The chequered flag hasn’t even dropped yet, and already anticipation is in the air for a Maritime summer tradition….people start your engines!
by Tim Turner
As always seems to be the case, a busy winter behind the scenes has led to a highly anticipated 2025 racing season in Atlantic Canada. Racing teams have been in their shops around the region and promoters along with their teams have been working around the clock to have the stage set for their racing stars to have a place to race. The 2024 season gave us several first time winners; champions, new drivers etching their names into history and rookies scratching to try and make a name for themselves amongst the cagey veterans.
Needless to say, whether you’re in New Brunswick or Newfoundland, Charlottetown or Tusket, there is a race track within a short drive in Atlantic Canada and the drivers there are ready to entertain and put on a fast- paced, high- octane event. Here’s an overview of where you can go to get your racing fix and what you can expect in 2025!
Nova Scotia
Scotia Speedworld – Enfield, N.S.
The 2025 Schedule: On the surface, most things remain the same at the only weekly operating race track in Atlantic Canada, with some minor changes. The biggest scheduling change comes in the way of the Fort Garry Industries Maritime Pro Stock Tour opening a week later in 2025, taking to the track for their season opener in Halifax on Saturday, May 24th. They return four times in 2025, capped on Saturday, September 20th with the 200-lap season finale where the champion of the Series will be crowned and get the $15,000 cheque. The popular Summer Clash 250 presented by Superior Foundations and Atlantic Tiltload weekend returns August 7–9 and is a weekend you will want to put on your calendar.
The Bay Equipment Rentals Weekly Racing Series returns to Friday nights beginning on May 23rd after their Saturday season opener on May 17th. The Sportsman, Legend, Mini Stock and Bandolero divisions return with the addition of two classes on a two- night schedule. The Pro Stocks will run two 75-lap features on July 4th and August 22nd. Joining the Pro Stocks on July 4th is the Enduro division, an affordable class designed for drivers to get lots of laps and hope to survive to the end of 100-laps. A second Enduro race will run on Friday, September 5th.
Several special events and touring series, including the Fort Garry Industries Pro Stock Tour, Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour, the Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics, Maritime All Stars Series, Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip and the Street Stocks, are also sprinkled throughout the schedule. The World Series of Monster Trucks take to the track on July 25th through the 27th.
The season concludes with the Third Annual Halifax 300 on Saturday, September 27th.
2024 Highlights: The Bay Equipment Rentals Weekly Racing Series saw a few first time champions, a returning face that spanked the rising stars and a veteran returning for a second straight time to the top of their class. Shelby Chisholm (Beginners), Bella Pashkoski (Bandoleros) and Ayden Christensen (Legends) took their first championships in class. For Chisholm and Pashkoski, it was their first while Christensen is a former Bandoelro champion. Of note, Christensen finished third in the International points in the Semi-Pro division for Legend cars, with a majority of his point paying wins coming at Scotia Speedworld.
Ross Moore took the Mini Stock championship for the second straight year in his red No. 84 Cavalier. Russell Smith Sr. originally came out of retirement to race with his son Deven in the Sportsman class, but would wind up racing all season and taking home the division title at his home track.
Riverside International Speedway – James River, N.S.
The high banked oval outside of Antigonish will host several special events once again in 2025. The NASCAR Canada Series will return on June 28th to open 2025 at Riverside International Speedway alongside the Fort Garry Industries Maritime Pro Stock Tour.
The iconic IWK 250 Super Race Weekend runs from July 16th to 19th with the marquee IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis anchoring the weekend on the Saturday. The Maritime All Stars Series and Cross Road Maritime League of Legends Tour will serve as the opening racing rounds on July 18th.
August 16th will see the final stop of the FGI Pro Stock Tour for the season while also introducing Bandoleros to the high banks for the first time in track history. The season concludes with the Sportsman headlining the card on Saturday, September 6th.
Bud’s Speedway – Sydney, N.S.
Bud’s Speedway keeps the momentum rolling with a seven- date schedule in 2025 over six weekends. The season opens on Saturday, June 14th, includes two Wednesday night specials including the Mallard Electric Hobby Stock Dash for Cash on Wednesday, August 13th, and concludes with the Fourth Annual Caper Memorial Weekend on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th.
The Street Stock, Mini Stock, V6 Thunder, Hobby Stock and Bandolero divisions will comprise the roster of house divisions at the Grand Lake Road bullring. The Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics powered by Kimco and the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip will cross the causeway for a Caper Memorial appearance on Saturday, October 18th.
Improvements continue to be made to the facility, which was built by Bud Greer in 1975. A new beer garden and seating area around Turns Three and Four is the main capital project planned for the facility after pit area upgrades were completed in 2024.
2024 Champions: Dyllan Farrell led the way at Bud’s in 2024 by capturing the Klondike Kid Fisheries Street Stock championship as a rookie driver, the first time the feat had been done in 41 years since Farrell’s crew chief Stephen Bennett won the class as a rookie. Kody Quinn captured another Saf-way Auto Parts Mini Stock title, Dave Timmons added another championship to his resume with his first Mallard Electric Hobby Stock crown while Addison Veinotte raced away with the GWL Trucking & Landscaping Bandolero championship. In the most exciting battle for a Bud’s championship in 2024, Dan Webb edged out Austin Petipas on the Caper Memorial weekend for the Bendle’s Home Improvements V6 win.
Lake Doucette Motor Speedway – Lake Doucette, N.S.
The Southwest Stock Car Association has put together an exciting schedule for those in the southern part of Nova Scotia. The big one is the first one as the Season Opener features the second round of the year for the Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics powered by Kimco, where they will honor Bev Roberts. The race also features a 50-lap Four Cylinder race in honor of Freeman D’Entremont, who suddenly passed away in February.
The bi-weekly series presented by Pador Seafoods includes racing in the Sportsman, V8 Stock and Four Cylinder classes. A 100-lap Sportsman special is scheduled for July 27th and the season finale weekend takes place on Saturday, September 20th and Sunday, September 21st with a double header of action.
2024 Champions: Kyle Hines took home his fifth BMC Seafoods Late Model Sportsman championship on the model of consistency and finishing races throughout the 2024 season. “Mr. Saturday Night” was joined by Shaun Burke (Tusket Ford Towing V8 Stock) and Michael Cameron (Bishara’s Garage Four Cylinder) as SWSCA champions in 2024.
Valley Raceway – Melvern Square, N.S.
The Annapolis Valley’s only dirt oval track will contest nine point races plus their annual “King of the Dirt” Season Finale in 2025. The season begins on Mother’s Day Weekend on Sunday, May 11th at 1pm and runs every two weeks. The point championship concludes on Labour Day Weekend on Sunday, August 31st before the “King of the Dirt” completes the year on Sunday, September 14th.
2024 Champions: Scott Bishop took home the V8 and Modified championships on the Valley dirt in 2024. His V8 title was by a slim two points over fan favorite and multi-time champion Rick Balsor. Russell Coleman was the Four Cylinder stock champion while the No. 99 of Logan Freeman grabbed the Four Cylinder Modified title.
New Brunswick
Petty International Raceway – River Glade, N.B.
There is no shortage of racing at Petty International Raceway in 2025. The track kicks off their season with a two-day opener on Victoria Day Weekend. The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series will return twice, the FGI Pro Stock Tour takes to the track on June 7th for their one and only stop and the season caps with the three day Mike Stevens Memorial Weekend from September 11th to 13th.
The house divisions include Late Model Sportsman, Outlaw Late Model, Street Stock, Mini Stock and Bandolero. The Atlantic Modified Tour will hit the track at least thrice this year, the Legends division will see a four race Crown Jewel Series along with their three day Canada/US INEX Challenge from July 25th to 27th. Two Endurance races, two Bomber class races, Kid Electric Car and a Demolition also are scattered throughout the year.
Hard to follow? We get it. Their schedule is subject to change – it is best to check out PettyRaceway.com for the updated schedule as parts tend to move throughout the year.
2024 Champions: Petty International Raceway crowned track champions in six classes in 2024. Andrew O’Connor (Beginner Bandoleros), Hudson Ruff (Bandolero), Makayla Weagle (Women on Wheels), Mike Weagle (Mini Stock) and Michael Cormier (Street Stock) raced to track titles last season. Koven Lewis won the combined Sportsman championship between Petty Raceway and Speedway 660.
River Glade Speedway – River Glade, N.B.
In the biggest racing story of 2024, Gary McLean and the McLean family, were able to open River Glade Speedway to celebrate its 60th Anniversary last August. The one-off successful event has spawned at least one race in 2025. The Ernie McLean Memorial Weekend will take place on Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, July 13th. The event will feature some big money for the Late Model Sportsman and Street Stock divisions on the weekend and will include action in Four Cylinders, the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip and more to be announced. For the Bandoleros, this is the first time in the 61 year history of the track that the class will compete at the track.
Speedway 660 – Geary, N.B.
While a current 2025 schedule was not available as of press time for Speedway 660, the calendar is expected to look similar to the 2024 season. The track, which opened in 1994, will see racing in the Pro Stock, Sportsman, Street Stock, Four Cylinder “Sharp Shooters” and Modified divisions on a regular basis. The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series will race twice at Speedway 660 in 2025, including the Riverview Ford Lincoln Season Opener on Saturday, May 10th.
SpeedWeekend takes place once again on Labour Day Weekend, anchored by a 250-lap Pro Stock event on Sunday, August 31st. Ashton Tucker took the checkered flag in the race last year, which featured NASCAR Craftsman Truck Champion Ben Rhodes in the field.
The Ricky Bobby Street Stock 150 presented by McCoy’s Auto Repair returns on Saturday, June 28th. Billed as the biggest Street Stock race in Canada, the event boasts a purse of tens of thousands of dollars and is run in memory of Rick Arbeau.
When their schedule is finalized, you can find it at Speedway660.com.
2024 Champions: Four track champions etched their name into history in 2024 as track champions. Ian Rasmussen from New Denmark followed in his father Glenn’s footsteps and is now a Pro Stock champion at the track. BJ Gillespie put another Sharp Shooter title on his resume in dominating fashion. Riley Goodwin captured the Street Stock title, while Doug Matchett was crowned the first track champion in the Modified division. While Richard Atkinson scored the most track points in the Sportsman class, there was no local champion crowned.
Speedway Miramichi has not released a schedule at press time. The Shediac CENTRE For Speed has not released details on their schedule as of press time.
Prince Edward Island
Oyster Bed Speedway – Oyster Bed Bridge, P.E.I.
A dozen races are planned for the only paved oval track on Prince Edward Island. Oyster Bed Speedway opens their gates on Sunday, May 18th for their Season Opener and Demolition Derby. Anchoring the house division include the Bandolero, Mini Stock, Outlaw Four Cylinder and Street Stock classes. The Bomber and Legend divisions will see more races in 2025.
Several Maritime Touring Series will head across the Confederation Bridge in 2025. The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series and FGI Pro Stock Tour will each race twice at the track this season, including a season finale on September 6th that includes the penultimate round for the Pro Stock Tour, the Piston Cup Street Stock 100 and the second Island stop for the Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour. In addition, the Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics powered by Kimco (August 2nd) and the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip (September 1st) will make appearances at the high banked oval in 2025.
2024 Champions: In a thrilling, come from behind rally on the final day of the season, Brandon Albert captured the Gautier’s Auto Repair Street Stock title from fan favorite Randy Millar, who struggled to put the final race together in October. Rookie Brandon Forsyth was the champion in the Moore’s Well Drilling Outlaw division. Cash Bridges raced to the Chris’s Bobcat Services Mini Stock title. Hudson Linzel-Waddell (Beginner) and Landon Pierce (Bandolero) took home Reliable Motors Bandolero championships. The Bomber division crowned a track champion in Ryan Cormier.
Newfoundland
Eastbound Park – Avondale, N.F.
The only NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series track in Atlantic Canada is gearing up for another busy season, their 11th in operation as Eastbound Park. The year on the oval kicks off on the Victoria Day Long Weekend and will see eight races throughout the year, capping the year off on the September 20th and 21st weekend on the oval with the popular Hillbilly Fest featuring Demolition Derby, Tough Trucks and more the next weekend.
Four divisions call the Avondale track home, including the NASCAR Sanctioned Late Model Sportsman and Four Cylinder Hobby Stocks and the INEX sanctioned Legends and Bandoleros.
A full schedule for both the oval and drag strip, was not available at press time and can be found at EastboundPark.com when available.
2024 Champions: While he says he’s nearing the end of his racing career, “the Flamin’ Bayman” still has it as Wayne Walsh captured another Late Model Sportsman title at the track. “Fireball” Roger Ryan was the Hobby Stock champion. Parker Young took home the Bandolero championship. Noah Healey, in a Canadian Legend Cars prepared car, raced to the Legend title, scoring all but one feature win on the year.
Touring Series
Fort Garry Industries Maritime Pro Stock Tour
A new title sponsor and a repeat trip to Oyster Bed Speedway highlight the changes on the FGI Pro Stock Tour for 2025.
The Tour will contest ten races, still opening and closing the book at Scotia Speedworld on May 24th and September 20th. The track will host two additional races, including the Summer Clash 250 presented by Superior Foundations and Atlantic Tiltload on Saturday, August 9th. Riverside International Speedway will welcome the Tour thrice, including the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis on Saturday, July 19th.
Petty International Raceway will host the second round of the Tour on Saturday, June 7th. Oyster Bed Speedway will not only host their July race on Saturday, July 26th but the Tour will return for another voyage across the Northumberland Strait on Saturday, September 6th for the penultimate round of 2025.
A full schedule can be found at MaritimeProStockTour.com.
The 2024 champion was Jarrett Butcher on the strength of three feature victories at three different tracks, including his first at Petty International Raceway in October and a thriller in the season opener at Speedway 660. He bested Austin MacDonald and top rookie Gage Gilby in the final standings.
Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series
Entering their third year of competition, the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series keeps its six race schedule between Speedway 660, Petty International Raceway and Oyster Bed Speedway. The opening three rounds will see traditional 150-lap feature lengths with the back end of the schedule seeing extended distance races and some unique race formats.
The Series opens on May 10th at Speedway 660 and concludes on the River Glade International Weekend at Petty International Raceway on Saturday, August 23rd. A complete schedule and race formats are available at SLMS.ca.
In 2024, the point championship ended in a tie between two of the region’s top stars, Ashton Tucker and Cory Hall. Tucker would win his first championship with the series on a tiebreaker, winning four of the races on the year compared to Hall’s two.
Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour
The Legend division continues to grow in the Maritimes. The Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour is seeing healthy car counts at every event and features a healthy mix of up and coming talents working their way through the ranks of racing and veterans who have called this division home.
The schedule sees ten races again in 2025, many of them at the end of the season, which will create a championship drive like no other for these teams. The Series will contest races at Scotia Speedworld, Riverside International Speedway, Petty International Raceway, Oyster Bed Speedway and Speedway 660.
Ayden Christensen took home the Tour championship in 2024, helping him make a bid for the International Semi-Pro championship last season.
For the complete schedule, head over to MaritimeLegends.ca.
Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics Powered by Kimco
The Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics Powered by Kimco will continue to make memories and bring fans back in 2025 with an eight race schedule at seven area tracks. The season begins at June 7th at Petty International Raceway and will return on September 13th before heading to Bud’s Speedway in Sydney, Nova Scotia on October 18th. In between, the Series will visit Lake Doucette Motor Speedway, River Glade Speedway, Oyster Bed Speedway, Scotia Speedworld and Riverside International Speedway.
Featuring drivers from all four Atlantic Provinces, the gentleman’s series is one that will thrill both the young and young at heart. For a complete schedule, please visit HeartofaChampion.com.
Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip
In 2024, the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip was formed after an expansion of the popular Tim’s Corner Motorsports September Shootout at Oyster Bed Speedway.
This year, the rising stars of our sport will visit River Glade Speedway for the first time on the Ernie McLean Memorial Weekend on July 12th and 13th. The Oyster Bed Speedway race returns on Monday, September 1st. Second trips to Nova Scotia’s Scotia Speedworld on September 21st and Bud’s Speedway on October 18th will anchor the back end of the four weekend schedule. The Battle by the Bay presented by Mallard Electric in 2024 saw a purse of almost $5,000 go to the Bandolero teams that travelled to Cape Breton Island with a record 14 cars taking the green flag.
Atlantic Modified Tour
A full 2025 schedule was not available as of press time, but their new year is expected to be much of the same from last year and include a New Brunswick tour of Speedway 660, Petty International Raceway, Speedway Miramichi and River Glade Speedway. The 2024 Tour championship was won by Chris Wilson of South Esk, New Brunswick.
Auto World Maritime All Stars Sportsman Series
The Maritime All Stars Series Sportsman division sees a condensed five race schedule between three tracks. The Series kicks off on May 24th at Scotia Speedworld, heads to Petty International Raceway on June 14th before heading back to Scotia Speedworld the next week. Riverside International Speedway will host the track on the IWK 250 weekend on July 18th and the season finale on September 6th.
Dylan Dowe is a two-time Series champion after taking home the 2024 championship.
We hope to see you at a track this Summer to cheer on your hometown heroes and weekend warriors of motorsports.
Until next time, keep the hammer down and we’ll see you at the track!