Episode 367
June 27, 2021
New Brunswick youth racers at Speedway 660
Even though we, on the USA side of the Canadian border, are unable to attend the races at Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick, racing goes on. Drew Greenlaw Racing, a Late Model Sportsman team based in Eastport, as of now cannot yet race at Speedway 660 which they consider their home track.
Once again, this season, UpNorth Motorsports will be following the exploits of Greenlaw and a couple New Brunswick racers also in their early 20’s who call Speedway 660 home. They are Ryan Messer, Harvey, N.B. and Ian Rasmussen, New Denmark, N.B. Both used to race at Spud Speedway in Caribou, Maine. Messer competed in special races and Rasmussen in the weekly series.
Last evening both young men did exceptionally well with Messer finishing first and Rasmussen third in the 100-lap feature.
Ryan Motorsports’ Ryan Messer, Harvey, New Brunswick, continued his excellent start for 2021 with win number two in a row at Speedway 660 this season. He took the season opener earlier this month. (Michelle Roy, Speedway 660)
Crew chief and father Robb Messer, described the win saying, “We had a great run last night at 660. Our season has gotten off to a perfect start for us with races starting a little later and the car counts being smaller due to border restrictions between provinces, we had the opportunity to really get a handle on the two new cars we built over the off season.”
“We are working with GD Fabrications out of Saint John N.B. this year who installed Clattenburg Racing Fabrication (CRF) clips and rear upgrades to both of our cars. This has really helped our program and gotten us off to a great start.”
“The restrictions are lifting and I believe the big events and big car counts we saw last summer are just around the corner. We feel like we’re ready and looking forward to the rest of the season!”
New Denmark, New Brunswick racer, Ian Rasmussen made his 2021 season debut with a flair. The youngster finished third in his newly refurbished car. (Nathan Robinson Photography)
Rasmussen also had a CRF clip installed by Geoff Armstrong (owner of GD Fabrication). He is typically at the track supporting his customers or running their house car with Steve Halpin. With Armstrong’s assistance the Rasmussen Motorsports team finished on the podium. In 2020 they had one podium finish.
“It was a 100-lap feature at Speedway 660 and my first start there this year,” said Ian Rasmussen. “We finished second in the heat and ran between second to fourth all night long in the feature. In the final ten laps of the race, we had a good battle for third between myself, Dave O’Blenis and Brent Roy. We were able to come out on top (finishing third).”
“As far as for the car, it’s the same car we had last year just rebuilt after a big crash at the end of the year. Geoff Armstrong at GD Fabrication and Racecars did a lot of work to it over the winter to get it rebuilt and better than ever!”
The top five at Speedway 660 in the Pro Stock Division:
Ryan Messer, Harvey, NB Kevin Moore, Fredericton, NB Ian Rasmussen, New Denmark, NB Dave O’Blenis, Boundary Creek, NB Brent Roy, Hanwell, NBThe Late Model Sportsman division will be featuring an extended feature with 200 laps this Saturday July 3rd.
Austin Theriault reveals what his is up to in podcast
Though not driving a stock car in 2021, Fort Kent’s Austin Theriault is very active in racing as a driving coach. He is working with some young drivers assisting them with communications techniques which allow the team to experience success both on and off the track.
Vermont based, Uncommon Deeds podcast hosted by Tom Corbett Junior and Justin St. Louis hosted Austin Theriault on Episode 19 on June 18. The hosts asked some probing questions which gave the audience insight into what he is up to now. The interview is almost two hours in length.
https://anchor.fm/uncommondeeds/episodes/Ep–19-Austin-Theriault-e1306qk
Kody has another busy race weekend
Kody Swanson in the “Ringer” car at Eldora Speedway as part of the SRX Series race three. Swanson went to a back-up car for the 50-lap feature. (Jordan Swanson photo)
Podium finishers at Eldora SRX race. Left to right Kody Swanson 2nd, Tony Stewart winner, Helio Castroneves third. (SRX photo)
My Midwest connection, Dan Martin with 4-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves who finished on the podium at the SRX races. (Dan Martin photo)
Immediately after the SRX race Swanson got in the #21 Silver Crown car that was a bare chassis on Thursday evening. Swanson started 14th and finished third. The next day, Swanson was back in his Super Late Model at Kil-Kare Speedway where he finished fourth after starting 16th. (Jordan Swanson photo)
After six hours of IMSA endurance racing, CORE Autosports finished second by 1.635 seconds. In the seat for the finale was Colin Braun. Jon Bennett with a Maine connection said, ““It was certainly a close race. We put the car in a position to do well, but racing is racing.
“It’s always a compromise when you’re running in the middle; you’ve got to keep the car in one piece, but you also need to go as fast as you can. I think my middle stint was good and, in the end, we had a chance for a win, but it wasn’t in the cards. Colin did a great job. George did a fantastic job. We chased the handling toward the end, but we’re happy with the result and it bodes well for our race next week” (CORE Autosports photo)
Photo of the Week
Flying 7 racer Marcia Buck Barker on the dirt at Latimore Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Following Barker in the #5 is Joe Henshaw and Sam Ruppert #11. ( Christopher Hockley photo)
Let’s go racing,
Tom Hale
Soli Deo Gloria (Matthew 5:16)