Racers and race fans now have even more reasons to attend the IWK 250 Presented by Steve Lewis at Riverside International Speedway on July 23. Management is pleased to announce a guaranteed $15,000 for the winner of the iconic event – making it the richest first-place prize ever offered locally and among the highest in the country for super late model/pro stock racers.
“It’s been almost three years since we’ve held this event and we want to make it special,” said Joan Roué, manager at Riverside. “The IWK 250 and Riverside are notorious for firsts and this is another one. It’s about adding to the show and event excitement and we’re pretty sure this will do just that.”
With the extra $5k winnings for first place also comes increases all the way to last place which guarantees $1600 to start the feature, with a total potential purse of over $106,000 for the race. This includes $12.5k in Lap Leader Bonus winnings at $50 per lap led for all sponsored laps and East Coast International Pro Stock Tour contingency program bonuses. All are elements sure to increase the excitement on and off the track for what is already among the most anticipated stock car races in the country and a bucket-list event for fans and racers all over North America.
Registration is open for pro stock teams that plan to enter the IWK 250 and they’ve been received from drivers hailing from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta, Maine, and Florida. An expected entry list will be posted later this week. Teams that have yet to register are encouraged to do so by Wednesday’s Early Bird deadline which includes perks like preferred pit parking (limited availability), being included in the souvenir program, and provisional eligibility. Teams can register online at www.riversidespeedway.ca and click on the IWK 250 Central page.
On Friday, July 22 teams from the Auto World Allstar Sportsman Series will vie for the $3,000 first-place prize being offered for the NAPA Auto Parts/Henry’s AUTOPRO 100. With a purse of more than $10,000 and another $3,000 on the line for the Cross Roads Legends Tour, the total purse for the IWK 250 Super Weekend is over $130,000 – the richest of any such event in these parts. Registration is also open for sportsman and legends teams with similar early bird perks for registering by July 6.
Lap Leader Bonus sponsorships are still available in limited supply either as individual laps at $50 with 100% to the driver, or as part of a corporate package that includes laps, event tickets, and signage at Riverside for the rest of the season. Email info@riversidespeedway.ca or call 902-863-2410 for more information.
Advance ticket sales for the IWK 250 Super Weekend are going at a record pace since announcing last week that NASCAR Truck Series champion Mike Skinner will be the celebrity driver for the Cat Car for Kids. Plenty of good single-day and weekend pass tickets are still available at www.riversidespeedway.ca >>> IWK 250 Central or by visiting our office in Antigonish at the Post Road Plaza (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). General admission single-day tickets will be available at the gate on race days, at $5 more than advance ticket pricing.
Fans will have a chance to meet Mike Skinner on Friday, July 22 at a Meet’N’Greet to be held before the evening racing card and on Saturday, July 23 during an autograph session with the entire starting lineup for the IWK 250.
Besides the winnings and prestige that come with being an IWK 250 champion, the victor also sees their name etched on the revered John W. Chisholm Memorial Cup along with all the others who have won the ‘250’ at Riverside since its inception in 1977 – a who’s who list of short track legends. The Cup is a tribute to the founder of Riverside and co-founder of the IWK 250, the late John “Nova” Chisholm, making it even more coveted.
The IWK 250 Presented by Steve Lewis is the grand finale of the IWK 250 Super Race Weekend. On Thursday, July 21 fans will get a sneak peek of IWK 250 competitors in a late afternoon open practice followed by the popular IWK 250 Tailgate Party, this year featuring Cape Breton’s party band – High Society. On Friday, fans will be treated to a big night of racing with the Auto World Allstar Sportsman Series and the Cross Roads League of Legends. Saturday it’s all IWK 250 with practice at 11:30, qualifying races at 3:30 followed by the autograph session and opening ceremonies. Green flag for the main event is set for 7:30 p.m.
A very limited number of campsites remain in the regular camping sections (A,B,C,D,E). An overflow section is available for both RVs and tents. Reservations can be made online at www.riversidespeedway.ca. Advance reservations are required for all campers on the IWK 250 Super Race Weekend (no drive-ups).
The IWK 250 is a championship points race with the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour (PST), round seven of 12 for the 2022 campaign. Since its inception in 2007, the IWK 250 has helped raise awareness and more than $516,000 for the IWK Foundation.
