Featured Photo by Tanya Everett

(FREDERICTON, NB – June 15th, 2021) – The cars and stars of the Atlantic Modified Tour head to Speedway Miramichi on Saturday, June 19th for the first of four stops at the North Shore oval in 2021. The Sutherland Excavating Limited 35 is the second of 12 point races on the season and continues a busy month of June with three races in four weekends. The Sutherland Excavating Limited 35 is a part of the Day of 8’s event at the Miramichi, New Brunswick track and has a post time of 4pm.

For the first time in his young Atlantic Modified Tour career, Travis Conroy (Miramichi, NB) comes into his hometown with the Series point lead. Conroy was impressive on June 5th at Petty International Raceway, taking the heat and feature win during the 2021 Season Opener. He had to hold off two veterans in both wins with Zean Dutcher (Miramichi, NB) chasing him in the heat and reigning Tour champion Yves McCray (Neguac, NB) in his tire tracks in the feature.

While he enters this race in a new position after his first career win, the plan of attack does not change for Conroy.

“We’ve been putting the hours in at the shop to make sure we have a 110% ready to go racecar for Saturday,” said Conroy in advance of Saturday’s Sutherland Excavating Limited 35. “A lot of people I have spoken to say I have that target on my back. Now that I’ve won one race, I’ve got to keep it going. We’ve got to be patient Saturday, not force any issues and work our way to the front with the car we have.”

The Atlantic Modified Tour held two races at the Miramichi oval in 2020 with Joe Hoyt (Waasis, NB) and McCray taking home the two checkered flags. McCray came in clutch to win the Keswick Kitchen Season Finale to clinch his championship title. Hoyt was lights out in September to win his first race of the year on the North Shore. McCray enters off a second place finish at Petty International Raceway, sitting nine points out of Conroy after one race. Hoyt broke an axle after a three-wide squeeze left him in the infield at Petty before the first official lap was completed.

Dutcher’s last Atlantic Modified Tour win came in Miramichi when he took home a 50-lap feature in 2019. The No. 55 has had some strong runs and while consistent podium finishes will put him in the hunt for the championship, all drivers are chasing that checkered flag.

Miramichi area drivers Braxton Stafford and Doug Matchett had average days during the Season Opener at Petty International Raceway. Average or “middle of the road” are not what Stafford or Matchett are accustomed to though and the pair will look to warm up as the Summer heats up, beginning with Saturday in Miramichi. Matchett’s last Miramichi Modified win came in the June event at the track in 2019.

The Sutherland Excavating Limited 35 will mark the return of a trio of the Atlantic Modified Tour’s most popular drivers from the North. “The Racing Ranger” Kim Hallihan (Renous, NB), Steven Curtis (South Esk, NB) and Chris Wilson (South Esk, NB) were unable to make the trip to Petty International Raceway on June 5th but are planning on defending their home turf in Miramichi on Saturday.

Wilson was the winner of two Atlantic Modified Tour races in 2020 but is still looking to scratch a Series win at Speedway Miramichi off his racing bucket list. Hallihan is always a threat to win in his No. 97 car. If Hallihan can unload with some speed on Saturday, fans can look for him in a familiar spot battling for the victory in Miramichi. Curtis always brings one of the best appearing cars to the track and will look to bring it to the front on Saturday evening in Miramichi.

Michael Savoie (Miramichi, NB) did not have a great day in only his second career Atlantic Modified Tour start but the No. 00 car leads the Rookie of the Year standings on the Series after one race. Brody Levesque (Lincoln, NB) is eager to get his Modified ride out on track and hopes are that the No. 05 will be at Miramichi at Saturday.

EXPECTED ENTRY LIST
Sutherland Excavating Limited 35 – Speedway Miramichi
Race Two of 12 – 2021 Atlantic Modified Tour

00 – Michael Savoie ®
2W – Chris Wilson
05 – Brody Levesque ®
7 – Travis Conroy
12 – Steven Curtis
17 – Joe Hoyt
55 – Zean Dutcher
58 – Yves McCray
75 – Doug Matchett
91 – Braxton Stafford
97 – Kim Hallihan

Fans and teams are reminded to practice social distancing throughout Saturday’s event. A complete list of updated COVID-19 restrictions in regards to Speedway Miramichi can be viewed online at www.SpeedwayMiramichi.com. Please note, due to COVID-19 regulations in the Province of New Brunswick, Speedway Miramichi is required to collect contact information from every individual that attends this event.

Grandstand admission prices for Saturday’s event are $20 for adults and $10 for youth aged eight to 17 and $10 for Seniors aged 65 and older, while children seven years of age and under will be admitted free. Pit admission is $25. Pit gates for competitors open at 12pm with grandstand gates opening at 1pm. Racing action gets underway on Saturday at 4pm.

Can’t make it to the track to see the Sutherland Excavating Limited 35 in person? No problem! Tim’s Corner Motorsports TV will have a crew at Speedway Miramichi to produce the Day of 8’s event, including the Sutherland Excavating Limited 35. You can watch the race LIVE or On-Demand following the event by heading to TimsCorner.tv and getting your Event Pass! TimsCorner.tv is a member of the Speed Sport TV family.

For more information about the Atlantic Modified Tour, please visit AtlanticModifieds.com.

About the Atlantic Modified Tour:
The Atlantic Modified Tour is a New Brunswick based open wheel modified touring series. Founded in 2003 by Jim Duke, the Atlantic Modified Tour continues to thrill fans across the Province. You can keep up with the Atlantic Modified Tour by liking the Series on Facebook and following the Tour on Instagram (@AtlanticModifieds) or by visiting their website at AtlanticModifieds.com.

 

Leave a comment