2025-06-03

Peterborough Speedway Season Opener Takes the Green Flag

Peterborough Speedway Season Opener Takes the Green Flag
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


Weather may have made the early season headlines, but Saturday, May 31st it was Peterborough Speedway's time to shine as the popular Central Ontario oval kicked off its 2025 schedule.
The first main event of the 58th anniversary season was a 20-lapper for the SwitchTire Mini Stocks that had Tyler McMurter and Peterborough's Mike Nelso on the front row. From the drop of the green flag, Nelson's No. 70 ride was the class of the field. He held the early race lead and was working through the backmarkers before the scoreboard showed 3 laps complete. At the halfway mark, Nelson was tailed by Jacob Sutcliffe, John Lavalle, Kent Missons and Coleridge Phinnemore. The top-5 runners remained intact through the second half of the event, as Nelson scored the season opening checkered flag.
Jacob Mercer and multi-time Peterborough Speedway champion Dan McHattie led the way as the KOD Disposal Late Model field rolled from the staging area for a 25-lap 'A' main. McHattie took the early lead from his outside front row starting spot, with Mercer holding Ryan Kimball at bay in the runner-up spot. Kimball slipped into 2nd just before an issue in the 3rd turn brought out the race's only caution flag. The driver of the No. 16 machine set-off in pursuit of McHattie and took the lead with a pass in the 2nd turn, with around a handful of laps remaining. He'd hold the top spot until the checkered flag, with McHattie, Mercer, Kelly Balson and Gary Hannah rounding-out the top 5.
Front row starters Keaton Pipe and Cole McFadden led a pack of 24 teams to the stripe as the Trailers Plus Ontario Legend Car Series took the Great Canadian RV green flag. Before there were even 4 laps on the scoreboard, the feature race had seen 3 different drivers – including Pipe, Wes Cuthbertson and Dawson Drimmie – in control of the field. As luck would have it, reigning tour champion Mitch Wright was the final leader of the day. The driver of the No. 21 car took over the top spot while working through traffic with 18 laps complete and never gave up the lead. Cuthbertson, Dawson Drimmie, Pipe and Cole McFadden followed him to the checkered flag.
With backing from Grassroots Racing, the Ontario Bandolero teams took to the popular venue for a pair of 15-lap feature events. Ava Boundy started on the pole for the opening round, with Austin Seburn taking the checkered flag over Keegan Moat and Boundy. In the second tilt, Moat was polesitter, with Seburn once again taking the checkered flag. Landon Sellers and Lyla Sikma chased the race winner across the line.
The Outlaw Midgets – supported by Glenn Styres Racing – had a 20-lap main event that saw Dave Inglis and Rob McCall fire from the front row. A yellow flag for an incident on the backstretch saw the pace slowed with only 6 laps on the scoreboard. Through the closing stages of the headliner, Dave Bradley and Mikey Homewood swapped the lead back and forth, with Bradley taking the win. Homewood, Robin McLean, McCall and Fred Homewood wrapping-up the top 5.
Preliminary round wins went to Mini Stock invader Jacob Sutcliffe with a pair, while Kent Missons and Curtis Burnett took the others. Dan McHattie and 2-time defending track champion Ryan Kimball split the Late Model qualifying event wins. Jake Spencer-Walt, Mark Griffin, Mitch Wright and Dawson Drimmie each had an Ontario Legend Car heat race win.
All finishing positions are unofficial and subject to scoring review and post-race inspection.
Bullring bullet points: Peterborough Speedway's racing community was saddened to learn of the passing of Cameron, Ontario's Robert Clark. A long-time supporter of provincial vintage modified racing, Clark began his racing career at Kingston Speedway and in later years, developed a solid following while selling automotive literature at regional trade shows…Off weekends at other tracks saw the Peterborough Speedway SwitchTire Mini Stock line-up bolstered with some guest drivers including Mike Robinson Jr., Coleridge Phinnemore and Jacob Sutcliffe…Paul Toms joined the KOD Disposal Late Model ranks, but ran only a few laps before dropping out of the feature race…James Horner made hard contact with the 3rd turn retaining wall in the final Late Model heat race and even though he drove away from the crash, he didn't answer the call for the main event...Even with a chill in the air, Peterborough Speedway's newest attraction Whips n' Licks Ice Cream Shop – selling Kawartha Dairy products – proved to be popular with the fans.
Next on the agenda at the venue known for Making Memories for Life will be the year's first Double Toonie/Fan Appreciation Night – presented by Pepsi – Saturday, June 7th. On track action will include the home track Bone Stock, Mini Stock, Renegade Truck, Super Stock and Junior Late Model divisions, with a fan appreciation autograph session at intermission. Spectator grandstand admission is just $4.00. Pit gates open at 1:30, grandstands at 4:00 and racing starts at 5:00.
For complete 2025 schedule news and event information, be sure to check www.peterboroughspeedway.com or the track's social media platforms and pages.
Photo attachment: Jessica Blair, Follow Me Photography
A familiar face found his way to Dart Heating & Air Conditioning Victory Lane as Mike Nelson (No. 70) took the SwitchTire Mini Stock win – Saturday, May 31st – at Peterborough Speedway.
2-time defending track champion Ryan Kimball (No. 16) claimed the KOD Disposal Late Model main event win – Saturday, May 31st – at Peterborough Speedway.
Mitch Wright (No. 21) took the lead with 18 laps on the scoreboard and picked-up the Trailers Plus Ontario Legend Car Series win – Saturday, May 31st – at Peterborough Speedway.
Austin Seburn (No. 24) swept a pair of 15-lap Grassroots Racing Ontario Bandolero Series main events – Saturday, May 31st – at Peterborough Speedway.
Dave Bradley (No. 15) wrapped-up opening night action with the Glenn Styres Racing Outlaw Midget feature event win – Saturday, May 31st – at Peterborough Speedway.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 3.6.25 0 comments

2025-05-22

NASCAR Announces NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Landmark Award Busch, Gant, Hendrick Voted Into Hall’s 16th Class

NASCAR Announces NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Landmark Award

Busch, Gant, Hendrick Voted Into Hall's 16th Class

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 20, 2025) – NASCAR announced today the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The three-person group – the 16th since the inception of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 – consists of Kurt Busch, Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick. In addition, Humpy Wheeler was named the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

 

Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote upon the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2026 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.

 

The Class of 2026 was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, including representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion (Joey Logano). In all, 49 votes were cast. The accounting firm of EY presided over the tabulation of the votes.

 

Busch and Gant both received 61% of the Modern Era ballot votes. Jeff Burton finished third, followed by Harry Hyde and Randy Dorton. Ray Hendrick received 31% of the Pioneer ballot votes. Bob Welborn finished second.

 

Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote were: Ray Hendrick (Pioneer); Kurt Busch and Harry Gant (Modern Era).

 

The two Modern Era inductees came from a group of 10 nominees that included: Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Randy Dorton, Harry Gant, Harry Hyde, Randy LaJoie and Jack Sprague.

 

Nominees for the Pioneer Ballot included: Jake Elder, Ray Hendrick, Banjo Matthews, Larry Phillips and Ralph Moody.

 

Nominees for the Landmark Award included Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Les Richter and Humpy Wheeler.

 

Ten nominees appeared on the Modern Era ballot, which was selected by the traditional Nominating Committee. The same committee selected the five Landmark Award nominees. The Pioneer ballot, which included five nominees whose careers began in 1966 or earlier, was selected by the Honors Committee.

 

The Class of 2026 Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony will be available later this month on NASCARHall.com.

 

 

Class of 2026 Inductees:

 

Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch's journey to NASCAR stardom began in 2000 with a Truck Series rookie season that foreshadowed greatness. With four wins and a championship runner-up finish, Busch signaled to fans and competitors alike that he would soon be a force at the top level of the sport. By 2002, Busch was already making waves in the NASCAR Cup Series. His first win came at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway, he finished third in points, and from there, his career soared to new heights. Busch's big breakthrough came in 2004, when he captured the NASCAR Cup Series Championship, becoming the first driver to win the title under NASCAR's 'playoff' system – a feat that proved both his excellence and adaptability. Busch earned 34 Cup Series wins in 776 starts, including a thrilling victory in the 2017 Daytona 500.

 

Harry Gant

Harry Gant was a man with many nicknames: "Handsome Harry" for his good looks, the "Bandit" due his long-time sponsor Skoal Bandit, "Mr. September" after his four consecutive premier series and two Xfinity series wins in September of 1991 and "High Groove Harry" because of his proficiency in taking the high line through the corner. Gant won 18 premier series races, including the Southern 500 in 1984 and 1991. The North Carolinian also registered 21 wins in the Xfinity Series. In the five seasons from 1981 through 1985, Gant finished in the top five in points four times, including a runner-up championship finish to Terry Labonte in 1984.

 

Ray Hendrick

The original "Mr. Modified," Ray Hendrick is one of the winningest drivers of all time, amassing more than 700 modified and late model sportsman wins between 1950-88. Hendrick's success started in his home state of Virginia, where his famous No. 11 was known to all. He won five track championships at South Boston Speedway – four modified and one late model sportsman. Despite never winning a Modified Division championship, Hendrick finished in the top 10 in the standings nine times from 1960-69. Hendrick was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers and one of NASCAR Modified's All-Time Top 10 Drivers.

 

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:

 

Humpy Wheeler

Humpy Wheeler's name is synonymous with promotion and innovation. Best known for his 33-year tenure as President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Wheeler played a pivotal role in transforming the venue into a world-class facility that attracted a wide range of fans and corporate sponsors. Most notably, Wheeler spearheaded the construction of the iconic Turn 4 grandstands and introduced the "NASCAR Experience," which brought fans even closer to the action. Adding a new dynamic to the sport, Wheeler's visionary leadership and creativity helped shape today's fan experience with the introduction of dramatic pre-race ceremonies and the development of night racing at superspeedways.

 

Contact:

Madison Faulkner

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 22.5.25 0 comments

Camirand Wins Season Opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park After Eventful Clarington 200

Camirand Wins Season Opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park After Eventful Clarington 200

 

Bowmanville, ON (May 18, 2025) - The 2025 NASCAR Canada Series officially launched its season on Sunday at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with the Clarington 200. Defending champion Marc-Antoine Camirand, driving the No. 96 GM Paillé / Chevrolet Canada Chevrolet, claimed the first win of the year following a race marked by dramatic overtakes and multiple changes of leaders.

 

Kyle Steckly started strong from pole position, after securing the E3 Spark Plugs Pole Award with a lap time of 1:22.264 in Saturday’s Qualifying session. However, the young MBS Motorsports driver faced early challenges in his No. 22 MBS Motorsports / Sierra Excavating / APC Chevrolet. This allowed Alex Tagliani to surge to the lead in his No. 80 St-Hubert / UPS Store / Bet GRW Chevrolet.

 

The first caution of the race came on Lap 5 following an incident involving Matthew Scannell’s No. 99 Nitro 54 / Main Street Logistics / Rack.ca Dodge in Turn 3, forcing his early retirement from the event. Steckly’s race came to an early end as well when he was forced to take the No. 22 machine back to the garages because of damage he picked up on Lap 14. He’s one of the twelve drivers who did not finish.

 

Cautions continued to shape the race, including a restart incident in Turn 1 involving Brent Wheller commanding the No. 81 Industrial Deck Equipment/Arbon Equipment Dodge, Domenic Scrivo in the No. 69 MBS Motorsports/Sierra Excavating/Bolton GM Chevrolet and Mathieu Kingsbury aboard the No. 9 Duroking/BFL Canada Chevrolet. As this was unfolding, Tagliani’s Chevrolet stalled in Turn 5 due to an electrical issue. Through the race, Alex Guénette, at the helm of the No. 39 GL Électricité-Automatisations / Bet GRW Chevrolet, and Sam Fellows, No. 87 AER / Polysleep / Novus Auto / Mobil 1 Chevrolet, battled for position, with Guénette briefly climbing to second place.

 

Meanwhile, Gary Klutt showed strong pace in his No. 59 Autologic / Hofmann Plastics Dodge despite hitting the tire wall in Turn 9, which slowed his momentum. Halfway through the race, Malcolm Strachan, who started 11th on the grid in the No. 98 Curb Records / Darkhorse Trailers / Strode’s Ford, led the field, but eventually fell back in the order.

 

With 3 laps to go, Klutt gained the lead, setting up a late-race fight between himself, Camirand, and Strachan. On the final lap, Camirand made the decisive move in Turn 3 and took the win.

 

Camirand, who was fastest in Practice earlier in the weekend, praised his team’s efforts. “It was a good way to start the season,” he stated. “The pace was fast early on, but the car wasn’t ideal. After our fuel stop, we made some adjustments, and the car really came alive. I’m proud of what the team accomplished all weekend.”

 

Gary Klutt made a strong push leading in the final laps before Camirand overtook him in Turn 3 on the final lap. “We were a bit off in qualifying, but the team executed our pit strategy really well,” Klutt said. “We had a shot at the win, but Marc-Antoine had the better pace at the end.”

Strachan delivered a standout performance, leading laps and ultimately finishing third. “The strategy worked out perfectly today. After a few restarts, we got a bit of a lead, and I was hoping it would stay green. We led a bunch of laps. I’m overjoyed to be in the top 3.”

 

Alex Guénette and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin completed the top five, while Alex Tagliani earned the Evirum Fastest lap of the race. Both the Gulf Race Fuels Move of the Race and Jostens Rookie of the Race went to rising star Danny Chisolm.

 

The NASCAR Canada Series returns to action on May 31 with the Bud Light 250 at Autodrome Chaudière in Vallée-Jonction, Quebec.

NASCAR Race Number 1

Unofficial Race Results For The Clarington 200 - 05/18/2025

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park - Bowmanville, Ont. - 2.459-mile paved road course

Total Race Length 201 K - 51L - 125 M

 

Fin Str Car Driver Team Laps Points B/Points Status

1 4 96 Marc-Antoine Camirand GM Paillé Chevrolet Canada Chevrolet 51 47 4 Running

2 6 59 Gary Klutt Autologic/Hofmann Plastics Dodge 51 43 1 Running

3 11 98 Malcolm Strachan Curb Records/Darkhorse Trailers/Strode's Ford 51 43 2 Running

4 5 39 Alex Guenette GL Électricité-Automatisations/Bet GRW Chevrolet 51 40 Running

5 13 47 L.-P. Dumoulin WeatherTech/Omnifab Dodge 51 39 Running

6 8 27 Andrew Ranger GM Paillé Chevrolet Canada Chevrolet 51 38 Running

7 16 17 DJ Kennington Castrol Edge/Brimstone Games/CIM Metals Dodge 51 37 Running

8 2 74 Kevin Lacroix Adaptive One Calipers/NAPA Racing Chevrolet 51 36 Running

9 7 3 Jason Hathaway Leland/Sangsin Brakes/Fast Eddie/HGC Chevrolet 51 35 Running

10 25 8 Danny Chisholm * Jani-King/Choko Chevrolet 51 34 Running

11 12 24 Josh Hurley * BC Race Cars/CathcartTrucking/Akers AutoGlass 51 33 Running

12 20 28 Ryan Vargas Critical Path Security/Leargas Dodge 51 33 1 Running

13 21 84 Darryl Timmers * Switch Tire/Keith's Trailer Sales/Rack.ca Dodge 51 31 Running

14 23 54 Dave Coursol AutoPlace/Carquest/Qualité Refrigeration Dodge 51 30 Running

15 18 9 Mathieu Kingsbury Duroking/BFL Canada Chevrolet 51 29 Running

16 17 88 Simon Charbonneau * TransGestion/NAPA/IAI Experts Conseils Chevrolet 51 28 Running

17 22 0 Glenn Styres GSR/Ohsweken Speedway/Chantarellie Chevrolet 50 27 Running

18 3 80 Alex Tagliani St. Hubért/UPS Store/Bet GRW Chevrolet 49 27 1 Running

19 15 42 Ryan Klutt Legendary Motorcar/K-Line/Fix Network Dodge 46 25 Running

20 9 87 Sam Fellows AER/Polysleep/Novus Auto/Mobil 1 Chevrolet 42 24 Running

21 24 85 Larry Jackson Rack.ca/Castrol/Emzone Dodge 41 23 Transmission

22 28 81 Brent Wheller Industrial Deck Equipment/Arbon Equipment Dodge 39 22 Running

23 27 67 David Thorndyke Feed the Need in Durham Chevrolet 34 21 Engine

24 10 6 Peter Klutt Legendary Motorcar/K-Line/Fix Network Dodge 28 20 Accident

25 26 69 Domenic Scrivo * MBS Mtps/Sierra Excavating/Bolton GM Chevrolet 17 19 Accident

26 19 1 JP Bergeron ERacer/JC Perreault/Prolon/Whiskey Pembroke Ford 16 18 Power Steering

27 1 22 Kyle Steckly Racing MBS Mtps/Sierra Excavating/APC Chevrolet 13 17 Engine

28 14 99 Matthew Scannell Nitro54 Variety/Mainstreet Logistics/Rack.ca Dodge 4 16 Clutch

 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 22.5.25 0 comments

2025-05-14

2025 NASCAR Canada Season Opener Set for Action at CTMP

For Immediate Release
NASCAR Canada 2025 Race 1 | Clarington 200

 

2025 NASCAR Canada Season Opener Set for Action at CTMP

 


(Bowmanville, ON) – May 12, 2025 – NASCAR Canada is back, and the 2025 season kicks off in full force at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) with the highly anticipated Clarington 200 on May 18th. Fans can expect a thrilling weekend as the grid features a mix of returning champions, seasoned veterans and rising stars ready to push their limits.

Defending champion Marc-Antoine Camirand returns in the #96 Paillé Racing Chevrolet, looking to carry the momentum from his 2024 title-winning season. Among his fiercest challengers will be Kevin Lacroix, last year’s runner-up and pole-position leader with five poles in 2024. Andrew Ranger, #27 Paillé Racing, a three-time series champion, and veterans D.J. Kennington, #17 Castrol Edge Dodge, and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, #47 WeatherTech Canada / Omnifab, who rounded out the top five in last year’s standings will also be ones to watch.

Adding to the excitement are two newcomers: American sensation Ryan Vargas, who joins the series in the #28 Critical Path Security Canada Dodge Challenge with DJK Racing after a full-time season in the NASCAR Euro Series, and GT racing driver Josh Hurley, making his series debut in the #24 BC Race Cars Chevrolet.

Also in the spotlight is Gary Klutt with the #59 Legendary Motorcar Company Dodge, who grabbed pole position at CTMP last season. Hometown driver Sam Fellows will be looking for a podium, a feat he came close to achieving while commanding the #87 AER / POLYSLEEP Chevrolet machine in last year’s WeatherTech Canada 200. 

A strong contingent of returning drivers rounds out the grid, including crowd favourites, Alex Tagliani, sharing the #80 St-Hubert / The UPS Store / Impression Mirabel / Dryshine / Grand Royal Wôlinak / BetGRW.com / Vulcain / Garoy Construction with Donald Theetge this season. Young talents Alex Guénette, #39 GL Électricité Automatisation Chevrolet, and Jean-Philippe Bergeron, #1 ERACER Drink / JC Perreault Ford, are set to make their presence felt, while Simon Charbonneau embarks on his second part-time season in the #88 TransGestion / NAPA St-Jérôme Chevrolet.

EHR will be represented by Jason Hathaway, #3 Fast Eddie / Leland Industries Chevrolet, and Danny Chisholm, #8 Jani King Chevrolet. MBS Motorsports also fields a strong lineup with Kyle Steckly, car #22, and Domenic Scrivo, #69 Sierra Excavating Chevrolet.

“There’s an incredible energy heading into the 2025 season,” said Alan Labrosse, NASCAR Canada General Manager. “The mix of young talents, returning champions, and fan-favourite veterans sets the stage for one exciting season.”

Saturday’s on-track activities will start at 12:30 PM for Practice, followed by Qualifying at 4:45 PM. Sunday’s Clarington 200 will take place at 2 PM. Catch all the action live on REV TV, TVA Sports and tape-delayed broadcasts on TSN.

 

ENDS


For media inquiries:

nascarcanadamedia@nascar.com 

 

Picture: Matthew Manor

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 14.5.25 0 comments

2025-05-13

Free Grandstand Admission for 2025 Peterborough Speedway Opener

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


Some words in the English language stand-up well on their own. "Free" will always be one of them. Saturday, May 17th spectator grandstand general admission passes are free at Peterborough Speedway.
KX 105.1 New Country presents the 2025 season opener with the home track Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock, SwitchTire Mini Stock, Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Truck, Jiffy Lube Super Stock and KOD Disposal Late Model fields, plus the Trailers Plus Ontario Legend Car Series. Gates open at 3:00, with the first Great Canadian RV green flag at 5:00.
Come early and enjoy live music with Peterborough's own Ty Wilson – a 2024 Reader's Choice 'Diamond Award Winner' as best local musician or band and 'Male Vocalist of the Year' at the Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards – starting at 3:30. You can also meet the opening night's drivers during the trackside autograph session at intermission.
"Opening night has always been our biggest event of the year and we're thankful to everyone who helps put it all together," said Peterborough Speedway track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse. "From the marketing and promotional staff, the social media team, to sponsors and officials. The total effort from everyone who works behind the scenes to get everything ready for a new season makes the facility ready for when the first fans roll through the gates."
Josiasse says that when they arrive for the season's first show, they'll notice some changes at their favourite weekly racing facility. One thing that will never change is Peterborough Speedway's ongoing commitment to providing the best track food choices in the business. Their selection of pub grub is second-to-none and includes locally grown, fresh-cut fries. The recent addition of the Turn 4 Beer Garden for those of legal drinking age completes the package.
Be on hand for the Saturday, May 17th season opener and be part of a stretch of 16 straight Saturday nights of exciting hometown motorsports action. For the latest news, information and schedule details, be sure to head to www.peterboroughspeedway.com and the track's social media platforms and pages for everything you'll need to know for another year of Making Memories for Life.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/Frist Draft Media
Catch the action the with the Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Trucks during the 2025 Season Opener – Saturday, May 17th – at Peterborough Speedway.
Teams with the Trailers Plus Ontario Legend Car Series will be part of the 2025 Season Opener – Saturday, May 17th – at Peterborough Speedway.

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 13.5.25 0 comments

2025-05-08

NASCAR and TelevisaUnivision Announce Landmark Broadcast Partnership

NASCAR and TelevisaUnivision Announce Landmark Broadcast Partnership

 

TelevisaUnivision to serve as exclusive free-to-air broadcaster in Mexico for 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City on Sunday, June 15

 

Agreement includes weekly highlight rights on TelevisaUnivision platforms for the entirety of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season

 

May 8, 2025 – The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC ("NASCAR") and TelevisaUnivision, Mexico's leading media company, today announced an exclusive broadcast agreement for free-to-air coverage of the sanctioning body's Mexico City race.

 

Under this new agreement, TelevisaUnivision will serve as the exclusive free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster in Mexico for the highly anticipated 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, scheduled for Sunday, June 15 at 3 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. local time. The race will be broadcast live on TelevisaUnivision's 'Canal 5' with full spanish-language commentary.

 

In addition to live race coverage, TelevisaUnivision will also deliver weekly NASCAR highlights, including 52-minute race cutdowns and short-form clips from the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. These will be distributed across TelevisaUnivision's linear and digital platforms, including ViX, its streaming service and official social media channels.

 

"We are thrilled to partner with TelevisaUnivision to bring the NASCAR Cup Series to passionate sports fans in Mexico," said Nicholas Skipper, NASCAR Managing Director, Media Strategy. "The upcoming race in Mexico City is a significant milestone for our company, and this agreement reflects our commitment to providing the most comprehensive coverage of the event, as we continue to grow our sport internationally."

 

Marco Liceaga, TelevisaUnivision Senior Vice President of Sports Rights Acquisitions and Commercial Partnerships, stated: "We are delighted to partner with NASCAR to bring fans of the motorsports world in Mexico closer to the Mexico City race, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, its teams and drivers. The above demonstrates TelevisaUnivision's commitment to continuing to have the most robust sports portfolio, for the benefit of our audiences and commercial partners".

 

TelevisaUnivision will also provide robust marketing and promotional support for the Mexico City race to help build excitement for the event.

 

About TelevisaUnivision

TelevisaUnivision is the world's leading Spanish-language media company. Powered by the largest library of owned Spanish-language content and a prolific production capability, TelevisaUnivision is the top producer of original content in Spanish across news, sports and entertainment verticals. This original content powers all of TelevisaUnivision's platforms, which include market-leading broadcast networks Univision, Las Estrellas, Canal 5 and UniMás, and a portfolio of 38 cable networks, which include TUDN, Galavisión, Distrito Comedia and TL Novelas. The company also operates the leading Mexican movie studio, Videocine, and owns and operates the largest Spanish-language audio platform in the U.S. across 35 terrestrial stations and the Uforia digital platform. TelevisaUnivision is also the owner of ViX, the largest Spanish-language streaming platform in the world.

 

For more information, please visit televisaunivision.com. 

 

About NASCAR 

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook. 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 8.5.25 0 comments

2025-04-28

There is No Place Like Local Racing for Paul Donnelly

There is No Place Like Local Racing for Paul Donnelly

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Hometown racers make a special contribution to the sport. Their combination of dedication and determination makes them winners before ever turning a lap on the track.
After beginning his motorsports career as a crew member for several different dirt and pavement racers, Mallorytown, Ontario's Paul Donnelly switched his racing focus to the other side of the starting line-up. He made his first start in the Novice Sportsman field at Brockville Ontario Speedway. Despite getting a later start than some of his competition, Donnelly still managed to score 4 qualifying event checkered flags and a trio of feature race wins before making the switch to the Sportsman-Modified division during the 2024 season.
"I learned so much while working on cars driven by George Herbison, Paul Pekkonen and former Brockville Speedway Sportsman-Modified and Pro Stock champion Chris Herbison over the years, it really made me want to put together a deal of my own," said Paul Donnelly. "Because I hadn't been playing hockey and the other sports I loved because of the pandemic, I was able to round-up some funds and a few years ago, purchased a car Jarrett Herbison had in his shop and Black Cat Motorsports – named after my cat Leroy – was born."
While the initial laps of his hometown racing tenure were spent at the controls of a No. 9 machine, as a fan of dirt track racing legend Bob McCreadie, Donnelly switched to the No. 98D that he still uses today after the untimely 2022 passing of his good friend Paul Pekkonen. Competing in only 5 feature events, the 49-year-old racer was 21st out of nearly 40 Sportsman-Modified runners. He finished 9th in the 2024 Novice Sportsman standings.
"Whether helping out behind the scenes on someone else's equipment or running my own stuff on a weekly basis, its easy to understand what makes racing such a popular sport," said the father of 2, who works as a dispatcher at Shouldice Trucking. "I've been lucky to make some new friends. I love the family aspect of local racing, especially the way everyone steps in to help without a minute of hesitation."
Even with the new schedule just around the corner, Donnelly still hasn't confirmed his plans for the 2025 season. Because of some recently diagnosed health issues, he may be faced with a decision to focus on some of the spotlight events on Brockville Ontario Speedway's upcoming line-up, including the Ogilvie's Triple Crown Series dates and the annual Northeast Fall Nationals.
Paul Donnelly's No. 98D Sportsman-Modified is proudly supported by Hodge's Flooring, Deluxe Auto Glass & Trim, Larry's Auto Works and Plooy's Plumbing. In the shop and at the track, crew members Pete Stapper, Ezzy Waterworth and the driver himself get the car ready for battle.
Stay up to date with Paul Donnelly at the track or like and follow Black Cat Motorsports on Facebook.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Mallorytown, Ontario DIRTcar Sportsman-Modified racer Paul Donnelly (No. 98D) is making plans for the upcoming 2025 schedule at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media



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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 28.4.25 0 comments

2025-04-23

​NASCAR, North Wilkesboro Speedway Announce 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race Format

NASCAR, North Wilkesboro Speedway Announce

2025 NASCAR All-Star Race Format

 

Manufacturer Showdown, Promoter's Caution, Extended Race, New Pit Crew Challenge Eligibility Among Fresh Format Elements

NASCAR, North Wilkesboro Speedway Announce

2025 NASCAR All-Star Race Format

 

Manufacturer Showdown, Promoter's Caution, Extended Race, New Pit Crew Challenge Eligibility Among Fresh Format Elements

 



DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 23, 2024) – NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports today announced details for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race to be held on Sunday, May 18, for the third consecutive year at iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway. This season's format will again feature two heat races to set the All-Star Race starting lineup and a 100-lap All-Star Open, plus an extended 250-lap main event. In addition to a longer All-Star Race, several new aspects will debut including a Manufacturer Showdown, a Promoter's Caution, modifications to Open qualifying, and Pit Crew Challenge eligibility. All eyes will be on the stars of the sport as they take on these new elements at the historic .625-mile track in the annual exhibition.

The signature new element in this season's format shines a spotlight on the manufacturers, as drivers take on the Manufacturer Showdown. Manufacturer teams (Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota) will be equally represented. The members per team will be determined by the least represented manufacturer and an equal number of drivers from the other two manufacturers will be selected based on their final All-Star grid starting positions. Teams will be scored against each other and not by their overall All-Star finish. The lowest combined total of finishing positions will be the winning manufacturer. In the event of a tie, the single best overall finishing position will determine the winner.

 

"The NASCAR All-Star Race continues to evolve as one of the most fun and innovative events on our calendar," said Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, John Probst. "Returning to historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third year in a row allows us to honor our sport's roots while pushing the envelope with fresh competitive elements. The introduction of the Manufacturer Showdown brings a new layer of intensity and pride for our OEM partners, and fans can expect even more strategy, teamwork, and drama on race day."

The NASCAR All-Star Race will be 250 laps with a competition break at or near lap100 and an optional Promoter's Caution that must be executed prior to lap 220. If the Promoter's Caution has not yet occurred and a natural caution flag falls after lap 200, the optional caution will no longer be in play. This new twist adds an element of unpredictability and excitement as teams try to prepare for when – or even if – the Promoter's Caution may occur.

Saturday's All-Star Open will give drivers who are not guaranteed a spot in the main event a chance to lock into the All-Star Race. The 100-lap Open will have a competition break at or near lap 40 and will not only determine which drivers advance to the main event but could also change the number of drivers eligible from each manufacturer for the Manufacturer Showdown. The three Open drivers who will advance to the All-Star Race are the top two race finishers and the Fan Vote Winner. NASCAR All-Star Race fan voting is now open on NASCAR.com/fanvote.

 

"In the 40-year history of the All-Star Race there has never been so much on-track action across the entire event week," said Jessica Fickenscher, executive director of the NASCAR All-Star Race. "And with so much competition--from the pit crews to the manufacturers to the race teams and drivers--the biggest All-Star winners will be the fans with all they get to see at what's become America's throwback racetrack, North Wilkesboro Speedway. The entire week is truly the most jam-packed entertainment value in all of motorsports."

All-Star weekend festivities will begin on All-Star Friday presented by Raymer Oil with a combined All-Star/Open qualifying and Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear. New this season, Open and All-Star qualifying will be combined, and pit crews of all teams entered (All-Star and Open) are eligible for the pit crew challenge. Open cars will go first, and results will determine the lineup for the Open. All-Star cars will follow to set the lineups for the heat races. This format will again bring together traditional qualifying with the Pit Crew Challenge. Drivers will take the green flag, run one full lap at speed, and on the second lap proceed to one of two NASCAR-designated pit stalls for a four-tire stop (no fuel). When the pit stop is complete, the cars will exit pit road and race back to the checkered flag. Qualifying time will be the total elapsed time from green flag to checkered flag, and the pole sitter will start on the pole for Heat Race 1 and the All-Star.

 

The pit crew with the fastest stop during the All-Star qualifying attempt (no penalties) is the winner of the Pit Crew Challenge. Timing lines are established one box behind and one box ahead of the NASCAR designated pit stop boxes. Pit Crew Challenge results will determine pit-picking order.


Saturday night will feature two 60-lap heat races that will determine the starting lineup for the All-Star Race among drivers already locked into the field. The results of Heat 1 will establish the inside row, and the results of Heat 2 will establish the outside row. The action-packed weekend will conclude Sunday night with the All-Star Open and All-Star Race.

 

Drivers eligible for the NASCAR All-Star Race include those who've won a points event in either 2024 or 2025, drivers who've won a NASCAR All-Star Race and compete fulltime, and drivers who've won a NASCAR Cup Series championship and compete fulltime.

Drivers already locked in the All-Star Race include: William Byron, Daniel Suárez, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, Harrison Burton, Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Josh Berry, and Kyle Busch.

The NASCAR All-Star Race will air live on FS1, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with coverage beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 18.

In addition to all the NASCAR Cup Series activity, fans can enjoy zMAX CARS Tour feature races both Thursday (The Reverend Whiskey 75) and Friday (Late Model Stock Cars) nights, along with the Window World 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and a Jake Owen concert presented by Raymer Oil on the frontstretch Saturday. Sunday's on-track action begins with a NASCAR Whelen Modified Series race preceding the All-Star Open and All-Star Race. May 15-18 NASCAR All-Star Race Week ticket packages including eight races, the Pit Crew Challenge, Jake Owen concert and all NASCAR qualifying sessions start at just $130. Race week packages or individual event day tickets and camping can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com.

Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook. 

Contact:

Samantha Zarek

NASCAR Communications



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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 23.4.25 0 comments

Peterborough Speedway 2025 Season Goes Green Saturday, May 17th

Peterborough Speedway 2025 Season Goes Green Saturday, May 17th
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
The news Central Ontario race fans have been waiting for is coming up fast. Peterborough Speedway will roll-out its 2025 line-up with the Pure Country 105 Season Opener – featuring free spectator grandstand admission – Saturday, May 17th.
Round one in the regular season stretch of 16 straight Saturday nights of local racing includes the best of the home track Bone Stock, Mini Stock, Renegade Truck, Super Stock and Late Model divisions, plus the Ontario Legend Car Series. Opening night also features a driver autograph session at half time. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says the countdown is on 'til the new calendar kick-off.
"Our staff, officials and fans are all excited about rolling out the red carpet for the season opener," explained Josiasse. "The annual lid-lifter has traditionally been one of our biggest dates of the year and our team can't wait for everyone to see what we have in store for this year. Even with the changes we've made around the facility, our commitment for providing great value for your family motorsports entertainment investment remains unchanged."
From the year's first laps, Peterborough Speedway continues to build on its reputation of Making Memories for Life. In addition to the weekly divisions, the track's schedule will also include a wide variety of special guest touring classes – including what has become an annual double-dip with the APC Late Models and the opening round of action for the Dayco Super Stock group – Saturday, June 14th.
Staff is also pleased to report that the Double Toonie Fan Appreciation Nights – presented by Pepsi – will continue this year. Spectator grandstand admission will be just $ 4.00 Saturday, June 7th and 28th, along with August 16th. Each night of racing will include a trackside driver autograph session at intermission.
Bullring bullet points: Fans can enjoy a sneak peak at the hometown motorsports season as Peterborough Speedway presents its annual preview event April 27th to May 4th at Lindsay Square Mall. For full information, see www.lindsaysquare.ca... Racers looking to shake-down their equipment and log some track time before the initial Great Canadian RV green flag can take advantage of a pair of pre-season test sessions. Cars will be on the track Saturday, May 10th from 11:00 'til 4:00 and again Thursday, May 15th from 4:00 to dusk.
For the latest track news, information and 2025 schedule details, check www.peterboroughspeedway.com or the venue's social media platforms and pages.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Ryan Kimball (No. 16) will be looking to lay foundation for another KOD Disposal Late Model track championship when the 2025 season opens – Saturday, May 17th – at Peterborough Speedway.
2024 Jiffy Lube Super Stock runners Clayton Reed (No. 21R) and Donovan Price (No. 96) will be back at the track this year – starting Saturday, May 17th – at Peterborough Speedway.
Wyatt Beatty (No. 68) and Jacob Vandebelt (No. 70) will return for another season of racing – including the Saturday, July 5th SPS Junior Late Model Rumble – at Peterborough Speedway.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 23.4.25 0 comments

2025-04-21

NASCAR Announces Nominees For NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Landmark Award

NASCAR Announces Nominees

For NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026, Landmark Award

Busch and LaJoie join ballot for the first time; Wheeler up for Landmark nod

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 21, 2025) — NASCAR today announced the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

 

Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, joins the Modern Era ballot for the first time, alongside Randy LaJoie, a two-time champion in what is now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Additionally, Jake Elder, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief, returns to the Pioneer ballot.

 

Ten nominees appear on the Modern Era ballot, five on the Pioneer ballot – designed to honor those whose careers began more than 60 years ago. Two Modern Era candidates and one Pioneer candidate will be elected as the Class of 2026.

 

The Landmark Award honors those who made significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR. Former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Humpy Wheeler, joins the Landmark Award ballot for the first time.

 

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting panel will meet in person to discuss and vote for the Class of 2026 and Landmark Award on Tuesday, May 20. Once again, the fans have a voice in the selection process via the NASCAR.com Fan Vote (www.nascar.com/halloffame). The Fan Vote is currently open and will close on Sunday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

  

The Modern Era Ballot and Landmark Award nominees were selected by the Nomination Committee, which consists of representatives from NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks. The Honors Committee, largely comprised of all NASCAR Hall of Famers, Landmark Award winners and Squier-Hall Award winners, selected the Pioneer Ballot.

 

The following are the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026 nominees and Landmark Award nominees:

 

Modern Era Ballot

 

Greg Biffle, 2000 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion and 2002 Xfinity Series champion

 

Neil Bonnett, won 18 times in the NASCAR Cup Series including consecutive Coca-Cola 600 victories

 

Tim Brewer, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief

 

Jeff Burton, won 21 times in the NASCAR Cup Series including the Southern 500 and two Coca-Cola 600s

 

Kurt Busch, 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2017 DAYTONA 500 winner

 

Randy Dorton, built engines that won over nine championships across NASCAR's national series

  

Harry Gant, winner of 18 NASCAR Cup Series races, including two Southern 500 victories

 

Harry Hyde, 1970 NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief

   

Randy LaJoie, two-time Xfinity Series champion and 1985 North Series champion

 

Jack Sprague, three-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion

 

 

Pioneer Ballot

 

Jake Elder, three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief, including the DAYTONA 500 and two Southern 500s

 

Ray Hendrick, won over 700 times in NASCAR Modified and Late Model Sportsman

  

Banjo Matthews, built cars that won more than 250 NASCAR Cup Series races and three championships

 

Larry Phillips, first five-time NASCAR weekly series national champion

 

Bob Welborn, winner of nine NASCAR Cup Series races and three Convertible Division championships

 

 

Landmark Award

 

Alvin Hawkins, NASCAR's first flagman; established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium with Bill France Sr.

 

Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice Chair and one of the most influential women in sports

 

Dr. Joseph Mattioli, founder of Pocono Raceway

 

Les Richter, long-time NASCAR executive oversaw competition, helped grow the sport on the West Coast

 

Humpy Wheeler, former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, transformed the venue into a world-class facility


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 21.4.25 0 comments

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