Courtesy Gord Curran, General ManagerAugust 18th, 2005, Fredericton, NB – The Irving Oil 250 keeps on growing. Dave Dion, the legendary northeastern United States driver, has confirmed that he will be making the trip to New Brunswick International Speedway to compete in the September 4th event. Graham Motorsports, Corey Ford of Woodstock, Tucker Racing Products, Dion Brothers Racing Team, and City Motel and Lobster Hut played an integral role in bringing a legend to the Sept 4th event. Dion is a former Busch Grand National North Series champion, NASCAR North Series Champion and 3-time Oxford 250 winner.
Dion is not the first high profile driver to add his name to the Irving Oil 250 roster. Earlier this summer NASCAR Veteran Johnny Benson announced that he was teaming with Irving Oil and Ultimate Motorsports to enter the event. Although the Irving Oil 250 is only five years old, the region’s top pro stock drivers regard the race as the premier stock car event of the season.
While Benson’s name is familiar with anyone who has watched NASCAR in the past few years, Dion’s name will resonate with anyone who has followed racing in the northeastern United States for the past two decades. Part of the famous Dion Brothers Racing Team, “Dynamite” Dave Dion began racing in 1964 and has had an illustrious career distinguished by three Oxford 250 wins (1975, 1985, 1992), a Busch North Championship in 1996, and NASCAR North Championship in 1976. He competed in the NASCAR North Series from 1972-77, Nextel Cup on a limited basis from 1978-83, and the American Canadian Tour (A.C.T) from 1984-90 before moving to the Busch North Series where he currently races. The Dion Brothers Racing Team is also the track record champion at Lee, Beechridge, and Loudon and remains the only Ford to have won a NASCR Busch North Series Championship.
“We are ecstatic to have a legend like Dave Dion drive in an already great field of competitors for this year’s Irving Oil 250,” said NBIS co-owner Steven Burns. “We couldn’t be happier with the support from the fans, sponsors, and teams. This just confirms the determination of all involved to make this event a great success for years and years to come”, added Burns.
Dion is the long time driver of the Berlin City Ford owned by Danny and Elaine Degasses, but for the Irving Oil 250 he will be piloting a pro stock familiar to NBIS fans. Dion will be sliding behind the wheel of the #54 Pro Stock owned by Graham Motorsports and most recently seen in the CARQUEST Pro Stock Division at NBIS. Located in Centreville, NB. Graham Motorsports is owned and operated by brothers Ben and Andy Graham who are long time supporters of New Brunswick International Speedway.
“We are very excited to have a legend like Dave Dion in the #54 Graham Motorsports car for the Irving Oil 250. We would like to thank Corey Ford, Tucker Racing Products, City Motel and Lobster, and DC Racing Engines for helping us pull this together,” said Andy Graham. “Also special thanks to Woody Milbury for his efforts and numerous phone calls behind the scenes.”
Tucker Racing Products is owned and operated by last year’s Irving Oil 250 winner Shawn Tucker and fabricates stock cars as well as selling racing gear. Corey Ford is the new Ford dealership in Woodstock formerly known as Fox Ford. The City Motel and Lobster Hut is located in Fredericton and is a long time sponsor of the #54 Pro Stock Team. DC Racing Engines is located in Houlton, ME and is owned and operated by Dean Fitzpatrick.
Please contact Gord Curran at New Brunswick International Speedway (506-455-3181 or gord.curran@nbisonline.com ) if you have any questions.
Dave Dion - List of Achievements:
Started racing at Norwood (Mass.) Arena in 1964, winning first championship there in 1972
1975, 1985, 1992 Oxford 250 Winner
1996 Busch North Series Champion
1999 Busch North Series Most Popular Driver
2002 Busch North Series Sportsmanship Award
2004 Busch North Series Busch Pole champion.
Runner-up in career Busch Poles (22)
More information about Dave Dion can be found at http://www.bnsracing.com/drivers/dion.html or at http://www.dion-bros-racing.com/
The Irving Oil 250: The 2005 Irving Oil 250 will take place on Sunday, September 4th, 2005 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 2005 will be over $60,000 with a guaranteed $15,000 to the event winner and possible winner’s cheque of $27,500. Two years ago, the late Scott Fraser took home a record $25,400 including lap money. Only five years old, the event as grown in crowd, atmosphere, and car count every year since its inception. Over 7,000 people attended the 2004 event to break attendance records at Canada’s Fastest Short Track. A record 36 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 2004. The four-day stock car fest is scheduled for September 2nd-5th, 2005 and includes a corn boil on Friday night, 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, and Coast Tire Street Stocks. Over 60,000 people are expected to attend over 25 events during the 2005 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 http://www.nbisonline.com/.
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