Saturday, June 30, 2007
Pete Shepherd fastest in Friday's Truck Series 'Happy Hour' at Memphis
Memphis Motorsports Park // From Ford
In his second race this season, Peter Shepherd, driver of the No. 50 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150, sets the fastest time in Friday’s Happy Hour practice. Shepherd made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Memphis Motorsports Park last year.
PETER SHEPHERD – No. 50 Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150 – “Everything went pretty well, I think. When we first went out in the first practice session, the truck wasn’t that good. We tried to improve step-by-step throughout the day and we did. I can’t thank Northern Tool + Equipment enough for their sponsorship at this race. I don’t know if you pick-up a bit by having a sponsor, but confidence wise, it’s good having a name on the side of the Ford F-150. We worked on it all day; it wasn’t easy. I can’t thank the crew enough for working so hard in putting together a great truck. My crew chief, Matt Puccia, and the whole crew did a great job. I’m probably not the easiest guy to work with right now since I having very little experience. I can’t thank them enough for getting it right for me.”
THIS IS YOUR SECOND RACE THIS SEASON SINCE LAST YEAR, MILWAUKEE WAS A SHORT AND FLAT TRACK AND MEMPHIS IS A LITTLE BIT LONGER WITH BANKING. “This track is a little different than most short tracks. It’s a big short track, but it runs like a short track. It is kind of what I grew-up on so it’s too out of the ordinary for me.”
MATT PUCCIA – No. 50 - CREW CHIEF – ON TODAY’S PRACTICE “I think we had a pretty good day today considering last week we were a bit unfortunate and had some problems with the truck. This week started off in the first practice and it wasn’t quite right, but we talked about it and worked on it to get it right. In the second practice, the truck stared off pretty good, we made a few adjustments and got it running pretty good. We put a set of stickers there in the end for a mock qualifying run. So hopefully, we’ll get a good qualifying run tomorrow. We hope to get a good starting position tomorrow and keep the Northern Tool + Equipment Ford F-150 running up front and away from trouble.”
WILL TEMPERATURE BE A FACTOR HERE? “Temperature is always an issue, especially here in Memphis. We’ve learned that our trucks turn better when the sun goes down. Hopefully, the conditions will be similar to where we are tonight and we’ll keep the truck where it is right now, because I think we’ve got it set-up to where it can compete.”
Friday, June 29, 2007
2007 Lucas Oil Canadian Dirt Series to start at Autodrome Granby on July 13
Cornwall, Ont. – June 28, 2007 - The month of July is always one of the busiest months of the season in dirt racing. It will also be the same this year as the Lucas Oil Canadian Dirt Series will hit Autodrome Granby, Autodrome Drummond, Autodrome Edelweiss, Brockville Speedway and Cornwall Motor Speedway in that month.
The series starts at Autodrome Granby on Friday, July 13th and will be presented by Bert Transmission. Everyone that was in Granby last remembers the epic battle between Mario Clair and David Hebert during the last 40 laps of the feature, Hebert was finally the winner. On the following night, Autodrome Drummond will be the host of the second race of the series and Coffrage 20-20 will proudly present this event.
Last year, Hebert had dominated the race by winning by a convincing margin over Kayle Robidoux. Two weeks later, Toitures Marcel Raymond will host the third race of the series at Autodrome Edelweiss on Friday, July 27th to kick off a three night week-end of racing action. Local favourite, Pierre Dagenais had won last year’s race. Brockville Ontario Speedway is next on the schedule for the series on the following night. The series ends at Cornwall Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 29th. Brian McDonald was in the winner in 2006 at the ¼ mile bullring. Both Brockville and Cornwall races will be sponsored by 730 Truck Stop.
Every race will be 100 laps of distance and will also count in the 358 DIRTcar Regional Championship points funds for the North region. Points will be awarded for the best finishes (15 in North) in DIRTcar-sanctioned 358-Modified events. It is a good incentive for drivers to participate in this series so that they can use those results for the DIRTcar Regional point funds.
The winner of each race will receive a guaranteed spot in the All-Star Race of the famous Victoria 200 which is held at Fulton Speedway on Saturday September 30. Even better, the 2007 Canadian DIRT Series champion will receive a guaranteed starting spot in the big 200 laps feature of that event.
Again in 2007, numerous sponsors contributed, starting by Lucas Oil Products which is for a second year the major sponsor of the series. Other ones like Babe Design, Finish Line Racewear, Pats Radiator, Bert Transmission, Coffrage 20-20, Toitures Marcel Raymond, Engine Research (Mike Block) and 730 Truck Stop. Because of them, drivers will compete for over $100,000 in prize and money. Competitors that will participate in all 5 events will be eligible to win many prizes.
With all those contributions, it will be the most successful year since the series was born six years ago. Do not miss the opportunity to see some of the best drivers in the eastern part of Canada.
- By Martin Bélanger
Thursday, June 28, 2007
ATLANTIC DODGE DEALERS TO SPONSOR RIVERSIDE NASCAR EVENT
"We're very pleased to have the Atlantic Dodge Dealers join us as we present what is expected to be the highest profile stock car racing event ever held in Atlantic Canada," said Paul McLean, general manager of Riverside Speedway. "In our preliminary planning with the Atlantic Dodge Dealer's Advertising Association in partnership with DaimlerChrysler, it is clear they share our enthusiasm both for motorsports and for this new NASCAR series."
Not that there was ever any doubt race fans would share the enthusiasm for the event, but over 2,000 advance ticket requests to-date for the Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 have confirmed Atlantic Canadian race fans are eager to see the premiere stock car racing series in Canada compete at the premiere stock car racing facility in Eastern Canada - perhaps in all of Canada.
"With this sponsorship at Riverside Speedway we are telling Dodge owners in the Atlantic region that we are committed to bringing them world-class stock-car racing," said Judy Wheeler, Vice President, Marketing - Chrysler. "We have a strong affiliation with NASCAR fans all over North America and strengthening that connection is a natural extension of Dodge motorsports programs."
Duane Rath, President, Atlantic Dodge Dealer Advertising Association sees the partnership as a perfect fit.
"The benefit of being involved with NASCAR and its loyal fans has been clearly demonstrated throughout North America," said Rath. "We're really excited to be able to share in that passion regionally with the sponsorship of this event."
The Dodge brand has been involved with NASCAR since the beginning with the manufacturer's first series win in 1953 when Lee Petty wheeled his Dodge Diplomat to victory. David Pearson won the 1966 championship driving a Dodge Charger. The Charger was the first car NASCAR allowed to use a rear spoiler when, in 1966, it was found that the short trunk area of the streamlined hardtop would lift under high speed; a small strip of metal was added to the rear deck lid to increase stabilization.
The super aerodynamic Dodge Daytona, with its sloped nose and large rear stabilizing wing, was introduced at the inaugural race at Talladega, Ala., in September of 1969. Plymouth countered with its 1970 model Superbird. The era of sophisticated factory-based aerodynamics had dawned over stock car racing with Bobby Isaac winning the 1970 championship piloting a Dodge. Dodge discontinued its factory involvement with NASCAR racing in 1977. In 2001, faithful Dodge fans were rewarded when Dodge returned to NASCAR. The Dodge Charger returned to competition in 2005; Dodge has introduced the Avenger as its Car of Tomorrow model in 2007.
Several promotions are planned in conjunction with the Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 entitlement; details will be announced as available.
Advance tickets for the Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 are expected to be available for sale July 21 at the IWK 250 at Riverside Speedway. Starting July 23, advance tickets for the Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 will be available at the track administration office.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season began May 26 at Cayuga Speedway Park in Hamilton, Ontario and finishes Sept. 23 at Kawartha Speedway in Peterborough, Ontario. The 12-race schedule will stretch across Canada, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
About Riverside Speedway
Riverside Speedway, 1/3-mile high banked asphalt oval, is located in James River, between New Glasgow and Antigonish, at exit 30 off Trans Canada Highway 104. Opened in 1969, the facility was totally rebuilt in 2006 to become a premiere motorsports site, comparable to the best short tracks in Canada and the U.S. The 2007 schedule includes three CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour events on June 9, August 4 and August 11; the IWK 250 PASS North event on July 21; and the Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event on September 15. For more information about Riverside Speedway, please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca or call 902.863.2410.
# # #
This News Release has been distributed by Joan Roué for Riverside Speedway.
OSCAAR Biederman Memorial this Saturday at Cayuga Speedway Park
(Don Biederman celebrating in victory lane with (L to R) Miss Flamboro Speedway, Frank Casale, John Casale, Don, Dizzy Dean and Gary Scott, after this 1981 win at Flamboro Speedway // Dave Franks Photos)OSCAAR fans are looking forward to the greatly anticipated Don Biederman Memorial this Saturday June 30th at Cayuga Speedway. OSCAAR has not visited the Cayuga track for several years with the last race taking place in 2002.
Many of the drivers are very excited about returning to the .625 mile oval where their Outlaw Super Late Models will reach the highest speeds ever recorded. For some drivers this will be their first ever visit to the famous paved oval where in years past several NASCAR drivers made their mark.
ASA Late Model Series will headline the weekend, which should give the OSCAAR Teams a chance to rub shoulders with some of the greatest short track racers in America. OSCAAR will race first on Saturday evening in the 75 Lap Don Biederman Memorial race followed by the ASALMS Canada 200.Don Biederman is remembered as one of the all time great stock car racers in Canada.
Inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2001, Don lived and breathed stock car racing until his death from cancer in 1999. In honour of his racing achievements and his passion for Super Late Model racing, OSCAAR has since held the Don Biederman Memorial every year.
The event has become the premiere race of the season for OSCAAR drivers. Don's famous #43 was faithfully restored and is show-cased at the Hall of Fame facilities. It makes the yearly trek to Ontario Speedways during the Don Biederman Memorial.
The tradition will continue as Dave Franks has already made the arrangements for its transport to Cayuga. Dave has also arranged for Don's sister Bernice Collins to attend this year's event. This year offers something a little different with the famous #43 doing some laps before the race.
During the regular OSCAAR season over the past two years, fans have come to recognize the #43 and driver TJ Woolsey. TJ has by tradition sported a different number for the Don Biederman and last year it was the #57.
It brought him good fortune as the V&L Transportation #57 Outlaw charged to the front in TJ Woolsey's first OSCAAR win. I wonder which number TJ will use this year!?
One thing is for sure - predicting a winner for this year's Don Biederman Memorial is not easy. In three races so far in 2007 there have been three different winners. With a very competitive field of sharp looking Outlaws, it is any one's guess who will win the 2007 Don Biederman Memorial!
SCHEDULE: OSCAAR June 30 Race Information: Spectator Gates Open at 9am, Heat Races 4:15pm, Autographs 4:45pm , Feature Race 6:30pm - complete schedule is available at www.oscaar.ca
- By Don McLeod / OSCAAR
Amherst Daily News: Frank Fraser Sr. - The Richard Petty of River Glade
RIVER GLADE, N.B. – Who knew a trip to a drag race in Ontario would lead to a life of racing?Frank Fraser had no aspirations to be a racer. The driver of the Wild Mountain Blueberry Prostock machine soon found out differently.“I went to a drag race once and someone raced a car that was the same as mine. I knew mine would beat his,’’ he recalled.“I went back with my car and I beat him. That got me started in drag racing and that’s how I ended up here. I drag raced for two years but it got too expensive,’’ he added.He moved back to Saint John, N.B., in 1965 where he and a friend commenced building a stock car.This machine raced at the old Airport Speedway in Saint John.“When we went to the first race, our car cost $80 and we made $60,’’ he said. “Today you still make $60 but your car costs $8,000. I’ve been going in circles ever since.”
... continued at the link above
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
GP of Edmonton announces title sponsor with less than a month to go until the event
TSN has the full story here.
NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series - Mac's 100 scheduled for this weekend at Race City has been canceled
Calgary, AB (June 26, 2007) - Round Four of the NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series 2007 season, the Mac's 100, scheduled for Saturday, June 30th at Race City in Calgary has been canceled.
Heavy rains have caused extensive damage to the surface of the high banked, high speed half mile oval making it unsafe to conduct a motor racing event. As a result, all oval competition at the facility has been canceled for this weekend. "We are extremely disappointed for our Super Late Model race fans in the Calgary area," commented Series President Craig Ball.
"I visited Race City today (Tuesday) and the conditions are poor. Water is seeping out of the surface of the track. There is no way that we could safely stage an event this weekend." Core samples are being taken to determine the level of saturation below the surface of the track.
The Race City oval is hosting the Vans Warped Tour 07 music concert on July 5th. It is likely that repair efforts will begin after that event and when the ground has had a chance to dry.
"The NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series would like to thank our corporate sponsor of the event, Mac's Convenience Stores," continued Ball. " We look forward to continuing our relationship with Mac's at a future event."
The 2 day Parts Canada SuperBike Championship will run as scheduled on the road course at Race City this weekend. The next NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series event is the second of four scheduled Border Challenge 150 races and runs Saturday, July 14th at Race City in Calgary, AB.
- from Craig Ball
Pete Shepherd Memphis Truck preview from Roush Fenway
The No. 50 team is bringing chassis RK308-42 to Memphis. This chassis last raced at Dover, where Erik Darnell started 21st and finished 18th. In his first start of 2007, Shepherd finished 32nd last week at Milwaukee.
PETER SHEPHERD ON MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK. . .
“Memphis is a very special place for me, it’s where I made my first Craftsman Truck Series start. We had a good race here last year, managed to keep ourselves out of trouble and raced to the finish. We had a rough go of things last week, so we’ll be looking to redeem ourselves. We’ve got Northern Tool + Equipment on our F-150 this weekend, and I’m very happy to be representing them.”
MATT PUCCIA ON MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK. . .
“Peter ran his first race for us here last year and did a great job. He is so accustomed to running on short tracks, but for him this is a little more like a speedway. We’ve got the same goals this week as we had for Milwaukee last week, to finish all the laps and keep out of trouble.”
UPDATE: Roush Fenway Racing to Conduct Real-Time Gong Show Competition
Concord, NC (June 27, 2006) - As Roush Fenway Racing makes plans for the 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the team has decided to showcase some of its young driving talent in several upcoming Craftsman Truck Series races. The No. 50 truck will serve as the test truck, with a few different drivers slated to make starts for the remainder of the 2007 season.
"We have a talented pool of young drivers at Roush Fenway Racing," said team owner Jack Roush. "Peter Shepherd and Danny O'Quinn have been impressive, and T.J. Bell has shown great promise as well. We're going to give these guys an opportunity to show what they can do, and we'll make a decision as far as who we're going to put in our trucks for 2008 based off of that."
Peter Shepherd made his first start of the 2007 season at Milwaukee last week, and is scheduled to race the No. 50 at Memphis Motorsports Park this weekend and Kentucky Speedway next month. Danny O'Quinn will make the first Craftsman Truck Series start of his career at O'Reilly Raceway Park in July. T.J. Bell will return to the seat of the No. 50 truck at Nashville, with additional races later in the season.
Northern Tool + Equipment, primary sponsor of Roush Fenway Racing's No. 99 Ford in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will sponsor the No. 50 in selected upcoming races. The truck will carry a reversed paint scheme of Darnell's No. 99 F-150.
"We're really happy to be involved in this opportunity to give an up-and-coming driver an opportunity," said Randy Rudolph, Director of Advertising for Northern Tool + Equipment. "Roush Fenway Racing has a history of finding great drivers to fill the seats of their trucks, including our driver, Erik Darnell. We see this as a great opportunity to be involved with selecting the next driver to join their program."
The complete schedule of drivers and their races will be released at a later date.
From: Rory W. Connellan // Roush Fenway Racing
CAYUGA SPEEDWAY: OSS Photo Gallery from Bill Mehlenbacher
Thunder Road and ACT Turn Up Summer Heat
Beginning with Sanel Parts Plus Night this Thursday (June 28), NASCAR star Kenny Wallace will take on the “Kings of the Road” behind the wheel of an ACT Late Model. Thunder Road’s low regular ticket prices remain in effect for the special event, with general admission only $9 for adults, $3 for children, and just $18 for a family of four. Green flag qualifying action for Street Stocks and Warriors begins at 6:30pm, with the traditional Thunder Road Post Parade rolling out at 7:00pm.
Also highlighting the schedule is an action-packed Independence Day week doubleheader at “The Nation’s Site of Excitement” in Barre. Pepsi presents the annual Independence Day fireworks extravaganza at Thunder Road on Tuesday, July 3 with a full card of Late Models, NAPA Tiger Sportsmen, Allen Lumber Street Stocks, and Power Shift Junkyard Warriors. Just two days later, all four divisions return for Charter Communications Night on Thursday, July 5. Street Stocks and Warriors begin qualifying at 6:30pm at both events, with the Post Parade 7:00pm.
Wrapped around the Thunder Road doubleheader are exciting ACT events at three race tracks, beginning with the Série ACT Castrol PRO-FAB 100 at Autodrome Chaudière in Vallée Jonction, Québec on Friday, June 29 at 7:00pm. The following night, on Saturday, June 30, the ACT Late Model Tour invades White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, NH. The White Mountain 150 will pit the champions of ACT against White Mountain’s hometown heroes. Racing begins at 5:00pm.
The action-packed schedule winds down with the Time Warner Cable 150 at Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway. Like the White Mountain event, hometown Oxford Late Model drivers will show their stuff against the ACT Late Model Tour’s best on Saturday, July 7 at 6:30pm. The Time Warner Cable 150 will serve as the final tune-up date for the $150,000 TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford on Sunday, July 22.
Thunder Road and ACT turn up the summer heat beginning this Thursday with Sanel Parts Plus Night at “The Nation’s Site of Excitement.” For more information, call (802) 244-6963, or visit www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com.
From ACT / Justin St. Louis
OHSWEKEN: Friday June 29 racing cancelled for construction
RACING CANCELLED FOR FRIDAY JUNE 29TH.
Racing for this Friday night at Ohsweken Speedway has unfortunately been cancelled. The construction of new safety fencing will not be finished in time for this week's event.
Ohsweken Speedway apologizes for this situation and reminds you to join us on Friday July 6th as the ASCS Patriots will be in town along with a regular card of action.
From Ohsweken Speedway Online
Monday, June 25, 2007
Peter Shepherd - Race Recap
The Milwaukee Mile/West Allis, Wisconsin/June 22, 2007
Started 18th / Finished 32nd
DISAPPOINTING FINISH FOR SHEPHERD IN MILWAUKEE
Peter Shepherd, No. 50 Roush Fenway Racing Ford F-150
WEST ALLIS, Wisc. (June 22, 2007) - Peter Shepherd looked strong in the early going of Friday night's Milwaukee 200, but the end result was not what he hoped for in his return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Shepherd started Friday night's race in the 18th position, and by lap 10 had advanced to the 14th position. Shepherd reported in the early going to his crew that his Ford was loose on the exit of the turns, but he was able to run times comparable to the trucks running in the top-10. Shepherd gave up a couple of positions, sliding back to the 16th position when the caution came out at lap 67 for debris. Shepherd came to pit road for tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment.
Shepherd restarted in the 16th position, but as soon as the green flag dropped he reported to his crew that he had a flat left front tire. Shepherd came to pit road to change all four tires at lap 73, and was hit with a penalty for speeding on the exit of pit road.
Shepherd continued on, but reported that the left side of the truck was dragging the racetrack. Crew chief Matt Puccia called Shepherd to pit road, allowing the crew to jack the truck and look underneath it for a possible part failure. The decision was made to change front shocks, but Shepherd reported that the problem continued when he rejoined the field. Puccia made the decision to bring Shepherd to the garage so the crew could take a better look at diagnosing and repairing the problem. The crew examined the No. 50 Ford, but were not able to find a certain problem. Shepherd returned to the racetrack for the closing laps, some 44 laps down to the leaders.
"We really don't know what happened, we might have bent a sway bar or something, but we couldn't see anything wrong with the truck," said Puccia. "We'll take it back to the shop and try to figure out what happened."
"Obviously it's pretty disappointing," said Shepherd of his 32nd place finish. "We had a good run going, but when we came to pit road something happened to the truck. We really don't know what happened, but it felt like the whole left side of the truck was dragging the racetrack. I'm anxious to figure out what happened. We'll look forward to Memphis next week, hopefully we can get a better finish there."
- From RoushFenway

