The NWSLMS Makes Inaugural Trip to Canada for the “KennedyClassic 150”

For Immediate Release: Northwest Super Late Model Series Media Relations

Event: For the first time in Northwest Super Late Model Series presented by Knottical

Marine (NWSLMS) history, the series will visit Canada and the province of British

Columbia. On June 12 and 13, the series will visit Saratoga Speedway (BC) for the

$10,000 (USD) to win “Kennedy Classic 150”, with an additional practice day on

Thursday, June 11th. The event will pay $1,000 to start with additional bonuses available

for teams required to take the ferry to the facility. The Upland Contracting Ltd. IMOD

Modifieds (“Bullitt Shootout 75”), Ace Brewing Company Bombers, and OK Tire

Courtenay Hornet A join the Super Late Models for this weekend’s action.

Rich Event: The “Kennedy Classic 150” will pay $10,000 to the winner and $1,000 to

start, as mentioned. Fast time will pay $1,000 with the "John J.R. Edgett Memorial Pole" Speedway Motorsports Management and RT Motorsport Design are also

teaming up to giveaway a $2,500 helmet paint job to the winner. Another payoff

consideration is the tolls the teams pay to take the ferry to the island. U.S. drivers, who

take the ferry, will receive an additional $1,500 and $1,000 will be paid to Canadian

teams. One driver could walk away with a $12,500 payday.

Facility: Saratoga Speedway is part of the Saratoga Motorsports Park located in Black

Creek, BC on Vancouver Island. It is a unique 3/8-mile tri-oval featuring two banked

corners and a challenging backstretch dogleg. The venue can seat approximately 2,300

spectators in the grandstands with room for an additional 350 spectators in the Beer

Gardens. The facility underwent extensive renovations in 2021with the addition of

outside retaining walls, a paved pit area, a beer garden, sponsorship billboards, and more.

The facility is in its’ fifth decade of operation.

Championship Standings: After his win in the season opening “Apple Cup 125” at Tri-

City Raceway RMEC (WA), Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Ethan Ebert (54 points) leads

the championship standings heading to Saratoga Speedway. It was his second win in-a-

row at TCR. Two-time “Chilly Willy 150” winner, Kole Raz (50) sits second in the

standings. 2024 Evergreen Speedway (WA) Pro Late Model champion Wyatt Gardner

(49) is third ahead of nine-time Evergreen Speedway champion Naima Lang (46). Former

“Summer Showdown 200” winner Tayler Riddle (43) is fifth. Johvan Dillon (42), Kasey

Kleyn (41), Jason Jefferson (41), Bryce Bezanson (39), and Max Schroeder (38) round

out the top 10.

Ironman: Christopher Kalsch will make his 60th career NWSLMS start and 54th in-a-row

this coming weekend. Kalsch has had many close calls in terms of event attendance, but

this weekend will be one of his more challenging weekends. Kalsch attended the

“Wenatchee 200” just over a week ago, finishing ninth, but the car sustained damage that required a stop at Jefferson Racing on the way home for parts. After repairs, he is ready to make his first start in Canada, with the additional challenges the extended weekend event presents.

“Getting everything coordinated to go to Saratoga has been a bit of a challenge”, Kalsch

began. “This is a big race that requires us to take some extra time off work, and some of

my regular crew are not able to make it this time. I know everyone was really excited to

go see a new track, but sometimes it is just too hard to pull everything together.

Fortunately, with the help of the NWSLMS and Saratoga Speedway, we were able to put

something together to make this race. I really can't thank everyone enough for helping to make this race happen.”

“Saratoga is a new track for us, and that adds a lot of unknowns”, Kalsch continued. “Not

only do we have to start from scratch on our car setup, and how to drive a new track, but

we also have to find our way around town. That said, I really like visiting new tracks and

getting to start with a clean slate without any preconceived notions.”

Beaman is Back: Andy Beaman had planned to race for the 2025 NWSLMS

championship, after his fourth-place finish in the standings in 2024. But an accident in

the season opening “Apple Cup 125”, at Tri-City Raceway RMEC, left the Selah, WA

driver on the sidelines, until the season finale. He returned in April, finishing 12th in the

57th annual “Apple Cup 125”, and is now ready to compete for another championship.

“I feel good after hurting my hand at the “Apple Cup” in 2025”, Beaman stated. “We had

planned on running a full season in 2025, until my injury, then I had to take time to

recover.”

Beaman is excited to head to a new track on the “Tour”, and for the challenges that a new

facility presents to the veteran racer.

“I’m excited about going to a new track and traveling to new areas”, Beaman admitted.

“It’s always fun and challenging to run a new track and figure out how hard to push the

car into the corners. The first thing we work on at new tracks, or any race tracks we go to,

is getting the car to land level and stay off the racetrack Then we work on corner entry

and speed through the center of the corner.”

Home Team: Brandon Carlson has done his fair share of racing in the “states”, but this

weekend, he will not have to ferry his Super Late Model across the strait. Carlson has

competed at Saratoga on multiple occasions, when the facility has special events. He also

raced irregularly with the NWSLMS, most recently in 2025, when he scored a sixth-place

result at the Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval (WA). His best result in seven starts was a

third at South Sound Speedway (WA) in 2017.

“I have raced at Saratoga Speedway off and on, over the years, whenever they would

hold special events such as BC Late Model races, and winged Sprint Car races. Saratoga

is a great drivers track, and there is a specific line around the track. You find what works

for you and race it. I have also raced sporadically with the Northwest Tour, dating back to

2014, when it was the Tri-Track Series”, Carlson continued. “It is a great launching board

for teams wanting to make the jump into Super Late Models. I can’t say enough about

Dan (Garber) and his team and what they have done for SLM racing in the Northwest.”

(Picture of Brandon Carlson's new Port City Racecar)

Busman’s Holiday: Veteran racer David Smith will take a break from his ARCA

Menards Pro Series West schedule this weekend at the “Kennedy Classic 150”. Smith is

10th in their championship standings after six events, but the Sidney, BC driver will return

to Saratoga Speedway for the first time in several years. He enjoys the unique layout of

the track and is excited to return to the seat of a Super Late Model.

“What a great speedway and what a great facility with great people”, Smith began. “I'm

just stoked and really looking forward to it. As you know, we have been ARCA racing

for most of the year, and that takes precedent, but it is nice just to let your hair down a

little bit and go with the flow and come here to Saratoga.”

Smith continued, “It's gonna be an unbelievable show. Of course I love Super Late

Models here, they are really close to my heart. This is a really tough track. I'm

experiencing it again for the first time. It's a very tricky oval to get used to, but I'll be

there.”

Local Support: Multiple teams from the Vancouver Island will support this weekend’s

event. Veteran racer Darrell Midgley will lead the charge as a two-time “Canada 200”

(Western Speedway, BC) and “Fall Classic 150” (Redwood Acres Raceway, CA) winner.

Kyle Cottam from Victoria is a former “Battle at Black Creek 75” (Saratoga Speedway)

winner, with multiple starts with the NWSLMS. Victoria’s Michael Haslam is a four-time

WILROC Sprint Car Series champion with multiple Super Late Model wins. Chris

Preston, from Abbotsford, is a Late Model winner at both Evergreen Speedway (WA)

and Agassiz Speedway (BC). 2018 “Canada 200” runner-up Wes Madar is also

tentatively planning to attend.

A second Carlson is also on the roster from Shawnigan Lake. Spenser Carlson is a

Western Speedway Stock Car champion and three-time KEG Late Model Series “Twin

50” winner. Geoff Robinson is from Langford and a two-time podium finisher in the

“Canada 200” at Western Speedway, as well as a four-time International Pro Stock Series

winner. Jason Frost comes from Victoria and is a former Western Speedway Late Model

track champion. Daryl Crocker will come from Langford. He was the 2024 LD Industries

BC Late Model Series champion, and the Saratoga Speedway Late Model Track Record

holder. Courtenay’s Kyle Wade was the 2025 “Canada 200” winner at Saratoga

Speedway, and the 2024 LD Industries BC Late Model Rookie-of-the-Year.

Schedule:

Thursday: 2 - 8 PM: NWSLMS Practice

8:00 PM: Racer BBQ

Friday: 9:00 AM: Back Gate Opens

11:00 AM: Pit Sales Open

1:00 PM NWSLMS Practice

2:15 PM Rotating Practice

4:15 PM: Driver’s Meeting

4:30 PM: Box Office & Main Gate Open

5:00 PM: Qualifying Hornets, Bombers, Modifieds

5:25 PM: Anthem & Opening Ceremonies

5:30 PM: Trophy Dashes Hornets, Bombers

5:45 PM: Heat Races Modified #1, Hornets, Bombers, Modified #2

7:00 PM: NWSLMS Tech

7:15 PM: Main Events Hornets, Bombers

8:15 PM: NWSLMS Qualifying

8:30 PM: Qualifying Races IMOD Modifieds Group #1, Group #2

Saturday: 9:00 AM: Back Gate Opens

11:00 AM: Pit Pass Sale Opens

12:30 PM: Hot Laps Open; Hornets, Bombers, Modifieds, NWSLMS

2:30 PM: Driver’s Meeting

2:45 PM: Box Office & Main Gate Open

3:00 PM: Qualifying Hornets, Bombers

3:25 PM: Anthem & Opening Ceremonies

3:30 PM: Trophy Dashes Hornets, Bombers

3:35 PM: Heat Races Hornets, Bombers

4:00 PM: Happy 5’s NWSLMS, Modifieds

4:10 PM: NWSLMS Tech

4:15 PM: Main Events Hornets, Bombers

5:15 PM: Fan Fest

6:00 PM: Main Events NWSLMS - “Kennedy Classic 150” IMOD

Modifieds - “Bullitt Shootout 75”

Schedule Tentative and subject to change.

Broadcast / Tickets: Saturday’s action can be found LIVE on Low Budget TV with a

subscription. It will also be broadcast LIVE on REV TV Canada and CHEK for our

Canadian friends. Event tickets can be purchased at saratogaracing.ca or in person at the

front gate.

Summary: The “Kennedy Classic 150” will be Round #2 of the 2026 NWSLMS

schedule, after the rainout at Mode Stadium Stateline Speedway (ID). It will pay $10,000

to win, with the "John J.R. Edgett Memorial Pole Award" paying another $1,000. $1,000

will be paid to start the event, with U.S. drivers, who take the ferry, receiving an

additional $1,500. Another $1,000 will be paid to Canadian teams who must take the

ferry. The “Kennedy Classic 150” will take place on June 12th & 13th , with added practice on the 11th

Expected Entry: (as of 6/10/2026)

3 Andy Beaman – Selah, WA

4 Kyle Cottam – Victoria, BC

05 David Smith – Sidney, BC

10 Wes Mader – Pitt Meadows, BC*

22 Michael Haslam – Victoria, BC

28 Chris Preston – Abbotsford, BC

33 Christopher Kalsch – Hillsboro, OR

41 Spenser Carlson - Shawnigan Lake BC

72 Geoff Robinson – Langford, BC

81C Brandon Carlson – Victoria, BC

81F Jason Frost – Victoria, BC

81M Darryl Midgley – Sidney, BC

84 Daryl Crocker – Langford, BC

98 Kyle Wade - Courtenay, BC

*Tentative

Remaining NWSLMS Schedule:

June 12 & 13 - "Kennedy Classic 150" - Saratoga Speedway

August 1 - "Weathergaurd 200" - South Sound Speedway

August 29 - "Neal Newberry 125" - Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval

October 4 - "Fall Classic 200" - Tri-City Raceway RMEC

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES

The Northwest Super Late Model Series is the premier regional touring Super Late

Model series in the Northwest. The series has many valued partners including Knottical

Marine, RaceCals, Hoosier Racing Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, Penske

Racing Shocks, Five Star Bodies, AFCO Racing / Longacre Racing Products, Franks

Radio Service, Jefferson Racing, Zero Handicap Golf Cars, Atomic Screen Printing, Port

City Racecars, In Front Motorsports, Peltier Racing, and Short Track Heroes. For more

information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Article, PC: K. Peters, NWSLMS Media