RIVER GLADE, NB – (June 16, 2021) – For the first time since September, the sound of Pro Stocks will fill the air at Petty International Raceway. This Saturday will see a full card of racing, highlighted by the R. Stevens Mechanical and S. Hall Tire, Muffler and Auto Repair Centre Pro Stock 100. The A.E. McKay Builders Late Model Sportsman, Street Stock, Mister Transmission Mini Stock, Kings County Performance Women on Wheels and Leisure Days RV Bandoleros will play support to the Pro Stock event. The racing event gets underway at 6pm on Saturday, June 19th.
Over a dozen Pro Stock teams are expected to compete on Saturday in the 100-lap feature. With several inter-provincial travel restrictions in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the teams and drivers competing all hail from the Province of New Brunswick. The expected entry list is full of talent and features most of the big names in New Brunswick Pro Stock racing.
The field is led by Ashton Tucker (Lyttleton, NB), the 2020 Petty Raceway and Speedway 660 Pro Stock Series Champion. Tucker battled back and forth all throughout 2020 with Jonathan Hicken (Brudenell, PE) but with Hicken stepping back from full-time driving, the driver of the No. 2 Brad Silliker Motorsports entry has several eyes on him heading into the 2021 season.
The only Pro Stock race contested in New Brunswick so far this season was won by Harvey, New Brunswick’s Ryan Messer at Speedway 660. In the 75-lap affair last month, Messer was able to outduel Dave O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB) on a late race restart to capture the victory. Lonnie Sommerville (Barnesville, NB) rounded out the podium in the May 16th race. The trio are all expected to race for the R. Stevens Mechanical and S. Hall Tire, Muffler and Auto Repair Centre Pro Stock 100 trophy on Saturday.
Cory Hall (Jolicure, NB) will make his first start of the year on Saturday evening. Hall turned in solid runs in the first full season behind the wheel of his own Pro Stock car, including a podium finish in the River Glade International last August. The 2020 River Glade International pole sitter Devin Snell (Saint John, NB) is also aiming to make his first start of the 2021 season. Andrew McKay (Quispamsis, NB) is readying his car for his first Petty Raceway Pro Stock start. Mike Rodgers (Moncton, NB) returns to the seat after a couple seasons away. Saturday will also mark the first start of the season for Ian Rasmussen (New Denmark, NB) and “The Big Black Dodge.”
Former Speedway 660 Pro Stock champion Chris Duncan (Hampton, NB), Kevin Moore (Fredericton, NB), Dustin Tucker (Darlings Island, NB), Robert Lee (Fredericton, NB) and Jeff Doherty (Saint John, NB) will look to build on the foundations of their starts of 2021 into Petty International Raceway’s first Pro Stock race of the year. In total, 14 cars are on the expected entry list for Saturday’s R. Stevens Mechanical and S. Hall Tire, Muffler and Auto Repair Centre Pro Stock 100.
EXPECTED ENTRY LIST – R. STEVENS MECHANICAL AND S. HALL TIRE, MUFFLER AND AUTO REPAIR CENTRE PRO STOCK 100
#1 Ryan Messer – Harvey, NB
#2 Ashton Tucker – Lyttleton, NB
#10 Devin Snell – Saint John, NB
#23 Lonnie Sommerville – Barnesville, NB
#32 Andrew McKay – Quispamsis, NB
#41 Mike Rodgers – Moncton, NB
#41 Robert Lee – Fredericton, NB
#48 Dave O’Blenis – Boundary Creek, NB
#52 Dustin Tucker – Darlings Island, NB
#81 Ian Rasmussen – New Denmark, NB
#83 Cory Hall – Jolicure, NB
#83 Jeff Doherty – Saint John, NB
#88 Kevin Moore – Fredericton, NB
#97 Chris Duncan – Hampton, NB
**entry list subject to change without notice
The A.E. McKay Builders Late Model Sportsman and Street Stock divisions will hit the track Saturday for 75-lap features of their own. Kenny MacKenzie Jr. (Salisbury, NB) raced to the win in the O’Blenis Auto Body Sportsman 100 two weeks ago, showing the way for over three quarters of the event for his first Late Model win at the track since 2017. Justin Beers (Moncton, NB) proved his strength in extended distance events, taking second by inches over Alexandra O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB). With plenty of action in the Season Opener, the Late Model Sportsman drivers will look to steal the show on Saturday evening!
In the Street Stock division, Michael Cormier (Grand-Barachois, NB) was a winner once again on June 5th. Cormier has won the last four Street Stock events at Petty Raceway dating back to July 2020. A host of hungry Street Stock drivers have been knocking at the door of victory lane and will look to stop the streak on Saturday.
The Mister Transmission Mini Stock will take to the track Saturday for a 40-lap main event. Rob Poirier (Irishtown, NB) struck first with a win on June 5th with Ryan McKnight (Petitcodiac, NB) racing to the runner-up spot on Opening Day. The Kings County Performance Women on Wheels and Leisure Days RV Bandoleros will each compete in 20-lap features. Gail Thebeau and Kelsea Lewis raced to wins in each of those classes, respectively, on June 5th and are eager to back up those performances this Saturday night.
Fans and teams are reminded to practice social distancing during their time at Petty International Raceway and a complete list of updated COVID-19 restrictions in regards to Petty Raceway can be viewed online at www.PettyRaceway.com.
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