.png)
.png)
(May 30th, 2023) - Carrying on the momentum from a thrilling kick-off at Speedway 660 in the Riverview Ford Season Opener, Atlantic Canada’s Super Late Model Series rolls into Petty International Raceway for the Fog City Auto Spa 150 on Saturday June 3rd!
A talented list of entries is slated to make the trip to compete in round two, representing three Canadian provinces and the United States of America. Twenty-seven (27) drivers have signalled intent to compete as of press time, a competitive field which is sure to put on a show for fans! If round one was any indication of what is to come, the Superstars of the Super Late Model Series are set to blow the roof off of Petty this weekend! Round one saw close, hard-nosed racing from the drop of the green flag. Expect even more excitement for this one!
Fast Facts
Date: Saturday June 3rd, 2023 | Start Time: 4:00pm
Pit Gates Open: 9:00am | Grandstands Open: 2:00pm
Event: Fog City Auto Spa 150 / Super Late Model Series Round Two
Track: Petty International Raceway
Location: 4045 Route 106 River Glade, New Brunswick, Canada
Track Size: 1/4 Mile | Race Distance: 150 Laps
Support Classes: Sportsman, Atlantic Modified Tour, Mini Stock, Bandolero
Race Day Tickets: Purchased at the Petty International Raceway ticket booth at the track, CASH ONLY!
SUPER SIX Super Late Model Series Storylines
Ryan Messer Leads the Way Into Petty
One of the top young talents is proving to be the hottest Super Late Model competitor in Atlantic Canada thus far in 2023. After winning the historic Super Late Model Series Riverview Ford Season Opener at Speedway 660 early in May, Ryan Messer (#1) picked up his first career victory on the Maritime Pro Stock Tour last weekend - that win also coming at Speedway 660. Now, Messer heads down to Petty International Raceway on top of the world - but Petty is a track he has never scored a Super Late Model victory at. A two-time winner on the high banks in Atlantic Modified Tour competition, Messer has come close, but has had many missed opportunities where luck was not on his side. Entering as the points leader, the early title favorite will be one fans want to watch - easily identified by the special yellow windshield banner the points leader will show off - as he tries to change his fortunes at Petty during the Fog City Auto Spa 150.
Steve Halpin Has the Field on Notice
Steve Halpin (#03) wasn’t on many scorecards as a perennial title contender, but after round one he has sent a message to everyone - if anyone wants to win the championship, they’ll have to go through him. Halpin has always been a sneakily quiet contender who runs well but often catches fans and drivers off guard late in a race - but he means business in 2023. Halpin led the most laps in the Riverview Ford Season Opener before coming up one spot short - and he is ready to change his fate and score a victory. A multi-time podium finisher at Petty International Raceway, Halpin is also searching for a win at the River Glade oval, and this could be his chance. He enters second in points and wants to prove race one was no fluke!
Hard Charger Poised for a Big Run
Perhaps the most underrated and unnoticed storyline from Speedway 660 was the performance of Robbie MacEwen (#40). A heat race altercation hurt his passing points score, putting him shotgun on the field for the green flag. Never giving up, MacEwen and his team dug deep and rallied to a sixth-place effort when the dust settled. Petty International Raceway and Oyster Bed Speedway are tracks where MacEwen has even more success, and they account for the next three races. After making the most of opening day and picking up the Hope City Hard Charger Award for Speedway 660, MacEwen may be setting up for a huge few races at a pivotal point of the season.
MacKinnon, Proude, Tucker Look to Turn Up The Heat
Three drivers, who many had high expectations, for seek to overcome opening day misfortunes. PEI competitors Darren MacKinnon (#18) and Greg Proude (#29), and New Brunswick’s Dustin Tucker (#52) were among the early title favorites, but they have zero margin for error heading into round two as they find themselves mired deep in the standings.
MacKinnon is a former winner at Petty, and the stop at one of his best tracks is sure to be timely after a tire issue dampened his efforts at Speedway 660. His last run at Petty came during the Mike Stevens Memorial and resulted in a podium finish. On the other hand, Petty has not always been as kind to Proude - last year crashes and mechanical failures plagued his runs at the high banked oval. However, Greg has found his way onto the podium before, so watch for the ‘screamin’ demon’ this weekend. Dustin Tucker’s results were not reflective of his effort and speed on opening day either after getting collected in an incident. While he has never taken a trophy out of the track, Tucker consistently posts top 5 and top 10 finishes at Petty and will surely be in the battle.
Briggs, Elliott Enter Super Late Model Series Conversation
A pair of drivers with long resumes are set to make their Super Late Model Series debut. Representing the state of Florida, Adam Briggs (#44) will make the trip north to do battle. No stranger to racing in his home state, Maritime fans may recognize Briggs from his lone start at Petty which came during the Mike Stevens Memorial one season ago. That day, Briggs brought home a top ten finish and he will be looking for more this weekend.
The 50th anniversary sponsorship tour of Gary Elliott (#36) and Quaker State will be in attendance for round two of the Super Late Model Series, as Canada’s Ironman will add another series to his impressive racing resume. Watch for the #36 machine this weekend.
Castrol Rookie of the Year Battle Continues
The incredibly competitive Castrol rookie battle enters a second chapter at Petty, and a new face is surely to emerge on top. Curtis Collins was the Castrol Rookie of the Race for the Riverview Ford Season Opener, but competing part-time in 2023, Collins is not slated to compete this weekend. This will open the door for a new rookie of the race (and Rookie of the Year leader). The door may just be open for Kenny MacKenzie Jr (#85) - who was one position behind Collins last race - and can call Petty his playground after plenty of success throughout his career in the Street Stock and Sportsman divisions.
MacKenzie had a relatively quiet race at Speedway 660 finishing on the lead lap, but tough luck marred the race for other rookies. Incidents would end the day for Kenny Snow (#7), Hudson Weston (#43) and Ryan Raynes (#94). Petty will be a rebound race for all of them, and they will be joined by Brodie Lewis (#22) who missed round one at Speedway 660.
Honourable Mention
Past Petty Winners Looking for More Magic
Over the past few seasons, Nicholas Naugle (#08), Ashton Tucker (#2), and Cory Hall (#83) have all found victory lane at Petty International Raceway. Looking back to Speedway 660, each of these drivers drove through the field (in some cases several times) before settling inside the top 10. While most drivers are happy with a top 10 finish, these drivers certainly want more and there’s no better place to turn it up than at Petty.
In addition to this trio and the aforementioned Darren MacKinnon, Dylan Gosbee (#16) - last races EIT Race Radios Pole Sitter - is a former extended distance race winner at Petty, while Dave O’Blenis (#48) and Chris Duncan (#97) have wins in 50-lap features from just under a decade ago.
Stay Up To Date!
As raceday nears, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to social media for breaking news as it happens! Super Late Model Series can be found on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter at @SLMSeries. Also be sure to check out our official website at SLMS.ca.
For more information on the Fog City Auto Spa 150, check out Petty International Raceway on Facebook, and online at pettyraceway.com
Fog City Auto Spa 150 Entry List
Fog City Auto Spa 150 Event Format
