IWK 250
Annual Pro Stock race supporting the IWK Health Centre.
The IWK 250 is a 250-lap late model stock car race held each year at Riverside International Speedway, a 1/3-mile paved oval in James River, Nova Scotia. In 2007, the track’s existing 250-lap event was refocused to raise money and support for the IWK Health Centre in Halifax. Since then, it has grown into one of North America’s top Pro Stock events, drawing national attention and elite drivers such as NASCAR champions Brad Keselowski, Matt Crafton, and Joey Logano, V8 Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose, and American short track star Bubba Pollard. Before the 2015 race, the event had raised more than $250,000 for the IWK.
**History**
**Early history** The first 250 was an unsanctioned race held in 1977, promoted by Jerry Lawrence and Ron King. It was the first 250-lap race in Atlantic Canada, and Ontario’s Billy Watson won. From 1979 to 1981, Don Biederman—best known as the first Canadian to run a full NASCAR Grand National Series season—won three straight. The 1981 race was the last without a touring series sanction. After a five-year hiatus, the race returned in 1986 under MASCAR sanctioning, with Greg Sewart winning. John Chisholm sold the track to Eric Vandaalen in 1989. The 1991 and 1992 editions, called the Riverside 250, were sanctioned by the American Canadian Tour and won both years by Canadian legend Junior Hanley. MASCAR returned in 1993, and Greg Sewart took his second win. MASCAR continued through 1999. Scott Fraser dominated this period, winning five consecutive races from 1994 to 1998. After the 1999 race, the track fell into disrepair and the event was cancelled indefinitely. It returned in 2006 after track owner Eric Vandaalen died suddenly and John Chisholm bought back the track from Vandaalen’s estate, completely rebuilding it.
**2007 IWK 250** The 2007 race was the first held for the IWK Health Centre. Promoters wanted a big-name driver to headline. NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott was chosen. On April 27, 2007, Riverside paid an extra premium to guarantee his participation and built all promotional materials around him, including ticket designs. Ten days before the race, Elliott sent written notice that he would not attend, saying he was “too busy” and adding, “There is no way I am going to Nova Scotia to race that weekend.
Quick Facts
- Race Title
- IWK 250
- Venue
- Riverside International Speedway
- Sponsor
- Steve Lewis Auto Body
- Distance
- 83.25 miles (134 km)
- Laps
- 250
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The first 250 was an unsanctioned race in 1977 under track promoters Jerry Lawrence and Ron King, the first 250-lap race in Atlantic Canada. Ontario's Billy Watson won that inaugural event. From 1979 to 1981, Don Biederman won three consecutive races; Biederman is known as the first Canadian driver to run a full NASCAR Grand National Series season. The 1981 race was the last unsanctioned event before a five-year hiatus. The race returned in 1986 under MASCAR sanctioning, with Greg Sewart winning. John Chisholm sold the track to Eric Vandaalen in 1989. The 1991 and 1992 editions, then called the Riverside 250, were sanctioned by the American Canadian Tour and won by Junior Hanley. MASCAR returned in 1993, and Scott Fraser won five straight from 1994 to 1998. After the 1999 race, the track fell into disrepair and the event was cancelled until 2006, when John Chisholm repurchased the track after Vandaalen's death and rebuilt it.
Reader's Guide
The IWK 250 gained national prominence after its 2007 repurposing as a charity event for the IWK Health Centre. That year, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott was heavily promoted but withdrew ten days before the race, drawing criticism; Regan Smith and Ricky Craven replaced him. The race has since attracted top drivers including NASCAR champions Brad Keselowski, Matt Crafton, and Joey Logano, V8 Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose, and American short track star Bubba Pollard. In 2013, Keselowski led 152 laps but was passed late by Shawn Tucker and Donald Chisholm. In 2014, the race was dedicated to John Chisholm, who died shortly before; Donald Chisholm led 218 laps but lost on a late restart to John Flemming, who became the first two-time winner in the IWK era. The 2015 race featured the unveiling of the John W. Chisholm Memorial Cup and a post-race fight between George Koszkulics and Jeff Fultz. By 2015, the event had raised over $250,000 for the IWK. In 2025, Cory Hall dominated, leading 249 of 250 laps, and the track introduced a 'Dash 4 Cash' prelude race.
Did You Know?
- The first IWK 250 in 2007 was originally promoted with NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Bill Elliott, who withdrew ten days before the race, leading to criticism.
- In 2013, track owner John Chisholm donated $1 million to support a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the IWK Health Centre.
- The 2015 IWK 250 featured a post-race fight in which George Koszkulics forcibly removed Jeff Fultz from his car and punched him.
- In 2025, Cory Hall led 249 of 250 laps and earned over $30,000 in prize money.
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