FREDERICTON, NB - Saturday night was Fan Appreciation day and the night of champions at Speedway 660. Entering the night every division was up for grabs with less than 7 points separating 1st and 2nd in all 5 divisions. Over 3500 people packed in the stands to see who would sit atop the point’s championship in 2010.
In the Coastal Blending and Packaging Pro Stock division just 3 points separated 1st place Greg Fahey and 2nd place Chris Duncan entering the night. Duncan managed to finish one position ahead of Fahey in both the heat and dash leaving him just 1 point behind the 20 and well within striking distance. Both cars started deep in the field but quickly made their way to the front of the field. Duncan led the way with a strong run past the #18 of Brian MacNaughton to take over 1st place just 15 laps into the 40 lap main event. That meant Fahey would need to get up on the wheel if he was going to have any chance of winning his 3rd straight championship in the division.
Unfortunately for Fahey it was not meant to be. As he was trying to make his way to the front he over drove the car slightly which would end up sending Kevin Moore and Fahey to the rear of the field with just 19 laps remaining. Both Moore and Fahey charged to the front in the few remaining laps but Duncan was just too strong, taking home the win and in the process the coveted track championship for 2010. Rounding out the podium for the race were Kevin Moore in 2nd and Brian McNaughton in 3rd place. Winning rookie of the year honors was the #16 of Jordan Gahan. Gahan only recently graduated from high school but had an impressive rookie season.
In the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman division a record 33 cars tried to qualify for just 24 spots. Michael Banks held a 7 point lead coming into the night. Fans may remember that Banks lost the championship in 2009 by virtue of a tie breaker and with everything on the line again in 2010, Banks was ready for the task at hand. In the heat Banks did not qualify for the dash which allowed Mackenzie in his #85 ride to make up some valuable points. Entering the feature the two were in a dead heat, tied for first place.
Starting deep in the field of 24 cars, Banks made his way to 8th position picking the correct lane of traffic to follow, while Mackenzie seemed to be held up back in the field. After a caution midway through the 30 lap feature the field was shuffled significantly with Mackenzie getting the preferred line off the restart. Mackenzie made up valuable track position and drawing even with Banks just a few laps after the restart. As Mackenzie approached on the outside of Banks something clearly was wrong with the #1 of Banks. Banks pushed up into the 85 several times before losing the pivotal spot. Later it proved to be a flat tire on the Banks’ machine, shattering his championship run he had worked so hard for.
Mackenzie impressed everyone with his tenacity and consistency throughout the season. Mackenzie, emotional after the win said “I’m on cloud nine and I dreamed about this all week” Mackenzie thrilled the crowd with an old fashioned burn out to end the divisions festivities on the night. Not to be forgotten was the impressive run that the 07 of Robbie Fraser had; winning the feature and taking home his first feature win in two and a half years. Also having a great run on the night was the # 40 of Richard Atkinson who finished 2nd while Derek Christie in the #9 took home third place. The rookie of the year in the division was the youngest rookie ever at Speedway 660, 15 year old, Matt Rodgers.
In the LeisureFamilyRV.com Street Stock division, 2009 champion Rick Cashol took a 2 point lead over Peter Gaddess into the night and just an 8 point lead over Mike Francis. Everything changed after the heats and dashes with Francis drawing to within 1 point of Cashol with just the feature remaining. Francis started ahead of Cashol in the feature but Cashol quickly got the edge over Francis with an early run on the outside lane. That was all that Cashol would need to hold off Francis for the Championship win. Shannon Brake was the big winner of the 20 lap event in his first podium of the year while Kevin McKeen took home an impressive 2nd place finish and Matt Matheson rounded out the top three in 3rd place. The #8 of Benji Ruff took home the rookie of the year honors for his consistent driving throughout the year.
In the 4 cylinder division, Kevin Peterson #3 took home the championship with his 2nd place finish in the 15 lap feature, finishing just behind the winner of the race, the #70 of Tyler Seveck. Rounding out the top three on the night was the #7 of T.J. Madore.
In the young Bandelaro division it young Ryan Messer in his #1 car who took home the championship narrowly over the #00 of Cole Boudreau. Boudreau finished just ahead of Messer in the feature but it was not enough, allowing Messer to take the championship home by the slimmest of margins. Taking home his second feature win of the year was the #19 of Dawson McIntee. Dana Hamm finished in 2nd place while Boudreau rounded out the top three.
Speedway 660 resumes action next weekend for the 9th annual SPEEDWEEKEND featuring the 10th annual Auto Value 250 on Sunday Sept 5th. Speedway officials expect record crowds and car count for the marquee event over the Labor Day weekend. For more information logon onto www.speedway660.com.
From Angela Coffey // Speedway 660
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