JAMES RIVER, NS (August 14, 2019) – Management at Riverside International Speedway is ready to host NASCAR’s only visit to Canada’s east coast this weekend.
Saturday’s Bumper to Bumper 300 for the NASCAR Pinty’s Series (NPS) is expected to highlight a busy two days when the stars of Canada’s only national touring series battle “bumper to bumper” on the high-banked 1/3-mile oval.
Drivers expected to enter the Bumper to Bumper 300 include current series point leader and two-time series champion Andrew Ranger (Quebec), second-place points runner Kevin Lacroix (Quebec) – driver of the Bumper to Bumper-sponsored race car, defending Bumper to Bumper 300 and series champion LP Dumoulin (Quebec), former series champions Alex Labbe (Quebec) and DJ Kennington (Ontario), local favourite Donald Chisholm (Antigonish) – the Bumper to Bumper 300 winner in 2014, and international driving ace Alex Tagliani (Quebec).
Riverside is a favourite among NPS regulars, described as a challenging fast track where handling is as important as speed. In its 12-year history at the James River oval, the Bumper to Bumper 300 has seen 10 different winners with only Kennington and Scott Steckly (Ontario) mastering the high banks twice. Besides being NASCAR’s only race on the east coast of Canada, the Bumper to Bumper 300 is the only 300-lap stock car racing contest in the region.
All tolled, fans will enjoy 500 laps of feature racing action at the Speedway this weekend PLUS the inaugural Rev it Up at Riverside Show & Shine.
The weekend kicks off Friday with the Henry’s AUTOPRO 100 for the Napa Sportsman Series and the Passione Flooring East Coast Mini Stock Tour 50; the grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m.
Fans who are in the Antigonish-area Friday afternoon are invited to stop by the Bumper to Bumper store on St. Andrews Street for a Tailgate Party where they can visit with NPS driver Kevin Lacroix and see his Bumper to Bumper NASCAR race car as well as enjoy a BBQ and maybe even win some Bumper to Bumper swag.
Saturday is jam-packed with the inaugural Rev it Up at Riverside Show & Shine, the Maritime League of Legends, and the NASCAR Pinty’s Series only stop on the east coast in the Bumper to Bumper 300. The grandstand gates open and NASCAR practice starts at 12:30 p.m., the Show & Shine starts at 1 p.m. (in the grassy area of the parking lot near the main entrance of the grandstand), Legends practice is at 2 p.m., NASCAR qualifying at 3 p.m., Legends heat races at 4 p.m., NASCAR autograph session at 5:10 p.m., Legends feature at 6:15 p.m., opening ceremony at 7:05 p.m., and the Bumper to Bumper 300 at 7:35 p.m.
All four races are championship points events for their respective series. While top racers from all across Canada are expected for the NASCAR race, top racers from across the Maritimes are expected for the Sportsman, Legends, and Mini-Stock races. Thirty-plus entries from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have been received to-date for the Rev it Up Show & Shine.
Spectator admission to the Show & Shine is free; fans with grandstand tickets for the Bumper to Bumper 300 can enjoy the Show & Shine as well as all the on-track action. Weekend Pass and single-day tickets are available until Thursday at www.RiversideSpeedway.ca and at the gate on race days. There is plenty of free spectator and RV parking for this event; campsites are unreserved and unserviced.
Vehicle registration for the Rev it Up at Riverside Show & Shine is open and just $15 which includes admission for two adults to the Bumper to Bumper 300 ($80 value) and an event decal; those who pre-registered are also guaranteed to receive a Rev it Up at Riverside t-shirt. Drive-up registrations are welcome. All entries will be eligible for Fan Favourite awards and a Promoter’s Choice award. Register today at www.RiversideSpeedway.ca.
Motoring TV, one of Canada’s top automotive television shows will be on-site at Riverside August 16 & 17 filming an episode featuring the facilities 50th-anniversary which will air nationally on TSN later this year. The Bumper to Bumper 300 will be streamed live online at TSN.ca in Canada and Fanschoice.tv in the United States and shown tape-delay on TSN.
Riverside Speedway opened in 1969 under the helm of Antigonish businessman John Chisholm. It was sold in 1989 and bought back by Mr. Chisholm late in 2005, rebuilt in 2006 and rebranded Riverside International Speedway. For 50 years, the popular 1/3-mile high-banked asphalt oval has provided generations of race fans with some of the best stock car racing entertainment in North America. Fans who attend events this year will find enhanced track decor, limited edition 50th-anniversary merchandise, and more celebrating Riverside’s fantastic five decades.
About Riverside International Speedway:
For 50 years, Riverside International Speedway has been recognized as a premiere stock racing facility in Canada. The 1/3-mile high-banked asphalt oval roars to action several times a year for special events. It is the home of the IWK 250 – widely known as the best stock-car race in Canada, and of the Bumper to Bumper 300 – eastern Canada’s only NASCAR event. Located in James River, between New Glasgow and Antigonish, the facility is easily accessible at exit 30 on Trans Canada Highway 104. For more information please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca.
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