Drivers, start your engines

2019 season gets underway today at Eastbound International Speedway in Avondale with Hickman Automotive Group 75

Action will heat up the holiday weekend when the 2019 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series kicks off at Eastbound International Speedway in Avondale today. Inclement weather forced the race to be moved to Monday. Action will be furious in all divisions including the NASCAR Division I series that in 2018 included drivers Justin Ryan (68), Josh Collins (23), and Chad Lawrence (5) who made it three wide on the front stretch at Eastbound. Also on track today will be Sun Life Financial Bandoleros, Hanlon Realty US Legends and Atlantic Dodge Dealers Hobby Stock drivers. — Max Cline Abrahams - Submitted

The racing season is upon us.
The Eastbound International Speedway presents the Hickman Automotive Group 75 today, a day after inclement weather forced it to be moved to the holiday Monday.
The opener will feature NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, Atlantic Dodge Dealers Hobby Stock, Hanlon Realty US Legends, Sun Life Financial Bandoleros, Family Go Kart racing, and a traditional Newfoundland kitchen party with the Shamrock City performance stage featuring Ray Lake.
Gates open at 12 p.m.
The event will be the NASCAR and INEX season opener and is set to be an exciting day with several young guns moving into bigger cars. Those include 16-year-old Owen Groves (No. 9) and 15-year-old Sara Thorne (No. 06) graduate from the Sun Life Financial Bandoleros and move into the NASCAR Whelen Division 1 series. Also moving into a new seat from the Sunlife Financial Bandolero is 16-year-old Kirsten McFarlane who will pilot the No. 17 car in the Hanlon Realty US Legend series.
Two Newfoundland residents have NASCAR Championships and have been honoured at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. in November.
Wayne Walsh piloted his No. 99 machine to back to back championships. He will be in action this afternoon and a host of cards will be chasing him including 2016 champion Jason Groves (No. 74) who is is looking to return to Charlotte for the NASCAR Night of Champions. Another strong contender will be Josh Collins (No. 23) who has nearly won the championship several times, but due to scheduling issues, has missed running a full season.
In addition, 2018 Hanlon Realty US Legends champion Michael Neary and Atlantic Dodge Dealers Hobby Stock winner Shane Collins will be back seeking to defend their titles.
Tickets are just $15 (HST Included) for children under 12 and $20 for General Admission. Also available is a family pass for two children under 12 and two general admission adult tickets for $60. Tickets are available at eastboundpark.com, North Atlantic Orangestores, or at the gates.

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