Highlights of 2017

Over the next ten weeks as we count down the days until the 2018 season, we will be reliving some highlights of the 2017 season (in no particular order) to get you excited and ready to go green on May 19 at Petty International Raceway for the Lucas Oil 150! Check back each week to see what's next!

#10: Fantastic Racing

As much as it goes without saying – we have to say it loud and proud! We have the best racers you’ll find in a regional touring series. Don’t believe us? Check out some of these great pictures from McCarthy Photographic that captures the incredible racing action and proves that statement! What was your favourite on track battle from 2017?

#9: Post Race Celebrations

It’s not easy to get a win when the competition is so fierce each week. So when it finally happens, you know there’s going to be a celebration happening. The emotions that are flying in Victory Lane are so much fun to watch. There’s elation, joy, pride, amazement – it’s all there. You might even see some tears or rage if you can take your eyes off of the winner! Plus – there’s always some flying champagne to end the night!

#8: Race Time Radio

We know you WANT to be at the track for every race, but for everyone, it just isn’t a reality. What’s the next best thing? Listening live on Race Time Radio of course! In 2017, six Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour events were streamed live for fans absolutely free, no subscription necessary, via www.racetimeradio.com. Our live broadcast audience continues to grow and our unique listener clicks combined last season total almost 4 million! We are looking forward to having Joe, Gerry, Brad, and Josh back this season at Scotia Speedworld and Riverside International Speedway for seven live broadcasts!

#7: Crashes & Spins

You know the kids are on the edge of their seats waiting for it to happen – and don’t try to pretend that you aren’t too! ;) It’s bound to happen when you have such intense door-handle to door-handle racing – and, of course, it’s all the other guy’s fault! ;) Here are a few shots of some pile ups from 2017.

#6:Selfies & Autograph Sessions

It’s a selfie world and we’re all just living in it! But really…who doesn’t love a good selfie at the race track?? McCarthy Photographic likes to catch people in action – especially during autograph sessions! It’s always a highlight to watch the kiddos running around on track getting autographs from their favourite drivers. We are looking forward to doing more of this throughout the summer. Make sure you tag us in your photos – you never know when we might pull you out of the crowd for something special ;)

#5: Turple holds onto Championship after crashing on lap 29

Shawn Turple went into the final race of the season with a 41 point lead over Cole Butcher and, once you considered potential bonus points, needed an 11th place finish in the Dartmouth Dodge 200 to guarantee his Championship. It was NOT locked up – anything can happen on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour. And you can bet, Butcher wasn’t going to go down without a fight! Things were looking pretty good for Turple after winning his Atlantic Tiltload Heat Race and the team just wanted to stay in one piece and finish the race.

And then lap 29 happened and the team had to go to work.

There was extensive damage on his car and by the time they could get it back into driving condition – with no nose we might add – they were 15 laps down. We all started counting lapped cars as well as cars that dropped out of the race to see if he could hold on or if Butcher would become a back to back Champion. It wasn’t until another on track incident took out both Donald Chisholm and Cy Harvey on lap 176 that it became clear that Shawn Turple would be able to exit the Dartmouth Dodge 200 with a 16th place finish, a single point lead, and his third career Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour Championship!

#4: Sunday Racing

I’m sure most people would consider this the opposite of a “highlight” but it was definitely a recurring theme in 2017 – racing on Sundays! Five of our 12 scheduled races were postponed to Sundays due to that dreadful mother nature. It is not an easy job to predict the weather or make the call whether or not we should be racing but one thing is for sure – we just can’t safely race in the rain on slicks!

So get out your dancing gear and start your rain dances early people so we can get all 12 races in on Saturdays this season!

#3: A Part Time Driver Wins A Race!

The full time drivers can definitely be seen as having an advantage over part timers since they are on the tracks each week gaining valuable “seat time”. On the other hand, when we head to a track such as Speedway 660 which has a weekly pro stock division the tables can turn slightly because those local drivers have invaluable information on their home turf. Greg Fahey proved that to be true last season at the Cummins 150, making his way to Victory Lane after leading 117 laps and taking the checkers half a lap ahead of Dylan Gosbee and Dylan Blenkhorn. While Cassius Clark and Donald Chisholm won races as well and according to our rule book would be considered “part-time” drivers, most would instead consider them as series regulars.

Who do you think can pull off a “part-time” win this season???

Here is listing of “part-time” drivers who have won races in our 17 year history so far:
2017 – Greg Fahey, Cassius Clark, Donald Chisholm
2016 – N/A
2015 – George Koszkulics
2014 – JR Fitzpatrick
2013 – Donald Chisholm
2011 – George Koszkulics
2010 – Johnny Clark, Lonnie Sommerville
2009 – N/A
2008 – Regan Smith
2007 – Mike MacKenzie (2)
2006 – Rollie MacDonald
2004 – Matt Harris, John Flemming (2)
2003 – Dave O’Blenis, Marty Prevost
2002 – Dave O’Blenis
2001 – John Flemming (2)

#2: Amazing Sponsors

What we do each week would not be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors. Each week you’ll notice displays, signage, and dignitaries at the track spreading the word about their products. We love celebrating them and in 2017, thanks to Phil-Ko Plastics & Glass along with Finish Line Vinyl Design, we increased our love with unique, custom designed trophies featuring all of our race sponsors.

Whether it’s the middle of the summer or the middle of the off season, whenever you are looking for a product or service that one of our sponsors delivers, please make sure to check them out and let them know you are a race fan!

#1: Guest drivers including Mark Martin

As exciting as the racing on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour is each and every race, it is always a special treat for drivers and fans alike when a guest driver joins us! Last year we saw the return of NASCAR Pinty’s Series regular Jason Hathaway and former NASCAR Truck Series Champion Matt Crafton – both with one goal of topping our elite drivers and taking home their first win on our series. (Mission Status: FAILED)

We also had the privilege of hosting NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin for the IWK 250 at Riverside International Speedway! Unfortunately, he had a rough start to the day after hitting the wall hard during afternoon practice doing significant damage to the car. The crew battled and were able to get the Cat Car for Kids into the starting grid but their issues continued into the evening. Martin pitted on Lap 57 but was unable to return to the race due to extensive mechanical issues.

We have already heard that JR Fitzpatrick will be making the trip east a couple of times this season, but who else will try to take home one of our trophies this season? Only time will tell, but throw us your best guess/wish below!!

Check back next week for more great highlights!

BACK TO ARCHIVES