RIVERSIDE INT'L SPEEDWAY: NASCAR'S ALMIROLA BRINGS IWK 250 ENTRY LIST TO 50

JAMES RIVER, NS (June 24, 2008) - The 2008 edition of the IWK 250 presented by DuPont Refinishes and Steve Lewis Auto Body is like one of those energized bunnies: it keeps growing, and growing. And now, for the second year in a row, the July 18 & 19 event at Riverside International Speedway will feature two drivers from NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola filed an entry blank Thursday to join Dale Earnhardt Inc. teammate Regan Smith as guest drivers for the event destined to become the biggest stock car race in Canada. Almirola brings the expected entry list to a whopping 50 cars.

 

Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Almirola joined Dale Earnhardt Inc. prior to the start of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season in February, splitting driving duties for the famed No. 8 US Army Chevrolet Impala SS with NASCAR veteran Mark Martin - who also mentored Smith in his rookie season on the Sprint Cup Series.

 

Almirola's stint in the IWK 250 will see him in a familiar setting, having competed in a super late model series in the southeast during the formative years of his racing career, which started at the age of eight driving go-karts.

 

He is eager to try his talent against the local racers and at the facility in an event he's heard so much about from Smith.

 

"This is Regan's second year up there so I hope he'll give me some pointers on how to get around the track," said Almirola. "Ever since I was asked to come to Riverside Int'l Speedway, I've been excited and it will bring back some good memories of being in a Late Model. I've heard the racing up there gets pretty intense and I can't wait to get out there and have some fun."

 

"Regan has said that the fans and the facility is first class so I can't wait to be a part of such a great event with great track owners and sponsors. The biggest thing is that Regan and I want to give these fans a great show and race with the area's best talent. Of course we both want to win, but I hope the roar of the crowd at the end of the race is for a great show, no matter who wins."

 

While the event has a long and storied history, its rebirth in 2006 at the newly rebuilt facility has seen a revitalized interest from racers and fans alike. The facility managements ability to adjust to changing requirements of both racers and fans can account for much of the increased interest in the event.

 

The 2007 edition of the IWK 250 attracted 30 entries and close to 8,000 fans, but track management still increased the purse from just over $70,000 in '07 to over $100,000 this year - with the potential for the winner to take home over $24,000 - a sure fired way to get the attention of the racers, who get the attention of the fans.

 

And get their attention it has.

 

With the probably entry list at 50 cars, the 2008 IWK 250 has the potential to see the largest car count in Maritime stock car racing history.

 

With advance ticket sales setting a record pace in their first week of availability (this past week), the 2008 IWK 250 has the potential to see the largest crowd in history witness a stock car racing event in the Maritimes.

 

With the potential for such a large crowd, the 2008 IWK 250 could raise a significant amount of money for the IWK - perhaps even more than the $20,000 contributed to the facility as a result of the event in '07.

 

With only 30 spots open on the starting grid competition will be fierce during four rounds of qualifying to earn their way into what will be the richest stock car race ever run in the Maritimes: the IWK 250.

 

With the race being sanctioned by the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour, the "Supershow" will see the series competitors vie for the race winners bragging rights as well as valuable series championship points. All four of the series former champions have already entered: Wayne Smith (Halifax), John Flemming (Halifax), Shawn Tucker (Fredericton, NB) and Rollie MacDonald (Pictou). While the CARQUEST Tour sanctions the IWK 250, special rules apply that set it apart from other series events.

 

With the race date being an off-weekend for the Pro All Stars Series North division, entries have also been received by top New England drivers including Maine's Travis Benjamin, Johnny Clark and Kirk Thibeau.

 

The 2008 IWK 250 has grown to a two-day event with Friday July 18 featuring the Napa 100 for the Highland Home Hardware Sportsman Series as well as AMP Open Wheel racing. Saturday July 19 will see a full slate of activities including qualifying and pre-race festivities for the pro stocks along with the Kenworth Nova Scotia Maritime Legends Challenge; the day will culminate with the running of the IWK 250 presented by DuPont Refinish and Steve Lewis Auto Body.

 

Advance weekend pass tickets are now available - and until June 30 fans can save money by taking advantage of the Early Bird special pricing. All seats are reserved; detailed seating and ticket pricing information, along with the weekend schedule, can be found online at ww.riversidespeedway.ca.

 

• Click here for the list of expected entries.
• Click here for the weekend schedule.
• Click here for ticket information.
• Click here to learn more about Aric Almirola.
• Click here to learn more about Regan Smith.

 

About the IWK: The IWK Health Centre, while located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is an essential resource for women, children, youth and families from across the Maritimes and beyond. Each year, thousands of Maritime children and women come to the IWK requiring emergency care, surgery for critical illnesses, and inpatient care for ongoing medical conditions.

About Steve Lewis Auto Body : Steve Lewis Auto Body, a DuPont Refinish body shop, is located on Beech Street in Sydney. The company is in their 33rd year of business and proud to support many community and charitable efforts, including a 15-year involvement with the IWK.

About DuPont Refinish : In March of 1999, DuPont Performance Coatings was formed by the combination of Herberts GmbH and DuPont Refinish, creating the world's largest supplier of automotive coatings and the third largest coatings company overall. Canadian headquarters are in Ajax, Ontario. DuPont Refinish services over 4,000 collision repair and commercial fleet customers across Canada. For more information call 1.800.668.6945 or visit www.pc.dupont.com.

 

About Riverside Speedway  : Riverside Speedway, a 1/3-mile high-banked asphalt oval, is located in James River between New Glasgow and Antigonish at exit 30 off Trans Canada Highway 104. Opened in 1969, the facility was totally rebuilt in 2006 to become a premiere motorsports site, compared to the best short tracks in Canada and the U.S. The 2008 schedule includes two CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour events on June 7 and August 16; the IWK 250 event on July 18-19, also sanctioned by the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour; and the Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event on September 20. For more information about Riverside Speedway, please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca or call 902.863.2410.

 

Distributed by Joan Roué for Riverside International Speedway