IWK 250 SUPER WEEKEND: NEWS & NOTES

JAMES RIVER, NS (July 14, 2015) - The stage is set for the 2015 edition of the IWK 250 Super Weekend. The players are the cars and stars of the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (PST), the Napa Sportsman Series (NSS), and the Atlantic Tiltload Maritime League of Legends (MLOL).

The star of the show is expected to be two-time and defending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton who will drive the Cat Car for Kids. The setting is Riverside International Speedway which, for four days, will grow to small town status as hundreds of RV's and thousands of fans gather for the spectacle that is the IWK 250.

The opening act is Friday evening with the Highland Home Building Centres 100 for the Sportsman series and the Brycon Construction 50 for the Legends. On Saturday it's the feature performance of the weekend with the IWK 250 Presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body.

Crafton Looking to Become Number Two, By Being Number One

Matt Crafton is returning to Riverside International Speedway on a mission: to finish first in the IWK 250. If he is successful he will become only the second celebrity driver to do so. Only once since the first IWK 250 in 2007 has a NASCAR driver beat the locals to the finish line; that was in 2008 and the driver was Regan Smith. Those NASCAR celebrity drivers who have tried to unseat the regional racers include Aric Almirola, Marcus Ambrose, Ricky Craven, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, David Reutimann, and Smith. Crafton finished 10th last year; the average finish of the celebrity drivers over the past eight years is 8.5. A stout group that by definition exemplifies how good the locals are. Combined, the celebrity drivers have won three NASCAR national championships, started 1498 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races with 34 wins, 976 NASCAR Xfinity Series races with 72 wins, and 646 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races with 15 wins.

IWK 250 Marks Halfway in PST Chase for the Championship

The IWK 250 marks the start of the second half of the PST season; only six more events remain to determine the 2015 champion. Besides the accolades and the potential to take home over $17,000, winning the IWK 250 also pays championship points for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour competitors, and even though there are 250 laps (compared to the usual 100 or 150), it pays the same number of points as any of the other 11 races on the season schedule. Dylan Blenkhorn (Truro) holds a 22-point lead over Donald Chisholm (Antigonish), followed in third by 2011 IWK 250 winner Darren MacKinnon (Charlottetown, PE), who trails Chisholm by just five markers. Hot on MacKinnon's heels (bumper) is Cole Butcher (Porter's Lake), only four off third-place, and two-time series champion Shawn Turple (Enfield) rounds out the top five, trailing Butcher by 38 points. Complete PST point standings are available at www.maritimeprostocktour.com.

Anticipation High For Unveiling of John W. Chisholm Memorial Cup

Fans will want to be sure to be in their seats in time for the IWK 250 Opening Ceremonies on Saturday to witness the unveiling of the John W. Chisholm Memorial Cup, announced a few weeks ago as the new perpetual trophy for the IWK 250. The Cup is named for the late John W. Chisholm, founder and builder of Riverside International Speedway; Mr. Chisholm passed away July 4, 2014, just two weeks prior to the IWK 250, which was dedicated to his memory. Members of the Chisholm family, along with several '250' champions, will be on hand for the unveiling.

Flemming Hopes To Start Second Half of Season With First Win

So far, 2015 has not been how John Flemming (Halifax) expected to defend his record-setting fifth pro stock series championship. Armed with a new car to start the season he has been struggling by his standards, currently 10th in overall point standings and with a best finish of fifth. However, after a couple of off weeks and time to tear his car apart he expects a turn-a-round for the second half of the season and starting with the IWK 250. "We found lots of reasons the car was acting like it was," said Flemming. "I think we've got them fixed so can't wait to get on track again."

Race Day Format

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Expected Entry List

1. Matt Crafton, Tulare, California

2. Donald Chisholm, Antigonish, NS

3. George Koszkulics, New Glasgow, NS

4. Craig Slaunwhite, Terence Bay, NS

5. Darren MacKinnon, Milton Stn., PE

6. Jeff Fultz, Troutman, North Carolina

7. Cole Butcher, Porter’s Lake, NS

8. Kent Vincent, Crapaud, PE

9. Daryl Mahar, Hubley, NS

10. Dylan Blenkhorn, Truro, NS

11. Terry Dougay, Albany, PE

12. Jerry Hayes, Sydney Forks, NS

13. Greg Fahey, St. Stephen, NB

14. John Flemming, Halifax, NS

15. Greg Proude, Springvale, PE

16. Robbie MacEwen, Charlottetown, PE

17. Shawn Turple, Enfield, NS

18. Dylan Gosbee, Cornwall, PE

19. Joel Hickox, Cornwall, PE

20. Josh Collins, Jerseyside Placentia, NF

21. Jonathan Hicken, Montague, PE

22. DJ Casey, Halifax, NS

23. Sarah McKay, Quispamsis, NB

24. Steve Ross, Waverly, NS

25. Shawn Pierce, Newcombville, NS

26. Jerome Kehoe, Sydney, NS

27. Vance Hanes, Kennetcook, NS