PICTOU – Some people are good with a second-place finish.
Others believe that second place is no place.
“It is for some. But not for me,” said Cassius Clark, who will be driving Rollie MacDonald’s #13 car for King Racing and hunting down the checkered flag this Saturday at Riverside International Speedway in James River, for the IWK 250.
The native of Maine posted a win and a second-place result at races earlier this year in Oxford, Me., finished third in Caribou, Me. and crashed during a race at Petty International Raceway in New Brunswick.
Solid enough results, but Clark is looking to be the first across the finish line this Saturday.
“That’s one of the ones I haven’t won yet, so hopefully we’ll be able to check that one off this weekend,” said the 36-year-old.
“We’re looking forward to it. It’s probably the biggest event in Nova Scotia, so the place will be packed, with eight or ten thousand people, people camping overnight. It’ll be one of the biggest fields, so there will be some stiff competition, for sure.”
He said King Racing crew chief Andrew Hicken has being working hard on the car to get it ready for Riverside, and after practice Thursday night in James River, additional tweaking to the car is likely to take place. “We’ll put in a lot of extra work this week.”
The winner of the IWK 250 is guaranteed $10,000, but can take home as much as $17,100. Advance tickets are available online at riversidespeedway.ca until 1 p.m. Thursday. Tickets will be available at the track box office starting at 4 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday.
Meanwhile, Little Harbour’s George Koszkulics, who drives for Nova Racing out of Antigonish, won’t be making an appearance at the IWK 250. He suffered broken bones in his hand at a race in Riverside earlier this season, and encountered a setback in his recovery.
“I’m sad more than disappointed,” said the veteran driver. “I haven’t missed one in years, but that’s part of life.”
He had considered putting another driver in his care for the IWK 150, but nixed the idea this week. “I’ll be leaving it on jack stands, I guess,” he said.
Veteran NASCAR racer Kenny Wallace is this year’s marquee guest and will drive one of three cars entered by Nova Racing, and will be making personal appearances in the next couple of days.
“He’s really good with people, and he’s a popular commentator on TV,” said Koszkulics, who plans to enjoy the weekend even if he won’t be behind the wheel.
“It’s gonna be a fun weekend.”
