HALIFAX, NS – The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour will close out another sensational season this Saturday at Scotia Speedworld with the Dartmouth Dodge 200. After 12 incredible events in five cities, over 40 competitors and 1,501 feature laps, it all comes down to the final 200 circuits and three of Canada’s best stock car drivers to decide who will be crowned the 2012 Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour Champion – and who will cash the $10,000.00 cheque!
Qualifying for the Dartmouth Dodge 200 gets underway at 3:10 PM with championship racing set for 4:00 PM. Grandstands gates open at 1:00 PM.
2009 series champion Shawn Turple (Endfield) heads into the Dartmouth Dodge 200 as the current leader with 2124 points. Turple knows the title is not his yet as he entered the 2007 season finale in a similar position and came home empty-handed. Turple also knows he has stellar competition behind him in three-time series champion (’02, ’03, ’06) John Flemming (Halifax) who enters the race second in the standings just 27 points back – but well within striking distance considering Flemming’s racing resume.
Enter dark horse Jonathan Hicken (Brudenell, PE) who is looking to become the first Island champion in series history as he heads to the finale third on the championship board. Hicken has a large 48 point deficit to leader Turple but with 200 laps on a tight 3/10th mile short-track still to play out, Hicken has more than a mathematical chance of emerging with the prestigious championship.
The Exide Batteries Rookie of the Year title will also be decided on Saturday at the Dartmouth Dodge 200. What started as six has come down to just two. Steve Halpin (Saint John, NB) currently leads the title chase and sits 12th in the series standings. Halpin has a solid 46 point lead over his closest competitor Dylan Gosbee (Cornwall, PE) who ranks 13th.
Colby Smith (Cable Sable Island) will make his second start on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour this Saturday. Smith, a former Scotia Speedworld and NAPA Sportsman Series Champion, will be at the helm of the No. 23 SFR entry. 2011 Scotia Speedworld Legend Champion Dylan Blenkhorn (Truro) is expected to make his first career Pro Stock start on Saturday behind the wheel of the No. 67.
The Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman, Scotia Speedworld’s Weekly Racing Series premier division, will take centre stage to determine their champion in a 50 lap feature prior to the Dartmouth Dodge 200. Aaron Boutilier (Porter’s Lake) looks to become a first-time division champion and has a cool 48 point lead over Jordan Veinotte (Porter’s Lake) heading into the final race of the season.
Weather permitting fans will be invited for an on-track autograph session with the stars of the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour following the Sportsman season finale.
If you can’t make it to the Dartmouth Dodge 200 this Saturday be sure to tune into Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, channel 157 Sports Express for Race Time Radio’s full event coverage. The broadcast will air at 11:00 PM AST, the races will also be streamed live at www.racetimeradio.com
Admission for Saturday’s Season Finale Dartmouth Dodge 200 is $30.00 for adults; $5.00 for youth; pit admission is $35.00. Two day passes are also available – adults are $35.00, two day pit passes are $40.00 and include admission to the Weekly Racing Series Season Finale, Friday at 7:00 PM. Children 7 and under are admitted for free all weekend. Advance tickets are on sale now at all Ticket Atlantic outlets (Atlantic Superstores), by phone 902.451.1221 or www.ticketatlantic.com. Tickets will also be available at the gates on race day. (Cash Only)
EXPECTED ENTRY LIST – DARTMOUTH DODGE 200 (as of Sept 5)
#0 – Shawn Turple – Enfield, NS
#02 – Mike MacKenzie – Dartmouth, NS
#03 – Steve Halpin- Saint John, NB
#4 – Mike Stevens – Riverview, NB
#5 – Jonathan Hicken – Brudenell, PE
#8 – Kent Vincent – Westmoreland, PE
#11 – Marty Prevost – Fall River, NS
#13- Driver unconfirmed at time of press
#14 – Terry Dougay – Albany, PE
#21 – Shawn Pierce – Bridgewater, NS
#23 – Colby Smith -Cape Sable Island, NS
#24 – Steve Ross – Waverly, NS
#29 – Greg Proude – Springvale, PE
#35 – Brad Mann – Glen Livet, NB
#45 – Leonard Boutilier – Dutch Settlement, NS
#52 – Shawn Tucker – Fredericton, NB
#66 – Daryl Mahar – Hubley, NS
#67 – Dylan Blenkhorn – Truro, NS
#72 – Brad Eddy – Lower Sackville, NS
#80 – Roger Miller – Kennetcook, NS
#89 – Donald Chisholm – Antigonish, NS
#91 – Dylan Gosbee – Cornwall, PE
#97 – John Flemming – Halifax, NS
#98 – Jerome Kehoe – Sydney, NS
#99 – Craig Slaunwhite – Terence Bay, NS
Entry list subject to change without notice
Past Champions of the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour
2001: Wayne Smith
2002: John Flemming
2003: John Flemming
2004: Shawn Tucker
2005: Rollie MacDonald
2006: John Flemming
2007: Shawn Tucker
2008: Wayne Smith
2009: Shawn Turple
2010: Shawn Tucker
2011: Wayne Smith
From Tara Foster
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