Following a strong outing at Vernon, BC Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Charger team were set for more success on the fast half mile oval at Mosport Speedway.
Trouble would find the team early. The Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Dodge began suffering brake troubles early in the day, and Brad was only able to claim a 15th place start. “We had troubles right from the start and it hurt us” said the driver. That’s why we had to use some strategy during the race”.
During two early caution periods the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts team would call Brad in for adjustments. With some improved handling and a two tire change the car did begin to improve and Graham would move quickly into the top ten.
At about the halfway point the team decided to play the strategy game again. When the leaders made pit stops, Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Dodge stayed on track and assumed the lead. “We rolled the dice and went for track position. We were fast and hoped this would help get us a good finish”.
Brad would surrender the lead to cars with fresher tires but was able to at times manhandle the car home for a solid sixth place finish. “I was on the edge of my seat the whole race” said Graham afterwards. “To get this kind of finish with a car that I had to fight all night is pretty good. These guys gave me great pit stops again, I can’t say enough about them. This team is really on the upswing and we’re looking forward to the final four events.
With his fifth top ten finish of the season Graham maintains seventh spot in the overall CASCAR Super Series championship standings.
The CASCAR Super Series moves to the longest track oval on the circuit for round number nine at Cayuga Speedway on Sunday August 14th.
The CASCAR Super Series is Canada’s only sanctioned National touring stock car racing series competing from coast to coast. CASCAR stages events at the most famous oval tracks in Canada such as Cayuga Speedway and Delaware Speedway and also competes on the temporary street circuit at the Molson Indy Toronto.
For more information regarding Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Dodge log onto cascar.ca.
This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com (905) 978-7090
Monday, August 08, 2005
CASCAR: BRAD GRAHAM BATTLES THE BRAKES AND POSTS ANOTHER TOP TEN FOR THE CHALLENGER MOTOR FREIGHT/LOGEL’S AUTO PARTS DODGE
CASCAR: BRYAN CATHCART FIGHTS HANDLING PROBLEMS AT MOSPORT
Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge team had high hopes as they returned to action at Mopsort Speedway. With a rested and prepared crew another solid finish was expected.
Cathcart would start the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge from the 15th starting spot. In the middle of traffic is certainly not where he wanted to be but Bryan knew if he ran a patient race a good finish was still possible. As the race began the car handled well in traffic and Cathcart was able to improve a couple of positions. “Things started out fine and we looked to be finding our stride” he said afterwards”.
Following the first caution period however the cars handling changed dramatically, and not for the better. “It just got so bad, so fast that something must have broken a shock or something” described the driver. It was just rolling over so bad coming out of the corner that I couldn’t get the power down until the car was straight and it made for a very frustrating night”.
Cathcart would be forced to nurse the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge around the half mile oval all night. Ever competitive however when a late race caution flag occurred, the team made a quick pit stop to change a right rear tire, that quick fix enabled Bryan enough of an advantage to pass another car for position in the closing laps. “It may seem like a small gain, but little things like that help. We’ll go over the car thoroughly this week to find the problem and be ready to go again next week.
Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge will be back in action at Cayuga Speedway this coming Sunday, August 14th. Action begins at 10AM with practice followed by qualifying and the green flag for 200 laps of racing at 2:30PM.
The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Touring Series of Stock Car Racing in Canada. All CASCAR Super Series Races can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet and SPEED TV. For more information and to follow the progress of Bryan Cathcart and the CASCAR Super Series log onto www.cascar.ca
This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com (905) 978-7090
Cathcart would start the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge from the 15th starting spot. In the middle of traffic is certainly not where he wanted to be but Bryan knew if he ran a patient race a good finish was still possible. As the race began the car handled well in traffic and Cathcart was able to improve a couple of positions. “Things started out fine and we looked to be finding our stride” he said afterwards”.
Following the first caution period however the cars handling changed dramatically, and not for the better. “It just got so bad, so fast that something must have broken a shock or something” described the driver. It was just rolling over so bad coming out of the corner that I couldn’t get the power down until the car was straight and it made for a very frustrating night”.
Cathcart would be forced to nurse the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge around the half mile oval all night. Ever competitive however when a late race caution flag occurred, the team made a quick pit stop to change a right rear tire, that quick fix enabled Bryan enough of an advantage to pass another car for position in the closing laps. “It may seem like a small gain, but little things like that help. We’ll go over the car thoroughly this week to find the problem and be ready to go again next week.
Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge will be back in action at Cayuga Speedway this coming Sunday, August 14th. Action begins at 10AM with practice followed by qualifying and the green flag for 200 laps of racing at 2:30PM.
The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Touring Series of Stock Car Racing in Canada. All CASCAR Super Series Races can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet and SPEED TV. For more information and to follow the progress of Bryan Cathcart and the CASCAR Super Series log onto www.cascar.ca
This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com (905) 978-7090
Ontario Pro Challenge: New Website Launched
The Ontario Pro Challenge Series launched its ‘all new’ website this week.
“We are really happy with the new site,” said series coordinator Kathy Nicholson.
The Official site of the Ontario Pro Challenge Series is www.prochallengeracing.com.
“We are really happy with the new site,” said series coordinator Kathy Nicholson.
The Official site of the Ontario Pro Challenge Series is www.prochallengeracing.com.
ALSTAR: Charity Ride Update
Schedule of events:
Sat. Aug 20th/05
Show & Shine 8:00 am to 10:00 at SHOULDICE DESIGNER STONE To Barrie Speedway
Breakfast at SHOULDICE DESIGNER STONE with "Proceeds to War Amps"
Registration Fee to Join in the ALSTAR Charity Ride $10.00 which is donated to WAR AMPS
With the "Ride With Us Tour" fast approaching, I thought I would send a quick update on the overall complexion of the ALSTAR Charity Ride.
Participation in the ride is continuing to grow with lots of interest shown by other parties and the gratitude of "The War Amps".
Shouldice Designer Stone is erecting a large tent at their complex in Shallow Lake for the morning of the ride. Breakfast will be sold & served at this place to any one interested in partaking in a breakfast with all monies donated to "The War Amps".
A Show & Shine for all cars, trucks & motorcycles will be staged at this location. Radio Owen Sound has committed to being onsite with their Community Cruisers to do live radio broadcasts throughout this portion of this event.
MP Larry Miller has excepted an invitation to be in attendance of this breakfast event.
There will be administration tables set up on site & Registration for the ride and any Pledge Sheets will be taken at this point.
We will be leaving Shouldice Designer Stone starting at 10:00 am for an approximate 1 1/2 hour ride to Primrose corners for a break for all needs. The Road Captains for this "Ride With Us Tour" are the firefighter motorcycle club of the Red Knight's, Ontario Chapter 3. Groups will have to be formed, and depart at different intervals as it looks like the convoy will be too large to travel in one congregation. There are restaurants, gas stations & washrooms at this intersection in Primrose. Another Show & Shine may happen at this junction to quell the curiosity of the people from this area.
We will be leaving Primrose at 12:30 for an approximate 1 1/2 hour ride to Barrie Speedway. Again our departure may have to happen in segments as to avoid causing traffic confusion/congestion along the route.
At Barrie Speedway we will commence our ceremonies of:
(1) distributing of over fourty collected prizes by random drawing to the registered participants in the event.
(2) announcing the winner of the CRC Mfg. custom jacket to the participant with the Most Pledges
(3) donating all the collected monies to "The War Amps" with a photo shoot for publicity purposes.
(4) a BBQ & soft drinks for all registered participants of this ride.
There will be ample time in the late afternoon for anyone who has registered to stay in the Orillia/Barrie area that evening to check into their motel/hotel rooms or their campsite before the starting of the Shouldice Designer Stone ALSTAR Series races that evening.
If you have not reserved a room or a campsite for that evening, you can check out the sites on our web page under the Detailed Route & Accommodations tab. To all parties that have to make the return trip home, your trip should be in day light hours.
Once again, a huge "Thank you" to all you people that have supported the tremendous organization of "The War Amps" by either supporting this event or donating product for this event. We are in our inaugural year for this "Ride With Us Tour" and are hoping we won't be tolerating too many growing pains.
We already in the planning stages for making this a bigger and hopefully better event next year.
Drive Safe
Keith Hepburn
http://www.alstarseries.com/ALSTAR_Officia/Motorcylce_ALS.html
Sat. Aug 20th/05
Show & Shine 8:00 am to 10:00 at SHOULDICE DESIGNER STONE To Barrie Speedway
Breakfast at SHOULDICE DESIGNER STONE with "Proceeds to War Amps"
Registration Fee to Join in the ALSTAR Charity Ride $10.00 which is donated to WAR AMPS
With the "Ride With Us Tour" fast approaching, I thought I would send a quick update on the overall complexion of the ALSTAR Charity Ride.
Participation in the ride is continuing to grow with lots of interest shown by other parties and the gratitude of "The War Amps".
Shouldice Designer Stone is erecting a large tent at their complex in Shallow Lake for the morning of the ride. Breakfast will be sold & served at this place to any one interested in partaking in a breakfast with all monies donated to "The War Amps".
A Show & Shine for all cars, trucks & motorcycles will be staged at this location. Radio Owen Sound has committed to being onsite with their Community Cruisers to do live radio broadcasts throughout this portion of this event.
MP Larry Miller has excepted an invitation to be in attendance of this breakfast event.
There will be administration tables set up on site & Registration for the ride and any Pledge Sheets will be taken at this point.
We will be leaving Shouldice Designer Stone starting at 10:00 am for an approximate 1 1/2 hour ride to Primrose corners for a break for all needs. The Road Captains for this "Ride With Us Tour" are the firefighter motorcycle club of the Red Knight's, Ontario Chapter 3. Groups will have to be formed, and depart at different intervals as it looks like the convoy will be too large to travel in one congregation. There are restaurants, gas stations & washrooms at this intersection in Primrose. Another Show & Shine may happen at this junction to quell the curiosity of the people from this area.
We will be leaving Primrose at 12:30 for an approximate 1 1/2 hour ride to Barrie Speedway. Again our departure may have to happen in segments as to avoid causing traffic confusion/congestion along the route.
At Barrie Speedway we will commence our ceremonies of:
(1) distributing of over fourty collected prizes by random drawing to the registered participants in the event.
(2) announcing the winner of the CRC Mfg. custom jacket to the participant with the Most Pledges
(3) donating all the collected monies to "The War Amps" with a photo shoot for publicity purposes.
(4) a BBQ & soft drinks for all registered participants of this ride.
There will be ample time in the late afternoon for anyone who has registered to stay in the Orillia/Barrie area that evening to check into their motel/hotel rooms or their campsite before the starting of the Shouldice Designer Stone ALSTAR Series races that evening.
If you have not reserved a room or a campsite for that evening, you can check out the sites on our web page under the Detailed Route & Accommodations tab. To all parties that have to make the return trip home, your trip should be in day light hours.
Once again, a huge "Thank you" to all you people that have supported the tremendous organization of "The War Amps" by either supporting this event or donating product for this event. We are in our inaugural year for this "Ride With Us Tour" and are hoping we won't be tolerating too many growing pains.
We already in the planning stages for making this a bigger and hopefully better event next year.
Drive Safe
Keith Hepburn
http://www.alstarseries.com/ALSTAR_Officia/Motorcylce_ALS.html
CASCAR SS: Another Top Ten For NAPA/Autopro Team: Brown Eighth At Mosport
Doug Brown fought his way to another top-ten finish on Saturday night, this time an eighth place run at Mosport Speedway’s half-mile oval. It marked the fifth time this season that the NAPA/Autopro Monte Carlo driver had finished tenth or higher in CASCAR Super Series competition and helped strengthen his goal of reaching tenth place in the national points’ standings.
The Brantford racing veteran qualified tenth in the 20-car field and raced with a pack of eight cars through the early stages of the 200-lap event dropping back as far as twelfth as those in the pack jostled for position. But as the race passed the halfway point, Doug began a slow but determined march forward, settling into the ninth spot by lap 180.
On lap 185, Dave Whitlock spun while battling for fourth place with team mate Mark Dilley bringing out the sixth and final caution of the night setting up a showdown for several positions at the restart.
When the green came out on lap 189 Doug was running eighth and held the spot over Whitlock, who had recovered from his spin, followed by JR Fitzpatrick (10th), Scott Steckley (11th) and Dave Jacombs (12th).
At the front of the pack, DJ Kennington scooted past Don Thomson Jr. and into the lead on lap 198 to capture the event, his third major of the season and fourth in a row counting a qualifier last weekend in Vernon BC.
Doug Brown and the rest of the CASCAR teams now head to Cayuga 2000 Speedway this Sunday for event #9 on the Super series schedule.
The Brown Auto Racing #10 CASCAR Super Series Team is proud to have NAPA/Autopro as its Title Sponsor with Valvoline Canada as a Major Associate Sponsor and NAPA Brake and Chassis; Bicknell Racing Products; World of Graphics; HurryPrint Imaging Centre; WIX Filters; Jebbo's Electronics Warehouse; KWIC Internet; Gates Canada; BOC Gases; Advance Printing; Brochures etc; ACE Transmissions, What Spring Water and Clearshop Custom forming Associate Sponsorship roles on our sponsorship/marketing team.
Prepared By:
Ken Spencer // Marketing and Media Relations
Brown Auto Racing
For additional information on Brown Auto Racing, see www.dougbrown.net or contact Doug Brown at (519) 752-9531
The Brantford racing veteran qualified tenth in the 20-car field and raced with a pack of eight cars through the early stages of the 200-lap event dropping back as far as twelfth as those in the pack jostled for position. But as the race passed the halfway point, Doug began a slow but determined march forward, settling into the ninth spot by lap 180.
On lap 185, Dave Whitlock spun while battling for fourth place with team mate Mark Dilley bringing out the sixth and final caution of the night setting up a showdown for several positions at the restart.
When the green came out on lap 189 Doug was running eighth and held the spot over Whitlock, who had recovered from his spin, followed by JR Fitzpatrick (10th), Scott Steckley (11th) and Dave Jacombs (12th).
At the front of the pack, DJ Kennington scooted past Don Thomson Jr. and into the lead on lap 198 to capture the event, his third major of the season and fourth in a row counting a qualifier last weekend in Vernon BC.
Doug Brown and the rest of the CASCAR teams now head to Cayuga 2000 Speedway this Sunday for event #9 on the Super series schedule.
The Brown Auto Racing #10 CASCAR Super Series Team is proud to have NAPA/Autopro as its Title Sponsor with Valvoline Canada as a Major Associate Sponsor and NAPA Brake and Chassis; Bicknell Racing Products; World of Graphics; HurryPrint Imaging Centre; WIX Filters; Jebbo's Electronics Warehouse; KWIC Internet; Gates Canada; BOC Gases; Advance Printing; Brochures etc; ACE Transmissions, What Spring Water and Clearshop Custom forming Associate Sponsorship roles on our sponsorship/marketing team.
Prepared By:
Ken Spencer // Marketing and Media Relations
Brown Auto Racing
For additional information on Brown Auto Racing, see www.dougbrown.net or contact Doug Brown at (519) 752-9531
Sunday, August 07, 2005
CASCAR SS: Mosport Speedway - Kennington wins again
DJ Kennington wins his third CASCAR Super Series race in a row with a late-race pass on Don Thomson in Saturday night’s Mosport Speedway 200BOWMANVILLE, ON – DJ Kennington extended his CASCAR Super Series winning streak to three feature events on Saturday night when he passed Don Thomson on lap 198 of the Mosport Speedway 200. Thomson had started on the pole and led the virtually the entire race in dominant fashion, but a late caution flag set up a battle between he and Kennington for the final 11 laps.
Following the lap 189 restart, Kennington dogged Thomson’s Home Hardware Chevy for several tours around Mosport Speedway’s half-mile oval. And after a handful of failed attempts to go underneath Thomson as the pair exited turn 2, the Castrol Dodge driver changed strategy and powered to the outside of the four-time National champion just prior to the start of the final lap.
From there, Kennington moved in front of Thomson and beat him to the checkered flag by just over a third of a second. The victory by the St. Thomas, ON racer mirrored his July 30 win at Vernon, BC’s Sun Valley Speedway when he passed Brad Graham just before the end of the race.
“Our car wasn’t the best one on the track for most of the race, but it was the best one when it counted,” said Kennington. “All that matters is that we led the last lap. I wanted to save the tires and the brakes for the end. I knew Donnie was going to run away with the race because he’s awesome here. That caution at the end made all the difference because he was so far ahead before that, that he was in a different area code. Our car is set up to come on at the end and that’s what happened again tonight.”
Thomson, who has won at Mosport many times in the past, was understandably frustrated to see the win slip away after holding commanding leads for the majority of the 200 laps. According to the Hamilton, ON racer, the set of right-side tires that went on the car during the lap 100 pit stop didn’t perform as well as the set that started the race, and that made the difference at the end.
The final podium spot at Mosport Speedway went to Ron Beauchamp Jr., driver of the MOPAR Parts / Exide / Mobil 1 Dodge Charger. The Windsor, ON racer started second in the field of 20 and overcame handling problems with 50 laps to go to take third-place in the eighth of 12 Super Series events in ’05.
The next CASCAR Super Series event takes place August 14 at Cayuga 2000 Speedway, south of Hamilton, Ontario.
CASCAR ON TV: For information regarding initial airings and replays of Super Series races on SPORTSNET, please check your local listings or visit http://www.cascar.ca/schedule/tv_schedule.html.
POINT STANDINGS: After 8 events. Unofficial Top 15 as of August 6, 2005: 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (1582 pts.); 2. #1 Peter Gibbons (1493); 3. #17 DJ Kennington (1474); 4. #9 Mark Dilley (1443); 5. 39 Dave Whitlock (1412); 6. #02 Kerry Micks (1405); 7. #19 Brad Graham (1401); 8. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (1390); 9. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (1382); 10. #88 Dave Jacombs (1296); 11. #22 Scott Steckly (1260); 12. #10 Doug Brown (1238); 13. #37 Tara MacLeod ® (1216); 14. #11 Ron VanEs (1206); 15. #3 Stu Robinson Jr. (1168).
® Denotes Rookie of the Year.
CASCAR Super Series
RESULTS: Mosport Speedway 200
Round 8 of 12 // August 6, 2005 // Mosport Speedway
Bowmanville, Ontario // 200 Laps // ½-mile oval
FIN. ST. # DRIVER (HOMETOWN) SPONSOR(S) / MAKE LAPS
1 8 17 DJ Kennington (St. Thomas, ON) Castrol Canada Dodge 200
2 1 4 Don Thomson Jr. (Hamilton, ON) Home Hardware Chevrolet Monte Carlo 200
3 2 60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (Windsor, ON) MOPAR Parts / Exide / Mobil 1 Dodge Charger 200
4 4 9 Mark Dilley (Barrie, ON) Exide / Dodge / PowerWater / Mobil 1 Dodge Charger 200
5 19 1 Peter Gibbons (Stouffville, ON) Canadian Tire Corporation Chevrolet Monte Carlo 200
6 15 19 Brad Graham (Glencoe, ON) Challenger Motor Frt. / Logel’s Dodge Charger 200
7 6 77 Derek Lynch (Warkworth, ON) R Berms R Us Dodge Charger 200
8 9 10 Doug Brown (Brantford, ON) NAPA / Autopro Chevrolet Monte Carlo 200
9 3 39 Dave Whitlock (Wyoming, ON) Avenue Motor Works / NMT Dodge Charger 200
10 5 84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (Ayr, ON) Cambridge Rigging Chevrolet Monte Carlo 200
11 20 22 Scott Steckly (Milverton, ON) Metro Toronto / ERB Group Pontiac Grand Prix 200
12 12 88 Dave Jacombs (Mt. Hope, ON) Lou’s BBQ Ford Taurus 200
13 16 11 Ron VanEs (Smithville, ON) Star Van Systems / All Cover Chevrolet Monte Carlo 200
14 7 25 Jim Lapcevich (Hamilton, ON) Fastline / EMCEA Transport / Tim Hortons Chevrolet Monte Carlo 199
15 11 71 Bryan Cathcart (Peterborough, ON) Meyers Transport / Peterborough Homes Dodge 198
16 14 3 Stu Robinson Jr. (Holland Landing, ON) Snap-On Tools Dodge 198
17 17 37 Tara MacLeod (Innisfil, ON) R Central Merchant Services Ford Taurus 196
18 18 18 Chad McGlynn (Petersburg, ON) R Awesome Racewear / Ultimate Garage Ford Taurus 74
19 10 02 Kerry Micks (Mt. Albert, ON) PowerWater Ford Taurus 39
20 13 93 Joe Goncalves (Concord, ON) G.P.S. Automotive Refinishes Ltd. Chevrolet Monte Carlo 29
R after the hometown denotes Rookie contender.
POLESITTER: #4 Don Thomson Jr. (21.999 seconds) // TIME OF RACE: 1 hour, 36 minutes and 22.419 seconds // AVERAGE SPEED: 68.483 mph // MARGIN OF VICTORY: 0.339 seconds // CAUTIONS: 6 for a total of 31 laps // LAP LEADERS: #4 Don Thomson Jr. (1-102), #19 Brad Graham (103-109), #9 Mark Dilley (110-123), #4 Don Thomson Jr. (124-198), #17 Kennington (199-200) // GOODYEAR BELTS & HOSES FASTEST LAP: #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (22.174 on lap 5)
Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 or visit www.cascar.ca
Prepared by Inside Track Communications. // Contact: Greg MacPherson (416) 561-2320 (cell).
Comments regarding additions to – or deletions from – this mailing list should be sent to: greg@insidetracknews.com
Friday, August 05, 2005
Ryan Litt Set to Debut New Sponsor During Doubleheader Weekend in Michigan
By Tommy Goudge, PR Manager
After a spectacular upside down trip off the surface of Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Baer Field Speedway on July 22nd during warm-ups for an AVSS event, Ryan Litt will be back in the driver’s seat with AVSS this weekend. It’s a doubleheader weekend for the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints Series which starts at the Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Michigan on Friday, August 5th, and ends at the Owosso Speedway in Owosso, Michigan on Saturday, August 6th.
Very little was salvageable from the accident at Baer Field other than the actual frame of the car, so Ryan and the team have been busy rebuilding the Beast Chassis basically from the ground up over the past week and a half, complete with a set of brand new wings from the team’s newest sponsor – Velocity Wings. Velocity Wings are designed with the racer in mind, offering new concepts and higher standards to teams without taking advantage of their budgets. Stressing service and availability through their dealers, teams are able to purchase complete wings and then subsequent parts for replacing as damaged through racing incidents, instead of having to replace the entire wing. “They go right together very easily,” stated Brian Kristan, who had to repair his wings after destroying his car at Plymouth. “All you do is order the parts you need and put it back together. Everything fits like it’s supposed to! Everything should be that simple!” To learn more, contact a dealer near you or visit the Velocity Wings’ website at www.velocitywings.com.
At Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, MI on August 5th, gates will open at 5:00pm with racing scheduled to get underway at 7:30. Grandstand prices are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors $12 for teens 13-17, $6 for children 6-12, and kids 5 and under get in free! The night will feature a full Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints Series event including, time trials, heats, a consolation (if necessary) and 30 lap feature. Joining the sprints on the card is the Main Event Super Late Model series with a 100 lap feature on tap, and school bus Figure-8 races to cap off the evening.
At the Owosso Speedway in Ovid, MI on Saturday Night, August 6th, gates will open at 12 noon with practice scheduled all afternoon, time trials at 4:45, and racing getting underway at 7:00pm. Joining the Super Sprints on the card will be Late Models, Pure Stocks, and the Allison Legacy series.
After getting rained out at Auto City, and wrecking in hot laps at Baer Field, Ryan and the Litt Racing team are more than ready to get back on track this weekend with their #07 Velocity Wings, BRR Media, BS&B Radiator #07 Beast/Claxton sprinter. Both tracks are within 160 miles of the London, Ontario area and very close to each other, making them two of the closest tracks to Ryan’s hometown that he will compete at this season, along with fellow London-area driver Mike Ling, so come out and support your local sprint car drivers! For more information and photos, please visit www.RyanLitt.com.
After a spectacular upside down trip off the surface of Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Baer Field Speedway on July 22nd during warm-ups for an AVSS event, Ryan Litt will be back in the driver’s seat with AVSS this weekend. It’s a doubleheader weekend for the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints Series which starts at the Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Michigan on Friday, August 5th, and ends at the Owosso Speedway in Owosso, Michigan on Saturday, August 6th.
Very little was salvageable from the accident at Baer Field other than the actual frame of the car, so Ryan and the team have been busy rebuilding the Beast Chassis basically from the ground up over the past week and a half, complete with a set of brand new wings from the team’s newest sponsor – Velocity Wings. Velocity Wings are designed with the racer in mind, offering new concepts and higher standards to teams without taking advantage of their budgets. Stressing service and availability through their dealers, teams are able to purchase complete wings and then subsequent parts for replacing as damaged through racing incidents, instead of having to replace the entire wing. “They go right together very easily,” stated Brian Kristan, who had to repair his wings after destroying his car at Plymouth. “All you do is order the parts you need and put it back together. Everything fits like it’s supposed to! Everything should be that simple!” To learn more, contact a dealer near you or visit the Velocity Wings’ website at www.velocitywings.com.
At Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, MI on August 5th, gates will open at 5:00pm with racing scheduled to get underway at 7:30. Grandstand prices are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors $12 for teens 13-17, $6 for children 6-12, and kids 5 and under get in free! The night will feature a full Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints Series event including, time trials, heats, a consolation (if necessary) and 30 lap feature. Joining the sprints on the card is the Main Event Super Late Model series with a 100 lap feature on tap, and school bus Figure-8 races to cap off the evening.
At the Owosso Speedway in Ovid, MI on Saturday Night, August 6th, gates will open at 12 noon with practice scheduled all afternoon, time trials at 4:45, and racing getting underway at 7:00pm. Joining the Super Sprints on the card will be Late Models, Pure Stocks, and the Allison Legacy series.
After getting rained out at Auto City, and wrecking in hot laps at Baer Field, Ryan and the Litt Racing team are more than ready to get back on track this weekend with their #07 Velocity Wings, BRR Media, BS&B Radiator #07 Beast/Claxton sprinter. Both tracks are within 160 miles of the London, Ontario area and very close to each other, making them two of the closest tracks to Ryan’s hometown that he will compete at this season, along with fellow London-area driver Mike Ling, so come out and support your local sprint car drivers! For more information and photos, please visit www.RyanLitt.com.
Watch the MOPAR 300 on SPORTSNET this Saturday August 6th at 2:30PM EST!
REPLAYS:
EAST:
MONDAY AUG 8 @1:00PM EST
WED AUG 10 @2:30PM EST
ONT:
FRIDAY 12 @12:30PM EST
WEST:
MONDAY AUG 8 @1:00PM EST
THURS 11 @1:30PM MT
PACIFIC:
SUNDAY 6 @12:00AM PST
THURS 11 @12:30PM PST
Team Fastline driver Jim Lapcevich ready as CASCAR returns to Mosport
Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher , Director of Public RelationsAugust 4, 2005, Hamilton, ON – Team Fastline driver Jim Lapcevich is ready to return to action this weekend on the high-speed, half-mile oval in the Mosport Speedway 200 Saturday night (August 6) in Bowmanville, Ontario in the CASCAR Super Series.
But other Team Fastline driver Jeff Lapcevich will not be running in this week’s event.
“Due to sponsorship budget restraints, Jeff and the 23 car will run a limited schedule for the remainder of the season,” explained Jim Lapcevich. “I’m pretty much out of the running for the CASCAR Super Series points so we have nothing to loose and everything to gain. It’s time to cut the BS and put the Tim Hortons - EMCEA Transport Chevrolet Monte Carlo on the podium.”
Team Fastline drivers Jeff and Jim Lapcevich currently sit 17th and 20th in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.
“I am planning to return to the CASCAR Super Series on Labour Day Weekend and in the mean time I am dedicating all of my racing time to my son Cayden’s Quarter Midget Racing,” stated Jeff Lapcevich. “Jimmy will do fine at the rest of the races and the Fastline Team will be able to dedicate all of their time to the 25 car.”
The CASCAR Super Series race will take place Saturday, August 6 at Mosport Speedway located north of Bowmanville, Ontario on the half-mile oval.
For information about Mosport tickets and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at http://www.mosport.com/. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
Kerry Micks PowerWater Ford ready for Mosport
“Time is running out in the race for the championship and we need to make up some ground in the PowerWater Ford this weekend.”Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Public Relations
August 4, 2005, Mt. Albert, - Kerry Micks from Mt. Albert, Ontario, driving the Power Water Micks Motorsports 2005 Ford Taurus, is ready for a return at the CASCAR Super Series Mosport Speedway 200 Saturday night (August 6) at the high-speed, half-mile oval in Bowmanville, Ontario.
“We’ve had some good runs and we tested well at Mosport,” stated Micks. “Two seasons ago we were fortunate and won the event after a fierce battle with Donnie (Thomson Jr.).”
Micks, with three wins this season in the PowerWater Micks Motorsports Ford, sits in fourth position in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.
“We weren’t so lucky last year, when everything that could go wrong, did go wrong,” added Micks. “Time is running out in the race for the championship and we need to make up some ground in the PowerWater Ford this weekend.”
The CASCAR Super Series race will take place Saturday, August 6 at Mosport Speedway located north of Bowmanville, Ontario on the half-mile oval.
For information about Mosport tickets and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at http://www.mosport.com/. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
MacLeod’s Central Merchant Services entry to debut at Mosport Speedway
“We have five races left and we would like to pick up some more positions in the point’s race.”Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Public Relations
August 4, 2005, Innisfil, BC – Central Merchant Services driver Tara MacLeod will make her debut in the CASCAR Super Series in Bowmanville, Ontario this Saturday (August 6) in the Mosport Speedway 200 on the high-speed, half-mile oval.
“I’ve raced at Mosport a fair bit over the years, but I need to toss all of that experience out the window and start fresh with the Central Merchant Services CASCAR Super Series Ford,” said the rookie driver.
MacLeod currently leads the PowerWater CASCAR Super Series Rookie of the year standings, and is 13th in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.
“It’s good to be home from the western swing,” added MacLeod. “We have five races left in the CASCAR Super Series and we would really like to pick up some more positions in the points race.”
The CASCAR Super Series race will take place Saturday, August 6 at Mosport Speedway located north of Bowmanville, Ontario on the half-mile oval.
For information about Mosport tickets and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at http://www.mosport.com/. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher mehlenbacher@TaraMacLeod.com.
Double-Header Weekend in the Woods: Pro Line 100 on Saturday; Points Racing on Sunday
Gord Curran, General Manager, New Brunswick International SpeedwayAugust 3rd, 2005, Fredericton, NB – There will be no shortage of excitement in the Geary woods this weekend as NBIS has back-to-back events on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday night, the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour (CPST) is scheduled to make their second appearance of the season with the Pro Line 100. Then NBIS comes back on Sunday afternoon with points racing in all three divisions including a 50 lap CARQUEST Pro Stock event. The Sunday event is a make up of a rained out event from May.
The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour continues to produce excellent cars counts and Saturday should be no different as several NBIS CARQUEST Pro Stock Division regulars expected to join the event. NBIS regulars Matt Harris, Paul Gahan, Dave O’Blenis, and Jerry Curtis participated in the tour’s first visit to NBIS on June 18th resulting in a 30-car count.
In addition to the NBIS regulars, CPST will be bringing several familiar faces starting with Fredericton’s Shawn Tucker, who is the defending CPST Points Champion and Irving Oil 250 champion. The race will also feature three-time NBIS CARQUEST Pro Stock Division Champion Brad Mann (Glen Livet, NB) and Kevin Moore (Fredericton, NB), who won the June 18th race and has his sights on a sweep of the NBIS CPST races.
Current points leader and Canadian Motorsports Hall of Famer Rollie MacDonald (Pictou, NS) holds a slim 3-point lead over Wayne Smith (Timberlea, NS) with rookie contender Shawn Turple (Enfield, NS) sitting third. Tucker and Mann sit fourth and fifth respectively. In addition to the Pro Line 100, fans will be treated to points racing in the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman (30-lap feature) and Coast Tire Street Stocks (20-lap feature). Green flag is scheduled to fly at 7pm (6:10 start for time trials).
Atlantic Lottery’s PRO LINE will offer Maritime race fans a chance to win a trip for two to the UAM-GM Quality 500 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fans can fill out their ballots for the trip by stopping by the PRO LINE tent where they can also try their hand at wagering on professional stock car racing.
On Sunday afternoon at 2pm, NBIS returns for another full schedule of events with the points racing in all three divisions including a 50-lap CARQUEST Pro Stock feature. The Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman will run a 30-lap feature, while the Coast Tire Street Stocks will run a 20-lap feature. Several CPST drivers are expected to stay over to get some laps in for the Irving Oil 250 on September 4th. The Caribou Kid, Dale St.Peter, is expected to make a return to the Geary facility on Sunday. St.Peter was a regular in the CARQUEST Pro Stock Division for several years before taking a hiatus. He returned for one race last season, but intends to race more this season. Kirk Thibeau, one of the big event warriors at NBIS, will also be racing on Sunday. Thibeau was inaugural winner of the Irving Oil 250 in 2001.
The two points events in both the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman and Coast Tire Street Stocks will either give the current points leaders some breathing room or really shake up the standings. The Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman will likely experience the greatest movement as points leader Bradley Logan holds an eight point lead over Brian Gillespie. Michael Banks sits only 12 points back and Steven Rodgers 18 points back. Greg Fahey, Wade Harris, and Brian MacNaughton are all within 34 points of Logan, creating a logjam at the top of the standings. However, Logan is currently on a tear, having won the Sportsman 125 on July 23rd and finished fifth in the last points race on July 16th.
In the Coast Tire Street Stocks, points leader Rick Cashol has a little more comfort room. He has a 29 point lead over Joe Albert with Street Stock 75 lapper winner Mike Francis sitting in third, 61 points behind. Francis has started to pull in some top finishes, so that battle may tighten up over the remainder of the season. Meanwhile sophomore driver Robert Raynes rounds out the top four, 77 points out of first.
The CARQUEST Pro Stock Division may only have one points race this weekend, but it may shuffle the deck a great deal. Defending champion Dave O’Blenis and last season’s Rookie of the Year Paul Gahan are tied for the points lead. Behind them are a pride of drivers looking for a good run – Glenn Rasmussen (tied for third, five points behind), Hal O’Neal (tied for third, five points behind), Jody Harris (fifth, eight points), Leon Christie (sixth, 12 points), and Mike Stevens (seventh, 15 points) are within 15 points of the leader.
A full schedule of events including start times for time trials can be found on the NBIS website http://www.nbisonline.com/ or the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour website http://www.maritimeprostocktour.com/. Weather looks clear for the weekend, but fans and drivers should call 506-454-RACE (7223) for event status before leaving home if the weather looks doubtful.
Formula Renault UK: McIntosh races into second half of the season
Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public RelationsVancouver, Canada (August 04, 2005) Sean McIntosh races into the second half of the 2005 Formula Renault UK Championship this weekend with Rounds 11 and 12 hosted at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August. The 20-year-old Canadian, currently fourth in the title chase, is relishing a return to the 1.952-mile track having set the fastest time in testing there last week.
Sean’s Snetterton preparations kicked off in the best possible way as he set the pace in last Tuesday’s test, eventually topping the timesheets with a hot lap of 1m04.949s. With extra track time permitted this Friday Sean hopes to optimize his set-up further heading into Saturday’s all-important qualifying sessions.
”To have a shot at victory at Snetterton you really need to qualify on the front-row,” commented the Team Firstair racer. “I’m sure we’re going to have a good car this weekend. Last week we were on it right from the start but you have to take into consideration variables like the weather and track conditions, it can all change so easily over here. It’ll be good to get a few more practice laps on Friday before getting down to business on Saturday.”
Looking to add to his points tally from the first half of the year, with the notable highlights a win at Donington Park and a second place podium finish at Oulton Park, the reigning ‘Graduate Cup’ Champion remains focused on his title attack.
”Ideally I have to come away from Snetterton with two more consistent results. Saturday’s qualifying sessions will be crucial to the outcome of Sunday’s races but I’m confident we can do a good job and maintain our form. There’s still a long way to go in the championship and I’m happy to take things one race at a time!”
In addition to his on-track commitments, continued media interest in Sean’s racing achievements have kept him busy off-track. Last week he was interviewed by Erik Tomas for The Raceline Radio Network, Canada’s only nationally syndicated motorsport magazine and open-line radio show. You can catch Sean’s interview with Erik on this Sunday’s show, 7th August.
For a full list of stations and broadcast times please log on to http://www.raceline.ca/ and click on SCHEDULE. Also, live timing from this weekend’s Formula Renault UK Championship races can be found online at: http://www.msttiming.com/. For more information visit http://www.seanmcintosh.com/.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
CASCAR: Don Thomson Jr. leads the points as the CASCAR Super Series returns to Ontario for Saturday night’s Mosport Speedway 200
LONDON, ON – After a pair of races in Western Canada in late July, the CASCAR Super Series returns to Ontario this weekend for the Mosport Speedway 200. The Saturday, August 6 race is the eighth of 12 events on the 2005 Super Series schedule featuring Canada’s top stock car drivers.
When you think of CASCAR Super Series events at Mosport Speedway, the dominance that Don Thomson Jr. has displayed at the half-mile speedway over the years immediately comes to mind.
The Home Hardware Chevy driver earned checkered flags at the Mosport oval in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2004. Thomson’s record of success at the Bowmanville, ON-area speedway doesn’t bode well for those currently chasing the Super Series points leader as he strives for his fifth CASCAR National championship in a row. Heading to Mosport, Thomson has a healthy 61-point lead over two-time National champion Peter Gibbons.
And while he’s only in third-place, the hottest driver on the CASCAR circuit is DJ Kennington of St. Thomas, ON. The Castrol Canada Dodge driver scored back-to-back wins to sweep the series’ western swing. And before that, he sat on the pole and led the way early in the CASCAR race at the Toronto Indy, until a flat tire took him out of contention for the win.
Prior to last year, Kennington was a perennial Super Series championship contender. He’s now showing the form that put him among the series’ front-runners prior to his ‘off season’ in 2004. The Dodge driver’s dominant performances at Race City Motorsport Park and Sun Valley Speedway vaulted him from 10th to third in the National title hunt, with five points races remaining on the schedule. The young ‘Ironman’ of the CASCAR circuit has to make up 105 points on Thomson if he’s to win his first CASCAR crown.
Time trials for the Mosport Speedway 200 take place starting at 4:30 p.m. at the half-mile speedway. The green flag is scheduled to start the 200-lap feature event at 7:00 p.m.
CASCAR AT MOSPORT: The 2003 edition of the Mosport Speedway 200 is widely considered to be one of the best races in CASCAR history. On Aug. 23, 2003, Don Thomson started on the pole and battled with Kerry Micks throughout the entire 200 lap race.
Officially, the pair swapped the lead an astounding 11 times. Unofficially, Thomson and Micks – who were also the two top points racers at the time – exchanged the top spot many more times than that, given that official lead changes are only recorded at the start/finish line. Thomson and Micks were the only two leaders during the entire event. Micks eventually took the lead for the final time on lap 190, and came home less than half-a-second in front of Thomson.
CASCAR NOTEBOOK: Last year’s CASCAR Super Series rookie of the year Pete Shepherd has made the cut to the final 12 at the Roush ‘Gong Show’. The Brampton, ON racer was part of the original group of 25 talented young racers who participated in a NASCAR Truck test at Martinsville Speedway.
CASCAR ON TV: For information regarding initial airings and replays of Super Series races on SPORTSNET, please check your local listings or visit http://www.cascar.ca/schedule/tv_schedule.html.
SCHEDULE:
MOSPORT SPEEDWAY 200
Bowmanville, Ontario // CASCAR Super Series Race #8 of 12
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2005
2:30 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Practice Session #1
3:15 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Practice Session #2
4:30 p.m. CASCAR Time Trials
5:45 p.m. Super Series Driver Autograph Session
6:35 p.m. CASCAR Driver Introductions
7:00 p.m. START: MOSPORT SPEEDWAY 200
SUPER SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 7 events. As of August 4, 2005: 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (1413 pts.); 2. #1 Peter Gibbons (1352); 3. #17 DJ Kennington (1308); 4. #02 Kerry Micks (1291); 5. #9 Mark Dilley (1289); 6. #39 Dave Whitlock (1275); 7. #19 Brad Graham (1257); 8. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (1253); 9. #60 Ron Beauchamp (1226); 10. #88 Dave Jacombs (1168); 11. #22 Scott Steckly (1130); 12. #10 Doug Brown (1102); 13. #37 Tara MacLeod ® (1098); 14. #11 Ron VanEs (1080); 15. #3 Stu Robinson Jr. (1048)
® Denotes Rookie of the Year Competitor.
WESTERN SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 6 events. As of August 4, 2005: 1. #35 Kevin Dowler (1309 pts.); 2. #30 Derek Polack (1238); 3. #79 Wade Lee (1212); 4. #36 Jim White (1159); 5. #6 Todd Nichol (1119); 6. #21 Jason White ® (1116); 7. #26 Shaun Polack (1092); 8. #69 Randy Kozek ® (924); 9. #14 James Van Domselaar (876); 10. #87 James Ward (828); 11. #31 Sean Maltman (676); 12. #68 Shane Charlton (562); 13. #15 Mike Browne (542); 14. #96 Norman Hunger ® (512); 15. #27 Mark Derks (288)
POWERWATER SPORTSMAN SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 3 events. As of August 4, 2005: 1. #77 Dion Verhoeven (250); 2. #95 R Ron Lethbridge (244); 3. #28 Steve Robblee (242); 4. #00 Steve Munro (239); 5. #32 Mike Alguire (237); 6. #6 Brad Graham (232); 7. #97 R Michael Gold (224); 8. #80 Mike Hryniuk (218); 9. #38 Ken Grubb (211); 10. #11 R Cole Weber (200); 11. #66 R Josh Wood (199); 12. #91 Dean Fantin (192); 13. #81 Shawn McGlynn (184); 14. #39 Kevin D'Amore (184); 15. #45 Bob Merrifield (183)
Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 or visit www.cascar.ca
Prepared by Inside Track Communications.
When you think of CASCAR Super Series events at Mosport Speedway, the dominance that Don Thomson Jr. has displayed at the half-mile speedway over the years immediately comes to mind.
The Home Hardware Chevy driver earned checkered flags at the Mosport oval in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2004. Thomson’s record of success at the Bowmanville, ON-area speedway doesn’t bode well for those currently chasing the Super Series points leader as he strives for his fifth CASCAR National championship in a row. Heading to Mosport, Thomson has a healthy 61-point lead over two-time National champion Peter Gibbons.
And while he’s only in third-place, the hottest driver on the CASCAR circuit is DJ Kennington of St. Thomas, ON. The Castrol Canada Dodge driver scored back-to-back wins to sweep the series’ western swing. And before that, he sat on the pole and led the way early in the CASCAR race at the Toronto Indy, until a flat tire took him out of contention for the win.
Prior to last year, Kennington was a perennial Super Series championship contender. He’s now showing the form that put him among the series’ front-runners prior to his ‘off season’ in 2004. The Dodge driver’s dominant performances at Race City Motorsport Park and Sun Valley Speedway vaulted him from 10th to third in the National title hunt, with five points races remaining on the schedule. The young ‘Ironman’ of the CASCAR circuit has to make up 105 points on Thomson if he’s to win his first CASCAR crown.
Time trials for the Mosport Speedway 200 take place starting at 4:30 p.m. at the half-mile speedway. The green flag is scheduled to start the 200-lap feature event at 7:00 p.m.
CASCAR AT MOSPORT: The 2003 edition of the Mosport Speedway 200 is widely considered to be one of the best races in CASCAR history. On Aug. 23, 2003, Don Thomson started on the pole and battled with Kerry Micks throughout the entire 200 lap race.
Officially, the pair swapped the lead an astounding 11 times. Unofficially, Thomson and Micks – who were also the two top points racers at the time – exchanged the top spot many more times than that, given that official lead changes are only recorded at the start/finish line. Thomson and Micks were the only two leaders during the entire event. Micks eventually took the lead for the final time on lap 190, and came home less than half-a-second in front of Thomson.
CASCAR NOTEBOOK: Last year’s CASCAR Super Series rookie of the year Pete Shepherd has made the cut to the final 12 at the Roush ‘Gong Show’. The Brampton, ON racer was part of the original group of 25 talented young racers who participated in a NASCAR Truck test at Martinsville Speedway.
CASCAR ON TV: For information regarding initial airings and replays of Super Series races on SPORTSNET, please check your local listings or visit http://www.cascar.ca/schedule/tv_schedule.html.
SCHEDULE:
MOSPORT SPEEDWAY 200
Bowmanville, Ontario // CASCAR Super Series Race #8 of 12
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2005
2:30 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Practice Session #1
3:15 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Practice Session #2
4:30 p.m. CASCAR Time Trials
5:45 p.m. Super Series Driver Autograph Session
6:35 p.m. CASCAR Driver Introductions
7:00 p.m. START: MOSPORT SPEEDWAY 200
SUPER SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 7 events. As of August 4, 2005: 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (1413 pts.); 2. #1 Peter Gibbons (1352); 3. #17 DJ Kennington (1308); 4. #02 Kerry Micks (1291); 5. #9 Mark Dilley (1289); 6. #39 Dave Whitlock (1275); 7. #19 Brad Graham (1257); 8. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (1253); 9. #60 Ron Beauchamp (1226); 10. #88 Dave Jacombs (1168); 11. #22 Scott Steckly (1130); 12. #10 Doug Brown (1102); 13. #37 Tara MacLeod ® (1098); 14. #11 Ron VanEs (1080); 15. #3 Stu Robinson Jr. (1048)
® Denotes Rookie of the Year Competitor.
WESTERN SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 6 events. As of August 4, 2005: 1. #35 Kevin Dowler (1309 pts.); 2. #30 Derek Polack (1238); 3. #79 Wade Lee (1212); 4. #36 Jim White (1159); 5. #6 Todd Nichol (1119); 6. #21 Jason White ® (1116); 7. #26 Shaun Polack (1092); 8. #69 Randy Kozek ® (924); 9. #14 James Van Domselaar (876); 10. #87 James Ward (828); 11. #31 Sean Maltman (676); 12. #68 Shane Charlton (562); 13. #15 Mike Browne (542); 14. #96 Norman Hunger ® (512); 15. #27 Mark Derks (288)
POWERWATER SPORTSMAN SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 3 events. As of August 4, 2005: 1. #77 Dion Verhoeven (250); 2. #95 R Ron Lethbridge (244); 3. #28 Steve Robblee (242); 4. #00 Steve Munro (239); 5. #32 Mike Alguire (237); 6. #6 Brad Graham (232); 7. #97 R Michael Gold (224); 8. #80 Mike Hryniuk (218); 9. #38 Ken Grubb (211); 10. #11 R Cole Weber (200); 11. #66 R Josh Wood (199); 12. #91 Dean Fantin (192); 13. #81 Shawn McGlynn (184); 14. #39 Kevin D'Amore (184); 15. #45 Bob Merrifield (183)
Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 or visit www.cascar.ca
Prepared by Inside Track Communications.
PETE SHEPHERD: So far, so good at the Roush Gong Show
I just received an update from Sharon Shepherd regarding Petey's progress at the Roush Gong Show.
Following a few stints in NASCAR Trucks at Martinsville Speedway, Petey is one of 12 racers - of the 25 who took part - who have been invited back for Part 2 of the Gong Show.
Shepherd heads back to the U.S. in a few days for the phase that will not involve driving, but will be based on marketing and media skills. At that point, the group of 12 will be whittled down to five finalists. That group will go to Darlington.
Congratulations to Petey and good luck in the next phase of the competition!!!
Following a few stints in NASCAR Trucks at Martinsville Speedway, Petey is one of 12 racers - of the 25 who took part - who have been invited back for Part 2 of the Gong Show.
Shepherd heads back to the U.S. in a few days for the phase that will not involve driving, but will be based on marketing and media skills. At that point, the group of 12 will be whittled down to five finalists. That group will go to Darlington.
Congratulations to Petey and good luck in the next phase of the competition!!!
NHRA releases 2006 POWERade Series Schedule
GLENDORA, Calif. (Aug. 4, 2005) – NHRA released its 23-race, 2006 POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule today, immediately following a press conference outside Richmond, Va., where officials from the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body announced its premier drag racing series will return to Virginia Motorsports Park in 2006.
After a five-year absence, the stars of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will return to Dinwiddie, Va. for the inaugural Virginia NHRA Nationals, Oct. 6-8, 2006. NHRA conducted national events at the facility when it opened in 1995, through the 2000 racing season.
“We are excited to welcome back Virginia Motorsports Park as an NHRA Member Track,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “In addition to receiving an NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event, the facility affords a great venue for our NHRA racers in the Mid-Atlantic region to participate in the many sportsman programs available including the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Summit Racing Series.”
NHRA boasts seven divisions throughout the country of which Virginia Motorsports Park will be classified as a Division 1 (Northeast) NHRA Member Track. The facility also is scheduled to host an NHRA Sony Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series event in the spring of 2006.
The schedule is highlighted by a return of all 2005 drag racing facilities, beginning with the 46th running of the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at historic Pomona (Calif.) Raceway, Feb. 9-12. The series concludes at the famed quarter-mile track Nov. 9-12, with the 42nd annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals.
“Pomona Raceway has arguably the richest history of any of the facilities where the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series visits,” said Compton. “NHRA fans, both young and old, come from throughout the United States and Canada to visit the raceway and the adjacent Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.”
What is now Pomona Raceway originally opened in 1950 as a way to encourage street racers to compete safely and was built with the combined efforts of the Pomona Valley Timing Association, Pomona Police Chief Ralph Parker and the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds.
The world’s most prestigious drag race, the 52nd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 4 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Earlier in the month, Brainerd International Raceway will celebrate its 25th consecutive year, when it hosts the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Aug. 10-13.
The series will make two stops at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the spring for the seventh annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, April 6-9, and the sixth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 26-29, and a one-time visit to Route 66 Raceway (June 8-11) outside Chicago, for the ninth annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.
All NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events will feature competition in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock. Pro Stock Motorcycle will again be featured at 15 events, including: Gainesville, Fla.; Houston; Commerce, Ga.; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Englishtown, N.J.; St. Louis; Denver; Sonoma, Calif.; Brainerd, Minn.; Indianapolis; Reading, Pa.; Memphis, Tenn.; Las Vegas and Pomona, Calif.
ESPN2, a part of the ESPN network, the worldwide leader in sports, will once again provide exclusive television coverage, on a same-day basis, of all 23 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members nationwide and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, NHRA Sony Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE
46th annual CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS Feb. 9-12
Pomona, Calif.
22nd annual CHECKER SCHUCK’S KRAGEN NHRA NATIONALS Feb. 24-26
Phoenix
37th annual MAC TOOLS NHRA GATORNATIONALS March 16-19
Gainesville, Fla. (PSM)
19th annual O’REILLY NHRA SPRING NATIONALS March 31- April 2
Houston (PSM)
Seventh annual NHRA SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS April 6-9
Las Vegas
Sixth annual O’REILLY NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS April 28-30
Bristol, Tenn.
26th annual SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS May 4-7
Commerce, Ga. (PSM)
42nd annual PONTIAC PERFORMANCE NHRA NATIONALS May 18-21
Columbus, Ohio (PSM)
18th annual O’REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS May 25-28
Topeka, Kan.
Ninth annual CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS June 8-11
Chicago (PSM)
37th annual K&N FILTERS NHRA SUPERNATIONALS June 15-18
Englishtown, N.J. (PSM)
10th annual SEARS CRAFTSMAN NHRA NATIONALS June 23-25
St. Louis (PSM)
27th annual MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS July 14-16
Denver (PSM)
19th annual NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS July 21-23
Seattle
19th annual FRAM-AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS July 28-30
Sonoma, Calif. (PSM)
25th annual LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS Aug. 10-13
Brainerd, Minn. (PSM)
19th annual O’REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS Aug. 18-20
Memphis, Tenn. (PSM)
52nd annual MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS Aug. 30 – Sept. 4
Indianapolis (PSM)
22nd annual TOYO TIRES NHRA NATIONALS Sept. 14-17
Reading, Pa. (PSM)
21st annual O’REILLY NHRA FALL NATIONALS Sept. 21-24
Dallas
Inaugural VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS Oct. 6-8
Richmond, Va.
Sixth annual ACDELCO LAS VEGAS NHRA NATIONALS Oct. 26-29
Las Vegas (PSM)
42nd annual AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS Nov. 9 -12
Pomona, Calif. (PSM)
(PSM) - Event will include Pro Stock Motorcycle
-30-
After a five-year absence, the stars of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series will return to Dinwiddie, Va. for the inaugural Virginia NHRA Nationals, Oct. 6-8, 2006. NHRA conducted national events at the facility when it opened in 1995, through the 2000 racing season.
“We are excited to welcome back Virginia Motorsports Park as an NHRA Member Track,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “In addition to receiving an NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event, the facility affords a great venue for our NHRA racers in the Mid-Atlantic region to participate in the many sportsman programs available including the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Summit Racing Series.”
NHRA boasts seven divisions throughout the country of which Virginia Motorsports Park will be classified as a Division 1 (Northeast) NHRA Member Track. The facility also is scheduled to host an NHRA Sony Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series event in the spring of 2006.
The schedule is highlighted by a return of all 2005 drag racing facilities, beginning with the 46th running of the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at historic Pomona (Calif.) Raceway, Feb. 9-12. The series concludes at the famed quarter-mile track Nov. 9-12, with the 42nd annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals.
“Pomona Raceway has arguably the richest history of any of the facilities where the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series visits,” said Compton. “NHRA fans, both young and old, come from throughout the United States and Canada to visit the raceway and the adjacent Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.”
What is now Pomona Raceway originally opened in 1950 as a way to encourage street racers to compete safely and was built with the combined efforts of the Pomona Valley Timing Association, Pomona Police Chief Ralph Parker and the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds.
The world’s most prestigious drag race, the 52nd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 4 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Earlier in the month, Brainerd International Raceway will celebrate its 25th consecutive year, when it hosts the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Aug. 10-13.
The series will make two stops at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the spring for the seventh annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, April 6-9, and the sixth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 26-29, and a one-time visit to Route 66 Raceway (June 8-11) outside Chicago, for the ninth annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals.
All NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events will feature competition in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock. Pro Stock Motorcycle will again be featured at 15 events, including: Gainesville, Fla.; Houston; Commerce, Ga.; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Englishtown, N.J.; St. Louis; Denver; Sonoma, Calif.; Brainerd, Minn.; Indianapolis; Reading, Pa.; Memphis, Tenn.; Las Vegas and Pomona, Calif.
ESPN2, a part of the ESPN network, the worldwide leader in sports, will once again provide exclusive television coverage, on a same-day basis, of all 23 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members nationwide and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, NHRA Sony Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE
46th annual CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS Feb. 9-12
Pomona, Calif.
22nd annual CHECKER SCHUCK’S KRAGEN NHRA NATIONALS Feb. 24-26
Phoenix
37th annual MAC TOOLS NHRA GATORNATIONALS March 16-19
Gainesville, Fla. (PSM)
19th annual O’REILLY NHRA SPRING NATIONALS March 31- April 2
Houston (PSM)
Seventh annual NHRA SUMMITRACING.COM NATIONALS April 6-9
Las Vegas
Sixth annual O’REILLY NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS April 28-30
Bristol, Tenn.
26th annual SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS May 4-7
Commerce, Ga. (PSM)
42nd annual PONTIAC PERFORMANCE NHRA NATIONALS May 18-21
Columbus, Ohio (PSM)
18th annual O’REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS May 25-28
Topeka, Kan.
Ninth annual CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS June 8-11
Chicago (PSM)
37th annual K&N FILTERS NHRA SUPERNATIONALS June 15-18
Englishtown, N.J. (PSM)
10th annual SEARS CRAFTSMAN NHRA NATIONALS June 23-25
St. Louis (PSM)
27th annual MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS July 14-16
Denver (PSM)
19th annual NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS July 21-23
Seattle
19th annual FRAM-AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS July 28-30
Sonoma, Calif. (PSM)
25th annual LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS Aug. 10-13
Brainerd, Minn. (PSM)
19th annual O’REILLY NHRA MID-SOUTH NATIONALS Aug. 18-20
Memphis, Tenn. (PSM)
52nd annual MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS Aug. 30 – Sept. 4
Indianapolis (PSM)
22nd annual TOYO TIRES NHRA NATIONALS Sept. 14-17
Reading, Pa. (PSM)
21st annual O’REILLY NHRA FALL NATIONALS Sept. 21-24
Dallas
Inaugural VIRGINIA NHRA NATIONALS Oct. 6-8
Richmond, Va.
Sixth annual ACDELCO LAS VEGAS NHRA NATIONALS Oct. 26-29
Las Vegas (PSM)
42nd annual AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS Nov. 9 -12
Pomona, Calif. (PSM)
(PSM) - Event will include Pro Stock Motorcycle
-30-
MICHIGAN INT'L SPEEDWAY: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: WALLACE FAMILY READY FOR AUGUST WEEKEND AT MIS
BROOKLYN, Mich. – The August 19-21 race weekend at Michigan International Speedway will be one of emotional goodbyes, but also exciting new beginnings for Rusty Wallace and his family. Rusty, will be making his 44th and final start in the August 21, GFS Marketplace 400, while son Stephen Wallace will make his superspeedway debut during the August 19, ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200.
In preparation for the special weekend at MIS, both Wallace’s visited the 2-mile oval on Wednesday, August 3 for an ARCA RE/MAX Series testing day, where Rusty took to the wheel first to shake down the car, but quickly gave the wheel to son Stephen. The now 17-year old Wallace didn’t take long to get up to speed, and turned a lap time of 40.20 on just his third lap, while eventually running a time of 40.10 during the morning session.
“I drove the car and really bombed one lap off and ran pretty quick,” said Rusty. “My lap time was 39.80. I told Stephen to take it nice and easy. I don't care if it takes all day long to get comfortable. On his third lap, I looked and saw 40.20. He has never been on the track before and I said ‘Oh boy, here we go’. We’re here preparing and doing some race runs and qualifying runs and hopefully coming away from this day with some confidence. Our goal today is just getting up to speed, make some changes, and don’t put dents in anything. It’s important to have a good, clean race on August 19.”
With both drivers competing on the same weekend, nearly everyone in the Penske Racing South and Rusty Wallace Inc. organizations are excited about the upcoming race weekend at MIS.
“It’s going to be tough weekend emotionally. I’m going to be here with Stephen on Wednesday night before the race and all day on Thursday. Nearly the entire #2 team is going to be here to support him,” said Rusty. “The whole family will be here. It will be a great time. We don’t dare leave the racetrack because we have so much racing going on that weekend. We’ve got Stephen in the ARCA car, my Busch car will be here and my Cup car will be competing. It’s going to be a big weekend and I’m excited about it.”
Stephen shared his father’s enthusiasm about racing during the same weekend at MIS.
“It’s a lot different racing at these big tracks like Michigan. It’s wild. This is by far the biggest track I will have raced at,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing my dad race in his final event at MIS. Hopefully we can both be successful that weekend. My goal is to win at Michigan for my Dad and Roger Penske (who is supplying the car for Stephen in the race).”
After a distinguished career in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Rusty will retire with over 55 career victories and one series championship (1989). Despite his success, which also includes five victories at MIS, Rusty is still preparing for retirement, which will enable him to prepare Stephen for what he hopes is a successful stock car racing career.
“Maybe I’m retiring a year too early. I’ll be moving out of racing 100 percent at the end of the year when he’s starting his career,” he said. “I would like to have still been racing, so I could feed important things to him. But, it’s gonna work out. I’m real proud of Stephen. When I retire full-time, I’ll get to work with him a lot, which I’m looking forward to.”
With his father at his side, Stephen has a lot to look forward to in his career. However, he needs to take things one step at a time. No one expects him to fill his father’s shoes, who will achieve 200 top-five NASCAR NEXTEL Cup finishes during his next finish at the top of the field.
“I think we’ll run around 10 ARCA and 10 Busch races next year. Hopefully we can make it to the Cup circuit a few years down the road,” Stephen said. “It’s pretty amazing that my dad almost has 200 top-five finishes, seeing as I don’t have any! It would be great if I could get a top five at Michigan.”
Rusty agrees with the fact that Stephen doesn’t need to rush into a Cup career quite yet. Hopefully a few more ARCA races, mixed with a good NASCAR Busch Series schedule may be a better pace for his son, who will turn 18-years-old just one day before he races at MIS on August 19.
“We’ll have Stephen run a few more races this year and a few ARCA and Busch races next year. Hopefully we can get him running a full Busch Series schedule two years from now,” Rusty said. “I’m trying to pull the reigns back on Stephen a little bit. I’m trying to shortcut him a little bit. I didn’t have anybody to shortcut things for me. I never had a Dad that was a Cup driver who explained to me the things you have to do in racing, but I’m glad I can be here for him.
For Rusty, his historic career is coming to an end soon, however, a new chapter in his life will begin.
“We have many years ahead for my son’s development. I’m going to be real busy with Stephen’s development after I retire. My wife thought we were going to spend more time together after retirement, but now she’s like ‘here we go again!” Wallace joked.
Like Father, Like Son Part Two:
Stephen Wallace wasn’t the only driver participating in the ARCA RE/MAX Series test session with a famous race car driving father, or driving for a NEXTEL Cup affiliated team.
Kraig Kinser, son of World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser took laps around the 2-mile oval in a MBV Motorsports prepared car, the same team the fields NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series entries for Joe Nemechek and Scott Riggs.
Kinser is also expected to make his ARCA RE/MAX debut in the August 19 Hantz Group 200 at MIS.
“Coming to Michigan it’s a totally different feel than what I’m used to with a little bit more speed and a lot bigger track. So it’s like starting all over again,” Kinser said Wednesday. “It’s been nothing but great working with them (MBV). There are giving me good feedback and encouragement and teaching me the best that they can. They won’t hurry me along, but they won’t push me either. It’s going to be a challenge and I’m looking forward to getting that first race under my belt.”
Tickets are still available for the ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200 on Friday August 19, featuring Stephen Wallace’s superspeedway debut. Seats are also still available for the Saturday, August 20 NASCAR Busch Series race featuring a post-race concert by Josh Turner and Sugarland. Tickets are available by calling the MIS ticket hotline at 1-800-354-1010 or by logging on to www.MISpeedway.com
In preparation for the special weekend at MIS, both Wallace’s visited the 2-mile oval on Wednesday, August 3 for an ARCA RE/MAX Series testing day, where Rusty took to the wheel first to shake down the car, but quickly gave the wheel to son Stephen. The now 17-year old Wallace didn’t take long to get up to speed, and turned a lap time of 40.20 on just his third lap, while eventually running a time of 40.10 during the morning session.
“I drove the car and really bombed one lap off and ran pretty quick,” said Rusty. “My lap time was 39.80. I told Stephen to take it nice and easy. I don't care if it takes all day long to get comfortable. On his third lap, I looked and saw 40.20. He has never been on the track before and I said ‘Oh boy, here we go’. We’re here preparing and doing some race runs and qualifying runs and hopefully coming away from this day with some confidence. Our goal today is just getting up to speed, make some changes, and don’t put dents in anything. It’s important to have a good, clean race on August 19.”
With both drivers competing on the same weekend, nearly everyone in the Penske Racing South and Rusty Wallace Inc. organizations are excited about the upcoming race weekend at MIS.
“It’s going to be tough weekend emotionally. I’m going to be here with Stephen on Wednesday night before the race and all day on Thursday. Nearly the entire #2 team is going to be here to support him,” said Rusty. “The whole family will be here. It will be a great time. We don’t dare leave the racetrack because we have so much racing going on that weekend. We’ve got Stephen in the ARCA car, my Busch car will be here and my Cup car will be competing. It’s going to be a big weekend and I’m excited about it.”
Stephen shared his father’s enthusiasm about racing during the same weekend at MIS.
“It’s a lot different racing at these big tracks like Michigan. It’s wild. This is by far the biggest track I will have raced at,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing my dad race in his final event at MIS. Hopefully we can both be successful that weekend. My goal is to win at Michigan for my Dad and Roger Penske (who is supplying the car for Stephen in the race).”
After a distinguished career in the NEXTEL Cup Series, Rusty will retire with over 55 career victories and one series championship (1989). Despite his success, which also includes five victories at MIS, Rusty is still preparing for retirement, which will enable him to prepare Stephen for what he hopes is a successful stock car racing career.
“Maybe I’m retiring a year too early. I’ll be moving out of racing 100 percent at the end of the year when he’s starting his career,” he said. “I would like to have still been racing, so I could feed important things to him. But, it’s gonna work out. I’m real proud of Stephen. When I retire full-time, I’ll get to work with him a lot, which I’m looking forward to.”
With his father at his side, Stephen has a lot to look forward to in his career. However, he needs to take things one step at a time. No one expects him to fill his father’s shoes, who will achieve 200 top-five NASCAR NEXTEL Cup finishes during his next finish at the top of the field.
“I think we’ll run around 10 ARCA and 10 Busch races next year. Hopefully we can make it to the Cup circuit a few years down the road,” Stephen said. “It’s pretty amazing that my dad almost has 200 top-five finishes, seeing as I don’t have any! It would be great if I could get a top five at Michigan.”
Rusty agrees with the fact that Stephen doesn’t need to rush into a Cup career quite yet. Hopefully a few more ARCA races, mixed with a good NASCAR Busch Series schedule may be a better pace for his son, who will turn 18-years-old just one day before he races at MIS on August 19.
“We’ll have Stephen run a few more races this year and a few ARCA and Busch races next year. Hopefully we can get him running a full Busch Series schedule two years from now,” Rusty said. “I’m trying to pull the reigns back on Stephen a little bit. I’m trying to shortcut him a little bit. I didn’t have anybody to shortcut things for me. I never had a Dad that was a Cup driver who explained to me the things you have to do in racing, but I’m glad I can be here for him.
For Rusty, his historic career is coming to an end soon, however, a new chapter in his life will begin.
“We have many years ahead for my son’s development. I’m going to be real busy with Stephen’s development after I retire. My wife thought we were going to spend more time together after retirement, but now she’s like ‘here we go again!” Wallace joked.
Like Father, Like Son Part Two:
Stephen Wallace wasn’t the only driver participating in the ARCA RE/MAX Series test session with a famous race car driving father, or driving for a NEXTEL Cup affiliated team.
Kraig Kinser, son of World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser took laps around the 2-mile oval in a MBV Motorsports prepared car, the same team the fields NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series entries for Joe Nemechek and Scott Riggs.
Kinser is also expected to make his ARCA RE/MAX debut in the August 19 Hantz Group 200 at MIS.
“Coming to Michigan it’s a totally different feel than what I’m used to with a little bit more speed and a lot bigger track. So it’s like starting all over again,” Kinser said Wednesday. “It’s been nothing but great working with them (MBV). There are giving me good feedback and encouragement and teaching me the best that they can. They won’t hurry me along, but they won’t push me either. It’s going to be a challenge and I’m looking forward to getting that first race under my belt.”
Tickets are still available for the ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200 on Friday August 19, featuring Stephen Wallace’s superspeedway debut. Seats are also still available for the Saturday, August 20 NASCAR Busch Series race featuring a post-race concert by Josh Turner and Sugarland. Tickets are available by calling the MIS ticket hotline at 1-800-354-1010 or by logging on to www.MISpeedway.com
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Preview: Ski-Doo's fall lineup on Friday night at Brockville Ontario Speedway
Courtesy Steve Young
BROCKVILLE-With another hot week of forecasts in front of us, Brockville Ontario Speedway will be thinking cool on Friday night. It's Jim's Performance Plus night at the Speedway with 2006 snowmobile and ATV lineup on display at the track to mark the occasion.
The Ski-Doo corporate trailer will pull into the fast quarter mile clay oval known as the Beast of the East to showcase the line including one of only 3 800 Outlanders in the entire province. The machine is the most powerful ATV in SKi-Doo history. Also on hand will be the 2006 Mach Z and a dozen other Ski-Doo products.
This is in addition to Brockville's regular stock car program featuring all four divisions in action, the DIRT 358 Modifieds and Sportsman, Street Stocks and Rookies. The green flag drops at 7:30 pm, but you'll want to get there early to take a peek at what Ski-Doo and Jim's Performance Plus has to show you.
BROCKVILLE-With another hot week of forecasts in front of us, Brockville Ontario Speedway will be thinking cool on Friday night. It's Jim's Performance Plus night at the Speedway with 2006 snowmobile and ATV lineup on display at the track to mark the occasion.
The Ski-Doo corporate trailer will pull into the fast quarter mile clay oval known as the Beast of the East to showcase the line including one of only 3 800 Outlanders in the entire province. The machine is the most powerful ATV in SKi-Doo history. Also on hand will be the 2006 Mach Z and a dozen other Ski-Doo products.
This is in addition to Brockville's regular stock car program featuring all four divisions in action, the DIRT 358 Modifieds and Sportsman, Street Stocks and Rookies. The green flag drops at 7:30 pm, but you'll want to get there early to take a peek at what Ski-Doo and Jim's Performance Plus has to show you.
OSCAAR MID-SEASON RECAP
By Kim Mahony, OSCAAR Vice-PresidentAs the 2005 OSCAAR is approaching the half-way mark of its season, we wish to thank you all for your continued support of our series.
I am pleased to announce that the 2005 season is off to a very successful start. OSCAAR's car count is at a series all-time best. Capacity crowds continue to enjoy the highly intense and competitive shows that the Super Lates have to offer. OSCAAR's is continuing to grow a very loyal fan base.
2005 has seen the competition at an all time high. Many competitors continue to comment that "finishing in the top three is not as easy as it used to be, and should be considered quite an accomplishment". With five events now complete, OSCAAR has had three different feature winners in John Fletcher, Rob Clarke and Jeff Hanley. Jeff Hanley got off to a slow start in 2005, however, has now won back-to-back features in his quest to make up some lost ground in the 2005 point standings. John Fletcher and Rob Clarke have picked up where they left off in 2004, and currently sit in the fight for the championship.
What is most interesting this season is the efforts and success of our "mid-runners". Ed Bowlby, Drew Spicer, John Owen, Roy and Gary Passer have all experienced excellent finishes and are making a fight for podium finishes. To catch all the excitement, I encourage you all to attend one of our upcoming events.
OSCAAR's goal will be to continue to grow the series and to provide racing entertainment to all the loyal Outlaw Super Late Model fans throughout Southern Ontario.
I hope that by now, you have all received your packages with respect to OSCAAR's 2nd Annual Charity/Fundraiser Golf Tournament. OSCAAR's Golf Day in support of The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - London Chapter, in memory of our dear friend George Clarke, will be next Wednesday, August 6th.
If you or any of your staff wish to participate in supporting a good cause, there are still openings for teams, as well as sponsorship opportunities. Please do not hesitate to contact me, if any of the information contained in your mailers is of interest to you.
I would also ask that you mark Saturday September 3rd on your calendars, as that is the day that Peterborough Speedway will host the 7th Annual Don Biederman Memorial. OSCAAR will also host its annual Sponsor Appreciation Day. While details are still in the planning stages, you will all be notified shortly of the events planned for that particular day. The event is sure to be an exciting one, as the Outlaw Super Late Models take to the track to dethrone three-time Champion John Fletcher ('02 - '04). This is one race you won't want to miss!
In closing, I wish to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support of OSCAAR! Your dedication and assistance to OSCAAR is all a part of the success we are currently experiencing. I also wish to extend an open invitation to you all to attend any of our upcoming events!
PRO LINE 100 HEADLINES CARQUEST TOUR SHOW SATURDAY AT NBIS
Joan Roue, CARQUEST Pro Stock TourGEARY, NB (2005 August 3) - This Saturday the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour will make their second and final stop of the 2005 season at the New Brunswick International Speedway (NBIS). The event will feature The PRO LINE 100, round 8 of 11 en route to the 2005 series championship.
Typically, CARQUEST Tour races at the fast Geary oval shake up the "regular" running order, so this Saturday's race could be pivotal in deciding the 2005 title.
Several elements enter the equation when the CARQUEST Tour stops at Geary, but most prominent is the fact that several NBIS weekly pro stock division competitors usually enter the events. With lap time and home track advantage on their side, the NBIS regulars, or graduates thereof, usually do quite well.
Another exciting element that challenges the racers and entertains the fans is the high speed the racecars carry around the track - making you sit on the edge of your seat - whether you are in the stands or in the racecar.
Rollie MacDonald (Pictou, NS) leads the pack of 39 competitors that have entered 2005 CARQUEST Tour events. MacDonald has earned 1355 points to-date, just three more than inaugural series champion Wayne Smith (Halifax, NS). EIT Race Radio rookie of the year contender Shawn Turple (Enfield, NS) sits third at 1312.
Fredericton native and former NBIS pro stock division champ Shawn Tucker is fourth at 1300 and three-time NBIS pro stock champ Brad Mann, another series rookie contender, is fifth at 1288.
In the series first stop at NBIS this year (June 19) MacDonald finished ninth, Smith 10th, Turple second, Tucker fifth and Mann fourth. Kevin Moore (Fredericton), an NBIS graduate to the CARQUEST Tour, won the event.
AIM Wins In Alabama: Lacroix Holds Points Lead, Bunker Has Best Finish
By Phil Nelles, AIM AutosportThe Aim Autosport Formula BMW USA team left Barber Motorsports Park Sunday with rookie driver Kevin Lacroix still leading the overall driver’s championship by one point and teammate rookie driver Rob Bunker jumping to ninth in the standings.
Kevin led flag to flag in Saturday’s race for the win but found trouble in Sunday’s race finishing eighth. Rob had his best weekend of the season with a seventh place finish on Saturday followed by a season high sixth place on Sunday.
Qualifying for Saturday’s race was cancelled due to severe weather and lightning in the area. The starting grid was formed on the basis of Championship Points, thus earning Kevin his first pole of the season, Rob would start eleventh. Sunday’s qualifying saw Kevin starting second and Rob lining up eighth on the grid.
Kevin led wire-to-wire on Saturday in the 30-minute contest completing 14 laps of the 2.3-mile, 16-turn circuit. In taking his fourth victory of the season, he consolidates his lead in overall points and moves back to the lead in the rookie points.
Kevin took charge immediately with Philippe, Robert Wickens, Piscopo and Maxime Soulet filling out the top five in the early laps. Reed Stevens required starting from the rear of the grid, quickly moved into the top-10. He ended the day in sixth place.
On lap six, a crash by Adrien Herberts in turn three brought out the safety car. As the green flag restarted the race on lap 10, Piscopo passed Philippe for second. Robert Wickens slowed with mechanical problems in the final four laps and dropped from fifth to 10th. Tom Sutherland, Stevens, Rob Bunker, Race Johnson and Justin Moon all took advantage of his slowing car and moved up for top-10 finishes.
In holding off Piscopo on the final lap, Kevin set the fastest lap of the race (1:28.503). Rob drove a steady and fast race to come home in seventh place.
In Sunday’s race Kevin started second, but a spin on the third lap dropped him to an eighth-place finish. He now leads Richard Philippe by only one point, while Philippe’s fourth-place finish today moves him to the top of the Rookie Points for the first time this season. Rob started eighth on the grid, had his usual great start and drove a heads up race to come home in a season-best sixth position! This would vault Rob into ninth overall in the standings.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Hankook Championship ready for the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix challenge
By Dominic St-Jean
Montreal, August 2, 2005 – The drivers of the Hankook Championship of the Auto-Quebec Federation are awaiting feverishly their return to legendary Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix where the fourth round of their contest will be held this weekend. One of the season master events, the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix always counts on tremendous support from race fans, and all the Championship participants are eager to show them a good time.
“It’s an immense pleasure to find ourselves in Trois-Rivieres for the next round of the Championship, says series promoter Dominic St-Jean. Not only the drivers race on a circuit which saw some of the greatest sports car drivers compete there before them, but the welcome of Maurician fans is second to none. There’s always a carnival atmosphere in the air, and it’s invigorating to our drivers. This year, on top of having media trackside, we’ll take fans with us on track with TVA host Benoit Gagnon in GTU class.”
Touring Hankook:
The Touring class is still hotly contested, with three different race winners in as many events. Series leader Bobby Hamel (BMW 328i) aims for his second win of the season. “I’m having my best start to a season ever, and our team is pumped looking forward to Trois-Rivieres, admits Levis’ Hamel. This track suits my car really well, and we’ve made some improvements to the car which should see us gain in speed.”
His closest rival, Doctor Jocelyn Hébert (Acura Integra), will try to repeat his 2004 win on the monteregian circuit. He needs to close a twelve-point gap to Hamel. “Trois-Rivieres is special for our team since we all come from here, as well as our sponsors, says Hébert. I believe the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix is the best place in term of ambience and for the privileged contact we enjoy with the fans there. You don’t see this friendly setting anywhere else, which makes it a must-see weekend.”
Of note, Babu (Hyundai Tiburon), leader in the rookie of the year standing, will be unable to compete this weekend due to injuries sustained last week on his motorbike. Stéphane Carrier (VW Jetta GTX) will try and bridge the eight point divide separating him from the TV personality.
Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup:
The Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup is starting to look like Family Feud. After the father-son duo of Michel and Olivier Bonnet, Hugo Lafontaine gets back behind the wheel and rejoins his father Marcel with the Max1600 team. This family struggle will also be concerned with two other quick drivers, two-time race winner Philippe Gélinas of Grand-Mère and Morin Heights’ Marc Arseneau.
GTU/GTO/GT:
Staging several close finishes this season, the GTU, GTO and GT cars will give an eyeful to Trois-Rivieres fans this weekend. GTU class leader Normand Robert (Mazda RX-7) being unavailable for the weekend, George Moutafis (BMW M3) will push hard to regain some of Robert’s fourteen points advantage.
In GTO, Picton, Ontario driver Malcolm Strachan (Chevrolet Corvette Z06) arrives in Trois-Rivieres with a twenty-seven point lead over Fernand Leblanc (porsche 911 RSR). Despite this gap, Leblanc needs to be taken seriously. “I’ll aim for a win in Trois-Rivieres, explains Strachan, but my main goal will be to keep the Konica-Minolta Corvette in front of my main competitor, Fernand Leblanc. The GTO Championship seems to be really close, and KVR Performance has provided us with new brake rotors that will help with brake cooling, a major necessity in Trois-Rivieres.”
In GT class, Fernand Leblanc rules with a massive 28-point lead. Closest competitors Alain Goulet (Porsche 944 Turbo Cup) and Paul Bissonette (Ford Mustang GT) have their work cut out for them.
About the Hankook Quebec Championship:
The Championship is proud of its prestigious partners: Hankook Tires, Excellence Chrysler, Motul, Cogismaq, Trac Racing Depot, G-nius Communication, Optik Design, Lettrage Provan and RDS Motorisé. For more information on the Quebec Championship, full results and high-resolution pictures, please visit www.autocourse.ca , or contact Dominic St-Jean by phone at (514) 382-8777 or by email at dominic@autocourse.ca.
Montreal, August 2, 2005 – The drivers of the Hankook Championship of the Auto-Quebec Federation are awaiting feverishly their return to legendary Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix where the fourth round of their contest will be held this weekend. One of the season master events, the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix always counts on tremendous support from race fans, and all the Championship participants are eager to show them a good time.
“It’s an immense pleasure to find ourselves in Trois-Rivieres for the next round of the Championship, says series promoter Dominic St-Jean. Not only the drivers race on a circuit which saw some of the greatest sports car drivers compete there before them, but the welcome of Maurician fans is second to none. There’s always a carnival atmosphere in the air, and it’s invigorating to our drivers. This year, on top of having media trackside, we’ll take fans with us on track with TVA host Benoit Gagnon in GTU class.”
Touring Hankook:
The Touring class is still hotly contested, with three different race winners in as many events. Series leader Bobby Hamel (BMW 328i) aims for his second win of the season. “I’m having my best start to a season ever, and our team is pumped looking forward to Trois-Rivieres, admits Levis’ Hamel. This track suits my car really well, and we’ve made some improvements to the car which should see us gain in speed.”
His closest rival, Doctor Jocelyn Hébert (Acura Integra), will try to repeat his 2004 win on the monteregian circuit. He needs to close a twelve-point gap to Hamel. “Trois-Rivieres is special for our team since we all come from here, as well as our sponsors, says Hébert. I believe the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix is the best place in term of ambience and for the privileged contact we enjoy with the fans there. You don’t see this friendly setting anywhere else, which makes it a must-see weekend.”
Of note, Babu (Hyundai Tiburon), leader in the rookie of the year standing, will be unable to compete this weekend due to injuries sustained last week on his motorbike. Stéphane Carrier (VW Jetta GTX) will try and bridge the eight point divide separating him from the TV personality.
Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup:
The Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup is starting to look like Family Feud. After the father-son duo of Michel and Olivier Bonnet, Hugo Lafontaine gets back behind the wheel and rejoins his father Marcel with the Max1600 team. This family struggle will also be concerned with two other quick drivers, two-time race winner Philippe Gélinas of Grand-Mère and Morin Heights’ Marc Arseneau.
GTU/GTO/GT:
Staging several close finishes this season, the GTU, GTO and GT cars will give an eyeful to Trois-Rivieres fans this weekend. GTU class leader Normand Robert (Mazda RX-7) being unavailable for the weekend, George Moutafis (BMW M3) will push hard to regain some of Robert’s fourteen points advantage.
In GTO, Picton, Ontario driver Malcolm Strachan (Chevrolet Corvette Z06) arrives in Trois-Rivieres with a twenty-seven point lead over Fernand Leblanc (porsche 911 RSR). Despite this gap, Leblanc needs to be taken seriously. “I’ll aim for a win in Trois-Rivieres, explains Strachan, but my main goal will be to keep the Konica-Minolta Corvette in front of my main competitor, Fernand Leblanc. The GTO Championship seems to be really close, and KVR Performance has provided us with new brake rotors that will help with brake cooling, a major necessity in Trois-Rivieres.”
In GT class, Fernand Leblanc rules with a massive 28-point lead. Closest competitors Alain Goulet (Porsche 944 Turbo Cup) and Paul Bissonette (Ford Mustang GT) have their work cut out for them.
About the Hankook Quebec Championship:
The Championship is proud of its prestigious partners: Hankook Tires, Excellence Chrysler, Motul, Cogismaq, Trac Racing Depot, G-nius Communication, Optik Design, Lettrage Provan and RDS Motorisé. For more information on the Quebec Championship, full results and high-resolution pictures, please visit www.autocourse.ca , or contact Dominic St-Jean by phone at (514) 382-8777 or by email at dominic@autocourse.ca.
Paul Tracy to Test RCR Cup Car at MIS
David Hart, Director of Communications, Richard Childress RacingWELCOME, N.C. (August 2, 2005) -- Open wheel star Paul Tracy will test August 8-9 at Michigan International Speedway in Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) No. 33 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Chevrolet in preparation for the Aug. 21 GFS Marketplace 400.
The Ontario, Canada native is the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion and has 30 victories, ranking him first among the series’ active drivers and third all-time. Tracy is currently second in the 2005 point standings with two victories (Milwaukee, June 4; Cleveland, June 26), six top-five finishes and two pole positions after eight of 14 races. He finished second in the July 31 Taylor Woodrow Grand Prix of San Jose (Calif.).
“Paul and I have talked about an opportunity like this for the past couple years and it has finally come together for Michigan,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “I’d like to thank Gerry Forsythe and Forsythe Championship Racing for allowing us the chance to give this a try. This will be Paul’s first shot in a stock car but he obviously has a great deal of talent and knows how to win races and championships. We’ll take a look at how things go after the test and, if all goes according to plan, get him ready for the Cup race the next week.”
Tracy is looking forward to testing his driving skills again at the MIS oval. He competed in Champ Cars there 10 times (1992-2001), earning four top-five and seven top-10 finishes and a pole position (2000). The 2000 pole speed set the track qualifying record at 234.949 mph (30.645 seconds).
“I’m very excited about this opportunity especially at Michigan where I have a lot of experience,” said Tracy. “Driving a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup car will be totally new to me but my focus is to develop a package that will help Kevin (Harvick), Jeff (Burton) and Dave (Blaney) and their teams for the race weekend. I want to do whatever I can to help.”
BROWN DRAWS A PAIR OF SEVENS: Kennington Comes Up with Aces
By Ken SpencerDoug Brown’s last minute gamble to go west as part of CASCAR’s Super Series schedule has paid a huge return for the NAPA/Autopro sponsored driver.
Two seventh place finishes at Vernon, BC’s Sun Valley Speedway –one in Friday’s 100-lap qualifier and the second in Saturday’s 300-lap feature- have helped jettisoned the Brantford racing veteran into 12th spot (unofficially) in the series’ standing and just 52 short of his goal of tenth, a target he set for himself before the season began.
“It was definitely the right choice in making the trip”, Doug remarked in relaying his results back home. “We even had a good shot of a better finish in the qualifier but the car’s handling started to go away in the closing laps (while running fourth) so I had to back off a bit.”
Brown lined up 14th in the 28-car starting field for the 300-lap feature but went down a lap while running in the top ten when lapped cars created some problems for those running behind the four leaders. Quick pit stops helped keep Doug and the #10 car in the chase eventually gaining him a spot on a fuel and two-tire stop late in the event.
With 25 laps remaining, Doug hooked up with Dave Whitlock and JR Fitzpatrick in a three car challenge for sixth spot with the NAPA/Autopro driver edging past Fitzpatrick for seventh with 15 laps remaining but he couldn’t muster enough to catch Whitlock in the closing laps.
TEAM WORK A BIG FACTOR
For DJ Kennington, the trip west was even more rewarding.
The Castrol Canada Dodge driver set fast time in time trials, won his 100-lap qualifier then shuffled his way past late leader Brad Graham of Glencoe on lap 297 of Saturday’s main event to make it three wins in a row including last week’s 300-lap race in Calgary.
That string of victories and qualifying results has catapulted the St. Thomas driver into third place in the standings up from tenth when the western trip began.
Because both Brown and Kennington went west with skeleton crews, they helped each other out during pit stops and in repairing the damages to the #10 car following the Calgary race, demonstrating the teamwork of CASCAR competitors in this highly competitive series.
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR GRAHAM
For Brad Graham, second place was a bitter disappointment when it appeared he was on the verge of capturing his first ever career Super Series event. Unfortunately a lapped car caused problems by disrupting the battle between him and Kennington allowing Kennington to scrape by for the victory.
Don Thomson Jr. of Hamilton, Peter Gibbons of Stouffville and Ron Beauchamp of Windsor rounded out the top five finishers making it an all-Ontario sweep of the first eight positions in the 300-lap event. Ron VanEs of Smithville completed a successful journey west by finishing tenth behind Sherwood Park, Alberta’s Kevin Dowler.
The teams now return east for the five remaining events on the CASCAR calendar beginning this Saturday, August 6th at the half-mile oval at Mosport Speedway.
Courtesy Brighton Speedway Park
For the first time in over two decades 358 Dirt Modifieds will be competing at the Brighton Speedway. On Saturday September 24th, 2005 at 7:00 PM the 1/3 mile clay oval will host the ImageFactor.ca Applefest 358 Dirt Modified Shootout. Designed to give local 358 drivers a late season 'big' event to attend, its beginnings were very unique.
During the middle of the 2004 racing season several drivers in the northeast expressed the interest in having a series of 'big' events in the fall as an alternative to making the long haul south of the border. The topic was brought up by 358 driver Jeff Ciglich on an internet web forum at DirtTrackDigest.com. After many replies from interested competitors and fans the news traveled to Brighton Speedway promoter Mark Rinaldi. Mark was intrigued by the idea and considered making a late season addition to the 2004 schedule. However, not having enough time to properly promote an event of this magnitude it was decided that a meeting would take place during the off-season to further discuss the possibility for a race in 2005.
On a cold winter day in February race teams, drivers and fans met in Kingston, Ontario to exchange ideas and work out the details for a possible event in late September at Brighton. Long time driver Mark Hitchcock graciously hosted the gathering at his shop. The meeting was a positive one and when the 2005 Brighton Speedway schedule was released a 358 Dirt Modified race had been slotted in for Saturday September 24th. The event is 50 laps in distance with a solid $10,000 CDN purse up for grabs. Although this is a stand-alone event the race will be run under 2005 DIRT 358 rules.
A regular card of racing is also scheduled for the evening, which includes the Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Novice and Comp 4 divisions. With the world of northeastern Dirt Modified racing up in the air it is apparent that teams and drivers are searching for alternatives. The ImageFactor.ca Applefest 358 Dirt Modified Shootout will be just that, a chance for local teams to compete for a solid purse without having to travel three or four hours to a nationally sanctioned event just to be upstaged by high dollar tour regulars. Instead of packing up their cars and equipment by the second weekend of September the 358 Dirt Modified drivers in the area can now circle a new date on their calendar at a track most have never competed on.
All 358 teams interested in competing are able to pre-register for the event. Those who enter prior to September 1st, 2005 will receive 4 pit passes (1 driver and 3 crew members) for $75.00 CDN. After September 1st, 2005 all pit passes will be $25.00 CDN per person. As an added incentive, every team that pre-registers for the event will have their name entered into a draw. The team drawn will win 4 free pit passes for the September 24th race.
ImageFactor.ca will proudly present the event. ImageFactor.ca is a Motorsports Marketing and Promotional company designed to help race teams and tracks gain a professional image through many different avenues including web and graphic design. As part of their race partnership a web site solely for the event has been created at www.imagefactor.ca/applefestshootout. Fans who visit the site can enter to win a pair of tickets for this inaugural event.
The Brighton Speedway is a 1/3 mile tacky clay oval located in Brighton, Ontario Canada. Nestled closely to the shores of Lake Ontario the track plays host to dirt racing every Saturday night from May to September. The Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Novice and Comp 4 classes make up a regular night of action. Throughout the season they also host special events, which include the Southern Ontario Sprints, Mid State Vintage Modifieds and Ontario Dirt Late Models.
For more information on the Brighton Speedway visit their web site at www.brightonspeedway.com.
For the first time in over two decades 358 Dirt Modifieds will be competing at the Brighton Speedway. On Saturday September 24th, 2005 at 7:00 PM the 1/3 mile clay oval will host the ImageFactor.ca Applefest 358 Dirt Modified Shootout. Designed to give local 358 drivers a late season 'big' event to attend, its beginnings were very unique.
During the middle of the 2004 racing season several drivers in the northeast expressed the interest in having a series of 'big' events in the fall as an alternative to making the long haul south of the border. The topic was brought up by 358 driver Jeff Ciglich on an internet web forum at DirtTrackDigest.com. After many replies from interested competitors and fans the news traveled to Brighton Speedway promoter Mark Rinaldi. Mark was intrigued by the idea and considered making a late season addition to the 2004 schedule. However, not having enough time to properly promote an event of this magnitude it was decided that a meeting would take place during the off-season to further discuss the possibility for a race in 2005.
On a cold winter day in February race teams, drivers and fans met in Kingston, Ontario to exchange ideas and work out the details for a possible event in late September at Brighton. Long time driver Mark Hitchcock graciously hosted the gathering at his shop. The meeting was a positive one and when the 2005 Brighton Speedway schedule was released a 358 Dirt Modified race had been slotted in for Saturday September 24th. The event is 50 laps in distance with a solid $10,000 CDN purse up for grabs. Although this is a stand-alone event the race will be run under 2005 DIRT 358 rules.
A regular card of racing is also scheduled for the evening, which includes the Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Novice and Comp 4 divisions. With the world of northeastern Dirt Modified racing up in the air it is apparent that teams and drivers are searching for alternatives. The ImageFactor.ca Applefest 358 Dirt Modified Shootout will be just that, a chance for local teams to compete for a solid purse without having to travel three or four hours to a nationally sanctioned event just to be upstaged by high dollar tour regulars. Instead of packing up their cars and equipment by the second weekend of September the 358 Dirt Modified drivers in the area can now circle a new date on their calendar at a track most have never competed on.
All 358 teams interested in competing are able to pre-register for the event. Those who enter prior to September 1st, 2005 will receive 4 pit passes (1 driver and 3 crew members) for $75.00 CDN. After September 1st, 2005 all pit passes will be $25.00 CDN per person. As an added incentive, every team that pre-registers for the event will have their name entered into a draw. The team drawn will win 4 free pit passes for the September 24th race.
ImageFactor.ca will proudly present the event. ImageFactor.ca is a Motorsports Marketing and Promotional company designed to help race teams and tracks gain a professional image through many different avenues including web and graphic design. As part of their race partnership a web site solely for the event has been created at www.imagefactor.ca/applefestshootout. Fans who visit the site can enter to win a pair of tickets for this inaugural event.
The Brighton Speedway is a 1/3 mile tacky clay oval located in Brighton, Ontario Canada. Nestled closely to the shores of Lake Ontario the track plays host to dirt racing every Saturday night from May to September. The Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Novice and Comp 4 classes make up a regular night of action. Throughout the season they also host special events, which include the Southern Ontario Sprints, Mid State Vintage Modifieds and Ontario Dirt Late Models.
For more information on the Brighton Speedway visit their web site at www.brightonspeedway.com.
SAID WINS CYTOMAX SPORT DRINK 100 TRANS-AM RACE IN SAN JOSE
By Justin AndersonSAN JOSE, Calif. (July 30, 2005) — Boris Said proved to the 50,962 fans here that he is always a threat by dominating Saturday’s Cytomax Sport Drink 100 Trans-Am Series race at the inaugural Grand Prix of San Jose. Said, driving the No. 33 ACS Express Ford Mustang, took the lead on lap nine of the 57-lap event and then held off a charging Greg Pickett to record the victory, his first this season in just his second start.
Pickett, the 1978 Trans-Am champion, finished second, just .147 of a second back, driving the No. 6 Cytomax Jaguar XKR. Rookie Klaus Graf drove from last on the Trans-Am grid to finish third in the No. 7 Jaguar R Performance XKR. Championship leader Randy Ruhlman (No. 49 Preformed Line Products Chevrolet Corvette) was fourth, and holds the championship lead going into the next race in two weeks at Denver. Hima Maher (No. 78 Centennial Motorsports of Calgary Chevrolet Corvette) was fifth.
Joey Scarallo led the event from the start in the No. 06 Group A Wheels/Auto Trend/Toyo Tires Chevrolet Corvette), but lost the point to Pickett in the hairpin on the tight 1.448-mile street course on lap eight. Said passed Pickett in turn four one lap later.
Pickett charged into the final turn and, as the checkered flag waved, he nearly took the lead from Said as the two former Trans-Am champions crossed the stripe side by side.
“I wanted to slow down, but Greg was pushing me really hard,” said Said, the 2002 Trans-Am titleholder. “I had a great time here. Greg is a great guy and he ran me really hard and the finish was really close. It was a lot of fun.
“I knew he was going to be there in that last turn,” added Said. “I was expecting it. I was just waiting for him to slow down; for his tires to go away or something, but he really ran me down at the finish. We put on a really good show. It was a riot racing here.”
Pickett held on to second, despite being involved in an incident with a GTA competitor late in the event. Pickett, from Alamo, Calif., debuted his new fuel-injected engine package this weekend, developed by longtime Toyota Atlantic Championship engine builder Hasselgren. Pickett also set the race’s fastest race lap, a 1:05.382-minute effort. The runner-up effort marked his third such finish this year, and his fourth 2005 podium. Pickett won Round 5 at Edmonton, but missed the Cleveland round due to previous business engagements.
“I have to compliment my crew,” said Pickett, who moved up to third in points, just 16 markers away from Ruhlman. “This was a very, very difficult track on the equipment. The transmission, the suspension—everything took a beating this weekend. We wanted to finish the race. That’s what we set out to do. Any time you can run like that with a guy like Boris Said, you have to be happy. Boris is a fierce competitor. I guess I might feel just a tiny bit better, but we’re happy.
“Corporately, we’re very pleased about our sponsorship of the race,” added Pickett of his company’s backing of the event through its Cytomax Sport Drink brand. “It was a big success for us. San Jose did a wonderful job getting this event together.
Graf started last on the grid after changing tires on his Jaguar prior to the race, which disallowed his qualifying time. The third-place finish marked the German rookie’s third podium this season. Graf was involved in several incidents on track and received a black-flag penalty late in the event for contact with Ruhlman.
“I think I went through the pit lane five times today,” laughed Graf, who sits second in points, just 13 markers back. “We got into it with a GTA car and that flattened a tire, so we had to come into the pits. Then, I got into the back of Randy and had to go through the pits again. At the end I had a really great car. Rocketsports Racing really worked hard this weekend. We ended up third, which is OK for where I started. We’re in the thick of the points with three races coming up, which are good.”
Moneca Kolvyn (No. 08 West Coast Hot Rods Chevrolet Monte Carlo) finished first in the GT-1 Class and earned her first Class victory. Kolvyn continues to lead the GT-1 standings.
“This has been a little bit of a tortoise and the hare story this year,” said Kolvyn. “I really wanted this win. This was an absolutely wonderful event. I feel great.”
Rudy Revak earned his second GTA victory this season in the No. 99 Symmetry Nutritional Ford Taurus. Revak is currently second in GTA points to Tim Barber (No. 97 Riverside Motorsports Park Pontiac Grand Prix).
“We had a great day,” said Revak. “We had a lot of trouble with brakes all weekend. My crew worked until the very last minute to get the brakes right. Dave Brown and Steve Kelso were right there all race and we had a great battle. This is just terrific. Being from San Jose, we had a lot of support here. We had a lot of family and friends cheering us on, which makes this even more special.”
The inaugural race ran in one hour, 15 minutes and 42.420 seconds at an average speed of 65.412 miles per hour. The race was slowed four times by the caution flag for 19 laps. The race will air on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 1 p.m. on SPEED.
KARTING: ‘Bear’ hunt ends at Mosport
OKRA GrandNationals a huge success
Courtesy The Russ Bond Agency
MOSPORT, ONTARIO With the final day of the 2005 OKRA GrandNationals now in the books, a case could be made that Pearce Herder was the best ‘bear’ hunter in attendance. The Stouffville driver took home a coveted bear each day of the event, collecting three in total. With over 240 entries over the three days, there is no doubt that Cameron Motorsports, the OKRA and all the volunteers from the clubs did an amazing job with the 2005 edition of the OKRA GrandNationals.
In Rotax Max Senior, Eric Gerrits had the pole, but an incident in the first corner brought out the red flag and Gerrits was unable to continue as he had a broken radiator. On the restart, Kyle Herder took the early lead over Mark Kitchen, Jason Keen and Marco Di Leo. On lap five, both Kitchen and Di Leo got past Herder to take the top two spots. Herder caught them back up in the late stages to make it a three way battle for the win, but Kitchen was able to hang on for the win ahead of Di Leo and Herder. Jason Keen came home fourth and Jordan Lynch rounded out the top five.
In Rotax Max Junior, Michael Vincec took the lead at the drop of the green and never looked back. Vincec had a healthy lead big enough that he spun and still kept the lead and came home with the checkered flag. Behind him came Brad Forbes and Joshua Korenyi. Fourth was Dylan Gibson and Steven Mathews rounded out the top five.
Honda Masters was all Fred Jordan as he went wire to wire for the win. Bruce Panes and Doug Bedford enjoyed a race long battle for second and third. Blair Harrison and Dave Jackson rounded out the top five.
In Canada Junior Heavy a group of four made the original break from the pack. Brad Forbes, Justin Holtom, Kevin Monteith and Chris Lane all battled amongst themselves before Forbes took control in the middle stages and went on to win by six seconds. Holtom, Monteith and Lane followed Forbes across the line with Steven Mathews rounding out the top five.
Canada Senior Light was Pearce Herder’s domain. He led from the drop of the green and cruised home to capture his third bear of the weekend. Rob Oakman had some difficulty early on, but he bounced back to finish a distant second behind Herder. Third and fourth were the Bradburn brothers, with Corey leading Jesse across the line. Fifth place went to 67 year old Kees Kroon, and he received a huge ovation when he accepted his fifth place trophy.
It took three days for Adriano Bilotta to take home a bear, but he finally did it. On Saturday, Bilotta was leading when his exhaust fell off, and this time he wasn’t going to be denied. He took the win ahead of Paul Carvahlo on the track, but Carvahlo was assessed a one position penalty that dropped him to third. That penalty elevated Corey Usher to second. Andrew Deaves was fourth and Wilson Tessari Neto was fourth.
Courtesy The Russ Bond Agency
MOSPORT, ONTARIO With the final day of the 2005 OKRA GrandNationals now in the books, a case could be made that Pearce Herder was the best ‘bear’ hunter in attendance. The Stouffville driver took home a coveted bear each day of the event, collecting three in total. With over 240 entries over the three days, there is no doubt that Cameron Motorsports, the OKRA and all the volunteers from the clubs did an amazing job with the 2005 edition of the OKRA GrandNationals.
In Rotax Max Senior, Eric Gerrits had the pole, but an incident in the first corner brought out the red flag and Gerrits was unable to continue as he had a broken radiator. On the restart, Kyle Herder took the early lead over Mark Kitchen, Jason Keen and Marco Di Leo. On lap five, both Kitchen and Di Leo got past Herder to take the top two spots. Herder caught them back up in the late stages to make it a three way battle for the win, but Kitchen was able to hang on for the win ahead of Di Leo and Herder. Jason Keen came home fourth and Jordan Lynch rounded out the top five.
In Rotax Max Junior, Michael Vincec took the lead at the drop of the green and never looked back. Vincec had a healthy lead big enough that he spun and still kept the lead and came home with the checkered flag. Behind him came Brad Forbes and Joshua Korenyi. Fourth was Dylan Gibson and Steven Mathews rounded out the top five.
Honda Masters was all Fred Jordan as he went wire to wire for the win. Bruce Panes and Doug Bedford enjoyed a race long battle for second and third. Blair Harrison and Dave Jackson rounded out the top five.
In Canada Junior Heavy a group of four made the original break from the pack. Brad Forbes, Justin Holtom, Kevin Monteith and Chris Lane all battled amongst themselves before Forbes took control in the middle stages and went on to win by six seconds. Holtom, Monteith and Lane followed Forbes across the line with Steven Mathews rounding out the top five.
Canada Senior Light was Pearce Herder’s domain. He led from the drop of the green and cruised home to capture his third bear of the weekend. Rob Oakman had some difficulty early on, but he bounced back to finish a distant second behind Herder. Third and fourth were the Bradburn brothers, with Corey leading Jesse across the line. Fifth place went to 67 year old Kees Kroon, and he received a huge ovation when he accepted his fifth place trophy.
It took three days for Adriano Bilotta to take home a bear, but he finally did it. On Saturday, Bilotta was leading when his exhaust fell off, and this time he wasn’t going to be denied. He took the win ahead of Paul Carvahlo on the track, but Carvahlo was assessed a one position penalty that dropped him to third. That penalty elevated Corey Usher to second. Andrew Deaves was fourth and Wilson Tessari Neto was fourth.
AIM Podiums In PortlandHinchcliffe Second, Wilkins Fourth, Thomas Robbed
Courtesy Phil NellesThe Aim Autosport Star Mazda team placed two of it’s three drivers in the top five at Portland International Raceway during round eight of the 2006 Star Mazda Championship. Unfortunately, AIM driver Brandon Thomas had a certain top ten finish taken from him by a competitor’s poor judgment.
Throughout practice and qualifying the team prepared all three drivers and cars for what would be a hot humid event. James was leading the charge, with top three times in all practice sessions. Mark and Brandon made good progress throughout practice sessions with Mark solidly in the top ten and Brandon turning top fifteen times.
Qualifying was all about tire management for the AIM squad with series rules stating that cars must race on the same tires they qualify with. James and AIM engineer Yancy Diotalevi worked their magic during the session- managing second on the grid while only running seven laps in total, the fewest number of laps by any competitor. Mark qualified in seventh position struggling with traffic, while Brandon started fifteenth on the grid.
The race, originally scheduled for 35 laps, would ultimately cover 28 laps as a result of several caution flags, culminating in a two-lap shootout to the finish between Rahal, James and Pecorari. With James and Pecorari already recording victories at Infineon Raceway and Pikes Peak respectively, Rahal knew he would have to push hard for the win. "James and I went pretty deep into the Festival Chicane and I actually had to shift down to first gear but I was able to get a good run out of the corner and didn't make any other mistakes the rest of the way.", Rahal explained. James led the most laps and set the fastest race lap; unfortunately James could not hold back Rahal for the win and had to settle for second place.
Marks’ race began well, making up positions at the start and running very competitive times throughout the race. Trading positions with series point’s leader Matos for several laps before ultimately finishing fourth just ahead of Matos.
Brandons’ race started saw his best start of the season… from fifteenth to seventh- including passing several cars on the outside of the first corner. Unfortunately, his race was too short as a competitor unexpectedly drove into the rear of Brandon, severely damaging Brandons’ gearbox which would finish him for the day.
Championship point’s leader Matos, finished fifth surviving close calls on the opening laps of the event to protect his championship lead. With eight of twelve races complete Matos sits in first with 309 points while Pecorari inches closer with 278 points. James remains in third place with 274 points while Mark is in seventh place with 207 points and Brandon is in 21st with 112 points.
Ron VanEs Completes Successful Western Swing
Performance Helps Raise Position in Standings
By Ken Spencer
Smithville, Ontario’s Ron VanEs completed a successful trip west by running to an impressive tenth-place finish in Saturday’s 300-lap Super Series race at Sun Valley Speedway north of Vernon, BC.
The sophomore driver of the Star Van Systems/All Cover Systems Monte Carlo finished sixth in Friday’s 100-lap qualifier then worked his way into the top-ten in Saturday’s 300-lap feature by maintaining a steady pace throughout the marathon event. He started 11th in the 28-car field but went down a lap early when lapped cars created some problems and eventual dropped a second lap late in the race.
Coupled with his previous week’s performance in Calgary where he finished ninth in the MOPAR 300 and eighth in his 100-lap qualifier, the second year Super Series competitor has now climbed (unofficially) into 14th spot in the points’ standings. He was 21st in the points’ race when the Super Series headed west following race #5 in Toronto on July 10th.
Ron now returns to Ontario circles to finish the five remaining races on the CASCAR schedule and hopefully garner enough points to move up another spot or two in the tightening race for tenth spot in the national points. Action resumes this Saturday at Mosport Speedway north of Bowmanville.
DJ Kennington of St. Thomas won Saturday’s main event at Sun Valley passing Glencoe’s Brad Graham with just three laps remaining.
The victory for Kennington was his third in his last three starts beginning last week in Calgary and this past week’s qualifier at Sn Valley
Series point’s leader Don Thomson of Hamilton finished third with Peter Gibbons of Stouffville in fourth and Ron Beauchamp of Windsor fifth. Dave Whitlock, Doug Brown, JR Fitzpatrick and Kevin Dowler also finished ahead of VanEs in a race that was slowed five times (53 laps) for cautions.
Breakage Stops Mick’s PowerWater Ford
“It seems like we either break or win this year, there’s no in between.”Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Public Relations
July 30, 2005, Vernon, BC - PowerWater driver, Kerry Micks finished a disappointing 25th position in the Micks Motorsports 2005 Ford at the half-mile tri-oval at Sun Valley Motor Speedway in Vernon, British Columbia Saturday as part of the CASCAR Super Series.
“It seems like we either break or win this year, there’s no in between,” explained Kerry Micks. “Bad luck went our way again tonight at Sun Valley Motor Speedway in the PowerWater Ford.”
DJ Kennington won the Sun Valley Motor Speedway 300 lap event followed by Brad Graham in second and Don Thomson Jr. in third.
“After starting thirteenth we were running a solid top-ten when we broke a rear end in the car. The Micks Motorsport Team did a great job fixing the car, but it was too little to late by the time we got back out,” added the Mt. Albert, ON, driver.
Micks, with three wins this season in the PowerWater Micks Motorsports Ford, sits in fourth position in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.
The next CASCAR Super Series race of the season will take place Saturday, August 6 at Mosport Speedway located north of Bowmanville, Ontario on the half-mile oval.
For information about Mosport tickets and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at http://www.mosport.com/. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
MacLeod’s Central Merchant Services Team Finishes Top-Fifteen In Vernon BC
“The western swing was good to us, we were able to strengthen our lead on the rookie of the year championship and pick up three positions in the CASCAR Super Series Points Championship”By Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Public Relations
July 30, 2005, Vernon, BC – Tara MacLeod, driving her Central Merchant Services MacLeod Racing Ford finished in 15th position in Saturday’s CASCAR Super Series 300-lap race at Sun Valley Motor Speedway’s half-mile tri-oval in Vernon, British Columbia.
“A top-fifteen is a good day racing against these guys,” said the Innisfil, Ontario driver. “The Central Merchant Services Team was great tonight, stopping for just fuel on the first pit stop and tires on the second.”
DJ Kennington won the Sun Valley Motor Speedway 300 lap event followed by Brad Graham in second and Don Thomson Jr. in third.
“The western swing was good to us, we were able to strengthen our lead on the rookie of the year championship and pick up three positions in the CASCAR Super Series Points Championship,” explained MacLeod.
MacLeod currently leads the PowerWater CASCAR Super Series Rookie of the year standings, and is 13th in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.
The next CASCAR Super Series race of the season will take place Saturday, August 6 at Mosport Speedway located north of Bowmanville, Ontario on the half-mile oval.
For information about Mosport tickets and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at http://www.mosport.com/. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
Under the team banner of MacLeod Racing, http://www.taramacleod.com/, 32-year old Tara MacLeod has been a strong competitor on the Ontario short-tracks for the past 10 years, with several awards to her credit.
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