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2023 Szn Driver Spotlight Profiles – Week 3

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(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – May 11, 2023)

With the 2023 racing season quickly approaching, we’d like to hype things up by giving our drivers the spotlight. Once every week until the season opener, we will shout out one (or multiple) driver(s) from each division with a “driver spotlight profile.”

You will find out information such as who they are, where they’re from, what division they’re in plus their car number, what their racing story is, and much more.

Welcome to week three.

STREET STOCK #1

Our third street stock driver is “hometown man” and 2022 street stock champion Colton Ford, driver of the #35 car.

From none other than Oyster Bed, the 30-year-old veteran will be entering his 14th season of racing. He got into racing at 16 years old through his father, who has been racing at the track since 1986 and will be returning to the street stock division this year for a good ol’ father-son battle.

Ford’s accomplishments include:

  • 2015 & 2022 Street Stock Champion
  • 15 Street Stock Feature Wins
  • 2009 Best Appearing Car
  • 2009 Rookie of the Year
  • 2010 Most Sportsmanlike Driver
  • 2011 & 2013 Most Improved Driver
  • 2015 Hard Charger
  • 2015 David Lambe Memorial Winner
  • 2015 Street Stock Super Series Winner
  • 2019 Fan Favourite

Ford is the reigning street stock champion. Look out for the #35 car to contend for the championship, once more, every weekend this summer!

STREET STOCK #2

Our fourth street stock driver is veteran Ricky Myers, driver of the #8 car.

From Miscouche, the 57-year-old is heading into his 30th year of racing. He began his career in the early 90s in hobby stocks, scoring multiple heat and feature race wins. He won the 1995 Race of Champions Hobby Stock championship and the 1998 Enduro 100.

When the hobby stock division got lost in the wind during the early 2000s, Myers’ hunger for racing still remained. He eventually joined the outlaw division and won the 2009 Atlantic Championships from the back of the field. He took some time off after ‘09 as he felt he wanted to go faster.

Thus, he joined the street stock division in 2011. He had experience in street stocks, having tried a few races in the late 90s without much luck. Luck would be on his side this time around, sweeping an entire three-race night for his first victory. He has remained in the division ever since.

His current sponsors include Gillis Heating, City Auto Body, Iron Eagle Welding, SGK Atlantic LTD, and Novus Auto Glass Summerside.

Myers finished eighth in the 2022 street stock standings. Look out for his #8 car to fight hard every weekend this summer!

HONDA OUTLAW

Our third Honda outlaw driver is Dave Horton, driver of the #73 car.

From Charlottetown, Horton has been racing on and off since 2011, which was his rookie year in mini stocks. He won Rookie of the Year before moving on to Honda outlaws in 2013, running a full season in the Super Series, finishing third in points and claiming the Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike awards.

Last season wasn’t his best stretch, as troubles caused him to only make it to the track once, but he has high hopes for a full season this year. He and his grandfather James are a family-run racing team.

Look out for Horton’s #73 car to contend strongly every weekend this summer!

MINI STOCK

Our fourth mini stock driver is, once again, another member of the Bridges family, Cash Bridges, driver of the #69 car.

From Miscouche, Cash began his racing career on the night of last year’s Eldon Doucette Memorial race. His first car lasted just two weeks before he hit the wall in a practice session, and the car had to be written off.

36 hours later, with the help of fellow family drivers Corey and Jeff, he had a brand new, fully-built car ready for the next weekend, which is when Cash scored his first second-place finish.

The season-ending Labour Day weekend was next, and Cash went on to score his first-career victory in the semi race.

Cash and his father Alvin have been plugging away at Cash’s new build over the past few months.

“Racing has ultimately taken me away from my shyness and it gives me something to look forward to in the summer. It also brings the family together for several fun weekends at the track and there are great memories to go with those times.

“This season (2023), the goal for me personally is to learn the track, have fun, and hopefully walk away with a Rookie of the Year plaque when everything’s all said and done. I ended last season with just one semi win, but hopefully, more to come!”

There’s no doubt Cash will be a strong contender for both the top rookie of the division, some weekend victories, and even a couple of “nice” remarks from the crowd. Look out for the #69 white, yellow, and pink car to fight hard for wins every weekend this summer!

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If you’re a driver who would be interested in a profile or you’re related to a driver and you have a bucketload of information, send Reegan MacAulay a message on Facebook.

Stay caught up on future news and information ahead of the season-opener on Sunday, May 21 by following us on Facebook (@OysterBedSpeedway) and Instagram (@oysterbedspeedway). You can also check out our merchandise website at obsmerch.ca.

About Oyster Bed Speedway:
Oyster Bed Speedway is Prince Edward Island’s premier auto racing facility and features fun and excitement with weekly stock car racing special events throughout the season. The 1/3 mile paved oval is located in Oyster Bed Bridge at the intersection of routes 6 and 7, halfway between Cavendish and Charlottetown on beautiful Prince Edward Island.

Phone: (902) 892-6684

Website: www.oysterbedspeedwaypei.ca

Reegan MacAulay

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