(July 31st, 2024) - The popsicle sticks are in the air for the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series superstars! Just two races remain on the calendar for the 2024 season, with a colossal confrontation brewing for the championship along with an intriguing list of headlining stories heading into the final stages of the season. The fifth chapter will be written on Saturday August 3rd at Oyster Bed Speedway with the Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving, with qualifying heat races scheduled to commence at 6pm.
After dominating and defending home turf one year ago, Prince Edward Island drivers were left licking wounds after Cory Hall (#83) grabbed a commanding victory during the first stop on PEI’s red dirt in June. Another edition of the “battle of the bridge” is slated for this weekend, with Robbie MacEwen (#40) leading the PEI charge being the most recent winner at the Super Late Model ranks in Atlantic Canada. MacEwen joins Hall and Ashton Tucker (#2) atop the point standings with two races to go, and they will try their hand against a field of upwards of twenty-one (21) entries this weekend for the Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving.
Fast Facts
Date: Saturday August 3rd, 2024 | Start Time: 6:00pm
Pit Gates Open: 12:00pm | Grandstands Open: 4:00pm
Event: Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving / Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series Round Five
Track: Oyster Bed Speedway
Location: 4751 Route 6, Oyster Bed Bridge, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Track Size: 1/4 Mile | Race Distance: 150 Laps
Support Classes: Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics, Chris’s Bobcat Services Mini Stock Super Series, Moore Well Drilling 4-Cylinder Outlaws
Race Day Tickets: Purchased at the Oyster Bed Speedway ticket booth, debit/credit is accepted.
Ticket Prices: Adults - $30 | Youth (8-15) - $10 | Children (7 and under) - Free | Pits - $40
Oyster Bed Speedway Pit E-waiver: SLMS.ca/ewaiver
SUPER SIX Super Late Model Series Storylines
Robbie MacEwen Riding Momentum Into Home Track With Nothing To Lose
What a year it has been for Robbie MacEwen (#40) - and it just keeps getting better.
After consistently posting a top ten finish in every race one season ago en route to a runner-up points position, MacEwen upped the ante in 2024 by leading laps, picking up EIT Race Radios Pole Awards, and scoring a pair of podiums in Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series competition.
While not in SLMS action, he did finally pick up a win this past Saturday - winning the Maritime Pro Stock Tour race at Oyster Bed Speedway. As the Easy-Kleen SLMS readies for the penultimate race of the season at the same track - which is MacEwen’s home track - is MacEwen peaking at the perfect time?
All season long, fans have watched Ashton Tucker (#2) and Cory Hall (#83) dual head-to-head, but as those two battled, MacEwen kept them close enough to keep the title fight to a three-car battle. Sitting 24 points behind Tucker, MacEwen has nothing to lose and plenty of momentum on his side. He is PEI’s best chance to keep the Easy-Kleen SLMS championship on home turf, and the passionate Oyster Bed Speedway fans are sure to be cheering on MacEwen as he gives it all he has to try and win the battle on Saturday night - and the war in 2024.
Oyster Bed Speedway Could Make or Break Season For Top Two
Ashton Tucker (#2) and Cory Hall (#83) have combined to win every feature on the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series thus far in 2024 - and have been on the podium in every race as well. Their neck and neck dog fight enters the final two races with Tucker edging out Hall in points by a four-point margin. Oyster Bed Speedway promises to be pivotal though, as last time here, Hall scored the big win! It’s a track that Hall has had plenty of success at - and one that while Tucker has finally cracked the podium at, he remains unfamiliar with.
Tucker has led the points all season long, but his largest lead has only been seven points over Hall. Heading into round five, the gap is four points - but Hall sees a huge opportunity to change the tides of the season and knock the Brad Silliker Motorsports team off the top for the first time.
For both of these drivers, round five will be ever so pressure packed. For Tucker, can he escape out of the only track he has never gone to EPIC Racewear victory lane at with a narrow lead? And for Hall, can he capitalize on his best track to take the points lead for the first time heading into the season finale?
The Equally Intense Big Points Battle For Fourth Place
While the top three have separated themselves from the field, the battle for fourth overall in points is just as dramatic and intense. And after round four, it has certainly been shaken up.
Lonnie Sommerville (#23) now leads the way over the heated battle for fourth. Sommerville has grinded and been one of the top contenders every race since a disastrous season opener that buried him well outside the top ten. His strong runs have vaulted him up to fourth - and Sommerville has to wonder what could have been had the Fog City Auto Spa 150 gone his way.
Ryan Messer (#1) trails Sommerville, climbing back into the top five after a nightmare race of his own last trip to Oyster Bed Speedway. Messer’s car infamously ended up being hauled down the road to Allison MacKinnon’s shop on a tow truck mere moments before heat races got underway for last minute repairs. Messer was able to start the feature, but further issues plagued his day and left him with his worst showing of the season. PEI redemption is surely on his mind going into round five.
One point behind Messer in a tie is Greg Fahey (#20) and Darren MacKinnon (#18). Of all drivers MacKinnon is surely ready to try and capitalize on home track advantage to get back in front - particularly after a runner-up finish last trip to Oyster Bed Speedway. A win would be monumental for MacKinnon, while Fahey continues to build his PEI notebook with hopes of returning to Speedway 660 for the finale with momentum on his side.
While a few more points behind - but still within striking distance of these four drivers - is Hudson Weston (#43) and Kent Vincent (#8) who look to gain ground on their competition.
For PEI Drivers, It’s Been a Year…
August 6th, 2023 will mark a one year anniversary - an anniversary that about half the field hopes they can prevent before it hits.
That day, Dylan Gosbee (#16) wheeled to EPIC Racewear victory lane on the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series, marking the last time a Prince Edward Island driver earned a feature win with the series. A few have had chances, but none have broken through since - and these drivers are hungry to win and defend home turf. Gosbee was in the mix back in June at Oyster Bed Speedway, but brake issues in the closing laps dampened his efforts. Can the defending champion turn around a disappointing title defense season?
Darren MacKinnon (#18) has the highest finish for all PEI drivers thus far in 2024 with a runner-up finish at Oyster Bed Speedway. MacKinnon now leads the series in most runner-up finishes without having a feature win. He has one of the best average finishes at Oyster Bed Speedway, and everyone knows a win is just around the corner - is this the weekend?
Tanton Wooldridge (#24) has been gaining on his new program for 2024 after a disappointing debut back in June, and the young PEI star is prepped for another big show. Brodie Lewis (#22) is also hot off a career best finish in his new car debut, and is inching closer to cracking the top ten. Of course, we can’t talk about PEI drivers without Kent Vincent. Vincent was among the pre-race favorites in June - and showed great speed - but ended up in the back half of the top ten on the results page. With three top ten finishes this year, Vincent would love to score a podium - or a win - at home.
Defending Chapman Bros 150 Winner Greg Proude Vowing Mid-Season Redemption
It’s hard to imagine how things could have gone worst for Greg Proude (#29) thus far in 2024. An early favorite for the season-long championship, Proude has seen a year marred with bad luck. Proude has failed to finish any of his Easy-Kleen SLMS starts this year - in addition to missing a pair of races to repair damage incurred in other races he has competed in.
All is not lost yet, as Proude returns to the Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving for the second running of the race that was the site of one of the biggest moments of his career one season ago. During the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series debut at Oyster Bed Speedway, Proude defended the lead on late race restarts over a pack of PEI stars in a dramatic and controversial finish. When the dust settled, the #29 team went into the history books as the winners of the inaugural SLMS race at Oyster Bed Speedway.
After fighting and persevering through a mostly tumultuous season, could Proude salvage his season beginning with the race he went to EPIC Racewear victory lane in one year ago?
Troy Burke’s Much Anticipated Return
Last August, Troy Burke looked poised to break through with a monumental win on the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series. However, he would be denied by Dylan Gosbee (#16) and have to settle for the runner-up spot on the podium.
After taking some time off, Burke has been back behind the wheel and ready to return to Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series competition. After his near win last August, it would be an emotional full circle moment if Burke can rocket to the front during Saturday’s Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving.
Stay Up To Date!
As race day nears, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to social media for breaking news as it happens! The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series can be found on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X (formerly known as Twitter) at @SLMSeries. Also be sure to check out our official website at SLMS.ca.
For more information on the Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving, check out Oyster Bed Speedway on Facebook, and online at oysterbedspeedwaypei.com.
About the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series
The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series is Atlantic Canada’s newest stock car racing series. Formed in Fall of 2022 through a partnership between Oyster Bed Speedway, Petty International Raceway, and Speedway 660, the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series contests a six-race schedule with some of North America’s top racing talents. The 2024 season will mark the second season of competition. Fans can find more info online at SLMS.ca, or through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X at @SLMSeries.
About Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems
Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd. has been manufacturing high pressure wash systems since 1982. Over 100,000 companies spanning various fields in both the commercial and industrial sectors are utilizing our machines for their everyday cleaning needs. Easy-Kleen is dedicated to continuing to build the world’s most heavy duty, hardworking, reliable, and efficient high pressure cleaning systems. Our machines are known by our customers to last decades, with many units performing for over 25 years. Visit EasyKleen.com to learn more about the products and services offered by Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems.
Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving Entry List
Chapman Bros. 150 presented by Hynes Paving Race Format
Comments