Opening night at Canaan Speedway say respectable car counts in all divisions and grandstands that would make any shorttrack promoter proud in today's economic times. Qualifying races went off without a hitch and 4 of the five features were great. The headliner Pro Stock division really left fans remembering them. The 5 prostock of Kevin Menard was destroyed in a wreck that was due to equipment failure. Another equipment failure by the 28 pro stock caused a lengthy clean up which resulted in the race being run in two parts. The show other than the Pro Stock event went smoothly. The night ended at about 10:30 with a great fireworks display put on by NOISE-R-US fireworks in Newport and Seabrook New Hampshire.

 

The Bandit Division saw Trevor Perrault in the #17 Toyota beat out Bruce Jaycox in the #29 Dodge neon and Tyler Lescord in 3rd with his # 15 Honda civic. Look for these 3 to have plenty of company all season long as hot shoes like Dave Chestnut and Mandi Kehoe along with many others plan on bringing home some podium finishes.

 

The Outlaw mini saw Chris McKinstry in the beautiful white # 8 pull away from the 22 of Dave Kendall and  the 77x of Jeremy Stygles. With a car count that was equal to the highest count last year this division looks strong and is ready to really grow.

 

In the Pure Stock division King Pin Ed Laquire looks like he is ready to defend his title from all competitors as he won the opening night feature over Justin Eastman is his # 17. And the lady that really likes to mix it up with the boys, Erin Vien in her # 5 car came home third. With some new faces working out the first race gremlins look for this affordable division to put on some of the best racing before the season is over.

 

Cory Robert in his metric frame # 71 showed the elite Super Street teams that he has shaken the unlucky monkey from his back and is ready to raise the bar to what ever it takes to take home a podium finish all season long. He was followed across the line by two of the toughest competitors to strap on a helmet, that being Ricky Bly in his #28 and Joe Lanou in his Dartmouth Motors # 6 who came home third. Look for this division to have different winners every week as the talent is deep and strong all the way back through the field.

 

Local Hotshoe Don Lashua in the #21 picked up right where he left off in 2007 and that was in the front of the pack. But don't think it was easy as he was challenge by the Swanzy Sensation Russ Hersey in the #88 on the yet to be developed outside groove. Dave Lyman who finished second never let things get boring as he brought his #29 home in second place and Walt Hammond driving the #97 looking to keep things in one piece kept the pressure on in third knowing his night for the glory is not far away. Look for the 88 of Russ Hersey to make some occasional stops at Canaan this year just to stir the pot of excitement as he is committed only to race for fun all over new England. Good luck to Russ and team as they help keep the local short track pro stock division the most exciting division to watch. 

 

We want to thank Chappy's Concession and NOISE-R-US fireworks for their support of Canaan Fair Speedway in 2008. Next week at Canaan Fair Speedway Bly's Machine of Sunapee NH and Eastman Trophys of Groton VT bring us our 5 great divisions of racing and the first round of the ground pounding sportsman modifieds. For the latest and most up to date information check us out on the web @ canaanspeedways.com.