July 23 Race Day Preview

UPDATE: The races have been moved to Sunday, July 23 at 2 PM due to the expected poor weather forecast. Race day format to follow.

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – July 20, 2023)

Here at the high-banked oval in Oyster Bed Bridge, we are back to weekly racing after a two-week break!

For what is on tap within the next three race weekends, there’s no doubt fans will want to come over and witness some thrilling racing.

From the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour & Maritime League of Legends to the Super Late Model Series and Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics, many different organizations will be coming to the 1/3-mile bullring to give the fans experiences they will never forget.

What can’t be left out are our own divisions, which see multiple points battles that will come down to the wire prior to the season’s end. Here is a preview of the facts you must know and the action to expect prior to race day on Saturday, July 22.

The points standings for each division are at the bottom of each section.

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Reliable Motors Bandolero Division

After three rounds in the Beginner division, we have a new points leader. Andrew O’Connor (#63) jumps from second to first after claiming two wins and a feature race podium on Canada Day, taking advantage of inconsistent runs from former points leader Hudson Linzel-Waddell (#57). Only seven points separate the two.

O’Connor has claimed a podium and top-5 position in every single race thus far, while Linzel-Waddell has only six podiums. Both have run nine races each.

Mason Gillis (#9) remains in third in points. Gillis claimed two wins (including the feature race) and a semi race podium on Canada Day. Payton Gallant (#42) and Rhyan Burke (#01) are tied for fourth, as Burke’s first-career victory at the track (in her semi race) moved her above Juliana O’Connor (#10).

O’Connor and Linzel-Waddell look to be the perennial contenders for the championship, having experienced multiple photo finishes together. However, with Gillis earning the most points on June 24 & July 1, the #9 car is closing in fast. Gallant and Burke remain 42 points behind.

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After three rounds in the Outlaw division, Landon Pierce (#19) continues to steamroll the field while battling hard against part-timers. He claimed just one win on Canada Day (in the semi race) as Ethan Hicken (#5) returned to the track for another Pierce vs. Hicken battle, winning the heat and feature races.

The Doyle brothers in Cole (#12) and Simon (#91) consistently swapped spots throughout Canada Day, with Simon earning more podium results. The two drivers are separated by 10 points in the standings.

Hudson Ruff (#83) joined the Outlaw division on Canada Day, where he will run for the remainder of the season. He experienced a rough day, spinning in the heat race and taking a hard hit to the backstretch outside wall in the semi race after contact with Wyatt Peters (#33). His day on the track ended, but it kept going off the track as he joined Tim Terry in interviewing his fellow Bandolero drivers.

Unless things take a turn for catastrophe, Pierce looks to be safely en route to a championship, but it’ll be a matter of who decides to come over and challenge him every now and then.

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Chris’s Bobcat Services Mini Stock Division

The Mini Stocks return to action this Saturday night after taking a break on Canada Day.

After three rounds, it’s the Bridges family on top, separated by one point. Jeff (#95) and Corey (#04) have gone back and forth while maintaining consistent finishes, with Corey outweighing Jeff in podium finishes and Jeff outweighing Corey in wins. Ironically, neither driver has won since the season-opening day on May 28.

June 17 and 24 saw Randy MacTavish (#76) and Brandon Forsyth (#3) get into the spotlight, totaling a combined five wins, nine podiums, and 10 top-5 finishes. MacTavish has the advantage points-wise, sitting 15 behind Jeff Bridges, while Forsyth is 47 points behind, trying to rebound over a poor points day on May 28.

Behind MacTavish are rookie Bradley Darrach (#44) and defending champion Tyler Doucette (#24). Darrach’s rookie campaign has been stellar with three podiums and four top-5 finishes in eight races. Doucette is in the midst of a sophomore slump, as he’s finished on the podium only once, but he’s been vastly improving his car every practice.

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Moore Well Drilling Outlaw Division

Before we get to Ricky Millar’s version of a Richard Petty-style campaign, let’s review Canada Day.

The Outlaw Division took an interesting turn on Canada Day. With the support of RE/MAX Charlottetown, the RE/MAX Rumble returned for the second year in a row. Instead of the regular heat and semi races, the division offered two feature races; one for points and one for money.

Race one (points) was won by Cody Byrne (#67). A crew member for Treyten Lapcevich’s team in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, the driver from Ontario originally claimed second in both races but was moved to first after Dave Matthews (#99) was disqualified in post-race tech. This also benefitted Ricky Millar (#17) as he moved from third to second, earning him more points to widen his lead over Ryan McKnight (#46m).

Race two (money) was won under a shower of fireworks by Millar, who dominated and easily had the win in hand within the final laps as Matthews and Byrne kept beating and banging for second place.

McKnight remains the only driver holding Millar back from sailing into the distance scot-free. Behind him, at least six drivers are in the midst of a battle for the bottom of the podium, including the LeClair brothers, Gerald Gallant (#99G), Harley Cornish (#13), and Shane Bridges (#4).

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Central Engine Services Street Stock Division

Things remain tight in the Street Stock Division.

On Canada Day, the top points leaders were taken aback as three-time champion Nick Chiasson (#27) took the field by storm with a triple-victory. The heat and semi races looked easy, but in the feature race, defending champion Colton Ford (#35) gave Chiasson a run for his money within the final laps. Had the race been another lap or two longer, Ford could’ve very well slashed the triple-victory opportunity.

Despite the runner-up finish, Ford still dropped to third in points as his heat and semi race performances were left to be desired (eighth and sixth). Tyler Gauthier (#11) remains the points leader, coming off third-place finishes in every race on Canada Day. Jumping to second over Ford is Jeff MacInnis (#29), who claimed two runner-up results and a feature race top-five finish.

The championship battle remains at three drivers after four rounds, but with six remaining, that could easily change. Chiasson’s triple victory sent him from eighth to fifth in points, five behind Andrew Thompson (#4) and 30 behind Ford. More successful runs by Chiasson could put him into the conversation for a fourth title.

Brian Arsenault (#03) and 2008 champion Randy Millar (#77) have certainly faced struggles, but aren’t entirely out yet. Arsenault has four podiums and five top-5 finishes in 11 races. Millar claimed two top-5 finishes on Canada Day and has slowly been getting better every race. Remember when he led laps without a hood in front of seven other cars on Fan Appreciation Night? Don’t count him out.

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The A&S Scrap Metals Bomber Division is expected to run for the first time this Saturday.

Race day format:

RAIN DATE (if needed): Sunday, July 23 at 2 PM

Prices: Adults $20, Youth 8-15 $10, 7 and under FREE, pit admission $25.

For pit area access, you must fill out the online e-waiver form. Link: https://os.speedwaiver.com/dtopx

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