the Division I NASCAR Whelen All American Series Sportsman. Unlike most events that have Twin races, this is a straight 150 with a competition caution in the middle. Josh Collins continued his domination of the event by winning the race once again in 2018.

TCM Fan Favorite Race Track Food Staple Nominees:

Bologna Burger – CENTRE For Speed: It’s a simple sandwich made with bologna, cheese, an optional egg and fresh bread, grilled and served piping hot and to order. Order one or order ten, they are a must have at the Atlantic Championships!

Footlong Hotdog – Riverside Speedway: Wilma’s at Riverside Speedway has the hotdog and sausage market covered when it comes to local race tracks. The Footlong Hotdog returns as a finalist for the TCM Fan Favorite Race Track Food Award in 2018 in hopes of bringing the award to a Nova Scotia race track for the first time in five years!

Popcorn Chicken – Oyster Bed Speedway: The Oyster Bed Speedway Popcorn Chicken is a great snack to enjoy the racing on the Island with. While a number of tracks have hopped chicken onto their menus, Oyster Bed is the only track in the Maritimes that serves the small delights.

Raceway Burger – Valley Raceway: While Deep Fries Mars Bars are nice, the highlight at Valley Raceway (besides the racing on track) is Chef Will’s Valley Raceway Burger. Complete with two fresh four oz. beef patties seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper, caramelized onions, tomato, cheese, lettuce and a splash of sauce that gives an extra kick. Not only that, everything is done in front of you on the flat top! Many tracks have lost the element of fresh food at the track but it is something Valley Raceway prides themselves on and for great prices that won’t break the bank either!

Speedway Fries – Speedway 660 (Three Time Winner): With Eastbound Park going another way with their Onion Rings in 2018, the Speedway 660 Speedway Fries are the only former champion making the short list in 2019 for the Race Track Food Staple Award. These golden, crispy french fries from The FiX (formerly Joyce’s Pit Stop) were the winner of this award in 2014, 2015 and 2016. While ketchup and gravy are nice, most do without to let the taste of these deep fried delights shine through.

TCM BEST OF RACING AWARD 2018 SECOND BALLOT

**Note – one vote per computer/IP address/person per ballot. Multiple responses from the same IP address, email address and/or person will not be counted. Incomplete responses will not be counted. We may send out an confirmation email to confirm your email, be sure to make sure you are using your correct, valid email. All results will be announced as a part of the #TCMBestof2018 Year in Review recap in December

Full Ballot must be completed to be considered a valid vote; write in nominations on Page Three are not mandatory and can be left blank.

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