Russell Smith Jr. celebrates winning the Highland Building Centres 100 (photo – Ken MacIsaac)

JAMES RIVER, NS – Russell Smith Jr. led just six laps in the Napa Sportsman Series (NSS) Highland Building Centres 100 at Riverside International Speedway Friday night, but they included the one that counted – the last one.

Smith Jr. ran in the top five most of the race and took the lead with six to go after leader Dale Richardson was put to the back of the field when he and Aaron Boutilier got together while racing side by side for the lead. As a result Boutilier spun and Richardson was sent to the rear. The caution prior to that saw leaders Chris Reid and Kyle Reid in the same situation, getting together – one spinning – and the other to the back of the pack.

Cole Butcher won the Maritime Legends Challenge (photo – Ken MacIsaac)

Dave Timmons finished second while Chris Reid rebounded for third place. Brad DeCoste and Kyle Reid were fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Highland Building Centres 100 saw seven different leaders: polesitter Colby Smith led 34 laps, Richardson 27, Boutilier 18, Chris Reid 12,

Smith Jr. 6, Kyle Reid 2, Timmons 1. It took one hour 47 minutes to complete, slowed by 11 cautions. Twelve cars finished the race.

With the Highland Building Centres 100 in the books at Riverside the attention now turns to Saturday’s IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body where NASCAR’s Matt Crafton will take on the best short track racers in eastern Canada. The expected entry list is 29 names strong and expected to be the biggest field of the year in the Maritimes.

Crafton tested his No. 14c Cat Car for Kids Friday morning and unofficially beat the track record so he’s hoping to become the second NASCAR celebrity driver to beat the locals and win the IWK 250.

Grandstand gates and the box office open at Noon Saturday. Fans will enjoy watching afternoon practice sessions for the pro stocks before time trials at 3:30. Heat races are at 4:30. At 5:30 there will be a pre-race concert and  an on-track autograph session with the entire starting lineup for the IWK 250.Opening ceremonies are at 7 p.m. and the green flag for the IWK 250 is expected at 7:30. Fans are encouraged to come early and enjoy the day at Riverside International Speedway.

Unofficial Race Results – Highland Building Centres 100