JAMES RIVER, NS – This Saturday will see the Summer Sizzler event at Riverside International Speedway. It features the East Coast International 150 for the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour, the Crossroads Cycle 50 for the Crossroads Legends Tour, and the Anchor Toyota Classic for the Hot Rod Classics presented by Conrad Bros.
The East Coast International 150 is round nine of 11 for the series chase for the 2023 championship which sees defending and two-time champion Craig Slaunwhite looking for his third consecutive title. He holds a 54-point advantage over second-place Jarrett Butcher who is just seven markers ahead of Nicholas Naugle. Russell Smith Jr. is a mere one point behind Naugle in fourth and fifth-place Mike Rodgers trails Smith by 31. Sixth though 10th is separated by 85 points. Each of the drivers in the top 10 are battling for every position at every race to determine where they’ll land in the final standings for the season – and what share of the $48.000 point fund they’ll take home at its conclusion.
The series is celebrating a significant milestone on Saturday with the running of its 250th race. A new Legacy Award will acknowledge drivers who have reached milestone starts with the series, measured in increments of 50. Special edition Maritime Pro Stock Tour 250th-race commemorative decals will be given away to fans as they arrive, while supplies last. There will also be lots of giveaways for fans throughout the show, complements of East Coast International, the Maritime Pro Stock Tour, and Riverside International Speedway.
The Crossroads Cycle 50 is round six of 10 en route to the Crossroads League of Legends 2023 championship. It’s the second and final stop for the 5/8-scale replicas of 1940 and 1950 NASCAR race cars. Over 25 Legends Cars are expected to enter the event including top points-getters Gage Gilby, Dawson Noble, Josh Langille, Ayden Christensen, and Nathan Blackburn – first through fifth, respectively, in the current standings.
The Anchor Toyota Classic is the only stop of the season at Riverside for the Hot Rod Classics presented by Conrad Bros. – the regions only vintage race car series. Cars expected include several new-to-Riverside such as Ontario’s Douglas Fischer, Newfoundland’s Brad Melendy, and Nova Scotia’s Jeff Ainslie. Patty Lawrence’s original New England Open-Wheel Modified 1979 Pinto is boasting new livery this year bearing #U2 as a throwback tribute to the car as it was raced in New England in 1981, then driven by Joe Howard. A total of 10 Hot Rod Classics vintage race cars are expected.
All three divisions will see heat races set the field for their respective feature races.
Fans are invited to stop by Anchor Toyota in Stellarton on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to check out Hot Rod Classics vintage race cars on hand for the Hot Rods & Hot Dogs BBQ fundraiser for the IWK Foundation. Door prizes include tickets to Saturday’s Summer Sizzler at Riverside.
Racing starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The pit gate opens at 11 a.m. Those with advance tickets will have early access to the grandstand, starting at 1 p.m. The box office opens at 2 p.m. for those who plan to get their tickets at the gate. There is plenty of free spectator parking on-site. Free camping is also available for the weekend (in designated areas only).
Advance tickets and pit passes are available here or at the Riverside office in the Post Road Plaza (Antigonish, M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
EXPECTED ENTRY LIST* – EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL 150
- (0) Matt Vaughan, Lantz, NS
- (08) Nicholas Naugle, Dartmouth, NS
- (11v) Jordan Veinotte, Porter’s Lake, NS
- (25) Ryan Van Oirschot, Antigonish, NS
- (30) Stephen Lively, Shubenacadie, NS
- (32) Chris Hughes, Brackley Beach, PE
- (36) Gary Elliott, Murray Siding, NS
- (41) Mike Rodgers, Moncton, NB
- (51) Tyler Smith, Hunter River, PE
- (54) Jarrett Butcher, Porter’s Lake, NS
- (88) Russell Smith, Jr., Lakeside, NS
- (89) Donald Chisholm, Antigonish, NS
- (99) Craig Slaunwhite, Terence Bay, NS
*Subject to change without notice.
About Riverside International Speedway
For over 50 years, Riverside International Speedway has been 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 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, please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca.
About the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour
The East Coast International Pro Stock Tour (PST) visits four tracks throughout the Maritimes during its May through September season. The East Coast International Pro Stock Tour is owned and operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. For more information, call 902.481.2531 or click www.maritimeprostocktour.com.
