Full marks to John Scotti for launching the John Scotti Canadian Championship Series. Canada has been promised many wonderful things by the NHRA over the past sixty-plus years, but few of those promises have ever materialized. This new eight-event series is great news for Eastern Canadian drag racers. Several promoters have previously attempted “traveling series” similar to stock car series in Canada, but unfortunately, most didn’t last.
I think of Arnie Malcolm and the cool races he put on over the years, along with Bruce Mehlenbacher and Neale Armstrong and with their PMRA events. I had hoped to attend their first race at TMP on the Victoria Day weekend, but both days in St. Thomas were rainy and overcast. At age 82, it’s a bit harder to jump in the car and drive to races, especially when the weather looks questionable. I’m sorry I missed it.
There was plenty of online chatter about the last-lap bump-and-run by Marc-Antoine Camirand on Gary Klutt at Mosport, and about Christopher Bell trading paint with Joey Logano at North Wilkesboro. Folks, this is NASCAR we’re talking about—and about five years ago, they “retired” their black flags. Remember, they’re selling entertainment as much as racing—and doing a great job of it!
CASC-OR is back in action May 31 – June 1 at Shannonville Motorsport Park for its second Road Race Series event of the season, the SMP Cup. Click HERE for results and several galleries from their season-opening BEMC Spring Trophy Races event a few weeks ago.
Wasaga Beach Cruisers: They are holding their Cruise Fest on Saturday, June 21 in Klondike Park in Wasaga Beach, ON. Their weekly Monday night cruise events started May 12 at the Stonebridge Gazebo across from the Walmart parking lot. The cruise nights start between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. and run until dusk. Click HERE for more information.
What’s a car owner supposed to do when he feels he’s being treated unfairly by a sanctioning body? Buy the series? Buy the biggest track the series runs on? That’s exactly what Roger Penske did a few years ago. However, that didn’t eliminate tech inspection controversies. Last year, Team Penske was found to have “modified” the hokey “push-to-pass” button outside of the allowable time frames. Suspensions and fines followed.
This year, the team once again ran afoul of the dreaded tech lane—not due to eagle-eyed inspectors, but reportedly because another team owner (can you say Chip Ganassi?) “mentioned” to officials that at least one Penske car had an altered rear attenuator, which is part of the rear shock-absorbing safety system. Years ago, when that component was too rigid, several drivers were injured. I remember seeing that part—it looked like a battering ram right behind the driver. As it turned out, two of the three Penske cars were in violation, resulting in Josef Newgarden starting 32nd and Will Power relegated to 33rd. One name jumps out in both cases—Tim Cindric, who earlier had his responsibilities reduced to just the IndyCar program. Hmmm.
The “jungle tom-toms” suggest that Honda is not happy competing in a series plagued by tech rule violations and may be eyeing a move to NASCAR. There’s also growing support for IndyCar tech officials to be hired independently of the sanctioning body. I agree—accountability matters.
Speaking of online chatter, nothing matched the rumors about F1 possibly ending its run at Imola. That’s a big deal for all the wrong reasons. The race was canceled two years ago due to flooding from the nearby Santerno River. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is not only Ferrari’s home track but also a favorite of the tifosi. Could this historic venue really be replaced by another cookie-cutter circuit? Sadly, money talks. Stay tuned.
From Jayski.com: Ford Performance has launched “Driving 4 a Difference” presented by the Gene Haas Foundation. Five Ford Xfinity Series drivers will compete at four races—Charlotte, Nashville, Mexico, and Pocono—with prize money going to their chosen charities. First place earns $20,000, second gets $15,000, and the remaining three charities receive $5,000 each. A very cool idea!
From pitpass.com: F1 has partnered with Disney’s Mickey Mouse and Friends beginning in 2026. The move aims to “bring two powerhouse entertainment properties together to create products that fans will love.” How fitting—Mickey Mouse joins the already Mickey Mouse-style stewards program. LOL.
It was a bad weekend weather-wise for local circle tracks. Announcements of cancellations kept popping up on “Stock Car Racing in Ontario.”
Barrie Automotive Flea Market: The 41st annual Spring Barrie Automotive Flea Market (BAFM) takes place June 5-8 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds just off Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte. BAFM offers everything from collectibles and classic cars to those hard-to-find car parts. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you likely can’t find it anywhere. BAFM is a car lover’s dream! Visit www.thebafm.com or call (705) 487-3663 for info.
Wally Nesbitt Collectible Sale: If you’re heading to the VARAC Vintage GP (June 14/15 at CTMP), longtime Inside Track contributor and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame inductee J. Wally Nesbitt will have a booth in the CTMP Marketplace selling some of his incredible racing collectibles. Wally has been a collector for decades and has amassed some incredible items (including a helmet used by a Canadian F1 legend with the initials GV) … and now it’s your turn to own them. Just bring cash. In the meantime, Wally is also selling some things via his Facebook page HERE.
NASCAR Cup: Chase Briscoe (Toyota) won the pole for the sold-out Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, ahead of Kyle Larson (attempting the 1,100-mile double) and Saturday’s Xfinity winner William Byron (both in Chevys). All 40 cars qualified: 17 Chevys, 13 Fords, and 10 Toyotas. Loved the pipe band playing Amazing Grace—very well done!
On lap 42, Larson did a slow spin off Turn 4, bringing out the first caution. Before the restart, Josh Bilicki lost a right rear wheel. It took 48 minutes to complete the first 75 laps—this was going to be a long night. On lap 98, Alex Bowman hit the wall and crossed the grass, causing another caution. Byron won Stage 1.
On lap 112, Connor Zilisch, Cole Custer, and Jimmie Johnson tangled. A few laps later, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spun Shane van Gisbergen, though SVG saved it. Kyle Busch spun near the end of Stage 2 but kept going, so no caution. Byron also won Stage 2. At halfway, Byron led Hamlin and Reddick. Byron won Stage 3 as well.
Carson Hocevar, running near the front, blew up and was hit by Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace. At the flag, Ross Chastain took the win over Byron—who led 283 of the 400 laps—and pole-sitter Briscoe. Byron had won all stages and the Xfinity race but fell one spot short of a weekend sweep. Larson’s double attempt ended with DNFs at both tracks—he finished 37th at Charlotte.
In the standings, Larson leads Byron by 35 points, and Christopher Bell by 85.
Next race: Nashville, Sunday, 7 P.M. on TSN 3.
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Taylor Gray (Toyota) earned the pole at Charlotte, ahead of teen sensation Connor Zilisch and Austin Hill (both in Chevys). 40 cars vied for 38 spots: 28 Chevys, 5 Fords, 5 Toyotas. Zilisch spun the tires at the start and dropped to third. Kris Wright spun on lap 19; Brad Perez stopped on pit road eight laps later. Byron won Stages 1 and 2.
On lap 145, Gray lost a tire; later, Dean Thompson ran Zilisch up into the fence. Zilisch made his feelings clear under caution! More cautions followed. NASCAR overtime was triggered after a late pileup involving Legge, Jones, Sieg, and Honeyman. On the final restart, Zilisch’s car was smoking but still quick. At the flag, it was Byron over Zilisch and Sanchez—with the usual last-lap wrecking! 22 cars finished on the lead lap.
In points, Justin Allgaier leads Austin Hill by 72 and Sam Mayer by 93.
Next race: Nashville, Saturday, 7:30 P.M. on CW.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Giovanni Ruggiero (Toyota) took the pole at Charlotte over Tanner Gray and Corey Heim. Canadian Stewart Friesen (Toyota) started 32nd on owner’s points. 34 trucks: 16 Chevys, 10 Fords, 8 Toyotas. Heim won both Stage 1 and 2, which ran caution-free. At halfway, Kaden Honeycutt led over Heim and Layne Riggs. Ruggiero and Chandler Smith tangled, collecting Ty Majeski. That was the race’s only caution. Heim won over Chastain and Honeycutt. Friesen climbed to 13th.
In points, Heim leads by 100 over Chandler Smith and 110 over Daniel Hemric. Friesen is 10th.
Next race: Nashville, Friday, 8 P.M. on CTV Speed.
Formula One: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) topped all three practice sessions at Monaco, but Lando Norris (McLaren) took pole over Leclerc and Oscar Piastri (McLaren). Lance Stroll qualified 19th. Multiple cars hit the guardrails during qualifying. F1 mandated two pit stops and use of three tire compounds—smart move!
Early action: Kimi Antonelli (Red Bull) punted Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) on lap 1—Virtual Safety Car. Lap 9: Pierre Gasly (Alpine) hit Tsunoda (Red Bull), damaging his suspension. At halfway, it was still Norris, Leclerc, and Piastri. After Norris pitted on lap 51, Verstappen briefly took the lead but still owed a stop.
At the flag: Norris won over Leclerc and Piastri. Verstappen finished 4th; Hamilton, penalized for impeding Max in qualifying, started 7th and finished 5th.
Drivers’ standings: Piastri leads Norris by 3 and Verstappen by 25.
Constructors: McLaren leads Mercedes by 172, and Red Bull by 176.
Next race: Spain, Sunday at 8:55 A.M. on TSN 1 & 5.
IndyCar: In the “easy to explain” Indy 500 qualifying, Robert Shwartzman (Israel) took pole over Takuma Sato and Pato O’Ward. Newgarden and Power were sent to the back due to tech violations. Kyle Larson, attempting the double, started 19th.
How cool were the attack helicopters pacing the field? Wow! Or was that ICE checking the crowd? LOL. The pace car hit 105 MPH—awesome! But bad luck continued for Team Penske. Scott McLaughlin crashed warming his tires. Before the green, Scott Dixon’s car appeared to catch fire. The green flag was messy. Marco Andretti and Marcus Armstrong got tangled early. Sprinkles brought out a caution on lap 20. On lap 73, Alexander Rossi’s car caught fire on pit road, burning his fueler. Lap 81: Veekay crashed on pit road. Lap 89: Shwartzman overshot his pit and pinned his crew—race over. Lap 92: Larson downshifted in Turn 2, spun, and took out two others—also out.
At halfway, Ryan Hunter-Reay led. After more yellows and light rain, Palou eventually won over Marcus Ericsson and David Malukas. Larson finished 27th. Penske’s cars? Power 19th, Newgarden 25th, McLaughlin 33rd. Almost as bad as 1995, when Penske failed to qualify for Indy altogether. But they’ve had a lot of wins since.
In points, Palou (5 wins in 6 races!) leads O’Ward by 115 and Kyle Kirkwood by 126.
Next race: Detroit, Sunday, 12:30 P.M. on TSN 5 and FOX.
IMSA: Next race – Detroit Street Course, Saturday, 3:30 P.M. on REV TV.
24 Hours of Le Mans: Saturday, June 14 – Sunday, June 15.
NHRA: Next race – New England, Sunday.
Brockville Ontario Speedway: The BOS is back in action Saturday, May 31 with a full slate of racing action sponsored by SUPERIOR CELLULAR & SOUND. On track will be the Modifieds, Sportsman, Novice Sportsman, Surprenant Truck Shop Crate Sprints and Street Stocks. Click HERE for more info.
NASCAR Canada Series: Next race – Chaudière, Sunday on REV TV.
APC Series: Next race – Flamboro, June 7.
Ontario Sportsman Series: Next race – Full Throttle, Friday.
Delaware Speedway: Next race – L/M, V8 Stock, and Bone Stock, Friday.
Ohsweken Speedway: Next race – Empire Super Sprints, Friday.
Flamboro Speedway: Next race – Bill Zardo Memorial, Saturday.
Buxton Speedway: Next race – Regular racing, Saturday.
Full Throttle Motor Speedway: Next race – Ontario Sportsman Series, Saturday.
Sunset Speedway: Next race – “The Showdown in Simcoe County,” Saturday.
Grand Bend Speedway: Next race – NASCAR Weekly Series, Saturday.
Grand Bend Dragway: Next race – Can-Am Stock/Super Stock, this weekend.
St. Thomas Dragway: Next race – Points Series, next weekend.
Toronto Motorsports Park: Next race – Outlaw Fast 16 + RCSS, this weekend.
Speed Promotions Racing (No Prep): TMP, weekend of July 12.
Can-Am Stock/Super Stock: Next race – Grand Bend, this weekend.
Quick 32 Sportsman Series, Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS), 5.50 Super Series: June 21, Empire Dragway.
660 Sportsman Nationals: October 5, Grand Bend.
John Scotti NHRA Canadian Championship Series: Next race – June 15, Luskville.
Shannonville Drags: First race – June 7–8.
Comments? Contact Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or on Facebook Messenger.
