Robar wins vip package

Fans submitted many great moments that they thought should be considered the #1 Moment of the past 10 year of the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour and we had a hard time narrowing it down to just 5 for the vote! Among the submissions was one from Mike Robar. His submission has the won a VIP package to the first race of the 2010 season - the Lucas Oil 100 on June 5th at Scotia Speedworld! The package includes two grandstand passes and a night at the Holiday Inn Express Halifax Airport. His story and others will also be featured in the 2010 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour Souvenir Program.

Thanks to everyone who submitted and congratulations to Mike!

Here is Mike's story:

Wow! That's a hard question. With some fantastic facilities and sponsors; awesome drivers and race teams; and some of the GREATEST race fans anywhere... it's prety hard to pick a moment.

For me it would have to be August 19th, 2006 - Grand Opening day at the "NEW" Riverside International Speedway in James River, NS - and the return of our late model series to the track!

I had driven many hours, on countless weekends in the early 90's with my parents, dragging along my new bride, to watch the action at the old Riverside. Many memories of driving in early from our motel in Antigonish to tape down our blanket to secure a good seat near the start finish line; tailgating along Beaver Mountain Rd out of the trunk of the car; and watching to see who would come in second as Scott Fraser lapped the field under the lights. So when word spread that John Chisolm had re-purchased the Speedway, and had some BIG plans - I was excited to say the least!

The CARQUEST tour announced a race date in August, so I started planning. As the Summer rolled on it looked like I would end up going it alone. My folks couldn't get time off, and my wife didn't want to drag along our two small children. So be it! This was an event I just couldn't miss! The weekend arrived and Saturday morning I packed up my race gear and headed out. It was an amazing site as I made the turn on the highway and saw the new tower building. I park in our usual spot, along Beaver Mountain Rd and made my way into the track for practice. The facility took my breath away!

Race time came as the day wore on. Every detail was perfect. Two standing ovations for John during the opening ceremonies, thanking him for the rebirth of Riverside Speedway. Jerry "Jer Bear" Lawrence was back on the microphone entertaining fans and telling stories of the Speedways past. Art Steeves "un-retired" to flag the first race. It was just like the good old days - only better!!! The racing was fantastic - two wide all 200 laps! The night was capped off with a story book ending as Shawn Turple, driving the familiar black and yellow CAT car owned by the Fraser family, rolled into victory lane at Riverside once again!

So, this is my favorite moment in the last 10 years. But not just for that awesome day of racing at a beautiful track. But for what it gave birth to. John continues to expand and develop the track. Overflow parking, more seating, RV camping (at no charge I might add); and still this year, plans even more upgrades. We've seen the July 250 lap race become a HUGE event. Nascar drivers came, and continue to come back year after year. Money donated to our Children's hospital from the event every year. We've gotten a race date on the Nascar Canadian Tire Series schedule. Simply awesome. I never miss a race there. And now I bring my son Cameron, every time, to camp at the track and go to the races with me. He's a diehard racefan at 9 years old. It's become something special that he and I share a few times each year. Because of that sunny day in August of 2006, I'm making memories with him that will last a lifetime.

Yep, no doubt about it - that was the best day.