Big Money On The Line for COVID Crash for Cash

It is being dubbed as the biggest Demolition in years, and early indications suggest it will live up to the hype! Saturday July 25th will be the COVID Crash for Cash Demolition under the lights at Speedway Miramichi. As of press time, upwards of 2 dozen drivers have signalled their intentions to compete, and last-minute entries will only push that number even higher. If 35 cars show up, the prize will be $1500 to win. If 40 cars show, that will be upped to a whopping $2000 to win, along with one of the biggest trophies ever awarded in Demolition competition. Racing action will also be contested from the Street Stock, Mini Stock and Atlantic Modified Tour divisions, plus the new Bombers class.

Julien Benoit (#47) enters the COVID Crash for Cash as the most recent Demolition winner. Benoit captured his first career Derby win of his 18-year career at the June 20th Return to Racing by besting a field of 15 cars. Julien captured the victory over Marc-Andre Benoit (#81), and both will enter Saturday’s show among the favorites to take the big prize. But the field will be full of heavy hitters competing for glory. Among those will be Riley Harris (#1), who unfortunately missed opening day, but has won his last 2 Demolitions. Former track champion Jean-Francois Basque (#21) has stated he hopes to be in attendance for a shot at the big prize. Fan-favorite driver Randy Girouard (#8) will be making his return on Saturday after missing the 2019 season. Shawn Sisk (#94) will also return to the track Saturday after a year away from the driver’s seat. Amber Sickles (#03) and Sam Jardine (#12) look to score a win for the girls on Saturday – both have proven consistently they are a force to be reckoned with in Demolition competition.

Mathieu Brideau (#99) is a veteran driver who has impressed many times will be seeking the biggest win of his career on Saturday. He will be joined by Jonathan Leclair (#10) and Remi Rouselle (#10x), who are each former podium finishers, to challenge for the win on Saturday. Several young drivers have been making noise and are on the verge of breaking into the spotlight. Among them are Dawson Cripps (#25) and Dylan Storey (#85), who have been gaining experience and challenged the field on opening day back in June. Another member of the youth movement is 2nd generation driver Cody Lee (#17.5) who ran runner up in the Demolition Blowout last October. Jason Savoie (#06) and Miky Roussel (#758) will look to build upon strong performances from June, while Norm Robichaud (#666) hopes to rebound from an early exit in June. Matthew Sullivan (#18), Travis MacDonald (#23), and Josh Mercure (#85x) will all make their first starts of 2020 among the large field of cars expected.

For Demo drivers to qualify for the big prizes at the end of the night, they will be required to compete in at least 3 out of 5 preliminary races, which will include the Dash for Cash, Powder Puff, Back-Up, Kidney, and Figure 8 races. As always, there will also be a Burnout Competition.

COVID Crash for Cash Possible Entries – Subject to change without notice

#03 – Amber Sickles #06 – Jason Savoie #1 – Riley Harris #8 – Randy Girouard #10 – Jonathan Leclair #10x – Remi Rouselle #12 – Sam Jardine #17.5 – Cody Lee #18 – Matthew Sullivan #21 – Jean-Francois Basque #23 – Travis MacDonald #23x – Driver TBD #25 – Dawson Cripps #47 – Julien Benoit #81 – Marc-Andre Benoit #85 – Dylan Storey #85x – Josh Mercure #94 – Shawn Sisk #99 – Mathieu Brideau #666 – Norm Robichaud #758 – Miky Roussel TBA – Yves Mazerolle TBA – Tyler Chamberlain

The long-awaited debut of the new 6-cylinder Bomber class will finally occur on Saturday, and a solid field of heavy hitters have cars ready to roll for the first race. Leading the pack will be defending Demolition champion Kevin Tucker (#87). After a 22-year career, the veteran driver picked up his first track title last season and in doing so decided to make the switch to the new Bombers class. He will have some tough competition joining him, including a pair of drivers who each scored a pair of Demolition victories in 2019. Jacob Smith (#29) and Riley Harris (#1) each have built cars for the Bombers class and will be challenging for the win on Saturday, while another Demolition veteran in Adam Plourde (#52) hopes to have a car ready for action. Moving up from the former Dukes class will be last years rookie of the year and fan favorite Jonathan Dickson (#3). Indications suggest there could be even more additional entries come race time on Saturday.

Opening day for the Street Stock class saw reigning track champion Chris Wilson (#2W) make a statement by capturing the double feature victories. On Saturday, the story may be a rematch forming, however. Multi-time Petty International Raceway track champion Michael Cormier (#68) saw a promising day in June end due to mechanical issues, and he will seek redemption and his first Miramichi win. If either driver wants to win, they will have to beat a deeper field of competition, including 2016 Speedway Miramichi champion Darcy O’Neill (#68), who has been shaking down his new ride in recent weeks. Multi-time feature winner from one year ago James Matchett (#55) has also put in a lot of work in his ride over the winter and could be making the trip up the Williston Road on Saturday. After nearly scoring his first career feature win in June, Bryar Ellis (#95) will look to bounce back and park his car in victory lane, while five-time track champion Robert Legere (#04) came up one spot short of a podium finish in June and looks to pick up a few more positions. Defending Rookie of the Year Jamie Jardine (#10) looks to make gains after a tough outing in June, while indications suggest Jared Tozer (#51), who scored a podium finish one season ago, will round out the field.

The Street Stock field may continue to grow, and track management has indicated that if 10 cars show, the feature will be extended to 50 laps.

June’s Return to Racing saw defending track champion JR Lawson (#81) have his 7-race win streak broken, albeit through no fault of his own. The Nova Scotia driver was trapped on the wrong side of the border, but with the Atlantic Bubble open he and teammate Chantel Ackles (#30) will look to make a triumphant return to the North Shore. Rumours suggest a 3rd entry out of the Lawson stables will make an appearance on Saturday. With Lawson missing the show, it was 2018 champion Rob Poirier (#0) picking up a grand slam in June. While there has been no confirmation from Poirier, should he make the haul to Miramichi he will certainly be a threat to win. Speaking of drivers who have run well, Mathieu Mallet (#80) scored a pair of podium finishes in June as he looks to have a career best season in 2020. For Guy Basque (#27), he will look to rebound after an early exit in June due to an on-track altercation. Mitchell Poirier (#28) will also look to find some luck after nearly scoring some top 5 finishes in June. Rookie drivers Conrad Murphy (#89) and Grayson Dutcher (#55) will look to improve their performances during Saturday’s 30 lap feature.

The Atlantic Modified Tour will finally be at the track on Saturday. Originally scheduled for 5 dates in Miramichi, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a shortened season for the tour which will now contest a pair of races at each of the big three tracks in New Brunswick. However, fans will get a sneak peak of the action Saturday before the tour kicks off their 2020 campaign on August 1st at Petty International Raceway. Several drivers will be at Speedway Miramichi Saturday for a test and tune and then to take part in an exhibition race. Among those who hope to be ready includes defending Speedway Miramichi champion Joe Hoyt (#17) and winner of the 2019 50 lap feature Zean Dutcher (#55). Yves McCray (#58) won the season opener one season ago and the popular driver will look to start 2020 in similar fashion. Now sophomore driver Travis Conroy (#7) is also expected to be in action as he looks to find redemption in 2020.

Pit gates and grandstand gates both open at 3pm on Saturday, with action beginning at 6pm. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 8 to 17 years of age and seniors, and free for kids 7 and under. Pit admission is $25 and restricted to those 8 years of age and older, with a signed parental consent form necessary for anyone under the age of 18.

Fans are advised to come early as all patrons will be required to give their contact info, per the Government of New Brunswick. In addition, there will be social distancing in effect throughout the grandstands, and spectators are asked to abide by all signs and directives. Hand sanitization stations will be set up throughout the facility. Masks are strongly encouraged but not required. Above all, everyone is reminded to use common sense. Safety is a top priority both on and off the track at Speedway Miramichi.

For more information, stay tuned to Speedway Miramichi’s social platforms, “Speedway Miramichi Inc.” on Facebook, “speedway.miramichi” on Instagram, and our website at speedwaymiramichi.com.

About Speedway Miramichi

Speedway Miramichi is Eastern Canada’s Oldest Active Motorsports Venue, and Northern New Brunswick’s only paved oval track. Located in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick, and just 5 minutes away from all city amenities, Speedway Miramichi hosts stock car racing and demolition events throughout the summer. There is no other facility in the world where you can watch a stock car race, burnout competition, figure-8 race, and a demolition derby during the same event. Visit our website (speedwaymiramichi.com), check us out on Facebook (Speedway Miramichi Inc.), or find us on Instagram (speedway.miramichi) for more details!