Demolition Duel Center Stage at Back to School Smash

It’s a super Saturday this weekend at Speedway Miramichi, as on September 11th, fans will be treated to the Back to School Smash and Kids Day at the historic venue! It’s been a season filled with excitement and spectacular moments, with the chaos ramping up with each event. Heading into this weekend, intense point battles, budding rivalries, big wrecks, a grudge match, and kid’s activities are all amongst the storylines which have people talking and looking forward to an epic show!

The headlining Back to School Smash is shaping up to be a barn burner. The 2020 edition of this event featured a modern era record of 67 Demolition cars on the property. Close followers will know that the September show historically produces one of the largest car counts of the whole year, and in a year where the average car count has been 51 cars, the list of entries is going to be long and strong.

When it comes to Demolition action, the championship is in the forefront of everyone’s minds. It’s been a year-long battle between Marc Andre Benoit (#81) and Riley Harris (#1), who have exchanged the lead in the standings multiple times, and for the early portion seemed destined to settle the title amongst themselves. They are two of the winningest drivers in Demolition competition, but have yet to earn a track championship of their own and are separated by just a single point. However, these rivals found themselves involved in several on-track altercations at the Crash for Cash, which has allowed the rest of the field to close the gap in points. The score is definitely not settled as we enter the crucial stretch run of the 2021 season.

Just five points out of the lead sits a quiet but consistent Tyler Chamberlain (#24), who has been stalking the lead all season looking to steal it away. In fourth is the defending champion Mitch Brideau (#22), who finds himself in a similar spot as he did entering last years Back to School Smash – an event he dominated by nearly scoring maximum points en route to the championship. Firecracker Demo winner Gary Caissie (#28) has charged up to fifth after backing up his July win with a runner-up finish at the Crash for Cash. Ricky Boudreau (#764) has taken away some preliminary wins vaulting him to just outside the top 5, while Spring Smash winner Randy Girouard (#8) can still claim a title despite missing a race – he sits seventh in points. Dawson Cripps (#25) and Matthew Sullivan (#18) look to mount late season charges much like they have in the past, while Norm Robichaud (#666) fell to tenth after his rollover in the Dash for Cash last race, and he is determined to rebound and scale the standings once again.

Virtually anyone can still realistically win the title, but a lot of drivers will focus on chasing the victory trophy and money on Saturday. Former champion Joey Pitre (#20) returns to the track for the first time since his epic Figure-8 Trailer Race performance. Dylan Storey (#85) is seeking redemption after his wild wreck in August’s Bag Race. Easter Bunny Bash winner Billy Pelletier (#333) has proven he is a threat all season long. Former top 5 points contender Alexander MacIntosh (#777) makes his return to the track this weekend as well. That just barely scratches the surface of the long list of stout contenders entered for this weekend!

With over 30 entries registered, and upwards of 40 expected, things are expected to get crazy! Drivers first will have to survive the preliminary races – including fan favorites such as the Dash for Cash and Figure 8 race, the Back-Up race, and the returning Tire race! Each preliminary presents an opportunity to gain valuable points, but disaster is always lurking around each and every corner.

Back to School Smash – Expected Entries

1. Dylan Doucet #02

2. Riley Harris #1

3. Dakota Wray #5

4. Brandon Dickson #6

5. Randy Girouard #8

6. Jeremy Faulds #11

7. Sam Jardine #12

8. Dylan Harris #14

9. Kevin Kinney #17

10. Matthew Sullivan #18

11. Joey Pitre #20

12. Tyler Chamberlain #24

13. Dawson Cripps #25

14. Gary Caissie #28

15. Julien Benoit #47

16. Adam Plourde #52

17. Jonathan Kingston #78

18. Marc Andre Benoit #81

19. Dylan Storey #85

20. Johnathan Vienneau #88

21. Jean-Rene Duguay-McGraw #140

22. Billy Pelletier #333

23. Colby Walsh #506

24. Norm Robichaud #666

25. Miky Roussel #758

26. Ricky Boudreau #764

27. Alexander MacIntosh #777

28. Alain Comeau #992

29. Corey Barton #995

30. MacIntosh Entry #2, TBA

31. MacIntosh Entry #3, TBA

Entry list subject to change without notice.

Past winners of the Back to School Smash Demolition:

2016 – Chris Sickles #03 2017 – Kevin Tucker #87 2018 – Trenton Silliker #69 2019 – Riley Harris #1 2020 – Zac Taylor #90

A special and much hyped event on the schedule for Saturday is what has been dubbed as the Goodwin Grudge Match! Former Speedway Miramichi driver Bob Goodwin will take on his son and current Street Stock driver Riley Goodwin in a no-holds barred match race! Each driver will be in an equally prepared car, and the only rule is that there are no rules. Anything goes, and this father and son duo have vowed to put on a show! This may be the most anticipated portion of the event and is certainly one you won’t want to miss! Fans, friends, and even family have already chosen sides, being on Team Riley or Team Bob, and both of these combatants will be igniting their competitive sides for this grudge match!

Street Stocks return to Speedway Miramichi for the September Shakedown 50 on Saturday, which will headline the stock car portion of the event! A great field of cars is preparing for this race, which will be the final test session before October’s Fall Shootout and the 5th Annual Street Stock 100! Leading the way is the defending winner of the Street Stock 100, Logan Power (#58), and the runner-up from that race, Miramichi’s own James Matchett (#55). Defending Street Stock champion Bryar Ellis (#95) will make his Miramichi debut for 2021, as he searches for a victory. Former champion Darcy O’Neill (#68) would love to capture a victory on his home turf. Five-time track champion Robert Legere (#04) will be another driver making his 2021 Street Stock debut. Tom Nicholls (#28) got to shakedown earlier in the summer and hopes that pays off on Saturday. Shane Prestidge (#33) is set to return to Miramichi after making his racing debut here last year, while Mike Duskey (#42) has registered to come from PEI. And of course, Riley Goodwin (#77) will get some laps in before the Goodwin Grudge Match, as the #77 Street Stock will partake in the 50-lap affair. Speculation is we may also see a recent Bomber winner make his Street Stock debut – stay tuned for that!

Round five on the 2021 Bomber schedule at Speedway Miramichi is set to go green at the Back to School Smash, and everyone is chasing Mark Kingston (#97). Kingston has been dominant in 2021, winning each race he has started except for one. This has vaulted him into a points lead – but not by a lot after one DNF. Tyson Donovan (#63) has been the only driver to win a feature other than Kingston, and he trails Kingston by 8 points and is well within striking distance. This duo may be the front runners, but the battle for third is also a hotly contested one. Currently Timmy Blakely (#69) is holding off Adam Plourde (#11) by two points. Blakely and Plourde led the majority of the most recent race before Kingston made the late pass.

Knocking on the door of podiums and wins are several drivers, led by Samantha Blakely (#96) who is fresh off a top 5 finish in August. Blake Bransfield (#60) and Casey Munn (#07) each have found themselves inside the top 5 throughout this season. Justin Munn (#88) and Riley Harris (#1) will each find themselves amongst the competitive field of entries.

An overlooked headline of the Bomber class in 2021 has been the impressive crop of rookies who have taken part thus far in the division. Nine rookies have competed so far, led by Dylan Docuet (#02), Billy Pelletier (#18), Kevin Kinney (#81), Dan Dionne (#55), Alysha Landry (#22), Evan Hutchinson (#54) and Colby Walsh (#57). That list is set to grow, with the addition of Riley Connell (#43) and Erika Lessage (#19) to the rookie class this weekend.

Mini Stock competition has been fierce recently, with two drivers splitting the victories on the season so far. Neil Miousse (#71) leads the points on the strength of his two early season wins, while JR Lawson (#81) has won the two most recent races and sits second in points thanks to the aid of co-driver James Matchett. Miousse and Lawson both want to take home the season-long championship, but the points battle is so close that they must be careful, as some heavy hitters are closer than they may appear in their mirrors.

Rob Poirier (#0) is a former track champion at Speedway Miramichi, and he holds down third in points in a tiebreaker. Poirier has three podium finishes this year and was looking to potentially steal the lead in points before a mechanical failure in August’s 50-lap feature set him back. He will look to rebound, while Mathieu Mallet (#80) is hoping for a long-anticipated breakout victory. Guy Basque (#27) is fifth in points and has spent the entire season knocking on the door. He hopes a podium is in the cards this weekend. Mitchell Poirier (#28) is another driver on the verge of glory, and he finds himself sixth in points.

Chantel Ackles (#30) enters on a wave of momentum after she scored her first podium run of her part-time season last race. Conrad Murphy (#89) hopes his luck will turn around with a strong effort. A plethora of drivers enter Saturday coming off strings of mechanical issues, including Brandon Campbell (#99), Tom Ackles (#130) and Tyler Lannan-McLeod (#24). You can always count on drivers like Grayson Dutcher (#55), Calvin McLeod (#00) and Jamie Turner (#26) to give it their all, and they will try their best to make their fans proud on Saturday.

Powder Puff action continues to wow everybody – and no doubt it will again at the Back to School Smash. Tania Jean enters as the points leader ahead of two-time winner in 2021 Monique Benoit. Alexandra Chiasson sits third just three points back as she hopes to keep it a three-horse race. It is very likely the title will be settled amongst this trio, but who it will be remains to be seen. And while these three have points on their mind, the rest of the field is concerned about only one thing – trophies. Sam Jardine and Samantha Blakely each have multiple podium finishes in 2021 while Katie Barton has been on the podium once as well. Leanne Caron is the only driver not named Tania Jean or Monique Benoit to win in 2021. Britney Comeau has been consistent all season long, while Meredith Greene, Hayley Waugh, and Chelsea Bowron all look to clamp their place in the top 10 in points.

The Back to School Smash is sure to be extra special with the addition of Kid’s Day to the card! A pre-race autograph session will commence at 3pm, followed by kids rides at 3:40pm. Giveaways, special activities, candy, and a few surprises will be part of this additional attraction!

Pits open at 11:30am on race day for Stock Car drivers and teams and 1:30pm for Demolition drivers and teams. Grandstands open at 1:00pm, with action getting underway at 4pm. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 8 to 17 years old and seniors 65+, while kids 7 and under are free. Pit passes are $25 and pit access is restricted to those over the age of 18, and those aged 8 to 17 with proper parental waiver forms. Tickets can only be purchased at the gate on race day, and Speedway Miramichi accepts cash only.

A crew from Tim’s Corner Motorsports will be at the facility with a LIVE Broadcast from Speedway Miramichi. The racing action and the TimsCorner.tv (TCMtv) live broadcast begins at 4:00pm. A portion of sales go back to support Speedway Miramichi and the race tracks the TCMtv crew visits. Please note, all pass prices will be listed in USD. TimsCorner.tv is a member of the Speed Sport TV network.

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.