Barrie Speedway News & Notes: Fan Appreciation on tap for Saturday night

After a thrilling two months to start the season, Barrie Speedway is set to thank their loyal fans for their continued support each week this weekend. This weekend, the Oro Station based track will be holding “Fan Appreciation” festivities, which give the fans an opportunity to greet the drivers prior to the start of racing and get autographs. The night is always a hit for fans young and old. For the young crowd, it’s chance for them to meet their heroes. For the older crowd, it’s a chance to see the magnificent cars up close.

Though once the festivities are completed, the action will heat up once again on track with another solid night of racing expected to be had.

Wahta Springs Late Models

Gord Shepherd hasn’t had the smoothest season so far this year, but he did exactly what he needed to do last weekend as he took home the victory in both 30-lap features. Now sitting on top of the standings with a 15-point advantage over Dwight Brown, Shepherd will be looking for his third straight victory.

Darryl St. Onge may be a rookie, but he is showing that he is a front runner early this season with a runner-up finish last weekend to go with the five top-five finishes that he had in May. Only seven points out second in points, St. Onge will be looking for his second victory of the year to gain as many points as possible.

After posting a sixth and fourth last weekend, Taylor Holdaway will be once again at Barrie Speedway this weekend. When Sunset Speedway is not running, ‘Hollywood’ has committed to running the off-nights at Barrie. Posting a third place finish on June 3rd, Holdaway hopes to break through to victory lane this weekend.

Triple Sick Skin Thunder Cars

Last weekend, Barrie Speedway history was made as Jordan Latimer broke through for his first career feature victory. The grandson of Barrie’s all-time winner Garry Reynolds will be looking to continue the trend of success as he searches for his third top-five of the season.

In each of the six features thus far this year, Luke Gignac has posted a top-four finish – including three wins. Sitting atop the standings with a 25 point lead over Jim Belesky, Gignac will be looking to get victory lane for the first time since May.

Speaking of Belesky, with his back still sore as a result of wreck a couple weeks ago, Rick Walt will be behind the wheel of the No. 12 once again this weekend. Walt was strong last weekend, posting a fourth place finish despite going for a mid-race spin. Belesky has posted a win in the No. 12 this year and with Walt being a two-time division champion, don’t be surprised if the No. 12 sits with the checkered flag at the end of the night.

St. Onge Recreation Pure Stocks

Last Saturday night, Doug Butler made his way through the field and was able to pick up his third victory of the 2014 season to extend his points lead to 25 points over Mike Gettliffe and Dean Curry. So far this year, Butler has yet to finish outside of the top-two so expect the No. 10 Nissan 240SX to be strong once again.

Mike Gettliffe has the speed that led him to the championship a year ago, but needs some luck. Two straight weeks, Gettliffe has seen flat tires derail his night and result in finishes outside of the top-five. If Gettliffe can keep all four tires inflated under his ride, expect him to return to victory lane this weekend.

Ryan Hardy picked up his first career Barrie Speedway podium finish last Saturday night when he finished second. With no finish outside of the top nine this year to date, Hardy has the speed and ability to possibly score his first career feature victory before season’s end.

Be sure to head to Barrie Speedway this weekend to take in the action as it promises to be stellar.

For more information about this weekend and the rest of the year, check out http://www.barriespeedway.com.