New Name Announced for Cape Breton Race Track

Cape Breton Miners Memorial Speedway is the new name for the stock car racing facility formerly known as Island Speedway.

The name change comes just a couple weeks after it was announced the venue located in Sydney (NS) was purchased by Bill and Lynne Vasil of Antigonish, promoters of the Napa Sportsman Series.

The name change was imminent with the purchase and the result of a ‘Name that Track’ contest advertised in the local newspaper inviting youth to submit names reflecting regional history and culture.

The final selection was made by the new owners to honour a Cape Breton Island mainstay – coal mining and particularly the coal miners whose lives and families have been influenced by an industry that has spurred economic growth, the creation of towns, and seen sacrifices made by many miners.

Sydney’s Nathaniel Smith, 12 years old and a race fan, submitted the winning entry and will get a free pass for his contribution.

Island Speedway last hosted stock car racing in the summer of 2010 when it was closed by owner Barry Cusack Jr., who sold the speedway to the Vasil’s. Plans for 2014 include reopening in July with as many as four events for a potential three divisions and the inaugural visit to Cape Breton for the Napa Sportsman Series.