Many of the teams that have entered the IWK 250 this weekend were on track Thursday evening for the open practice session.

NASCAR legend Mark Martin climbed behind the wheel of a race car for the first time in three and a half years and it didn’t take long to shake the rust off. Before the session ended he was P4 on the board in the No. 17 Cat Car for Kids.

Truro’s Dylan Blenkhorn, current point leader for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour was fastest and Fort McMurray, Alberta’s Kyle Reid was second-quick. Ontario’s Jason Hathaway was third and defending IWK 250 champion Donald Chisolm, from Antigonish, was fifth on the board.

Post practice interviews follow – courtesy of Race Time Radio.

• Mark Martin
• Dylan Blenkhorn
• Jason Hathaway
• Donald Chisholm

Friday evening the IWK 250 Super Race Weekend will see racing action with the R&D Performancenter 150 for the NAPA Super Series and the Farrell’s Excavating Maritime Legends Challenge presented by NAPA Auto Parts. Fans will also get to meet legendary NASCAR fuel man for the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Chocolate Myers and see the unveiling of a fully-restored vintage race car. The grandstand gates and box office opens at 4 p.m., the Chocolate Myers Meet’N’Greet is at 5:30 p.m., and racing starts at 7 p.m.

Saturday it’s the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis featuring NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Mark Martin and more than 35 of the best super late model race car drivers from six Canadian provinces and the states in the U.S. More than $100,000 is on the line with a guaranteed $10,000 to the winner and a chance to take home as much as $17,100. The grandstand gates open at Noon Saturday. Qualifying heat races start at 4:30 p.m. followed by an autographs session and pre-race party at 5:30. Opening ceremonies are at 7 p.m. and the green flag for the IWK 250 is set to fly at 7:30 p.m.