"Racey" Roster On Deck for CARQUEST Tour

HALIFAX, NS (May 13, 2008) - A record number of pre-season driver registrations have been received for the 2008 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour; good news indeed with less than two weeks remaining before the season opener May 24 at Scotia Speedworld, the Lucas Oil 100.

Thirty-five teams have filed the paperwork required to compete on the series eighth season; a series that not only visits the top five stock car racing facilities in the Maritimes - but features a lineup of the top drivers from each of the three Maritime Provinces - 16 teams from Nova Scotia, 12 from Prince Edward Island and six from New Brunswick. Since there is no "early entry" requirement, more driver registrations are expected as the season progresses.

The all-star lineup features the four former series champions: John Flemming, Rollie MacDonald, Wayne Smith and Shawn Tucker - who each have multiple race wins on the series. Other former series race winners registered for '08 include: Donald Chisholm, Dale Holmes, George Koszkulics, Mike MacKenzie, Brad Mann, Dave O'Blenis, Greg Proude, Shawn Turple and Kent Vincent.

Add to the mix seasoned drivers hungry for their first series win like Kent Livingston, Darren MacKinnon, Tim Rodgers, Darren Vanderaa, Shawn Pierce, Lonnie Sommerville, Mike Stevens, Chris Hughes, Sandy Livingston, Bobby Nielsen, Daryl Mahar, Stacey Clements and Roger Crane - and the stage is set for fierce competition on the Maritimes top stock car touring series.

But we're not done yet, because the '08 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour will see a formidable group of rookie drivers contending for the EIT Race Radio Rookie of the Year: Robbie MacLean, Allison MacKinnon, David Heino, Jonathen Hicken, Lowell Affleck, Craig Slaunwhite, Jeff Campbell, Brian Jollimore and Pete Miller -some with more lofty expectations like race wins and even championship dreams.

Why - you may ask - is the 2008 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour attracting the best stock car racers in the Maritimes?

• The calibre of competition is second-to-none in North American short track stock car racing.

• The series provides a professionally controlled environment where Maritime racers can test their skills against their peers.

• Eleven events will comprise the '08 chase for the championship, including - for the first time ever - the prestigious IWK 250 at Riverside International Speedway.

• More than $330,000 in event purses and bonus programs is being offered, in total.

• The championship title is coveted just as much as the $10,000 cheque that goes with it.

• rounds of qualifying - Atlantic Tiltload Time Trials and heat races - will continue to set the starting lineup for the feature races, while contingency programs like the Coast Tire Most Laps Led and the Parts for Trucks Challenge will continue to add even more excitement. And - new for 2008 - a "Back in the Pack" procedure has been incorporated where a lucky racer that is down a lap with less than 20-to-go can get his lap back and suddenly be in contention for a win.

For race fans this all adds up to what should be an unprecedented season in Maritime stock car racing history - one in which you won't want to miss a minute, or more aptly - a lap.

The 2008 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour gets the green flag next Saturday May 24 at Scotia Speedworld with the Lucas Oil 100. Besides the pro stocks, fans will see season opening action from the Scotia Speedworld hobby stock division and the Legends Tour - as well as be treated to a live performance of the national anthem by noted Nova Scotia entertainer, and race fan, John Gracie.

Atlantic Tiltload Time Trials start at 5:10 p.m. followed by racing at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are now available at the following locations: Scotia Speedworld Office - 70 Ilsley Avenue, Dartmouth; CARQUEST Auto Parts - Akerley Boulevard, Dartmouth; CARQUEST Auto Parts - Robie Street, Halifax; Forbes Chev Olds - Portland Street, Dartmouth; Parts for Trucks - Wright Avenue, Dartmouth; Scale House, Municipal Contracting - Bedford; Ticket Atlantic - by phone, online, or at select Atlantic Superstores.

Grandstand admission* for the Lucas Oil 100 is $22 for adults; $5 for youth aged 8-15; children 7 and under are admitted free. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pit admission is $25 and restricted to those 16 and older. *A service charge may apply to purchases made through Ticket Atlantic.

2008 CARQUEST PRO STOCK TOUR DRIVER ROSTER click here