(RIVER GLADE, NB - July 28th, 2022) – Petty International Raceway is set to embark on a busy evening of racing on Saturday, July 30th as a half dozen unique stock car divisions will take to the track under the lights. Several marquee races are on tap along with Fan Rides presented by Bumper to Bumper where fans will have the opportunity to come down and take a ride around the track with their favorite Petty International Raceway driver at intermission. The green flag goes in the air on Saturday at 6pm in River Glade, New Brunswick.
The Late Model Sportsman and the Street Stock divisions headline the card on Saturday with each division competing in a 100-lap feature. The A.E. McKay Builders Late Model Sportsman 100 is the second of four $4,000-to-win events on the schedule while the Stuff Your Stuff Commercial Storage Street Stock 100 is a makeup from the 57th Jones Auto Body River Glade International Weekend. With all other tracks in the Province sitting idle this weekend and Prince Edward Island not contesting Street Stock racing, all indications point towards healthy fields in both classes. Alexandra O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB) won the most recent $4,000-to-win Late Model Sportsman race in June while Michael Cormier (Grand-Barachois, NB) cracked open the Maritime Street Stock Series with a win in June.
Photo by Tanya Everett Photography
Both 100-lap features also serve as championship point races. In Street Stock competition, Kenny MacKenzie Jr (Salisbury, NB) possesses a five point lead over both Cormier and Rob Raynes (Saint John, NB). In the A.E. McKay Builders Late Model Sportsman standings, Alexandra O’Blenis has a three point cushion over her younger sister Courtney O’Blenis (Boundary Creek, NB) with Justin Beers (Moncton, NB) third, just ten points out of the top spot.
The Mister Transmission Mini Stocks will compete in Twin 40-lap features on Saturday evening. The Mini Stock class has showcased some incredible racing this season and produced three different winners in as many feature events. Ryan McKnight (Sussex, NB) is the most recent winner while JR Lawson (Shubenacadie, NS) and BJ Gillespie (Harvey, NB) split Opening Day in May. McKnight enters tied for the championship point lead with Donnie Pratt (Riverview, NB). They have a comfortable 12 point cushion on a battle for third that sees Patricia Weagle, Trevor Smith and Chris Garnett all within two points of each other heading into the second half of the season.
The Leisure Days RV Bandoleros has been a three way tug of war after four races. Chase MacKay (Bear Cove, NS) sits at the top with both Ayden Christensen (Windsor Junction, NS) and Caden Tufts (Halifax, NS) tied for second, seven points behind the No. 71. This one could go any way and Saturday’s battle could play a key role in who ends up on top in this three way dance.
The Leisure Days RV Beginner Bandoleros also see a close race between Mandi Lee and Hudson Ruff after four races. The two rookie drivers are separated by four points after four races. Eight rookie drivers have taken to the track in this class in 2022.
The ladies return on Saturday as well with the Kings County Performance Women on Wheels. It has been a while since the division has taken to the track back in May. Gail Thebeau is the point leader after her win on Opening Day followed closely by Paula Evans and Ashley Campbell.
The Atlantic Modified Tour will make its second of four appearances at the high banked bullring. Chris Wilson (South Esk, NB) won the first trip to Petty for the Series back in May while Yves McCray (Neguac, NB) is coming off the most recent event in Miramichi, New Brunswick as the winner. More information on the Atlantic Modified Tour can be found at AtlanticModifieds.com.
Grandstand admission prices for Saturday’s event are $20 for adults and $10 for youth aged eight to 18 with children aged seven and under admitted for free. Pit admission is $25 and is restricted to those 16 years of age and older. New in 2022, all those entering the pit gates must complete their insurance waiver online prior to heading to the track. This waiver can be completed by going to PIRL.speedwaiver.com. Pit gates open at 12:30pm, grandstand gates open for spectators at 4pm with qualifying getting underway at 6pm. Camping is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Petty International Raceway’s next event is the annual MetalCore and D.R. Scrap Metal Night of Destruction on Saturday, August 13th. The popular event returns with $1,000 to win the Endurance Race and another cool $1,000 for the winner of the Demolition Derby. More information has been posted for competitors on the Petty International Raceway Facebook Page with more to follow as the event gets closer.
For complete, up-to-date information on Petty International Raceway including the complete 2022 racing schedule, please visit PettyRaceway.com, follow us on Twitter (@PettyRaceway_NB) and like us on Facebook (@PettyInternationalRaceway).
About Petty International Raceway: Petty International Raceway is located on Highway 106, just 40 km west of Moncton, New Brunswick. To learn more about Petty International Raceway, its location, admission, policies, history, and more, please visit www.pettyraceway.com.