Robin’s Inn Steps Forward with Irving Oil 250 Award

Contingency Rewards NBIS Regulars

August 24th, 2006 - Fredericton , NB – The Irving Oil 250 purse just got a little richer…..at least for regular drivers of the NBIS CARQUEST Pro Stock Division. Robin’s Inn is proud to announce that it will provide a $500 bonus to the highest finishing NBIS driver during the Irving Oil 250.

The Robin’s Inn has been the season long sponsor of the Hat Trick Award provided to the driver who wins his heat, dash, and feature in a single event. Locally owned and operated, the Robin’s Inn was interested in rewarding local drivers from the CARQUEST Pro Stock Division for their efforts against some of the best drivers in the region.

In order to be eligible, drivers must have participated in at least 60% of the NBIS pro stock events this season (points races and/or Best of the Best events). The only other condition is that if a local driver wins the event, the award goes to the next highest finishing local car.

The Irving Oil 250 is just over a week away and is expected to draw almost 40 pro stock cars from the Maritimes and US and over 7,500 fans. It is the crown jewel of Speedweekend, a Labour Day weekend festivity of stock car racing, with a 150 lap sportsman event on Saturday night, the Irving Oil 250 on Sunday, a 50-lap street stock event on Sunday, and Atlantic Open Wheel events on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend caps off with an Enduro 200 on Monday. NASCAR’s Johnny Benson and Busch East Series driver Brad Leighton will be racing in the Irving Oil 250.

The competition has gotten stiffer over the past few seasons but NBIS regular Dave O’Blenis won the race in 2002 and local drivers have fared very well over the past few years by claiming podium finishes. But, it’s always nice to know that there is a little more on the line for those that make the effort to put on a show for the fans all summer long.

“This is an outstanding bonus for the guys who are here every week for our regular shows,” said co-owner Chris Johnston. “We really appreciate Robin’s Inn stepping forward. Our regular drivers have every chance to win the event or finish in the top three, but they are against some outside teams with bigger budgets. This gives them a little more incentive”.

Johnston added, “We hope more sponsors come forward with contingency money – the drivers really appreciate the incentives and that money goes straight to the driver.”

Please contact the New Brunswick International Speedway office (506-455-3181) or info@nbisonline.com if you have any other questions.

Robin’s Inn

Robin's Inn is centrally located between the city of Fredericton and the town of Oromocto and was opened for business in the fall of 2005 under the ownership of Larry and Judy Robinson. Offering affordable, clean accommodations with extras such as free continental breakfast, free high-speed wireless internet service, and wheelchair accessibility. They want you to "spend a night, not a fortune." Robin's Inn is located next to the Irving Big Stop and Blue Canoe Restaurant just off the Trans Canada Highway in Waasis, NB. It will soon be home to the world's largest robin. www.robinsinn.ca

The Irving Oil 250

The 2006 Irving Oil 250 will take place on Sunday, September 3rd, 2006 and will be the highlight of the fourth annual Speedweekend. The event will showcase the NBIS CARQUEST Pro Stocks against the best of the Eastern Canada and New England . The purse for 2006 will be over $60,000 with a guaranteed $15,000 to the event winner and possible winner’s cheque of $27,500. Three years ago, the late Scott Fraser took home a record $25,400 including lap money. Only six years old, the event as grown in crowd, atmosphere, and car count every year since its inception. Over 7,500 people attended the 2005 event to break attendance records at Canada ’s Fastest Short Track. A record 39 pro stock cars, including several Maine drivers, attempted to qualify for 28 spots on the starting grid.

Speedweekend

Just like the Irving Oil 250, Speedweekend continues to grow every year with over 12,000 people attending the weekend in 2005. In 2006, the four-day stock car fest is scheduled for September 1st-4th and includes a corn boil on Friday night, O’Leary Pontiac Sportsman 150 race on Saturday night, the Irving Oil 250 on Sunday, and finishes up with an Enduro 200 on Monday. While the Irving Oil 250 is the highlight of the racing events, the weekend has developed into an event on its own with over 300 campers turning NBIS into a small town over the weekend. It has become the destination of choice for the region’s stock car fans.

New Brunswick International Speedway

New Brunswick International Speedway is Canada ’s Fastest Short Track. The 1/3 of a mile high-banked paved oval features three classes of racing on a weekly basis: CARQUEST Pro Stocks, Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman, and Coast Tire Street Stocks. Over 60,000 people are expected to attend over 25 events during the 2006 season. NBIS is located off Highway 7 on Route 660 in Geary, NB, and is within minutes of Saint John and Fredericton . NBIS can be found online at www.nbisonline.com.