Fredericton N.B. June 4, 2011 – Saturday night at the Geary oval was the start of the 2011 season. Dairy Queen, a long time sponsor at the Speedway, held their annual kids day event.
All divisions were active on this night with the Hanwell Village Mart Bandeleros starting things off with some great action. Ryan Messer in his #1 ride made the move of the night with an inside pass of a lapped car midway through the 15 lap feature to beat the #3 of Alicia Mowat to the line. From there it was all Messer, taking home the first checkered flag of the 2011 season. Rounding out the top three were the 3 of Mowat in second place while Dana Hamm-Cameron took home third place.
In the 4 cylinder division it was Kevin Peterson continuing where he left off in 2010 with a convincing win in the 15 lap feature. Peterson led most of the race, while the 77 of Ira Farnell was close behind in second place and the 16 of Kevin Dunster, a close third.
In the RV World Street Stock division, Rick Cashol continued where he left off as well in 2010 with a convincing victory in the 20 lap caution free feature. Cashol passed the #8 of Benji Ruff on lap 1 and never looked back from there. Cashol, the 2010 champion will be tough to beat, but with competition like the #8 of Benji Ruff who finished 2nd and the third place finisher Josh Arbeau in the #61, things can expect to be extremely close in 2011.
In the Martin’s Home Sportsman division Glyn Nott in his #12 ride battled back from a wreck in a heat race to claim victory in the 30 lap feature. Nott made his way to the front starting 5th on the starting grid. Nott and the #34 of Randy Moore fought hard throughout but in the end the #12 was too much. Moore managed to finish a strong second place to get off to a great start in 2011 while the heavy hearted Michael Banks finished a strong third. Banks’ car owner Jack Finnie passed away earlier in the week. Banks said after the race he is dedicating the season to his long time friend and car owner.
In the O’Leary Auto Group Pro Stock event, the 40 lap affair turned out to be a great race with the 69 of Brian Gillespie and the 20 of Greg Fahey going head to head for the better part of the race. In the end Fahey would take home the checker, while Gillespie used up a little too much rubber, only to give way to local native Matt Harris for a second place finish. Gillespie hung on for a respectable 3rd place finish to round out the top three.
Speedway 660 resumes action next Saturday night June 11th with the Pro All-Star Series 150 event. The PASS 150 is considered by many to be one of the best events of the year with competitors from all over the Eastern United States competing head to head with local favorites like Lonnie Sommerville and Kirk Thibeau. For more information logon onto www.speedway660.com