FREDERICTON, NB – As the weather begins to turn a bit chilly and summer runs into fall, the racing season at NBIS comes to a close this coming season. However, the season will end with a memorable event for the fans and drivers .
This weekend will be the final race of the season with Saturday's Fan Appreciation Day (2pm start). Fan Appreciation Day is a day made especially for the fans that make NBIS racing so spectacular. Drivers will also get their time to shine with their finals points race of the year.
Mother Nature interfered for the second time this season as last weekend’s event was washed due to poor whether. This weekend features a return to the oval for the final event of the season with several familiar faces once again in the run for the championship.
In the CARQUEST Pro Stock Division, returning champion Glen Rasmussen is hoping to put a forth championship in his trophy case, but he holds a mere 20 point lead over Greg Fahey and Dave O'Blenis, a two-time champion. Any of the top three drivers could take home the championship as Rasmussen did when he pulled off one of the most remarkable last day championship wins in recent history when he went into the final event in 2003 ten points behind the leader, ran a perfect day winning his heat, dash, and feature to win the championship by a single point.
In the Martin's Home Heating Sportsman Division, three-time sportsman champion Brian Gillespie enters the event looking for a record fourth championship. The Nackawic resident currently holds a mere 6 point lead over veteran driver and defending champion Brian MacNaughton. Sitting in the third spot, and returning back to NBIS is Wade Harris who is still in recovery from an unfortunate wreck a few weeks back.
Gillespie knows from first hand experience that the championship will not be his until the final lap. In 2003, he entered the final event in fifth place and 25 points behind the leader. By the end of the event, he had a 13 point lead and the championship.
In the Coast Tire Street Stock Division, Mike Francis is looking for his first ever championship, holding a 28 point lead over defending champion Rick Cashol currently in the second position.
It's been a very competitive year between the two and given that they will be starting side-side to each other all afternoon; it's bound to lead to some typical three-wide street stock racing and some fender rubbing. Derek Christie sits just outside, 30 points behind contender Francis. It’s not inconceivable that with a good run and some bad luck by Francis or Cashol, Christie might find himself with his first championship also.
In addition to this championship battle Saturday will mark the last race for legendary Smokin' Joe Albert as he plans to retire after this event. Be sure to come out to his last effort in the trademark orange 04.
This will be the weekend where the drivers will also give back to the fans with a pre-race on-track autograph session starting at 1pm. This is just one component of Fan Appreciation Day that is designed for fans of all ages and includes prizes from gracious sponsors that will be given away throughout the day.
Prizes, an autograph session, and last gasp dashes to the championship – what more could a fan want? Who will be crowned champions in 20067? Check it out this weekend at New Brunswick International Speedway. The actions starts at 2pm this coming Saturday.
From Miranda Carr, Office Manager // NBIS
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