Racing fans attending this Friday’s National Driving Championship (NDC) at The Raceway at the Western Fair District will have lots to enjoy on track, and those who can’t make it out will still be able to take part in an online handicapping contest and enjoy the action via simulcast, TV or videostream, and keep up to date with all of the action!

Ontario Racing is sponsoring an NDC hat giveaway and the first 500 fans to redeem their coupon from the racing program will have the chance to meet the NDC drivers who will be handing out the hats prior to the first race which goes postward at 7:05 p.m.

Everyone who is an I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club member can take part in the NDC Online Handicapping contest which opens on standardbredcanada.ca on Wednesday. Fans will be asked to select the winning driver in each NDC race, and then select the overall winner of the championship. The winner will receive a $50 Fan Club prize package and a $50 gift card. To read the complete set of rules, click here. Not a Fan Club member, click here to join.

The Raceway, in addition to regular reservations in Top of the Fair is featuring an Oktoberfest Stacked Deal which includes buffet dinner, racing, Oktoberfest admission, a beer stein, betting vouchers and more for only $49.99 per person. Call 519-438-7203, 252 or email [email protected] for reservations or more info.

On-track fans can also enter a contest to select the winner of the NDC for a prize package which includes $50 in Fan Club and NDC swag and a $50 betting voucher.

Cambridge, Ontario native Stacey Kay, will kick off the NDC with the national anthem. The talented singer-songwriter will soon release a seven-song EP. She has played alongside musical heavyweights Jim Cuddy, David Usher and Serena Ryder, and in addition to her musical talent she’s also comfortable on the improv comedy circuit.

The winners of the Fan Club’s Cheerleader contest will be on site and trackside to lead cheering sections for the drivers.

The folks at SARI, a farm where people with special needs find independence with horses, will have their miniature horses on-track to help lead the post parades. The NDC drivers will be making a visit to SARI earlier in the day.

There will also be t-shirt tosses and prize giveaways throughout the night, and trackside interviews between races. Horseplayer Interactive will be on-site to provide information and take any new sign ups.

To check out to see how the NDC drivers did in racing action over the weekend, check out the NDC Driver Tracker.