CARIBOU, Maine — On Aug. 16, 2014, the Nelcar Legends Tour came to the race track at Spud Speedway in Caribou for the first time ever. The pits opened at 3 p.m., the grandstands at 6 p.m. and the cars took to the starting line at 7 p.m. on what was dubbed the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety Night.
Racing at the Spud Speedway track was previously on a two-week hiatus due to the Northern
Maine Fair. Track ownership did not want to take people away from their opportunity to go to the fair in Presque Isle. Once the fair had closed down, The County’s only stock car racing venue was up and running again, as races resumed on Aug. 9, and will continue to run races every weekend until the season ends on Sept. 14 with the Day of Destruction.
Track Owner Troy Haney took the fans’ advice when many requested more affordable prices and put in place $5 admission for regular race nights when no special events are being held. This policy has seemed to be a hit with fans since $5 nights have clearly attracted more fans.
“Are the grandstands packed?,” asked Haney. “No, but more decisions are being made by families to go to the races when they decide what they want to do for entertainment on a Saturday night.”
Haney’s and all the people at Spud Speedway’s goal is to make the track more family friendly. According to Haney, that seems to be the way in which the track is now moving.
Race results from the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety Night on Aug. 16 are as follows:
Nelcar Legends Tour: first Mathew Bourgoine, Newport; second, Wyatt Alexander, Ellsworth; and third, Matt Grant, Windham.
Aroostook Trusses Northern Lights: first, Ian Rasmussen, New Denmark, New Brunswick; second, Shawn Dewley, Presque Isle; and third, Galen Morrow, Limestone.
Aroostook Savings and Loan Street Stocks: first, Jeff Willette, Presque Isle; second, Jon Dixon, Presque Isle; third, JR Howlett, Mapleton.
Haney’s Building Specialties Fast Fours: first, Nate Haney, Caribou; second, Connor Thibeau, Fort Fairfield; and third, Steve Levesque, Blaine.
Coca Cola Outlaw Sportsman: first, Glenn Rasmussen, New Denmark; second, Connor Thibeau, Fort Fairfield; and third, Robert Tomlinson, Athurette, N.B.
Kids Karts: first, Gage Theriault, Limestone; second Ryder Leavitt, Fort Fairfield; and third, Issac Rossignol New Denmark.
Jr. Champ Karts: first, Damian Theriault, Caribou; and second, Landen Leavitt, Fort Fairfield;
Sr. Champ Karts: first, Wyatt Alexander, Ellsworth; second, Tyler Raymond, Caribou; and third, Tom Hale, Westmanland.
The next event held at Spud Speedway will be the Speedway 95 Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. with a full card of racing in all classes. Admission is $10 for ages 16 and up, $5 for ages 5-15 for grandstands. Pit costs are $20, while children ages four and under get in for free.
