The Day of 8's Hauls Into Speedway Miramichi Saturday
There is a buzz in the air as anticipation continues to grow for The Day of 8’s at Speedway Miramichi on Saturday June 19th. Co-headlined by the inaugural Figure 8 Trailer Race and The Day of 8’s Demolition Derby, along with a full lineup of stock car excitement - including the first stop from the Atlantic Modified Tour in 2021 - the Saturday show is shaping up to be one of the most action packed in recent memory. Start time for the event is 4pm.
Since being announced in December, the Figure 8 Trailer Race has caused a stir province wide, as it will be the first such event in Atlantic Canada. With Speedway Miramichi having the only permanent Figure 8 circuit in the region, it makes this event a perfect match for the Demolition Capital. Everything from lawn mower trailers to utility trailers and full-blown camper trailers are expected to be part of the show – with several crowd favorites prepping trailers for the event.
With double points and a cash bonus on the line for the Figure 8 Trailer Race, fans can be assured the stars will come out to shine. Last years championship runner-up Dawson Cripps (#25) is planning on bringing a trailer, as is perennial contenders Norm Robichaud (#666) and Riley Harris (#1). Easter Bunny Bash winner Billy Pelletier (#333) is expected to partake in the Trailer Race festivities, as is Mathieu Brideau (#99) and Tyler Chamberlain (#24). Around a dozen trailers are predicted to be in the show, which is sure to result in absolute mass destruction!
Some drivers however will not be amongst the Trailer Race field, but it is all going to be part of an epic show with upwards of 50 Demolition entries expected. As of press time, 43 entries have been confirmed with the track with even more anticipated by race day. However, points leader Randy Girouard (#8) is not planning on being amongst the field, which will open the door for a hungry pack of drivers to capitalize. Tied for second in points is Cory Mourant (#55) and Marc-Andre Benoit (#81) who scored preliminary wins on opening day. Matt Sullivan (#18) has notched a podium finish in three of the last five Demolitions and could be in the mix should the cards fall his way again. Defending track champion Mitch Brideau (#22) continued his Dash for Cash race dominance in May and is in a solid position to continue his quest to defend the crown. Two-time track champion Jean-Francois Basque (#21) is bringing 2 cars for this event, while 2018 track champion Joey Pitre (#20) returns to make his first start of the 2021 season!
The talent is so deep that this only scratches the surface. One of the most polarizing drivers in Miky Roussel (#758) will be looking to shut some haters up with a win, while Speedway 660 Sharp Shooter contender Daniel Ateyo (#15) has filed an entry and will look to claim the big prize. Ricky Boudreau (#764) and Jaocb Smith (#29) came to blows at the Spring Smash, and the pair is sure to be fun to watch to see if they write another chapter in their newly minted rivalry. Names like Julien Benoit (#47), Mathieu Brideau (#99), Remi Rouselle (#010) and Lionel Breau (#028) are all names familiar to fans, and will be in contention
A Demolition car count possibly exceeding fifty cars once is expected by track management. To date, 43 entries have been confirmed, with more anticipated before Saturday.
The Day of 8’s Demolition Entry List
1. Josh Flanagan #00
2. Remi Rouselle #010
3. Jonah L’Huillier #016
4. Dylan Doucet #02
5. Jean-Francois Basque #021
6. Lionel Breau #028
7. Stirling Anthony #09
8. Riley Harris #1
9. Dakota Wray #5
10. Matthew Belliveau #7
11. Jeremy Faulds #11
12. Jamie Wright #13
13. Dylan Harris #14
14. Daniel Ateyo #15
15. Zachary L’Huillier #16
16. Kevin Kinney #17
17. Matthew Sullivan #18
18. Steven Gorwill #19
19. Joey Pitre #20
20. Jean-Francois Basque #21
21. Mitch Brideau #22
22. Keagan Barry #23
23. Tyler Chamberlain #24
24. Dawson Cripps #25
25. Gary Caissie #28
26. Dylan Phillips #32
27. Julien Benoit #47
28. Terry Thurston #52
29. Cory Mourant #55
30. Riley Surette #71
31. Marc-Andre Benoit #81
32. Dylan Storey #85
33. Shawn Sisk #94
34. Mathieu Brideau #99
35. Jean-Rene Duguay-McGraw #140
36. Brandon Duguay #181
37. Billy Pelletier #333
38. “Fayo” #420
39. Norm Robichaud #666
40. Miky Roussel #758
41. Ricky Boudreau #764
42. Scott Mitchell #824
43. Corey Barton #995
Entry list subject to change without notice.
In addition to the Figure 8 Trailer Race, the Tire Race will return for the first time this year. The Dash for Cash and Back-Up races will also be contested.
It will be a tough act to follow for the Bomber division after their opening day fireworks. While there was lots of excitement, it was all in the mirror of Mark Kingston (#97) who led the entire feature to score a big win to start the season. Kingston enters The Day of 8’s as the points leader. Jacob Smith (#29) scored a second-place finish on opening day after holding off a fierce charge from Adam Plourde (#11), who rebounded from a heat race wreck to round out an all-Nissan podium. For the Nissan contingent, things will be a little more difficult this race, with all podium finishers being required to start at the rear of the field!
A new Nissan will be in the field this race, with Johnathan Dickson (#3) debuting a new car after he totalled his former car in a wild wreck on lap 25 of the May feature, which saw him end up on his roof. Dickson is a favorite to win the 2021 track championship, but now finds himself marred in a hole after race one. To make progress, he will have to surpass the three podium finishers from May, along with Timmy Blakely (#69) and Tyson Donovan (#63) – two experienced drivers who have moved to the Bomber class full-time in 2021 from other divisions. Samantha Blakely (#96) is also still in the mix, making the most of her run in May after receiving some damage. Riley Harris (#1) had a respectable run to open the year, but he is certainly hungry for more. Kevin Cowan (#2) had a strong opening day run marred by a tire issue. Blake Bransfield (#60), Kevin Tucker (#87) and Jordan Campbell (#68) all will look to rebound from opening day struggles, while Casey Munn (#07) will make his 2021 debut during the 30-lap feature on Saturday.
The Mini Stock division produced a strong showing on opening day with three photo finishes in three days. Neil Miousse (#71) was the big winner of the opening day, making a late race pass for the lead to score the win – his first at Speedway Miramichi, the track just down the road from his childhood home. Miousse outdueled Rob Poirier (#0) for the win on that day. Behind them, a strong contingent of Miramichi local drivers were putting on a show, with Mathieu Mallet (#80) picking up where he left off one year ago by notching a podium finish on opening day. Mitchell Poirier (#28) was knocking on the door of his first podium finish, which could come as early as this weekend.
More local drivers will be amongst the field, including Guy Basque (#27), Conrad Murphy (#89), Calvin McLeod (#00), Tyler Lannan-McLeod (#24), Grayson Dutcher (#55), and Brandon Campbell (#99). “Super-substitute” James Matchett (#81) will be looking to improve on his Mini Stock debut behind the wheel of JR Lawson’s car this race. Matchett and Lawson are co-driving with Lawson being stuck in Nova Scotia due to border restrictions. Several competitors from Speedway 660 are also planning on making the trip, amongst them being Daniel Ateyo (#15) who is going to be pulling double duty with a Demolition car!
The Atlantic Modified Tour thunders into Speedway Miramichi for the Sutherland Excavating Ltd. 35, the first of four stops for the Tour in Northern New Brunswick in 2021. Eleven talented drivers grace the entry list, led by Travis Conroy (#7), the most recent winner on the Tour at their season opener. Defending tour champion Yves McCray (#58) finished runner-up to Conroy on opening day, and both drivers look to carry the momentum into their home track. A strong crop of Miramichi talent will chase them, including veteran Sportsman drivers Zean Dutcher (#55) and Kim Hallihan (#97), Braxton Stafford (#91), Steven Curtis (#12), Chris Wilson (#2W), and tour rookie Michael Savoie (#00). Former Speedway Miramichi Modified Champion Doug Matchett (#75) will make his return on track at his home track after a year of absence.
The most recent Miramichi Modified Champion, Joe Hoyt (#17) will be one of the few drivers from outside Miramichi in the field but is sure to be a threat to pull off an upset. He will be joined by rookie Brody Levesque (#05) representing the Fredericton region. A full preview of the Sutherland Excavating Ltd. 35 can be found on the official website of the Atlantic Modified Tour, atlanticmodifieds.com.
Street Stocks will be back on track with hopefully a few more cars as more drivers continue to prepare for 2021. Darcy O’Neill (#68) was the victor on opening day over James Matchett (#55), and both will return to battle again. Former Neguac native Christian Savoie (#25) is expected to make the trip to join the field. Several other drivers are expected to make the trip to Miramichi for the race!
A new year has saw new faces taking checkered flags in the Powder Puff division! Monique Benoit captured the checkered flag (and the points lead) after winning the 10-lap race at the Spring Smash. Benoit joined Tania Jean in winning their first career Powder Puff races in 2021. To do so, both had to beat Sam Jardine, who dominated the races in 2020. For Benoit and Jardine, they will have to start at the back of the field along with May’s runner-up Alexandra Chaisson. There will be several drivers looking to capitalize as Benoit, Chaisson, and Jardine work their way from the back, including Chelsea Bowron, Brittany Hoyt, Hayley Waugh, Brianna Wellman, Doni-lyn Harrington, and others!
Pits open at 12:00pm on race day for Stock Car drivers and teams and 1:00pm 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. Grandstand passes only are currently on sale on the Speedway Miramichi website at speedwaymiramichi.com/tickets. Ticket pre-sales end Friday June 18th at 12pm, with any remaining passes being available at the gate on race day.
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.
A reminder to all on COVID-19 protocol at the facility. 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, physical 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 required whenever fans are travelling throughout the facility but can be removed when seated in the stands within your bubble, 2 meters away from any other group. New for 2021, no alcohol is permitted on the property, including in the grandstands, due to regulations from the New Brunswick Festival and Events guide. Staff and security are on site to educate patrons on procedures and answer any questions, and many signs are placed to guide and remind on regulations. 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.
