John Flemming (photo – Ken MacIsaac)
JAMES RIVER, NS – John Flemming used a late-race restart to win Saturday’s IWK 250 Presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body. With just three laps to go Flemming edged ahead of Donald Chisholm when the green flag dropped to get the pass and hold on for the win. Chisholm, who led 218 of 250 laps, had his car sideways coming off turn four with its nose under Flemming coming for the checkers in hopes of claiming his first ‘250’ at his home track.
With the win Flemming, a four-time Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour champion, becomes the first two-time winner of the IWK 250. Besides the accolades and a beautiful custom-made trophy, he’ll get the $8,500 first-place prize. By leading so many laps and collecting lap leader money along with the $7,000 second-place purse Chisholm will take home more than $12,000.
Race Results
Flemming started to make ground on Chisholm in the last 40 laps and with 10 to go was within car lengths of the leader but with eight to go Flemming slipped going through turn two giving Chisholm a little breathing room – until the caution flag flew and tightened the pack up for the restart.
Rookie Cole Butcher finished third with 2013 IWK 250 winner finishing fourth and George Koszkulics, a teammate to Chisholm, was fifth.
Flemming, in the #97 Happy Harry’s Affordable Building Center Dodge Charger, started off his day by winning a Dartmouth Dodge Heat Race. Chisholm and Koszkulics also picked up heat race qualifier victories. Reigning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Matt Crafton (Tulare, CA) paced the field in both the King Freight Dash and the Atlantic Tiltload Time Trials, putting up a 14.197 second lap in qualifying. Brad Mann (Glen Levit, NB), in his final Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour start of his 30 year career, took home the Exide Batteries Hard Charger, picking up 12 positions in the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body to finish 14th in the 29 car field.
Prior to the IWK 250 feature Ken Farrell delivered a moving tribute to track owner John Chisholm. Chisholm passed away on July 4th at the age of 68. Chisholm opened Riverside International Speedway in 1969 and was responsible for the rebuild in 2006 which produced the magnificent facility we all enjoy today. The IWK 250 was dedicated to John’s memory.
Action returns to Riverside International Speedway August 15 & 16 for a double-header weekend featuring the Ron MacGillivray 150 for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour on Friday (August 15) and the Wilson Equipment 300 for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on Saturday (August 16).
About The IWK Health Centre Foundation:
The IWK Health Centre Foundation helps sustain excellence in specialized care at the IWK for all Maritime families. Last year our generous donors contributed over $10 million to the areas of greatest need at the IWK, including neonatal and pediatric intensive care, women’s health and mental health services for children and youth. Funds raised also support world-renowned researchers and the purchase of modernized technology and equipment. Together with its donors, the IWK Foundation supported more than 16,000 inpatient visits and nearly 300,000 outpatient and emergency room visits in one year. Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
About Riverside International Speedway:
Riverside International Speedway is 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 for eastern Canada’s only NASCAR event, and of the IWK 250 – widely known as the best stock car race in Canada. 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 call 902.863.2410 or click www.riversidespeedway.ca.
