Backwards Bash, Modified 50 Highlight A Saturday Night Thriller!
After a 6 week break to allow drivers and fans to enjoy all that summer has to offer, Speedway Miramichi is set to roar back to life this weekend! It promises to be an unforgettable action-packed event on what is slated to be a full moon Saturday night! On the card is the Backwards Bash Demo, a 50-lap feature for the Atlantic Modified Tour, regular racing in all other divisions, plus the burnout competition and more!
Let’s start with the Atlantic Modified Tour, as they prepare for their first extended distance feature of the year. The story everyone is talking about is the return of 2-time Speedway Miramichi Sportsman champion Yves McCray! McCray recently purchased a Modified car, and he put it on the podium at Petty International Raceway in his return to racing. This weekend, he returns to his home track, the same track where he dominated for nearly a decade! A stiff field of drivers will be competing against McCray, led by 2011 Modified Tour Champion Joe Hoyt who is the most recent feature winner at Speedway Miramichi, “Mr. Excitement” Doug Matchett who has 2 podium finishes at Miramichi in 2018, Braxton Stafford who is hot off his first career Modified win at Petty, and runner up from the June race in Miramichi Kevin Bailey. John Lyons has had fast cars all year but poor luck, and he will look to turn his luck around Saturday. Steven Curtis will hit the track once again with his stunning new Pinto body, and rookie Kevin Brideau will look to have a strong run in his first 50 lap race. A couple other drivers will hopefully be making the trek North on Saturday, including young Modified sensation Gregory Butler, as well as the #51 car.
Joe Hoyt currently leads the Miramichi Modified points over the #91 car (Ashton Tucker & Braxton Stafford), and Doug Matchett. The top 3 are separated by just 5 points through 2 of 5 races, with John Lyons sitting closely behind in 4th. The Tucker / Stafford duo leads the overall Atlantic Modified Tour points by just 5 points over Hoyt.
Demo action in 2018 has been nothing short of hard hitting and thrilling. The Backwards Bash this weekend promises to deliver in much the same way. Among those who have signalled their intentions to be competing include 2 time and defending Demolition Champion Jean-Francois Basque who will be making his 2018 debut, along with June Demo winner Gabriel McGraw, May Demo winner Marc-Andre Benoit, Joey Pitre, Randy Girouard, Shawn Sisk, Zachary L’Hullier, Conrad Mallett, Marc Andre Vienneau, Mathieu Brideau, and others!
Current Demo points have Trenton Silliker still on top after his dominating May performance. Silliker missed the last Demo, and there has been no word on whether he will be out trying to maintain his points lead Saturday. Chasing down Silliker is Joey Pitre, Randy Girouard, Kevin Tucker, and Gabriel McGraw. The top 5 in points are separated by just 9 points.
Street Stocks will return to the track this weekend. “Bad Ass” Brad MacLean maintains a healthy point lead after winning a grand slam in June. MacLean is expected to be strong once again this weekend. The closest to MacLean in points who is expected to be in attendance is Chris “Groovy” Wilson, who is coming off a stellar performance at Speedway 660 last weekend in the Ricky Bobby 100. Deryk Murphy and Justin Munn are also expected to be in attendance, with several other drivers being in the rumour mill as possible attendees.
After capturing the Mini Stock Classic, Rob Poirier is taking control of the Mini Stock class. He holds down a 4-point lead over Guy Basque, who is ever so close to scoring his first feature win. Chris Garnett sits 3rd in points after grabbing his first podium of the year in Miramichi at the June race. Among the other drivers who are expected to battle it out this weekend includes Michael Savoie, Travis Conroy, Mathieu Mallett, Conrad Mallett, as well as rookies Mitchell Poirier, Shawn Benoit, and Michel-Andre Poirier. Hopes are high that a couple of others strong competitors will be in attendance to make their first starts of the year on Saturday.
The Dukes class has the tightest points battle, with Darcy O’Neill and Robert Legere tied in points through 2 races. This weekend, they are expected to finally have some competition. MacLean Racing is expected to have at least one Dukes entry on Saturday, and Riley Harris, grandson of legend Frank McKenzie, is also rumoured to be making his return. A few other potential entries cannot be ruled out either, as the class continues to grow.
Fans will also be treated to the Burnout Competition, as well as a demonstration of Speedway Miramichi’s new Go Karts! With kids rides at 6:30pm and the green flag dropping at 7:00pm, be sure to make plans to come out to the track and enjoy the first night race of the year!
Grandstand admission is just $15 for adults, $10 for youth of ages 8-17, as well as seniors. Kids 7 and under are free. The family pass is in effect for just $35 for a family of 4, with each additional child being admitted for just $2 extra. Pit passes are $20, and age restrictions are in place for the pits.
