Suspense is rising for the debut of Atlantic Canada’s new Super Late Model Series (SLMS). Saturday May 13th - just ten days away - the highly touted series will take to the track for a milestone launch, with top talents from the Atlantic Canadian region and beyond preparing to partake in the Riverview Ford Season Opener at Speedway 660. Boasting a $4000 first prize - in addition contingency prizes with a total value in the thousands - the 150-lap affair will be a hot ticket for fans.
Getting to witness and be a part of an event of this magnitude is certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity. There is only one “first race”, and the entirety of this one will be forever etched into the history books. Who will earn the first pole? Who will lead the first lap? Most importantly, who will win the first race in Super Late Model Series history? It’s an achievement every driver in the field wants on their resume - and they only have one shot at it! And for all in attendance, it’s a chance to be part of an event that will be talked about decades down the road.
This is about more than simply earning a piece of history for drivers though. It’s about being part of a new era for the sport that fuels their passion. It’s about getting to race with the best talents in the region. It’s about having fun, being with the family that is part of racing, and the thrill of competition. And it’s about being part of a vision that flips the script and challenges the boundaries of what motorsports can be in Atlantic Canada.
Formed through a partnership between management teams of Speedway 660, Petty International Raceway, and Oyster Bed Speedway, the Super Late Model Series has a vision of being a driver and fan focused series. This vision comes with a goal of bringing a fresh and enhanced experience for all, and bringing the spotlight to all drivers - who are the stars of the show. As the first race creeps closer, that vision is set to become a reality in an overwhelmingly impressive way.
It had previously been highlighted by Speedway 660 that upwards of 30 Super Late Models are expected to be on the premises for round one. The impressive round one field is set to challenge as the LARGEST Super Late Model car count in New Brunswick in nearly a decade. While fans will get a first look at the official Riverview Ford Season Opener entry list early next week, the tally of full-time drivers registered for the inaugural season points towards nothing short of a star-studded field already. Twenty-five teams pre-registered to compete full-time in 2023, and several more are slated to compete part-time and attend opening day.
A stout list of regional stars headlined by former Speedway 660 Pro Stock 250 champions including Cory Hall (#83), Ryan Messer (#1), Dave O’Blenis (#48), two-time winner Lonnie Sommerville (#23) and three-time winner Ashton Tucker (#2) will be amongst the top competitors in the field. Former Speedway 660 track champions and veterans Greg Fahey (#20) and Chris Duncan (#97) will not be overlooked either. A healthy list of competitors are also former winners in the Geary Woods, such as Kevin Moore (#88), Steve Halpin (#03), Dustin Tucker (#52), and Prince Edward Island drivers Greg Proude (#29) and Dylan Gosbee (#16). If past success is indicative of future success, all these talents will be in the mix.
The strength of the new series can be further seen in the crop of rookies intending to compete. The Castrol Rookie of the Year battle will be a storyline worth watching - with Kenny Snow (#7), Brodie Lewis (#22), Hudson Weston (#43), Laurie Cormier (#53), Kenny MacKenzie Jr (#85), and Ryan Raynes (#94) all having tossed their name into the ring for Rookie of the Year. Other newcomers to the division are set to run part-time, providing a healthy showing of fresh blood for a fresh new series.
Quality and quantity - the best of both worlds highlight the roster for 2023. Those mentioned only scratches the surface - others like Troy Burke (#01), Steve Halpin (#03), Allison MacKinnon (#07), Brad Eddy (#7E), Darren MacKinnon (#18) Robbie MacEwen (#40), Ian Rasmussen (#81) and many others are eager to prove their potential. Each driver brings a boatload of talent and potential, and simply put, any driver in the field at any given race will be a threat to win.
As the countdown is set to tick into single digit days remaining, the hype will only grow. A spark that was lit in October of 2022 in Atlantic Canada has been growing into a blaze - and it’s set to trigger a new era for Maritime motorsports!
Round one for the Super Late Model Series will be contested Saturday May 13th at Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick. The “Riverview Ford Season Opener” will be headlined by the 150-lap Super Late Model Series main event, along with a 75-lap Late Model Sportsman feature, a 30-lap features for the Shur-Fit Auto, Bumper to Bumper Street Stock division and the Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter divisions, along with the season opener for the Atlantic Modified Tour. The green flag will fly at 4pm on opening day - but fans are encouraged to arrive early! A full event format will be unveiled in the coming days.
Advanced tickets sales for the Riverview Ford Season Opener have already begun through Speedway 660 via ShowPass - which will also kick-off it’s 30th season of competition on opening day - and fans are encouraged to guarantee their seats now! Find Speedway 660 on ShowPass at the following link: showpass.com/s660race1.
Of note for Super Late Model Series competitors, an open practice will be held before the Riverview Ford Season Opener on Friday May 12th. This practice will be hosted by the Super Late Model Series, making it the only authorized opportunity for competitors to test the week of the race.
About Super Late Model Series
Formed in Fall of 2022, Super Late Model Series is Atlantic Canada’s newest premiere racing series. With operations overseen by management from a trio of the region’s top tracks - Oyster Bed Speedway, Petty International Raceway, and Speedway 660 - the series strives to provide a top-level experience for drivers and fans alike. The inaugural season in 2023 will feature a six-race schedule from May through October. For more information on Super Late Model Series, check out the official website at SLMS.ca, or find Super Late Model Series on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @slmseries
Super Late Model Series Release
Photo Credit - Mike Francis / Racin’ Photos.