Saturday, August 09, 2008
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Full Throttle 200 rain-delayed to Sunday
NASCAR: Watkins Glen Qualifying by Bruce Bonham
Driving this year for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in the 01 Chevy normally driven by Regan Smith, the Mississauga, ON NASCAR ringer feels he has the equipment to perhaps finish what he calls, “unfinished business” after winning three Nationwide events and a pair of Craftsmen Truck battles. He’s finished second twice in the Glen Cuppers — 1999 behind four-time Glen winner Jeff Gordon and
again in 2004 when trailing Tony Stewart, after qualifying was rained out and he started 43rd.
Fresh from his stunning win in Dale Jr.’s Nationwide car at Montreal a week ago, Fellows is still reeling from that experience on the track named for his childhood racing hero, Circuit Giles Villenuve.
“When NASCAR told me they were going to race in Montreal, all I could think of, if I’m still around, is man I’d like to go racer there,” he said obviously still glowing. “To get a win there is very emotional for me.”
On the Nationwide side of the weekend, car owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive the winning car. Fellows said that he “Shamelessly asked Dale for the Glen ride” but was turned down because of Jr.’s sponsorship committment.
“I’m okay with that (not driving in the Nationwide race),” he said. “The cars are so different so now I can totally concentrate on the Cup car.”
D.E.I. has enough owner’s points to start the Cup race on the 16th row (32nd), beside 2003 winner Robby Gordon.
Because of the entry list, Patrick Carpentier will also make his second Glen start in the 39th position driving the Ray Evernham, a ride the former open wheel expert acquired when finished second a year ago in the inagural Canadian Nationwide race.
“Ya, that’s what got me here,” said Carpentier, who also finished second behind Fellows this year. “Driving these cars in black and white from the Indy. It’s a lot of precision driving because there’s no down force and it’s hard to stop the cars.
“I’m looking for a top 10 this weekend,” asserted the dodge driver. Of course I want more ...”
Glen favourite Boris Said was skunk yet again for a spot in the Cup field because of rain. Although the wiry road racer will sub for Kyle Petty, flagging off beside Carpentier.
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Captions
01: Ron Fellows meets the press.
02: Patrick Carpentier takes a sip.
03: Canuck D.J.Kennington practices for the Nationwide race.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Ron Fellows at Watkins Glen: Press Conference Transcript
WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL
RON FELLOWS DRIVER OF THE NO. 01 BASS PRO SHOPS/RED HEAD IMPALA SS, met with members of the media at Watkins Glen International and discussed racing in the rain last week, his win at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, returning to Watkins Glen with the COT and more. Full transcript:
IS IT ABOUT TIME SOMEBODY LIKE YOURSELF WINS THIS THING HERE? “That’s why we’re here. Somebody’s got to win it and it might as well be us. This is much like last weekend. Last weekend was a great opportunity for me to drive for Dale (Earnhardt), Jr. and Mr. (Rick) Hendrick and GoDaddy.com. This week to be back with DEI again, Dan Stillman the crew chief. We had a good test at Road Atlanta and we feel pretty confident. We’ve got a decent car. You’re always rolling the dice and we saw that the stars got aligned for us last weekend. See if we can do it two weeks in a row.”
HOW MUCH MOMENTUM DO YOU HAVE FROM LAST WEEK? “Personally it’s just satisfying. This is a new race and even tougher competition, more difficult circumstances. It’s going to be tough for sure. You’re only as good as your last race anyway.”
HOW DO FEEL ABOUT THIS ROAD COURSE COMPARED TO OTHERS? “Watkins Glen kind of is similar to Mosport, that’s the track I kind of grew up learning how to race on. Long fast corners, slowing. We’ve had some success here so I really enjoy coming to this place. As a fan, there’s a ton of history here. You got to like that.”
DO YOU HAVE FANS THAT COME DOWN HERE FROM CANADA SINCE IT’S SO CLOSE? “I think we get several thousand Canadians with Patrick (Carpentier) here. I think I saw Jacques (Villeneuve) on the list too. We’ll be a strong Canadian contingent or we better be.”
CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH THIS COURSE, WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO PASS? “That’s one of the great things about this track is I’ve been able to come from the back here as have others. Turn one is the classic, out braking into turn one. Get a good exit off of eleven and the end of the bus stop, the inner loop, you get a good run up through the esses you can carry a bit of momentum into the brake zone and do it there. Those are the two most obvious.”
ON CHANGING TEAMS AND CREWS FROM ONE WEEK TO THE NEXT. “What you try to do is in a short amount of time tell the guys what you need the car to do for you and that’s what we’ll focus on in what little practice time we have. Get some good information.”
ARE YOU TUTORING THE UP-AND-COMERS AT DEI ON ROAD COURSE RACING? “I went around this morning with Aric Almirola and last week went around with Brad
Keselowski and talked to Landon Cassill a fair amount. I’m more than happy to help especially if it’s in your own team.”
THE IDEA OF USING RAIN TIRES ON A ROAD COURSE VERSES AN OVAL; CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THEY WON’T WORK ON AN OVAL? “It’s just too risky on an oval. It’s already difficult enough trying to keep cars off the walls in the dry, and in the wet it would just be that much more difficult and treacherous to be honest. Plus it’s not part of the heritage of stock car racing where they run in the rain. Road racing is and hopefully eventually Sprint Cup will do road races in the rain.”
AFTER LAST WEEKEND, DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NASCAR AS TO WHAT TO DO DIFFERENTLY FOR RUNNING IN THE RAIN? “I think they did a great job running that race. I told them a little bit afterwards that part of the difficulty at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is it’s a very flat track surface which is a bit unusual for a road course, more like a temporary street course where any amount of rain just creates a lot of flooding. At one point they had the jet dryers trying to blow off all the standing water. Standing water is really, really treacherous and it just didn’t drain very well which was part of the problem.”
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RAIN TIRES IN THE RACE? “You always want to have choices. I think as long as they’re the same for everybody. The next phase is allowing the drivers and the teams to work on their own personal strategy when you come in to get rain tires, when you go back to slicks or vice versa.”
WHAT IS THE COMPARISON OF DRIVING THE CORVETTE IN THE RAIN VERSES THE HEAVIER STOCK CARS? “It’s really not a fair comparison. Obviously good practice and the last couple of years with the Corvette up in Le Mans we had some wet weather. The Corvette just has way more down force and a much bigger tire and there we also have about three choices of Michelin’s to use for the wet. For this series you only really need one. Also for Goodyear that particular rain tire design is the one that is very similar designed to the one that we had in 2001 where was almost an entire rain race at Le Mans that we got our first Corvette class win, so it’s a very good designed rain tire. Obviously you want to have it as soft as possible for the wet and we’ll see what the future holds.”
YOU COULDN’T TALK JUNIOR INTO A RIDE TODAY? “It was already a done deal. Obviously I would have liked to have run but I’m perfectly happy to focus on the 01 car here in cup.”
WHY NO NATIONWIDE RIDE THIS WEEK? “There was a pre-organized deal for Dale, Jr. to run and I made a shameless attempt to ask him on TV. to let me drive but I’m sure he wants to get a little more practice although he doesn’t really need it. He won here in
‘99 in the old Busch Series and the reason I know that is I’m the guy that finished second. He’ll be just fine and we’ll go hang out over there to see if we can help a little bit. I’m happy to focus on the Sprint Cup deal.”
A LOT OF HISTORY LAST WEEK. “Yeah, it was very cool. When NASCAR first said they were going to go and run a race in Canada and then talked a little bit about where it was going to be. For it to be there all I thought to myself was man I hope I’m around long enough for when they go race there. To get a win is very, very special for a Canadian boy where Gilles Villeneuve is one of his heroes. It’s very, very special indeed.”
WOULD YOU SAY YOU FEEL BETTER AND MORE CONFIDENT THIS YEAR IN THIS CAR? “If you based it on how things were at Infineon, we were running sixth before we got tangled up with that mess with Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and Tony Stewart. Yeah, you’re always anxious and curious to see if what you learned testing has worked. The good news is for me I worked with Dan Stillman before, Dan and I worked together on the thirty-three in the Nationwide Series last year with Kevin Harvick so there is some familiarity. I think we’re hoping for both of us that makes the communication that much better.”
HAVE YOU GOT ANYTHING ELSE IN SPRINT CUP? “No, this is it.”
YOU HAVEN’T EVEN GOT ANYTHING IN THE ALMS AT MOSPORT? “No sprint race. I am just doing the long races? Because this one and Infineon conflicted with LMS sprint races the last two years. LMS guys are at Road America. It seemed like the right time to kind of spend a little more time over here. I really enjoy the long races, particularly Le Mans they didn’t want to give that up.”
SO YOU’RE BACK AT ROAD ATLANTA? “Yes.”
YOU’VE GOT A YEAR UNDER YOUR BELT WITH THE CAR OF TOMORROW HERE ON THIS TRACK, WHAT DID YOU LEARN LAST YEAR THAT YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER SOMETHING BETTER THIS YEAR? “What I learned last year is don’t speed on pit lane. We blew it last year. Finished fourth but Hall of Fame here last year we had a really, really good Chevy and I still can’t figure out how we managed to do that pit lane speed deal but it is what it is. I think one of the things that you’ve got to focus on is getting that car to turn well and stay relatively, what you end up doing is you chase one end and then the other. It’s controlling that looseness that it had at high speed exit and hopefully we can get a hold of that and have a car that we can driver hard and comfortably all day.”
TALK ABOUT THE CONFIDENCE AFTER THE WIN AND COMING HERE. “I think the other 42 guys in here don’t care. Personally obviously it’s very satisfying, very gratifying to win particularly there on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and also to be driving for Dale, Jr. and Rick Hendrick. That was a very, very special day and I was just happy to be there and to get an opportunity to be in contention to win the race was very special.”
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From: Nancy Wager
Kawartha cancels its Friday, August 8 show
Jim Clarke // Kawartha Speedway PR
Saturday night: The Full Throttle 200 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at Mosport Speedway
OLD PHOTO: Biederman and Trickle '86 at Delaware
Globe & Mail story on Nik Lapcevich, his team and 'Lightning'
Before every race, Tom McConnell steals a moment to caress her smooth red fenders and whisper a prayer for a safe and successful day. Beneath his grease-stained hands is 1,360 kilograms of fibreglass and steel — a 500-horsepower stock car its crew affectionately calls Lightning.
"Have a great race, Lightning, and take good care of Nik," says crew member McConnell.
Nik is Nik Lapcevich, the driver of bright-red No. 13, which is competing in NASCAR's Canadian Tire Series. Soon he will coax Lightning to more than 225 km/h in the 2008 season opener, the Crown Jewel 200 at Cayuga Speedway in Southern Ontario....
The full story, by the Globe's Peter Power is here.
(h/t to Sean for the heads up)
Kawartha Speedway: Wednesday Night Thunder Rumbles 'Round the Racetrack
By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications
With weather so much of a story throughout the current motorsports season, Kawartha Speedway will unleash a little on-track electricity of its own Wednesday, August 13th.
For just the second time in the track’s history, Kawartha will host a mid-week event. On the schedule will be extra-distance feature races for the Limited late Models – 75 laps. The Better Floorz Thunder Cars – 50 laps and the Discount Car and Truck Rental Mini Stocks for 40 laps. “With a couple of off nights in August (the 1st and 15th) we feel we owe it to our fans to give them an extra night of racing,” explained general manager and promoter Derek Lynch. The point battles in each of Kawartha Speedway’s 4 classes are tighter than ever and with just 5 Friday night shows remaining on the schedule, every division’s championship is still up for grabs.
To make-up for an earlier rain-out – on Friday, July 18th – Kawartha Speedway’s Fan Appreciation Night has been re-scheduled for Friday, September 12th.
Pit gates open for all shows at 3:00, with spectator seating and rotating on-track practise for all divisions available at 5:00. For full details on the 2008 schedule – including the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Dodge Charger 250 Saturday, September 27th – see www.kawarthaspeedway.com . Kawartha Speedway is located near the intersections of highways 28 and the 35/115, just minutes south of Peterborough.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
OLD PHOTO: Cayuga Speedway 1994
Kawartha and Brighton get 'Fast and Furious'
You can’t miss the thrills! You can feel the excitement!
2 shows! 2 nights! 2 tracks! 1 admission price!
Kawartha Speedway and Brighton Speedway Park, 2 of the province’s best racing destinations present the 2008 edition of the Fast and Furious Weekend!
Everything kicks-off Friday, August 8th at Fraserville, Ontario’s 3/8th mile Kawartha Speedway when the OSCCAR Outlaw Super Late Models join the Late Models, Thunder Cars and Mini Stocks for a night of ground-pounding excitement. Saturday, August 9th the action shifts to the 1/3rd mile clay at Brighton Speedway Park in the heart of eastern Ontario’s vacation country. The Southern Ontario Sprint cars will run double features – along with Brighton’s Fab 4 of Pro Stock, Pure Stock, Canadian Modified and Comp 4 racing.
Get your Fast and Furious Weekend admission ticket now at Kawartha Speedway or Brighton Speedway Park to be part of amazing racing weekend.
It’s a Twin Pack Track Attack – Friday, August 8th at Kawartha Speedway. Saturday, August 9th at Brighton Speedway Park. For schedule details and directions see www.kawarthaspeedway.com, www.brightonspeedway.com or call 866.681.1102.
The action will be Fast and Furious!
From Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Brad Graham to appear on Toronto's FAN 590 at 8:45 on Thursday morning
SOS: Double features this Saturday at Brighton
Glenn Styres saw his points lead shrink in round #7 last Saturday at South Buxton Raceway, as Warren Mahoney moved himself to within 8 markers of Styres by taking his first feature win in nearly 5 years. With two feature races on tap, this Saturday's action will go a long way towards determining who will be in command of the points standings when the tour returns to Brighton for the final 2 events of the season during Labour Day Classic weekend, coming up at the end of the month.
Saturday's event at Brighton marks the 4th visit of the season for the SOS to the 1/3 mile oval located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Northumberland County. The SOS season-opening event was held at Brighton on May 10, with local favourite Rick Wilson taking the victory, while Glenn Styres took the win in the most recent SOS feature completed at the track on June 14. On July 12, the qualifying heat races were in the books, but the skies opened and ended the evening prematurely in the last SOS visit to Brighton. Ticket holders from that event can gain admission to this Saturday's event for just half the regular price!
Saturday's event at Brighton is sponsored by Rapid Rad and Star 93.3 and will include the 20 lap feature race rescheduled from July 12, plus a full program of SOS Sprint Car heat races, a Dash for Cash presented by Van Zuylen Tire, and a 20 lap feature event, plus Brighton's Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Stingers!
WHAT: Southern Ontario Sprints 2008 Season Round #8
http://www.southernontariosprints.com/
WHERE: Brighton Speedway
775 County Road 64 // Brighton, Ontario // K0K 1H0
Phone: (613)-475-1102 or toll free 1-(866)-681-1102
e-mail: info@brightonspeedway.com
On the Web: http://www.brightonspeedway.com/
WHEN: Saturday, August 9, 2008
Pit Gates open @ 3:00p.m., Spectator Gates Open @ 5:30p.m., Racing @ 7:00p.m. (Make-Up Feature for SOS first on schedule.) Tickets: $18 Adults, $14 Youth and Seniors, $4 Children Ages 7-12, FREE Children Ages 6 and Under, $45 Family Pass
Please visit http://www.southernontariosprints.com/ for more news and information about the Southern Ontario Sprints. Commemorative 2008 T-shirts, sweatshirts, yearbooks, and posters are now available. 2008 marks the 13th year of operation for the Southern Ontario Sprints, brought to you this season by Pennzoil, Wiseco Performance, Triple X Race Co., Kenetic Photos, and http://www.imagefactor.ca/.
Série ACT Castrol release: Vermonter Dragon Wants to Win Ottawa Race for Home Team
OTTAWA, ON - Champion Late Model stock car driver Brent Dragon is headed "home" to Capital City Speedway in Ottawa, Ontario for Saturday's Toromont CAT 100. But there's one small thing: Dragon is from Milton, Vermont, 200 miles and an international border away. In fact, he's never even seen Capital City Speedway. So why is it "home"?
Enter Mike and Tom Kenyon. Through their Kenyon Racing Products company, the Kemptville, ON brothers supplied the Port City chassis that Dragon pilots on the American-Canadian Tour (ACT). Mike Kenyon is also Dragon's crew chief, and in fact, Kenyon Racing Products sponsors the weekly Late Model division at Capital City Speedway. Beyond that, Dragon, an avid big game hunter, spends much of his winter months in the Ontario woods.
"It really is like a homecoming for a lot of reasons," said Dragon, a three-time ACT Late Model Tour championship runner-up and Airborne Speedway (Plattsburgh, NY) Track Champion. "Mike, Tom, and the rest of the crew have been such a huge help to me this year, and I'd really like to do well for them in their back yard. Plus, I've done a lot of hunting in Ontario for many years, and my family has raced in Canada forever. It's strange that I've never been to Capital City, but I'm really looking forward to it. It's a pretty special place for us already."
Dragon currently ranks sixth in ACT Late Model Tour point standings. The Toromont CAT 100, however, will be his first foray into the Québec/Ontario-based Série ACT Castrol. He knows the competition will be tough. "You've got guys like Karl Allard, Alexandre Gingras, and Jean-François Déry that are very good racers," said Dragon. "I've raced a couple of times against them over the years, and there are the veterans like Claude Leclerc and Yvon Bédard, plus I'm sure there will be a lot of Ottawa-based cars. It should be exciting."
Nineteen year-old Spencer MacPherson, of Carleton Place, ON, is a Série ACT Castrol rookie that also drives a Kenyon Racing Products chassis. He won six feature events at Capital City Speedway last season. He and the Série ACT Castrol drivers will be joined by former Capital City Speedway Champions Rick Rump of Ottawa and Ken Baird of North Gower, ON, Kawartha Speedway Champion Larry Jackson of Oakville, ON and popular Ontario veteran Steve Munro of Carp. Other top drivers expected include Martin Lacombe of Terrebonne, QC, young Brandon Watson of Stayner, ON, and top Série ACT Castrol rookie Patrick Hamel of St-Édouard, QC.
Capital City Speedway is located on Highway 7 in Stittsville, Ontario, ten minutes west of the city of Ottawa. Qualifying action for the Série ACT Castrol Toromont CAT 100 begins at 5:00pm on Saturday, August 9. For more information, call ACT at (802) 244-6963 or visit www.laserieactcastrol.com or www.acttour.com, or call Capital City Speedway at (613) 244-1162 or visit www.capitalcityspeedway.ca.
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From Justin St. Louis / ACT
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New Hampshire Motor Speedway - "The Magic Mile" Loudon-only $600 pp (twin) - September 11-15
Tour Includes: Transportainment, 2 nights accommodation's with breakfast, tailgate BBQ, and tickets to the NASCAR Cup Series Race & the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race.
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series - Riverside Speedway (Antigonish, Nova Scotia) only $800 pp (twin) - September 18-21
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Dover- September 19-22 - $700 PP Twin - Good seats still available.
Martinsville - October 16-20 - MotorSports SuperCoach SOLD OUT!!
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CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF OUR 2008 RACES
Don't forget about our Group Leaders Program. Get a group together and you could travel for free! Looking forward to taking you Racing!
Doug Andrews // Have Bus Will Travel
NCATS: Castrol Top Tuner Tour added to Mosport Full Throttle Race Zone
-727673.jpg)
The Castrol Top Tuner Super Saturn Sky display features a multimillion dollar high-performance Sky show car and custom transporter, along with a display of Castrol lubricants and information on the Castrol Top Tuner Tour program.
Located in Oshawa Centre parking lot in front of Sears (King St. & Stevenson Rd.), the Race Zone will include Full Throttle driver Brad Graham who will be meeting fans and signing autographs, along with the Full Throttle Girls who will be serving Full Throttle Energy Drink samples.
Joining the Full Throttle set up, is the Sunoco Ultra 94 Racing Display with its NASCAR show car and information centre where fans can enter to win one of three NASCAR racing vacations and other great prizes.
The Dickies Canada display will have opportunities for fans to nominate themselves or a friend in the Dickies Canadian Worker of the Year contest for a chance to win some great prizes including a 2009 Dodge Ram truck. Entries can also be submitted online at www.canadianworkeroftheyear.ca. The deadline for entries is Friday, August 15.
There will be hourly draws for the chance to win tickets to the Full Throttle Energy Drink 200 at Mosport Speedway on Saturday, August 9.
Advance tickets for the race are just $25 until August 6 ($30 at the Gate) and parking is free. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult admission.
For more information about tickets, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET) or visit online at www.mosport.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
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Photo: Castrol Top Tuner Tour display // Credit: Castrol Top Tuner Tour // Media contact: Lee Bailie, Mosport, 1-800-866-1072, (905) 261-8134 (cell.) or email lee@mosport.com
PHOTO GALLERY: Flamboro Speedway - August 2, 2008 by Dave Franks
PHOTO GALLERY: Peterborough Speedway OSCAAR and more - Aug. 2, 2008 By Dave Franks and Randy Collins
Rick Young's 'Rick at the Races' July 30 to Aug. 3, 2008
From Rick Young: Before I continue with this weeks report, I'll give you a quick update on my new website that was launched last week. Craig's been busy adding more stuff and our goal is to eventually get all my 'RETRO' reports tidied up and loaded. I also have stacks more photos to be added for each of the categories, it's just a matter of time. In the first week, I've had over 800 'hits' and ten people sign the guest book, so I'd like to give them all a big thank you. Thanks also to everyone else who has contacted me personally with good luck messages and positive input.
www.rickattheraces.com
and now on to this week's report...
30 Jul Capital City Speedway
31 Jul Mohawk International Raceway
1 Aug Autodrome Edelweiss
2 Aug Brockville Ontario Speedway
3 Aug Cornwall Motor Speedway
FIVE IN FIVE DAYS
As you can see, this week was a busy one, so I'll try to make the report as concise as I can.
Once again the weather played a major part in the proceedings, which started off on Wednesday (30 July) at Ottawa's Capital City Speedway. There was rain all over the area during the late afternoon, but somehow, it managed to skirt past Stittsville and the weekly evening show was able to take place.
There was a big wreck on the back straight in the Thunder Car feature which took out a number of top runners but Ken Fisher # 33 survived the carnage to take the checkers. Kevin Foisy # 55 once more took the the Legend Car Feature, while Tim Kirby # 10, became another new face in Victory Lane in the Late Models.
There were a couple of extra attractions in store that night too.
With NASCAR races taking place at the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit ( Montreal) at the weekend Kent Nuhn # 18 dropped in for some demonstration laps. There was also a dragster on display.
Capital City Speedway has a drag strip incorporated into the front straight, and race fans were treated to a run by a jet powered Funny Car.
On Thursday night (31 July) I dashed across the border straight from work to the Mohawk International Raceway at Hogansburg NY for the first of four LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES races that were happening over the weekend.
The MIR is so close to Canada ( a five minute drive from the border) that it's been included in the 2008 schedule for Canada's premier DIRT series.
Just on cue, as the cars had almost finished time trials, the heavens opened forcing a long rain delay putting the show back at least an hour.
Former CDS winner, David Hebert # 1 clinched the 100 lapper after fending off a late challenge from Jessica Zemken # 96z. The race finished shortly before 1-00 am.
This was when the problems started for Canadian fans. I guess the customs guys were not used to the local race track finishing in the early hours of the morning and not prepared for a huge influx of travelers. Most people had to wait in the line at the border, which stretched across the span of St Lawrence Seaway bridge for at least an hour. Not very nice, when all you want to do is get home !
The next day , ( Friday Aug 1 ) or later that day to be precise, the 'traveling road show' of the LUCAS OIL CANADIAN DIRT SERIES moved on to the Autodrome Edelweiss, in the Gatineau Mountains of Quebec. The rain stayed away for this one, where current 358 SUPER DIRT SERIES Champion , Mario Clair # 22 took the honors.
The weather forecast for Saturday's LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES race at Brockville did not look good, and sure enough a late afternoon storm delayed the start time.
I was lucky and heard the news before I arrived at the track, so made arrangements with my buddies Jim Clarke ( Kawartha and 'occasional Brockville announcer') and Web Master Craig Revelle to meet up at the China Buffet in the cities 1000 Island Mall. There was no point in hanging around the track waiting for it to dry , when we could enjoy a decent supper !
After a good feed we drove up to the track to find the rain had stopped and the packing was taking place. I wandered around the pits and chatted to friends including Jessica Zemken who is is currently lying second place in the Brockville points , just one point behind Kyle Dingwall # 96 . Her regular ride in the Lasalle Motorsports car had lost oil pressure at Edelweiss the night before so she was going to use the spare Pierre Dagenais # 124 car.
Through out the night Mother Nature continued to tease us with more brief showers, delaying things even more. With the heats in the bag and two support division features completed, the grid for the 100 lapper took to the track just before midnight..
After just a handful of green flag laps and a caution for a wreck, the heavens opened once more. This signalled a premature end, as there was no choice but to abandon the race. All the hard work done by promotor Paul Kirkland and his staff to get the show in, had been in vane.
The race has been rescheduled for October 18. Unfortunately this clashes with the Eastern States Championship Week End at the OCFS, Middletown NY, which always attracts 100's of Canadian fans ( and race teams) each year for the annual end of season DIRT Racing finale.
As stated earlier, the NASCAR NATIONWIDE CUP race was taking place in Montreal at the weekend but for DIRT racing fans the LUCAS OIL CANADIAN DIRT SERIES was the place to be. One of my media friends, Sylvain Lauwers was in attendance, and sent me some of his photos. I've added one of his shots to my photo section, which shows Jaques Villeneuve # 32 in the pits with the famous Champlain Bridge visible in the background . Ron Fellows took the checkers there.
The sun was shining and it was hot and humid for the fourth and final LUCAS OILS CANADIAN DIRT SERIES race of the weekend at the Cornwall Motor Speedway. The usual touring teams were in attendance as well as a few extras.
One welcome addition driving the spare Carey Terrance # 66 car was Dale Planck # 66x. Dale from Cortland NY is a former Cornwall Track Champion and is currently having a very successful year in the SUPER DIRT SERIES.
He drew # 12 on the grid for the big race which provided a memorable spectacle for the fans to savor as he weaved his way to the front to take the checkers. Doing likewise, in a near identical car was team owner Terrance who chased him across the line to take second. A late caution had closed the gap, and I started wondering if , like in F1 Grand Prix racing, 'team orders' may come in to play. Luckily they didn't , and the large crowd in attendance were treated to a great finish to a great race.
PHOTO 1 The # 18 NASCAR car of Kent Nuhn at the CCS
PHOTO 2 That's yours truly posing by the Kent Nuhn car at the CCS
PHOTO 3 Tim Kirby # 10 winner of the Late Model feature at the CCS
PHOTO 4 Pierre Daganais # 124 in action at Edelweiss during the CDS
PHOTO 5 Two friends of mine at the MIR, Dave Heaslip # 84 and Jessica Zemken # 96Z
PHOTO 6 Jessica Zemken poses by the Lasalle Motorsports Modified at the MIR
PHOTO 7 David Hebert # 1 the CDS winner at the MIR
PHOTO 8 Mario Clair # 22 the CDS winner at Edelweiss
PHOTO 9 A Sylvain Lauwers Photo of the Jaques Villeneuve # 32 NASCAR car in Montreal
PHOTO 10 Todd Stewart # 72 and Yan Bussierre # 21 in action at the BOS before the rain postponement.
PHOTO 11 Joel Doiron in action at the CMS round of the CDS
PHOTO 12 Dale Planck # 66x wins his heat at the CMS
PHOTO 13 Dale Planck # 66x CDS winner at the the CMS with promotor , Ron Morin
PHOTO 14 THe first three in the CMS round of the CDS , LtoR , runner up Carey Terrance # 66, winner Dale Planck # 66x and David Herbert # 1 in third.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
PHOTO GALLERY: Sauble Speedway - August 3, 2008 by Dave Franks
FW: NASCAR Canadian Tire Series News & Notes - Mosport Speedeway
NAPA 100 Post-Race Notebook
Ranger Turns Heads In NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut
Veteran Thomson Wants To Add NASCAR Title To Extensive Resume
Championships are nothing new to Don Thomson Jr. He won five consecutive CASCAR Super Series titles from 2001 to 2005, but he would like to add a NASCAR championship to his already impressive resume.
Actually, Thomson (No. 4 Home Hardware Chevrolet) won seven straight championships, having won a pair of CASCAR East Series titles just prior to his string of national series triumphs.
The legacy of Don Thomson Jr. as one of the greats in Canadian stock-car racing is already cast in stone, but adding a NASCAR championship ring to his finger certainly would be a crowning moment for his stellar career.
"NASCAR has brought a new dimension to stock car racing in Canada," said Thomson. "I definitely want to add a NASCAR championship to the list."
That desire for success has been evident since the inaugural NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio event at Cayuga Motor Speedway in May 2007. He won the race that every driver entered wanted to win.
"That was a big win," Thomson said. "It was a pretty rough race all because everyone wanted that first one so badly. It's a win that no one will be able to take away from me."
At age 45, Thomson shows no signs of slowing down. So far this season, he has won the pole in four of seven races. He can't pinpoint the reason for his qualifying success other than reaching a comfort level during practice.
"I really don't have a reason why I qualify so well. My team does a great job adjusting the car to the conditions and the track every time out," he said. "I am just able to get a good feel for the car."
In short-track racing, qualifying is of utmost importance. Track position at the beginning of the race can set the tone for the race.
"In the Canadian Tire Series, all of our oval track events have pit stops, so I can't say that it is critical, but to have a clean track in front at the beginning, when tensions are high and everybody is beating on each other, is not a bad place to be," said Thomson.
Being the polesitter, however, does not translate to victories. Earlier this season at SunValley Speedway, Thomson became just the second driver to win a race from the pole in series history and the first to accomplish the feat on an oval track. Andrew Ranger won from the pole last season at Mosport International Raceway, a road course.
Thomson, out of Ayr, Ontario, has led 396 laps this season which is second only to Scott Steckly's 419, but has just the one win at SunValley. Steckly, on the other hand, has just one pole but three wins.
"Like I said, with the pit stops anything can happen and the competition in this series has gotten such that anyone can win starting from anywhere," he said.
Currently second in the championship point standings — 146 points behind Steckly — Thomson's line of a win, four top fives and five top 10s in seven starts, ordinarily would be enough to be much closer to the lead, but Steckly's superman routine this season has taken the starch out of the early season race.
"(Steckly) has been on fire this year," Thomson said. "But it's not over yet. I've seen a lot of crazy things over the years. I don't wish anything for him, but if he keeps up the pace he is on, then I'll be the first in line to congratulate him."
The Race: Full Throttle Energy Drink 200
The Place: Mosport Speedway, Bowmanville, Ontario
The Date: Saturday, Aug. 9
The Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV Schedule: TSN, Noon ET, Aug. 17 (delayed)
Track Layout: .500-mile paved oval
Race Purse: $80,292 CAD
2007 Winner: Don Thomson Jr.
2007 Pole: J.R. Fitzpatrick
Schedule: Practice 1:30-2:30 p.m., Time Trials 5 p.m.
Track Contact: Lee Bailie, (905) 983-9141 or lee@mosport.com
Ranger Turns Heads In NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut
In the end, the conditions proved to be less than ideal for Andrew Ranger's NASCAR Nationwide Series debut, but the events transpiring prior to the rain falling on Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve left little doubt as to the youngster's ability to handle any type of racecar.
The 21 year-old out of Roxton Pond, Quebec, posted the eighth-fastest lap in Friday's practice session. And just moments after winning the Canadian Tire Series event in exciting fashion in front of his hometown fans, he qualified the No. 22 Supercuts/Tide/Wal-Mart Dodge 15th.
Before the rains came, Ranger gradually moved forward and inside the top 10. Soon after all the cars were brought to pit road to install the rain tires, Ranger went to work. He turned the fourth-fastest lap under wet conditions and reached fifth place in the running order, causing veteran NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace to sing Ranger's praises on ESPN2's coverage of the race.
A radio malfunction, however, precipitated a series of unscheduled pit stops that erased all of the gained ground and then some. He finished the rain-shortened event in the 29th position.
"I could not see anything and the radio was not working," said Ranger. "Regardless, I am very satisfied with my race because I kept the car on the track until the end and I was able to keep up with the leaders for a good part of the race."
Ranger, once again, will be behind the wheel of the Fitz Motorsports No. 22 Dodge this Saturday for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Watkins Glen.
News & Notes
The Race: This event is the eighth of 13 races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio schedule. It is the series' second visit to the track.
The Procedure: The starting field is 24 cars, including provisionals. The first 19 cars will be determined from two-lap time trials. The remaining five spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 200 laps and cover 100 miles.
The Track: The .500-mile oval shares grounds with Mosport International Raceway, a 2.459-mile road course, a 2.4-kilometer advanced driver and race driver training facility, and a 1.4-kilometer kart track. All told, Mosport is Canada's largest motorsports complex, covering 750 acres. The name Mosport is a contraction of motorsport and is pronounced "MOE-sport." The facility opened in 1961
The Records: The one-lap qualifying record for the Canadian Tire Series is 21.592 seconds (83.364 mph) set by J.R. Fitzpatrick on Aug. 11, 2007. The 200-lap race record is held by Don Thomson Jr. at 1 hour, 43 minutes, 57 seconds set Aug. 4, 2007 for an average speed of 60.317 mph.
A Season Ago: Fitzpatrick started on the pole, but the race was dominated by his Fitzpatrick Motorsports teammate, Thomson, who started the race right behind him in the third position. Thomson went on to lead 181 of the 200 laps, eventually beating Mark Dilley to the finish line by .703 seconds. It was Thomson's second career Canadian Tire Series victory.
NAPA 100 Post-Race Notebook
Ranger Snaps Winless Streak: Defending series champion Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Wal-Mart/Tide Ford) ended a 16-race winless streak with his NAPA 100 victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. He had not taken the checkered flag since June 2007 at Mosport International Raceway.
Another Big Crowd: After racing in front of 60,000 fans in Edmonton, the Canadian Tire Series, once again, showed its wares to a crowd estimated to be around the 60,000 mark. Those are, by far, the largest venues on the schedule, but the series has strung together five races with capacity, or near capacity, crowds dating back to the Barrie Speedway event on June 28.
Still Looking: Ranger won the NAPA 100 in a Ford, continuing Dodge's winless streak in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series road-course events. In the seven road races over the two-year span of the series, Ford has won five while Chevrolet has two victories. J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet) has accounted for both Chevy wins. Ranger and Kerry Micks (No. 02 Beyond Digital Imaging Ford) each have a pair of road-course wins while Alex Tagliani (No. 7 Wal-Mart/Ubisoft Ford) has one for the blue oval contingent. Dodge has one more chance at a road-course win in 2008, at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres on Aug. 17.
Bourque Partners With Mohawk Company: The No. 29 Dodge of Pierre Bourque carried the Mohawk Internet Technologies banner in Montreal. The company is owned and operated by members of the Mohawk Indian Tribe. It is believed to be the tribe's first venture into the world of NASCAR racing.
Traffic Report: Only Scott Steckly (No. 22 Tow Truck in a Box/Schick Dodge) has completed each of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' 1,158 laps in 2008. He has finished on the podium six times and logged a top-five finish in each of the seven events this year. Don Thomson Jr. (No. 4 Home Hardware Chevrolet) has missed just 12 circuits this season. Steckly has led a series-best 419 laps followed by Thomson with 396 laps led.
Mobil 1 Command Performance of the Race Award: As a reward for his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victory in Montreal, Ranger collects $1,500 from Mobil 1 for his effort. He also has a win, last season, at Mosport International Raceway to his credit.
Mopar Fast Five: This program awards the top five finishing Dodges in the race. In the NAPA 100, Steckly finished second and thus earned a $2,000 bonus as the top-finishing Dodge. D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/NPP Dodge) finished fourth overall and was the second-highest finishing Dodge, which earned him $1,250. Picking up $1,000 for finishing as the third-highest Dodge was Mark Dilley (No. 9 Dodge/Leland Industries Dodge). Collecting $500 for placing fourth among the Dodge entrants was Dave Whitlock (No. 39 Dickies/NMT Dodge). Rounding out the top five Dodges was Brad Graham (No. 19 Full Throttle/Challenger Motor Freight Dodge), which pays him $250.
POWERade Power Move: Improving his position the most over the course of the race was Kent Nuhn (No. 18 Interstate Batteries/The Fuel Genie Chevrolet). After starting 29th on the grid, he worked his way forward and finished 15th. As a result, he earned the $1,000 award.
Tow Truck in a Box Free Pass Award: In a new program in 2008, the driver who receives a free pass during the event and has the highest finish wins the award. There was no winner in Edmonton, so this week the award was worth $2,000. David Thorndyke (No. 67 Thorsons EVT Chevrolet) received a free pass and finished the event in the 23rd position.
For more information, contact:
Shon Sbarra, NASCAR Public Relations, (704) 309-5493 or ssbarra@nascar.com
- NAPA 100 Post-Race Notebook
- Ranger Turns Heads In NASCAR Nationwide Series Debut
The Place: Mosport Speedway, Bowmanville, Ontario
The Date: Saturday, Aug. 9
The Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV Schedule: TSN, Noon ET, Aug. 17 (delayed)
Track Layout: .500-mile paved oval
Race Purse: $80,292 CAD
2007 Winner: Don Thomson Jr.
2007 Pole: J.R. Fitzpatrick
Schedule: Practice 1:30-2:30 p.m., Time Trials 5 p.m.
Track Contact: Lee Bailie, (905) 983-9141 or lee@mosport.com
STAGE SET FOR SUPERSTAR SHOWDOWN IN SATURDAY'S ATLANTIC CAT 250
- 2000: John Flemming, Halifax, Nova Scotia
- 2001: Louie Mechalides, Tyngsboro, Mass.
- 2002: Ben Rowe, Turner, Maine
- 2003: Ben Rowe, Turner, Maine
- 2004: Johnny Clark, Farmingdale, Maine
- 2005: Mike Rowe, Turner, Maine
- 2006: Johnny Clark, Farmingdale, Maine
- 2007: Mike Rowe, Turner, Maine
About Scotia Speedworld
Scotia Speedworld is a 3/10-mile asphalt oval stock car racing track featuring the Lockhart Truck Center Weekly Racing Series for six divisions and several special events during the race season, which runs from May to September. Scotia Speedworld is located at Exit 6 on Highway 102, across from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. For more information please click on ScotiaSpeedworld.ca or call our Event Hotline at (902) 873-2277 or our office at (902) 481-2514.
From Joan Roué
Kyle Marcelli victorious at Road America
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (August 4th 2008) Barrie native, Kyle Marcelli continues to impress on the international level as he leaves the famous Road America course emerging victorious in round nine and again becoming the only driver to be on the podium both days in the competitive US F2000 Championship Series.
Marcelli arrived at the track Wednesday for set-up and was able to get his first impressions of the fast course. Thursday morning was a four hour open test session. Marcelli quickly adapted to the 4.5 mile track, which allowed the team to tackle the cars balance right away. Unfortunately Marcelli and the team were forced to sit out about 2 hours due to fuel issues.
Friday testing ended on a high note as Marcelli put his BGR Van Diemen P2 on the time sheets.
Round nine approached. The team made a few minor aero adjustments to the car then took to the track for qualifying. Marcelli confident and ready had some traffic to get through early in the session before he was able to get some clear laps eventually posting times quick enough to start round nine from P3.
After some debriefing with BGR’s race engineer Ian McPhearson, Marcelli lined up to take the green. As the flag dropped, 40 plus cars roared across the stripe. Marcelli quickly pounced taking full advantage of a first corner incident to capture the lead exiting turn one. From there Marcelli never looked back. After multiple full course yellows Marcelli emerged victorious for the first round of the double header.
Race two on Sunday proved to be fast pace. In qualifying, Marcelli put his BGR prepared 2-litre Zetec on the front row beside local Wisconsin driver Nikki Coello. Taking the green flag Marcelli quickly slotted into P2, with the leaders quickly establishing a gap over the field a full course caution appeared. After two laps of caution the race resumed. Marcelli up to speed again right away raced fast, clean, consistent laps eventually crossing the stripe P2 only 1.04 seconds from the win.
“Overall Road America was a very successful weekend for myself and the Brian Graham Racing team. Winning Saturday’s race and again being on the podium Sunday scored us with great points for the championship. Consistency is going to continue to be important for us going into the last few rounds. I want to thank Brian, Matt and Ian for giving me such a great car all weekend.” Says Marcelli
Marcelli’s next stop is at Mosport International Raceway August 21st to 24th with ALMS. After Road Atlanta’s disappointment Marcelli has battled back and is currently 2nd in the championship hunt.
Marcelli would like to thank his sponsors Rob Braden of Braden Drywall, Lafarge, Barrie Trim and Mouldings, GP Masonry and Landscaping Supplies, Trudel Roofing, PFAFF, Alpinestars, The Robert Simpson Brewery, Brown Windows, MG Homes, Mullins Pub, MMG Trading, Simcoe Building Center, RE/MAX Barrie, Stif Creative Works and Canadian Tire Barrie South.
For more info, visit Kyle at: www.kylemarcelli.com
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