Central Engine Services Late Models Return to Oyster Bed Saturday

Track Release

OYSTER BED ‑ After a weekend off the to make room for the Parts for Trucks Maritime Pro Stock Tour, the highly-contested Late Model Division is looking to get back to business Saturday night at Oyster Bed Speedway.

Matt Palmer had one of the greatest runs of his late-model career in the Maritime Open 100 lap feature two weeks ago and hopes to continue the momentum heading into this Saturday’s race card.

In search for his first feature win of the season, Palmer battled hard with former division champion and current division leader, Robbie MacEwen, for the feature win. After leading several laps, Palmer would eventually relinquish the lead to MacEwen, the eventual feature winner who continues his dominance in the division.

It was on June 28 that a racer other MacEwen has won a feature race in the division. His total wins so far this season stands at 10, as drivers and race teams continue to try to figure out how to challenge the division dominator for the lead.

Jason MacCallum gave up the driver’s seat for Maritime Open, inviting former Late Model Champion Dylan Gosbee to drive the second place car for the night.

Gosbee turned in a second place finish in the qualifying heat in his return to the division.

In the feature, he battled for the lead before mechanical issues forced him to the pits for repairs during a caution. When Gosbee’s team got him back on the Speedway, he was a lap down.

Gosbee, in fine form, battled his way back into the lead lap and eventually finished third in a valiant effort. Lucky for MacCallum, his substitute driver was able to grab some all-important points, allowing him to continue his hold onto the second-place position.

Kris Fournier will be looking to rebound after a disappointing finish in the Maritime Open. The defending 21013 division champion won his qualifying heat race, but had to retire from the feature due to mechanical troubles. He heads into the weekend third in points.

In the Street Stock Division, Mark MacLean continues to hold onto a slim lead in points’ standings.

MacLean, who leads the division in total wins with 10, has Alex Sheehan nipping at his heels, in a close second.

Sheehan’s biggest point gain at last weekend’s event happened when MacLean ended up second to last in the feature, with Sheehan finishing second. Mark LeClair got back to his winning ways by completing a triple win on the night.

The Outlaw Division also enjoyed a weekend off and, when they get back to business Saturday night, there will have a new division leader in Tyler MacLean. So far this season, he had only twice finished outside of the top three. After a triple win last time out, MacLean catapulted back into the division lead sending Kendall Palmer back into second.

This will be the third time this season the two have swapped the division lead. Palmer leads the division in wins with a total of 13, with MacLean accumulating nine wins to date.

Tyler Smith continues to reign as king of the Mini Four-Fun Division. The opening division had its biggest car-count of the season last weekend, which also saw Harley Cornish score his first win in only his second weekend of racing.

Racing at Oyster Bed Speedway gets underway for 7 p.m.

Fans for asked to keep an eye out on Speedway’s website – oysterbedspeedwaypei.com  —  or its Facebook page for updates on the status of Saturday’s program, as rain is in the forecast.

No rain date is scheduled if the card is cancelled.