RIVERSIDE SPEEDWAY OPENS SATURDAY WITH THE PIONEER COAL 100

Courtesy Joan Roué

JAMES RIVER, NS (2005 June 1) - Riverside Speedway will open this Saturday (June 4) for The Pioneer Coal 100, round two of 11 on the 2005 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour. As many as 29 of the top stock car racers in the Maritimes are expected to enter the event including local favourites Donald Chisholm (Antigonish), George Koszkulics (New Glasgow), Rollie MacDonald (Pictou) and Mark Jordan (Stellarton).

Former series champions Wayne Smith, John Flemming and Shawn Tucker are also expected to be on the roster. Flemming won the 04 edition of the race, with Chisholm and Tucker also claiming wins at Riverside last year on the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour. Smith won the season opener for the series this past Saturday at Scotia Speedworld and holds the championship points lead entering The Pioneer Coal 100.

Two rounds of qualifying (Motor Mart Time Trials and GM Goodwrench Service Heat Races) will set the starting grid for the 100-lap pro stock feature race. The show also includes heat races and a feature race for the Legends Tour.

Audience members will also have the chance to qualify to win a trip for two to a professional stock car race on October 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ballots will be available at the PRO LINE tent in the grandstand midway area at Riverside Speedway. The trip will be drawn for at The PRO LINE 100 on August 6 at New Brunswick International Speedway (Geary, NB).The grandstand will open at 3 pm; Motor Mart Time Trials go at 5:20 and racing starts at 6 pm.

Grandstand admission is just $22 for adults, $5 for youth (8-15) and kids 7 and under get in free. Pit admission is $25 and restricted to those 16 and older. HST is included in all admission pricing. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Advance tickets are available starting Wednesday at the Antigonish Mall.The only other event currently scheduled for the 05 season at Riverside Speedway is The Antigonish Mall 100 on August 27, round 10 of 11 for the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour.

With nearly 4,000 locations in North America, CARQUEST Auto Parts supplies the professional automotive service repair industry as well as do-it-yourselfers with replacement parts, tools and equipment.

The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour is operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited and features an 11-race series at five different tracks in the three Maritime Provinces. Top drivers from all three provinces compete including former champions Wayne Smith, John Flemming and Shawn Tucker.

For more information on the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour please visit www.MaritimeProStockTour.com or call our admin office Monday to Friday at (902) 481-2531.