JAMES RIVER, NS (September 17, 2009) - Riverside International Speedway is ready for Saturday's Wilson Equipment/ Komatsu 300, the 12th of 13 races on the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 schedule - and the final race of the season at the fabled facility, a favourite among fans and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series competitors.
2007 event winner Mark Dilley (Barrie, ON) likes Riverside so much he is considering using certain elements in the renovation of a track he is helping operate in Ontario.
"From a competitor's point of view, it's got it all," he said. "Just a lot of fun to race at."
2008 event winner Don Thomson Jr. (Hamilton, ON) echoed Dilley's sentiment.
"It's a great track in a great part of the country," said Thomson. "They bring in a good crowd and create an atmosphere."
Andrew Ranger (Roxton Pond, PQ), the inaugural series champion (2007) and current point leader, would love to pick up a third win on the '09 season this weekend, especially at Riverside where he's led laps but never the one that counts.
"It's a fantastic track," said Ranger. "A lot of fun to drive. I really like racing there with all the fans that come out to watch."
While the NASCAR guys share similar sentiment about Riverside the sentimental favourite among fans would have to be Antigonish's Donald Chisholm, the only local driver expected to enter the Komatsu 300.
Chisholm's racing focus has been primarily in the regional pro stock circles but he has competed in each of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events at Riverside the past two seasons as well as making a road trip to compete with the series in Ontario. Chisholm has made steady progress with the series and is eager to defend his home-turf Saturday.
"Running with these guys has become a highlight of our season the last few years," said Chisholm, who led the most laps at last weekends CARQUEST Tour season finale. "The cars are different than the pro stock so there is an adjustment for us, but we've had this car out testing and feel like we're going to be very competitive - maybe even a top five finish."
Besides great racing action and enjoying the pomp and circumstance that is NASCAR, fans at the Komatsu 300 may also get the chance to see themselves on television as TSN crews will be on hand filming the race for a September 26 broadcast. And - as a special treat Wilson Equipment, the regional Komatsu dealer and present sponsor of the race, will distribute a limited number of a special edition event t-shirts FREE to lucky fans.
The Komatsu 300 is the highlight of a double-header weekend at Riverside that starts Friday with the Napa 100, the season finale for the Highland Home Hardware Sportsman Super Series and the second and final leg of the 2009 Lockhart Truck Centre Maritime Legends Challenge - the season finale for the 2009 Maritime League of Legends Touring Series.
Frank Fraser Jr. (Shubenacadie) holds a seven point lead over second-place Darren Wallage (Enfiled) in the Sportsman series with Scott Allen (Antigonish) third, just one point behind Wallage. James Graves (Halifax) and Craig Chisholm (Antigonish) are tied for fourth eight points behind Allen.
Ian Mollins (Moncton, NB) leads the Legends with a 15-point advantage over Justin MacNeill (Bedford) who is 49 markers ahead of third-place Matt Moore (Falmouth).
Friday's show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. with qualifying heat races followed by features for sportsman and Legends. The grandstand gates and box office will open at 4 p.m.
Saturday will see all NASCAR action starting with a 1:30 p.m. practice session. Qualifying time trials at 5 p.m. will set the starting grid for the Komatsu 300 then fans will have a chance to meet the stars and see the cars of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at an on-track autograph session, scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. Pre-race ceremonies and driver intros go at 6:30; the green flag for the Komatsu 300 is set for 7 p.m. Fans will be privy to all the excitement of the day with a 1 p.m. open time for the box office and grandstand.
Advance tickets are available until Noon Friday at the Riverside Int'l Speedway box office in the Antigonish Mall. Tickets are available as single-day admission for either Friday or Saturday with special savings offered for a weekend package good for admission both days. Ticket prices range from $6 to $45 depending on age, seat location and event/s desired.
KOMATSU 300 FAST FACTS
The Race: Komatsu 300
The Place: Riverside Int'l Speedway, James River, NS (near Antigonish)
The Date: Saturday, September 19
The Time: 7 p.m. AT
TV Schedule: TSN, September 26 at 2 p.m. ET
Track Layout: 0.333-mile oval
Race Purse: $88,563 CAD
2008 Winner: Don Thomson Jr.
2008 Pole: JR Fitzpatrick
Schedule: Practice 1:30-2:30 p.m.; Qualifying 5 p.m.
2009 Standings - Top 10 - After 11 of 13 Events: 1. Andrew Ranger 1,862; 2. DJ Kennington 1,724; 3. Ron Beauchamp Jr. 1,693; 4. Scott Steckely 1,676; 5. Kerry Micks 1,621; 6. Don Thomson, Jr. 1,565; 7. Anthony Simone 1,530; 8. Jason Hathaway 1,519; 9. Mark Dilley 1,470; 10. Dave Whitlock 1,466.
About Wilson Equipment: Since its inception in 1955, Wilson Equipment Limited has established itself as a landmark among its competitors for providing state of the art heavy-duty equipment to the construction, forestry and mining industries for Nova Scotia, the rest of the Maritime Provinces, as well as the north eastern USA. They are proud to be known as the oldest Komatsu dealer in North America, having sold a D53 dozer in 1968. Wilson Equipment is a family owned and operated company, is headquartered in Truro, Nova Scotia. Wilson Equipment’s reputation is built on a successful history of looking after our customers needs before, during and after the sale. Its commitment to excellence, teamwork, and high caliber people are shaping the future of the business through its continuous efforts to deliver innovative solutions to the construction, forestry and mining industries. With names like Komatsu, Dynapac, Prentice, Sennebogen, Atlas Copco and Telesmith standing with Wilson Equipment Limited, it’s no wonder that they are Eastern Canada’s first choice for heavy-duty machinery sales. To learn more about Wilson Equipment please visit www.wilsonequip.ns.ca.
About Riverside International Speedway: Riverside International Speedway, a 1/3-mile high banked asphalt oval, is located in James River, between New Glasgow and Antigonish, at exit 30 off Trans Canada Highway 104. Opened in 1969, the facility was totally rebuilt in 2006 to become a premiere motorsports site, comparable to the best short tracks in Canada and the U.S. For more information about Riverside Int'l. Speedway, please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca or call 902.863.2410.
From Joan Roue
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