(SYDNEY, NS – June 18th, 2023) – Brennan MacInnis (Glace Bay, NS) and Zach Langille (Sydney, NS) were the big winners Saturday afternoon at Bud’s Speedway in the Four and Six Cylinder Showdown for the Saf-way Auto Parts V6 Thunder and the Mallard Electric Hobby Stock divisions, respectively. Both had different roads to their 35-lap, $500 to win features, but both found their way back to victory lane at their home race track, a place both are familiar with in their racing careers.
MacInnis took the lead early in the feature from Ryan Dixon (Sydney, NS) and showed the way until a rash of caution periods just past the halfway point brought a returning JT Turnbull (Glace Bay, NS) into the mix. After Turnbull and MacInnis raced hard for the lead, swapping the top spot several times in the middle stages of the event, MacInnis pulled away with under ten laps to go and sealed his second straight victory in the class, even with a hard charge and late challenge from the No. 16. Turnbull was second in the Saf-way Auto Parts V6 Thunder 35, ahead of Jayden Williams (Sydney, NS), Brad Mugridge (Sydney, NS) and Austin Rudderham (Glace Bay, NS). Twelve drivers answered the call to the green flag.
Langille’s path to victory lane ran a bit smoother than MacInnis but still was not without challenges. Glen Cooke (Sydney, NS) gave Langille a run from the outside pole early but a mechanical issue sidelined the No. 08 well before the finish. Cory Aker (Sydney Mines, NS) would then step up to challenge the pole sitter, using every line around Bud’s Speedway to try and get by the No. 73. Langille was not to be denied though, picking up his first feature win of the season over Aker. Chris Christensen (Gardiner Mines, NS) rebounded from an early caution to take third, followed by fan favorite Jesse Rowe (Sydney, NS) in his Ford Tempo and Ferg MacKinnon (Sydney, NS) in the top five.
The NAPA Auto Parts Mini Stock feature saw Chris Drover (Lower Sackville, NS) leads the most laps but ultimately finish second behind Kody Quinn (Blacketts Lake, NS). Quinn picked up the lead in the second half of the caution free feature and never looked back for his second victory of 2023 in as many races. Josh Benac (North Sydney, NS) made his season debut with a third place finish. Jonathan MacInnis (Louisburg, NS) was fourth in the 50-lap feature ahead of a hard charging Josh Rozicki (Point Edward, NS), who fought mechanical gremlins all week long to finish fifth. Sixteen cars checked in for the NAPA Auto Parts Mini Stock 50.
The That’s Right Roofing Street Stock feature went to Chris Reid (Fort McMurray, AB). Reid won the heat race and started up front in the fast paced, 30-lap feature contest. Dennis Nickerson (Marshy Hope, NS) rebounded from a Lap One fracas to finish second with Colton Beaver (Sydney, NS) making a last lap pass on John Biron (Sydney, NS) for the final podium spot. JJ Cusack (Sydney, NS) was fifth in the eight car field.
Five GWL Trucking & Landscaping Bandoleros checked in to compete in a 20-lap feature on Saturday. Landon Pierce (Bridgewater, NS) scored his second consecutive victory at Bud’s Speedway after a spirited battle with local driver Brett Biron (Sydney, NS). Bristol Matthews (Nine Mile River, NS) was third in her Bud’s debut with Jake Campbell (Sydney, NS) and Ryder Smith (Wellington, NS) completing the field.
Please note, all results are deemed unofficial until points and results are posted later this week at BudsSpeedway.com.
The next racing event at Bud’s Speedway is Saturday, August 5th. The third race marks the return of the Maritime All Stars Series (MASS) Auto World Late Model Sportsman with the Robby’s Towing 100 along with the Bud’s Speedway Street Stock Classic. All house divisions are in action. More event information will be available as the event draws closer.
For a full 2023 racing schedule, please visit BudsSpeedway.com.
About Bud’s Speedway:
Opened in 1975, Bud’s Speedway has built a racing tradition on Cape Breton Island over the past four decades. The track is home to a number of stock car racing divisions and is a destination for local touring series and motorsports events. For more information on Bud’s Speedway, find them online on various social media platforms at @BudsSpeedway or visit their website at BudsSpeedway.com.
