TORONTO (JULY 11, 2009) – While Conquest Racing is competing on the streets of Toronto, Ontario this weekend, the team will be continuing to build the excitement for another Canadian stop on the 2009 IndyCar Series schedule. The team is once again sporting the logo of the upcoming Rexall Edmonton Indy on the sidepods of the #34 Conquest machine.
“It’s always with great pleasure that we continue our partnership with Northlands and the Rexall Edmonton Indy,” stated Eric Bachelart, Conquest Racing team owner. “It’s very exciting to be partnering with one of Canada’s best open-wheel racing events. The Rexall Edmonton Indy has become a premiere event on the IndyCar Series schedule and we’re proud to be associated with them.”
The Rexall Edmonton Indy runs from July 24-26, 2009, at the City Centre Airport in Edmonton, Alberta. Tickets are available now at all Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. For more information on the Rexall Edmonton Indy, log onto www.edmontonindy.com.
From Conquest Racing
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Conquest Racing Continues to Partner with Rexall Edmonton Indy
Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge: The Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge heads to Autodrome Granby and Drummond for a doubleheader
The Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge heads to Autodrome Granby and Drummond for a doubleheader!
Cornwall, On – Saturday, July 11, 2009 – Martin Bélanger – After exactly 2 months of break, the Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge heads to Autodrome Granby on Friday July 17 and Autodrome Drummond on Saturday, July 18 for a spectacular doubleheader with both feature having a 100-lap distance paying a nice $3,000 to the winner and with over $20,000 in purse!
After a few bad lucks with Mother Nature in the last few years, Granby will try to host their event on their initial schedule date. A great field of car is expected to be there with them having an average of nearly 30 cars weekly. The largest track on the tour at 5/8 mile, great speedway will be obtained during the feature race sponsored buy Les Pneus Robert Bernard. In 2008, Mario Clair had won this event after great battles with Kayle Robidoux and David Hébert.
The series will then move to Autodrome Drummond, where over 40 cars showed up last year for their event. A similar field of the greatest modified drivers in Quebec and Eastern Ontario should be on hand for the finale presented by Hyundai Drummond; David Hébert had won the feature in great fashion to pave the way for his second series title in 3 years. The two races in the province of Quebec will set the pace in the series point's chase as good results at these two facilities will be important.
One race is already in the books as Cornwall Motor Speedway was the host of the initial series race in May. A total of 48 cars showed up for the event. Danny O'Brien had won the feature over David Hébert and Mario Clair, Martin Roy and Clément Therrien rounded out the top 5.
The competitors that will take part in all events will be eligible to win a Bicknell Chassis body and bumper valued at $8,400. Many sponsors such as Bicknell Racing Products, Doiron Racing Engines, Bert Transmission, Mr Radiator, Trick Race Parts, Kirkey Racing et Total Race Supply contributed to this car. A draw between all drivers that competed in 100% of the series race will be done at the end of the 7 races.
OHSWEKEN: Huppunen, Dinning, Brown and Rutherford mid-season champs
By Tommy Goudge (July 10, 2009) – A wild evening of racing ensued at Ohsweken Speedway in the Mid-Season Championship event presented by Wiseco Performance and Evers Financial Group. When the checkered flag fell, three familiar faces and two new ones had visited Engine Pro Winner’s Circle, while the rest will try again next week when Christmas in July comes to Ohsweken featuring a toy drive, visit from Santa, and autograph night, along with the Southern Ontario Sprints Tour and a regular card of racing!
In Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car action, Mikey Kruchka and Jamie Collard led the field to the green flag, but the red flag quickly came out for a hard crash involving Dain Naida in turn two. Naida was shaken up and made a trip to the hospital, but was released and back at the track later in the evening. Also involved in the incident were Keith Dempster, Stan Zanchin, and John Burbridge, Jr. who took their cars to the pits for repairs, but would return, albeit at the back of the pack.
Back under green flag conditions again, Collard took the early lead and began to stretch out his advantage, while Kruchka and teammate Kevin Loveys battled for the runner-up spot. Behind them, division points leader Tom Huppunen was making a beeline to the front after starting thirteenth. Another red flag came out on lap five when Wayne Ashton’s car tipped over on the front stretch, and Adam West took his car to the infield with broken steering.
Back to green again, Huppunen had made his way to fifth. With eight laps in the books, Kevin Job and Huppunen both got by Loveys, while behind them Glenn Styres had moved into seventh after starting eighteenth. Huppunen then made his way around Job on lap twelve and looked to put the pressure on Kruchka, who was in turn trying to get by Collard for the race lead.
On lap fourteen, Kruchka made his move, blasting by Collard on the outside while Huppunen got by for the runner-up spot three laps later. Huppunen wasted little time after that, passing Kruchka for the lead on lap nineteen and driving away for his fifth feature win of the season. Kruchka kept the second spot, while Collard hung on for third, followed by Styres and Keith Dempster in fifth. Heat races for the twenty-two Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars were claimed by Kevin Job, Travis Cunningham, and Keith Dempster.
The ESSO Thunder Stocks got their twenty-five lap feature underway with Kyle Magrin and Mike Thorne on the front row, and it was Thorne getting the lead. Jamie Cox and a host of others were on the move, however, and Thorne began to drop through the pack as the race wore on. Cox took over the lead, but was feeling pressure from Ryan Dinning on the outside. Midway through the race, Cox got loose coming out of turn four and Dinning made contact with Cox’s #44. Cox spun out of the lead, but got his car going again to keep the green flag out. Dinning held the lead through a couple of late race cautions to come home with the feature win, his first in the Thunder Stock division, while Brad Herron, Jeremy Bean, Shayne Pierce, and Billy Bleich, Jr. rounded out the top five. Heat races for the seventeen ESSO Thunder Stocks were won by Herron and Dinning.
ESSO Mini Stocks action began with Paul Goodale and Cam Hill on the front row, with Goodale taking a lead he would hold through much of the twenty lap event…that is until Mitchell Brown once again showed up at the front of the pack. Brown, Abel Castelein, and Trevor Goulding all looked to be contenders for the feature win, but it was Brown coming out of the battle with the lead late in the event, while Castelein, Goodale, Goulding, and Mike Taylor would come home in the top five. Heat races for the twenty-four ESSO Mini Stocks in attendance were claimed by Castelein, Goodale, and Steve Hess.
Vintage Cars made an appearance, bringing eleven fine-looking machines including Illinois driver Phil Claussen. Claussen started at the tail of the ten lap feature, but had no intention of staying there and quickly made his way to the front, where three wide action ensued. Claussen got by the #6 of Lowry Siemens and drove away with the win, while Siemens finished second. Claussen also won the heat race for the vintage cars.
A wild Bomber feature that began with Adam Riedel leading much of the race ended with Rodney Rutherford taking his second win of the season, while Riedel settled for second followed by Jesse McDonald, Kacey Huffman, and Karl Sault.
Friday Night Thunder resumes on Friday, July 17 when Gales Auto Aftermarket presents Christmas in July with the Southern Ontario Sprints Tour, along with the ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Bombers, plus Autograph Night and a visit from Santa! Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken Speedway offers affordable family entertainment just a short drive away from most mid-western Ontario locations. Friday Night Thunder Adult General Admission for this special event is just $15, while Seniors and Students are $8, and kids 12 and under are FREE! Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Christmas in July toy drive and receive $5 off Adult admission or $2 off Seniors/Students admission. Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. On Friday night, gates open at 6:00p.m., with the first race at 7:45p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER 2009
ROUND 9 RACE REPORT – July 10, 2009
OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
OHSWEKEN, ONTARIO
EVENT SPONSORS – WISECO PERFORMANCE AND EVERS FINANCIAL GROUP
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS
HEAT RACES (Top 5 Transfer To A-Feature, Top 4 Redraw for Feature Starting Spots):
BS&B RADIATOR Heat Race #1
1. 21x Kevin Job (Campbellville), 2. 30 Adam West (Ridgetown), 3. 94 Stan Zanchin (Fort Erie), 4. 5d Dave Dykstra (Port Colborne), 5. 12c Tom Huppunen (Fenwick), 6. 57 Doug Bowman (London), 7. 01m Jason Martin (Shedden). Time – 1:54.954
BEST WESTERN CAIRN CROFT HOTEL Heat Race #2
1. 71 Travis Cunningham (Grimsby), 2. 21j John Burbridge, Jr. (Simcoe), 3. 6n Dain Naida (Belleville, MI), 4. 01 Mikey Kruchka (Hamilton), 5. 90 James Evans (Beamsville), 6. 67 Chris Durand (Port Stanley), 7. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (Brantford) DNF. No Time
GRISDALE RACING PRODUCTS Heat Race #3
1. 5 Keith Dempster (Alton), 2. 18 Kevin Loveys (Hamilton), 3. 3 Wayne Ashton (Kitchener), 4. 27 Jamie Collard (Burford), 5. 14h Jim Huppunen (Fenwick), 6. 0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken), 7. 23 Steve Garry (Dundas), 8. 84 Tyler Rand (Consecon) DNS. Time – 1:52.840
CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING
SPRINT CAR FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 12c Tom Huppunen (13)
2. 01 Mikey Kruchka (1)
3. 27 Jamie Collard (2)
4. 0 Glenn Styres (18)
5. 5 Keith Dempster (10)
6. 21x Kevin Job (11)
7. 5d Dave Dykstra (9)
8. 18 Kevin Loveys (4)
9. 71 Travis Cunningham (8)
10. 90 James Evans (14)
11. 94 Stan Zanchin (6)
12. 57 Doug Bowman (16)
13. 14h Jim Huppunen (15)
14. 21j John Burbridge, Jr. (12)
15. 67 Chris Durand (17)
16. 84 Tyler Rand (22)
17. 23 Steve Garry (21) DNF
18. 01m Jason Martin (19) DNF
19. 3 Wayne Ashton (5) DNF
20. 30 Adam West (7) DNF
21. 6n Dain Naida (3) DNF
22. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (20) DNS
No Time
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS
HEAT RACES:
Heat Race #1
1. 12 Brad Herron (Brantford), 2. 24k Kyle Magrin (Hamilton), 3. 55 Mike Thorne (Caledonia), 4. 4k Kevin Knapp (St. Catharines), 5. 83 Lee Winger (Caledonia), 6. 108jr Billy Bleich, Jr. (Port Robinson), 7. 17 Rob Disher (Grimsby), 8. 40 Terry Osmond (Cambridge) DNF
Heat Race #2
1. 8 Ryan Dinning (Caledonia), 2. 88 Shayne Pierce (Wainfleet), 3. 37 Jeremy Bean (Stoney Creek), 4. 44 Jamie Cox (Cambridge), 5. 13 Mark Thorne (Waterford), 6. 1 Chris Dickie (Brantford), 7. 11 Mike Azzopardi, 8. 18 Amanda Stoner (Mount Hope), 9. 98 Brad Bacher (Hagersville)
ESSO THUNDER STOCKS A-FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 8 Ryan Dinning (3)
2. 12 Brad Herron (5)
3. 37 Jeremy Bean (7)
4. 88 Shayne Pierce (6)
5. 108jr Billy Bleich, Jr. (11)
6. 55 Mike Thorne (2)
7. 98 Brad Bacher (16)
8. 44 Jamie Cox (4)
9. 83 Lee Winger (9)
10. 17 Rob Disher (13)
11. 1 Chris Dickie (12)
12. 4k Kevin Knapp (8)
13. 13 Mark Thorne (10) DNF
14. 18 Amanda Stoner (15) DNF
15. 24k Kyle Magrin (1) DNF
16. 11 Mike Azzopardi (14) DNF
17. 40 Terry Osmond (17) DNS
ESSO MINI-STOCKS
HEAT RACES:
Heat Race #1
1. 28 Abel Castelein (Cayuga), 2. 265 Mike Evers (Caledonia), 3. 88 Drew Spencer (Oakville), 4. 72 Kevin Hilborn (Brantford), 5. 7x Chase Hess (Ohsweken), 6. 113 Mark Maidment (Jarvis), 7. 31 Dave Bailey (Hagersville), 8. 55 Kevin Slater (Dundas)
Heat Race #2
1. 14 Paul Goodale, 2. 6 Trevor Goulding (Welland), 3. 10 Mitchell Brown (Brantford), 4. 86 Rick Emberson (Paris), 5. 27 Dan Stewart (Hamilton), 6. 04 Wyatt Van Wart (Cambridge), 7. 50 Rick Robinson (Brantford), 8. 9 Jonathan Ayrton (Hamilton)
Heat Race #3
1. 777x Steve Hess (Ohsweken), 2. 397 Cam Hill (Ohsweken), 3. 11 Mike Giberson (Caledonia), 4. 02 Mike Taylor (Burlington), 5. 05 Dave Goodacre (Brantford), 6. 77x Ethan Martin (Ohsweken), 7. 39 Jim Cochrane (Drumbo), 8. 01 Mark Da Silva
ESSO MINI-STOCKS A-FEATURE (20 laps)
PRESENTED BY EVERS FINANCIAL GROUP
Position. # Name (Starting Position)
1. 10 Mitchell Brown (11)
2. 28 Abel Castelein (10)
3. 14 Paul Goodale (1)
4. 6 Trevor Goulding (12)
5. 02 Mike Taylor (9)
6. 72 Kevin Hilborn (8)
7. 86 Rick Emberson (5)
8. 265 Mike Evers (6)
9. 31 Dave Bailey (23)
10. 50 Rick Robinson (17)
11. 05 Dave Goodacre (14)
12. 11 Mike Giberson (4)
13. 04 Wyatt Van Wart (15)
14. 77x Ethan Martin (16)
15. 27 Dan Stewart (13)
16. 9 Jonathan Ayrton (19)
17. 113 Mark Maidment (22)
18. 01 Mark Da Silva (20)
19. 39 Jim Cochrane (18)
20. 88 Drew Spencer (3)
21. 777x Steve Hess (7) DNF
22. 397 Cam Hill (2) DNF
23. 7x Chase Hess (21) DNF
24. 55 Kevin Slater (24) DNS
VINTAGE CARS
HEAT RACE (8 Laps)
1. 9c Phil Claussen (Oakbrook, IL), 2. 00 Bill Harju (Fisherville), 3. 6 Lowry Siemens (Dunnville), 4. 24 Harold Sonnenburg (Sherkston), 5. #37, 6. 50 Bob Leguee (Chatham), 7. 4 Charles Voit (Buffalo, NY), 8. 69 Mike Leguee (Chatham), 9. 16 Daryl Bray (Rainham Centre), 10. 400 Jim Atkins (Smithville), 11. 12 Ken Kapp
VINTAGE CARS FEATURE (10 laps)
1. 9c Phil Claussen (11), 2. 6 Lowry Siemens (9), 3. #37 (7), 4. 00 Bill Harju (10), 5. 16 Daryl Bray (3), 6. 24 Harold Sonnenburg (8), 7. 400 Jim Atkins (2), 8. 50 Bob Leguee (6), 9. 4 Charles Voit (5), 10. 69 Mike Leguee (11) DNF, 11. 12 Ken Kapp DNS
BOMBERS A-FEATURE (25 laps)
Position. # Name (Hometown)
1. 03 Rodney Rutherford (Waterdown), 2. 113 Adam Reidel (Burlington), 3. 88j Jesse McDonald (Caledonia), 4. 13 Kacey Huffman (Hamilton), 5. 81 Karl Sault (Dundas), 6. 13c Brittany Gyorky, 7. 15 Brad McCarten
UP NEXT @ OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2009
GALES AUTO AFTERMARKET PRESENTS:
“CHRISTMAS IN JULY” WITH THE SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS TOUR
PLUS ESSO THUNDER STOCKS, ESSO MINI-STOCKS, AND BOMBERS
ADULTS $15, SENIORS AND STUDENTS $8, KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE!
BRING A NEW, UNWRAPPED TOY AND GET $5 OFF ADULT ADMISSION
OR $2 OFF SENIORS/STUDENTS ADMISSION
SPECTATOR GATES OPEN @ 6:00 P.M., RACING @ 7:45 P.M.
Honda Indy Toronto starting lineup
TORONTO - Qualifying Saturday for the Honda Indy Toronto IndyCar Series event on the 1.755-mile Streets of Toronto, with starting position, car number in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine, time and speed in parentheses:
1. (10) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.0249 (103.532)
2. (12) Will Power, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.2851 (103.092)
3. (02) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.3301 (103.016)
4. (18) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.5157 (102.705)
5. (34) Alex Tagliani, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.6980 (102.402)
6. (24) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.0090 (101.888)
7. (06) Robert Doornbos, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.4419 (102.829)
8. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.4718 (102.779)
9. (2) Raphael Matos, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.5348 (102.674)
10. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.7954 (102.241)
11. (6) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.8575 (102.138)
12. (14) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.9680 (101.956)
13. (5) Mario Moraes, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.9704 (101.952)
14. (23) Tomas Scheckter, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.8681 (102.120)
15. (15) Paul Tracy, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.9730 (101.948)
16. (13) E.J. Viso, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.1577 (101.645)
17. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.2138 (101.553)
18. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.5839 (100.952)
19. (20) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.5907 (100.942)
20. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.6556 (100.837)
21. (4) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.8411 (100.539)
22. (27) Hideki Mutoh, Dallara-Honda, 1:03.0413 (100.220)
23. (98) Richard Antinucci, Dallara-Honda, 1:04.5132 (97.933)
South Buxton Raceway... Rainout tonight
Next Saturday (July 18), South Buxton hosts the Southwestern Ontario Tractor Pullers Association TRactor Pull, starting at 7 p.m.
Stock car racing resumes Saturday, July 25.
For more information, please contact Mike Bennett (519-351-4765)
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 - Tide 250 Postponed To Sunday
Villeneuve Debut To Wait A Day
SAINT EUSTACHE, Que. - A large weather system moved into the area at midday, with no relief in sight, and forced the postponement of the Tide 250 at Autodrome St. Eustache. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 event is set to take the green flag at 2 p.m. ET Sunday afternoon.
The weather system is expected to bring high winds and heavy rain later this afternoon. It is, however, forecast to clear the area overnight. Sunday's forecast calls for clear skies, no chance of precipitation and mild temperatures.
The schedule for Sunday has practice slated for 10 a.m. with time trials shortly thereafter. Spectator gates will open at 7 a.m.
In the Tide 250, former Formula One world champion and Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve will make his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut.
For additional information, contact:
Shon Sbarra
Media Coordinator, Touring Series Canada | NASCAR
Cell: (704) 309-5493 | E-Mail: ssbarra@nascar.com
Friday, July 10, 2009
Honda Indy Toronto practice results (Friday)
TORONTO - Practice Friday for the Honda Indy Toronto IndyCar Series event on the 1.755-mile Streets of Toronto, with position, car number in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine, time and speed in parentheses:
1. (2) Raphael Matos, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.4739 (102.775)
2. (18) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.7627 (102.295)
3. (12) Will Power, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.7722 (102.279)
4. (06) Robert Doornbos, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.8386 (102.169)
5. (6) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.8420 (102.164)
6. (10) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.9237 (102.029)
7. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.9364 (102.008)
8. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 1:01.9617 (101.966)
9. (02) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.0027 (101.899)
10. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.0044 (101.896)
11. (24) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.1916 (101.589)
12. (23) Tomas Scheckter, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.3048 (101.405)
13. (15) Paul Tracy, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.3653 (101.306)
14. (14) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.4745 (101.129)
15. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.5434 (101.018)
16. (5) Mario Moraes, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.6133 (100.905)
17. (34) Alex Tagliani, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.6923 (100.778)
18. (13) E.J. Viso, Dallara-Honda, 1:02.7758 (100.644)
19. (27) Hideki Mutoh, Dallara-Honda, 1:03.3323 (99.760)
20. (4) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 1:03.4514 (99.572)
21. (98) Richard Antinucci, Dallara-Honda, 1:03.9239 (98.836)
22. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 1:03.9279 (98.830)
23. (20) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 1:04.7355 (97.597)
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Jacques Villeneuve test and press conference at Autodrome St-Eustache
These photos are from Thursday's press conference and test session at Autodrome St-Eustache featuring Jacques Villeneuve, who will be racing in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at the Montreal-area oval on Saturday night (weather permitting).
Thank you to Jim Leggett of CanadianRacers.com for sharing his work.
Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship: Hype Energy and JL Racing
JL Racing partners with Hype Energy
JL Racing announced today a partnership agreement with Hype Energy. JL Racing will carry the Hype Energy logo on the #92 2005 Saab 93 Sport Sedan driven by P.J. Groenke in the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship at the Honda Indy Toronto and the GP3R in Trois Rivieres. Hype Energy will also adorn the #93 2008 Saab 93 Sport Sedan of John Lockhart which will debut later this season.
“I am so excited about this opportunity to partner with Hype Energy”, said John Lockhart, Team Principal and Driver for JL Racing, “Hype Energy is a leader in the energy drink industry with a very strong presence in motorsports which has really enhanced its brand. We are honored to be chosen as a partner to help expand Hype’s market share and brand awareness.
Upon finalizing this partnership, Jon Silver the company president made the following statement, "Having just agreed to become involved with the JL Racing Team, we here at Les Aliments Unique Foods (which distributes HYPE Energy drinks across Canada) could not be more pleased with this opportunity and the multi-level exposure we expect to receive by working with such a talented group of individuals, as an on going part of our corporate marketing strategy."
Look for the JL Racing Saab 93s and the Hype Energy Crew at events during the Honda Indy Toronto and GP3R in Trois Rivieres for the 2009 season. Plans are being put into motion for a full season program in 2010.
About JL Racing: JL Racing is one of Canada's premier sport sedan racing teams. In 2006, JL Racing formed a partnership with Saab Canada to race and showcase Canada's only Saab 93 race cars. The team has made headlines several times with a first race, first place finish and subsequent podium finishes in the Saab 93.
For more information: www.jlracing.net.
Media Contact: Phil Reilly – JL Racing // info@jlracing.net // 416 503 8086
For more information on the upcoming events please visit the following websites:
Toronto Indy: (http://www.hondaindytoronto.com/Weekend_Schedule.html)
Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres: (http://www.gp3r.com/canadian-touring.html)
About Hype Energy: To Learn more about Les Aliments Unique Food and HYPE Energy Drinks Canada visit us at www.drinkhype.ca or www.uniquefoodscanada.ca. Mr. Jon Silver ~ President // Les Aliments Unique Food / HYPE Energy Drinks Canada // Tel: (514)343-4973 / Web: www.drinkhype.ca / www.uniquefoodscanada.ca
________________________________
From: John Lockhart [mailto:john.lockhart@sympatico.ca]
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 9:26 PM
To: john_lockhart
Cc: Damon Sharpe; dsharpe
Subject: Hype Energy and JL Racing
We are "Hyped" to partner with Hype Energy!
Thanks, JL
John Lockhart
JL Racing
www.jlracing.net
905-586-1060
About JL Racing
JL Racing is one of Canada's premier sport sedan racing teams. Formed
in 2000, the team competes in top-rate, competitive,
professional racing. In 2006, JL Racing formed a partnership with Saab
Canada to race and showcase Canada's only Saab 9-3 race car. The team
has made headlines several times with first race, first place finish
and subsequent podium finishes in the Saab 9-3.
Jacques Villeneuve will race in two events in South America
VILLENEUVE WILL RACE TWO EVENTS IN SOUTH AMERICA
The former Formula 1 Champion returns to the Top Race Series in which he raced last year. Villeneuve will drive at Sao Paulo on July 19, and Buenos Aires on September 20. In the meantime, he hopes to return to Formula 1 in 2010.
"Hopefully I can come back next year," said Jacques Villeneuve during the closing of his last press conference in Buenos Aires, back in September 28, 2008. The Race of the Year had just ended and the Canadian driver was pleased with his great performance in his first experience at the Top Race Series.
Finally, the desire will become true, because Villeneuve will again be part of the show. He will be one of the 41 drivers traveling to Brazil where he will race the first date of the Winter Rosamontes’ Stage at the mythical Interlagos racetrack – in a weekend in which they will share the track with the Formula Truck, and the following month he will take part in the second edition of The Race of the Year in Buenos Aires.
"After last year's experience is a pleasure to drive again at the Top Race. It was a very fun experience and I had a great time both on and off the car. For this year’s race there are a couple of things I should take advantage of: I know the cars and the two racetracks in which we are20going to race. I won at both venues, Interlagos and Buenos Aires during my time in Formula 1. It is not going to be easy to get those results at the Top Race Series because the drivers I am racing against have many more miles on board of those cars than I do. But at least, I will try,” said Villeneuve.
Villeneuve raced the first edition of The Race of the Year in Buenos Aires driving a Passat TRV6, which finished 26 overall after the qualifying race in which he got the 13 place. While looking to define his future -which could be linked to Formula 1, Villeneuve confirmed that he will return to the Top Race to compete at two of the 2009 dates, Interlagos and Buenos Aires.
"I am excited about the possibility of getting back to Formula 1 next year. I estimate that in the coming days I will have a definition in this regard. I have already made a commitment to the Top Race events and there is no chance that anything will interfere with my travel to Brazil and Argentina,” he added.
Worth the reminder, Villeneuve won the Formula 1 races at Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires during the season in which he got the World Championship title, 1997, and those are the same racetracks in which he will be driving the Mercedes TRV6 Top Race.
Villeneuve will be part of the Top Race group traveling to Brazil and will take part in al l programmed functions like the visit to the final resting place of the legendary Ayrton Senna.
From Niky Pauli / Media Racing / www.mediaracing.com
INDYCAR: Sears Canada/CRAFTSMAN, Hyatt Regency Toronto on King and The Keg to partner with Conquest Racing and Alex Tagliani in T.O.
Sears Canada/CRAFTSMAN®, Hyatt Regency Toronto on King and The Keg Steakhouse and Bar to Partner with Conquest Racing and Alex Tagliani in Toronto
TORONTO (July 10, 2009) – Conquest Racing announced today the addition of three partners for this weekend’s Honda Indy Toronto. Sears/CRAFTSMAN, the Hyatt Regency Toronto on King and The Keg Steakhouse and Bar will be featured on the #34 car driven by Canadian Alex Tagliani.
“It’s with great pleasure that we welcome Sears/CRAFTSMAN, the Hyatt Regency Toronto and The Keg Steakhouse and Bar to the team,” said Conquest Racing team owner Eric Bachelart. “It’s an honor to be associated with such great companies at one of the best events of the season.”
No retailer in Canada is more trusted than Sears Canada. With 122 department stores across the country, Sears offers a broad range of merchandise from apparel and home fashions to appliances and home improvement items, including a broad range of merchandise under the CRAFTSMAN brand including mechanics tools and portable electric tools.
"We are pleased to have Conquest Racing and Alex Tagliani showcasing the Sears and CRAFTSMAN brands at the 2009 Honda Indy Toronto,” said Doug Piett, Divisional Vice-President Sales Planning, Promotion & Production, Sears Canada Inc. “The CRAFTSMAN brand stands for trust, quality and reliability and is a proven winner with our customers much like Alex is with his racing fans. Sears wishes Alex all the best in Sunday’s big race.”
In addition to Sears/CRAFTSMAN, Conquest Racing is also welcoming the Hyatt Regency Toronto on King Street to their family of sponsors for this weekend’s race. The Hyatt Regency is located in the center of Toronto’s vibrant downtown. Fresh from a multi-million dollar renovation, the sparkling new Toronto downtown hotel showcases 394 guestrooms, including 32 suites and a VIP Floor.
“We are very excited to join the Conquest Racing Team and Alex Tagliani during this World Class event in Toronto," stated Celso Thompson of the Hyatt Regency Toronto on King. "Alex's relationship with the Canadian media giant, Canoe.ca is a fantastic way for us to spread the word that with the stunning renovations complete, the new Hyatt Regency on King is one of the top properties in all of Toronto".
Finally, Conquest Racing can also count on the support of The Keg Steakhouse and Bar for this weekend’s Honda Indy Toronto. Known for its great Keg steak, The Keg is Canada’s number-one steakhouse and has more than 100 locations across North America each offering a truly comfortable and satisfying dining atmosphere accompanied by a fun and casual bar setting.
“The Keg has been a Canadian success story since established in 1971 in Vancouver, B.C.,” said Jim Croteau, COO Keg Restaurants Ltd. “And we wish Conquest Racing and Alex their own great success in the Indy on Sunday.”
Jim Freudenberg of the Rubicon Sports agency added: “Special thanks to Ryan McCallum for his help with bringing some great new sponsors to the team for the Toronto event. Sears/CRAFTSMAN, the Hyatt Regency Toronto on King and The Keg Steakhouse and Bar have history with Canadian motorsports and their support of Alex and Conquest Racing is greatly appreciated."
Tagliani and the Conquest Racing team will be on track starting today at 10:10 a.m. for the first practice session. The Honda Indy Toronto takes place Sunday, July 12 and will be broadcast live on ABC, and on TSN in Canada, starting at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
From Conquest Racing
Thursday, July 09, 2009
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Mobil 1 Partners with Canadian Tire And NASCAR
MOBIL 1 PARTNERS WITH CANADIAN TIRE AND NASCAR...
Company Adds Presenting Sponsorship To NASCAR Portfolio
TORONTO (July 9, 2009) – Canadian Tire Corporation and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today that Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil, has become the presenting sponsor for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
The series is now officially called the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1.
The involvement in NASCAR by Mobil 1 is long and storied. It stretches from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series all the way through the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Mobil 1 has been a key ingredient in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series since its inception in 2007.
“We welcome Mobil 1 as the presenting sponsor of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,” said George Silbermann, Managing Director of Racing Operations for NASCAR. “Mobil 1 has been a participant at all levels of NASCAR racing, both in Canada and in the U.S., and this new role with the premier Canadian stock-car series furthers their strong presence in the sport.”
Canadian Tire, Canada’s largest automotive retailer, and Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil, have a long-standing relationship, as well. The two are teaming up in the ‘Hear The Roar’ contest in which a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette will be awarded to a Canadian Tire customer who purchased a specially-marked Mobil 1 or Mobil Super product. The final draw for the new car will be held in conjunction with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 race on Sept. 12 at Barrie (Ont.) Speedway.
“Mobil 1 shares our passion for motorsports and our continued focus on bringing innovative automotive products to market” said Tony Kuczynski, vice president, automotive, Canadian Tire. ‘We are excited to welcome Mobil 1 as presenting sponsor of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and look forward to working together to bring the excitement of the series to race fans across the country.”
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 has a 13-race schedule in 2009 and competes on both oval tracks and road courses across Canada. It will visit 12 tracks, this season, covering six provinces—Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
For additional information, contact: Lisa Gibson, Canadian Tire Corporation, (416) 544-7655, lisa.gibson@cantire.com // From Shon Sbarra, NASCAR Public Relations, (704) 309-5493, ssbarra@nascar.com
IHRA: King of Canada: Atchison, Noakes square off in clash of Canada's best AFC drivers
A trip to Grand Bend wouldn’t be complete without the storied rivalry between two of London, Ontario’s best going head to head at nearly 250 miles per hour on the quarter mile.
And that is exactly what drag racing fans are going to get when the IHRA returns to Ontario for the MOPAR Canadian Nationals July 17-19 at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
Rob Atchison and Paul Noakes, both London residents, will join recent additions Larry Dobbs and Jason McKnight in a weekend long grudge match to determine who truly is the King of Canada in Alcohol Funny Car.
“I have loved watching these guys compete ever since we opened the track 14 years ago and it wouldn’t seem right not to have them here,” said track owner Paul Spriet. “We knew we had to do something to showcase these amazing drivers. We also wanted to do something for the fans as this is the only time they get to see these guys race so close to home.”
Atchison, a three-time IHRA Alcohol Funny Car world champion, and Noakes, last year’s AFC runner-up and a two-time MOPAR Canadian Nationals winner, will go head-to-head all weekend long in a clash of Canada’s best in Alcohol Funny Car.
“It should be a lot of fun. It is definitely a different concept than we have ever done before where we have always in the past been racing for points and this time we get a chance to let our guard down and have a little more fun and just try to take home the title as King of Canada,” Atchison said.
Atchison is a three-time IHRA world champion, winning all three titles consecutively in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He also has 20 wins – second all-time – and 15 runner-up finishes over the course of his highly successful IHRA career.
“I got my first win here, I qualified No. 1 for the first time here so this has always been a special place for us,” Atchison said. “And this will be the first time I have run here in Ontario all year and maybe the only time.
“It is going to be great to be able to go out there and do a nice smoky burnout and get the entire crowd on their feet and put on a good show for them all.”
Noakes hasn’t had quite the numbers as Atchison, but that hasn’t stopped him from garnering plenty of attention himself. Noakes has been gradually climbing the Alcohol Funny Car ladder culminating with a runner-up finish in points last season, finishing one spot ahead of Atchison.
Noakes also has six wins and six runner-up finishes over the course of his career including a pair of wins at his home track in Grand Bend.
“We are really the excited. We have been testing up here and are looking forward to it,” Noakes said. “This is our local track so we will have a lot of people up here yelling and screaming for us.
“There is a lot of passion, a lot of history that goes back a long way at Grand Bend racing with the Noakes family. I really have a lot of ownership with that place.”
With the addition of Dobbs and McKnight, the Alcohol Funny Car field at Grand Bend will be well represented with three world titles, three championship runner-up finishes, 29 wins and 54 final round appearances combined between the quartet of drivers.
“Rob is a friend and a great competitor so it should be a lot of fun in this no holds barred race,” Noakes added. “We are all friends until we get the seatbelts on and the body down. At that point we are not friends anymore.”
The MOPAR Canadian Nationals will get underway Friday, July 17 and run through Sunday, July 19 at the Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario.
MEDIA CONTACT: Larry Crum // Manager of Media and Publicity // IHRA - Feld Motor Sports
Marco Andretti unveils new IndyCar in Toronto
IndyCar driver Marco Andretti unveiled his new No. 26 car today at Toronto's Brookfield Place. Here are some pictures of the event via Matthew Naftolin of Veritas Communications. Thanks to Matt for passing them along!
PHOTO #1: IndyCar Series driver Marco Andretti unveils #26 IndyCar Series showcar before his Honda Indy race in Toronto on Sunday, July 12.
PHOTO #2: IndyCar Series driver Marco Andretti together with Heather Pelant, Head of iShares, Barclays Global Investors Canada (BGI Canada), unveiling #26 IndyCar Series showcar before the Honda Indy race in Toronto on Sunday, July 12.
Photos courtesy of Derek Oliver, Canadian Press
Parts Canada Superbike Series: Sloan and Crash Parallel to headline at Mosport
(BOWMANVILLE, ON – July 2, 2009) Canadian recording artists Sloan and Crash Parallel will headline the BMW Motorrad Summerfest as part of the Parts Canada Superbike Doubleheader at Mosport, July 17-19, Canada’s biggest motorcycle road racing event of the year.
The bands will take to the BMW Motorrad Concert Stage on the Saturday of the manufacturer’s three-day motorcycle lifestyle experience, making its return to Mosport for the third year. Designed to cater to the motorcycle enthusiast, Summerfest features the BMW Marketplace, on and off-road test rides and an off-road skills course. New for 2009 is the addition of BMW Motorrad Enduro rider Guy Giroux, who will act as an instructor for the off- road skills course.
Formed in 1991 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, four-member Sloan released its first record in 1992. Since then, the band has recorded and released 10 records to critical acclaim across North America. Sloan’s contemporary, yet instantly recognizable rock and roll sound has endeared them to a large and devoted fan following across the continent, particularly in Canada. Nominated numerous times during their career, Sloan has won four East Coast Music Awards and a Juno Award. Now based in Toronto, Sloan’s latest record, Parallel Play, was released in 2008.
Relative newcomers to the Canadian rock music scene, Toronto’s Crash Parallel was formed in 2005 and released their successful debut album, World We Know, in May 2008. The record has produced five singles to date, including the smash hit, World We Know. The band hit number one on the Billboard Emerging Canadian Artist Chart in the spring of 2008 and won the
2009 Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Group of the Year.
In addition to Summerfest, the Yamaha Riding Academy will once again be offering it’s free riding clinic for children ages 6 to 12. The Academy provides professional instruction to youngsters on how to ride off-road motorcycles in a safe and fun manner.
Adults will also have any opportunity to do some riding when top manufacturers such as Suzuki offer demo rides on their latest models on neighbouring roads near Mosport. With the exception of the Yamaha Riding Academy (which supplies all required equipment), participants for all riding activities must have a valid motorcycle license, riding gear and helmet.
The Parts Canada Superbike Doubleheader, the only Toronto-area stop for the national Parts Canada Superbike Championship, features Canada’s top riders.
Three-time defending Superbike champion Jordan Szoke of Brantford, Ontario, and current points leader, 17 year-old phenom Brett McCormick of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan will battle it out in two points races against a deep field of perennial contenders and up-and-coming stars.
The weekend schedule also includes races in the Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike class, the Armour Bodies Amateur 600 Sport Bike Championship, the Suzuki SV650 Cup, the Pro Honda Oils Women's Cup Challenge and the Honda CBR125R Challenge.
A three-day SuperTicket is just $50 until July 15 ($60 at the Gate) and each ticket includes parking, paddock admission, and entrance to Saturday Night Stock Car racing at Mosport Speedway. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult admission. Single day tickets are also available.
General and family camping areas are available complete with full-service washrooms, showers and children's playgrounds. An advanced three-day weekend general camping pass is just $30 (for tents or pop-up trailers). RVs are $50 for the weekend.
For more information about Mosport ticket packages and camping, 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.
From Lee Bailie, Mosport, (905) 995-8313 (cell.) or email lee@mosport.com
C360R'S CIEKIEWICZ READY FOR CCTCC RACE AT TORONTO INDY
Driver Dave Ciekiewicz is looking forward to tearing down Lakeshore Boulevard in the C360R black-and-orange Acura. "This event is going to be awesome," he enthused. "The Touring Car field is so competitive and there will be a lot of cars jockeying for position. The goal is to try and stay with the lead pack and keep out of trouble."
Team Principal Karl Thomson is equally excited. "This really is the jewel in the crown of Canadian Touring Car, and has to be considered the premier event in Canadian motorsport. Being a Toronto-based team, we know there will be a lot of fans and friends who will be coming out to watch the races."
Held just west of downtown Toronto on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition and making use of a long stretch of Lakeshore Boulevard on Lake Ontario, the Indy is one of the best temporary road circuits in North America. With the IRL open-wheel cars making their return after a one-year hiatus, the weekend promises to be full of great racing. This means that drivers and teams will need to arrive with cars well set-up and ready to race.
Ciekiewicz current sits thirteeth in Super Touring points, but well within striking distance of fifth place. As fans have come to expect, the CCTCC racing is very close and the drivers will have to be careful at Toronto, where a small mistake can result in a very costly meeting with the concrete barriers that surround the track.
Practice and qualifying for the CCTCC cars takes place on Friday, with one 30-minute race each day on Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday race starts at 3:45pm, and the green flag drops on Sunday at 10:00am.
Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360
Marketing Communications, a firm offering branding expertise to
clients in diverse industries across North America. The Championship-
winning race team, with support from Honda of America, fields three
front-running Honda Civic Si's in Grand-Am's KONI Challenge, as well
as the #36 Acura TSX in Canadian Touring Car. For details visit http://c360r.com/
OHSWEKEN: Inside Track Motorsport News to sponsor award at Canadian Sprint Car Nationals
As Ohsweken Speedway's Canadian Sprint Car Nationals event continues to expand, so too does the list of sponsors and awards presented each year. This year Inside Track Motorsport News and Ohsweken Speedway are pleased to announce the creation of a new award recognizing the accomplishments of Canadian drivers in the event.
"The Canadian Sprint Car Nationals continues to grow in stature each year, and it's an honour for Inside Track to support this event with the 'Inside Track Motorsport News Top Canadian Finisher Award'" said David Weber, Inside Track's Managing Editor.
A $500 prize is on the line, to be awarded to the top Canadian finisher in the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals feature event. The top Canadian finisher in last year's edition of the Nationals was Quebec driver Steve Poirier, who came home seventh. Poirier is the only Canadian who has won the event, as he visited victory lane consecutively in 2006 and 2007.
From local grassroots racing to Canadian touring series and the Canucks who compete on the international stage, Inside Track Motorsport News is the leader in terms of timely, in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the motorsports that matter to Canadians. Stock cars, road racing, drag racing, karting, rallying, motorcycles and several other racing disciplines appear in every issue. For more information, please visit www.InsideTrackNews.com.
Due to inclement weather, the Empire Super Sprints tour event at Ohsweken presented by Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel has been rescheduled as part of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend, expanding it to three full racing events. The Empire Super Sprints event is now slated for Thursday, September 17, followed by the Night Before the Nationals presented by Village Pizza with Sit-n-Bull Construction and Village Café on Friday, September 18, and the Fifth Annual Arrow Express Canadian Sprint Car Nationals on Saturday, September 19.
Advanced reserved seat tickets for the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars "Six Nations Showdown" July 28 and 29, and Canadian Sprint Car Nationals September 18 and 19 are on sale now. Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway and call 1-888-720-RACE to order yours today!
Friday Night Thunder resumes on Friday, July 10 Wiseco Pistons presents Mid-Season Championships night, featuring the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks presented by Evers Financial, Bombers, and Vintage Cars! Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken Speedway offers affordable family entertainment just a short drive away from most mid-western Ontario locations.
Friday Night Thunder Adult General Admission is just $10, while Seniors and Students are $8, and kids 12 and under are FREE! Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. On Friday night, gates open at 6:00p.m., with the first race at 7:45p.m.
By Tommy Goudge / Ohsweken Speedway
Indy Lights in Toronto: Hinch Set for Hometown Happening
Saturday’s ‘Toronto 100’ sees the Sam Schmidt Motorsports racer back in action around the 2.82km temporary street circuit based at Exhibition Place. ‘Hinch’ boasts two previous starts in Toronto, both of which came during his stint in the Atlantic Championship – the Canadian enjoying mixed fortunes, qualifying in the top-ten on both occasions, finishing sixth overall in 2006 and classified 11th in 2007 after contact from behind sidelined the local favorite.
With three podium finishes to his credit in his rookie Indy Lights season, James is looking to put last weekend’s early exit at Watkins Glen firmly behind him. A maiden victory behind the wheel of the #7 HinchTown.Com Dallara-Firestone, on home soil, is the goal for the weekend, Hinchcliffe confident the home support can help bolster his cause in what’s shaping up to be a closely fought Indy Lights battle.
“I’m obviously super excited to come back to
“
If James can succeed in winning an Indy Lights race in
The ‘Toronto 100’ gets underway on Saturday 11th July at 12:30pm EST followed on Sunday 12th July by the ‘Honda Indy Toronto’ IndyCar Series race at 1pm EST.
Top-6 Indy Lights Drivers – R8/15: 1st Hildebrand (USA) 279pts, 2nd Romancini (BRA) 221pts, 3rd Cunningham (NZ) 216pts, 4th Saavedra (COL) 215pts, 5th Davison (AUS) 206pts, 6th HINCHCLIFFE (CAN) 200pts - www.indycar.com/indylights
ENDS – www.hinchtown.com
Photo Credit – James Hinchcliffe sits sixth heading to his home race in
For further information or interview requests please contact James Hinchcliffe: Email: james@jameshinchcliffe.com
N.P.P. Late Model Series: Ready, Set... Gold!
From Gord Craig / http://www.npp-racing.com/EDMONTON, AB (July 8) – Drivers of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series compete at one of Canada’s oldest motorsports events this weekend. First run in Edmonton back in 1954, the 2009 Gold Cup takes place this Friday and Saturday night at Castrol Raceway.
“It’s going to be an incredible two nights of racing,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “this is the eleventh consecutive year that NPP Late Models will be racing with the Sprint Cars at the Gold Cup.” It was at the 1999 Gold Cup that NPP Late Models made their Edmonton debut. Castrol Raceway has been the home track of the NPP Late Model Series since 2001. Campbell River BC’s Jason Beaulieu currently leads the Championship point chase at the midway point of the 2009 season.
“We have a little bit of a cushion right now but there is still a long way to go.” Beaulieu, who won in Lethbridge two weekends ago, has been the only NPP Series point leader thus far in 2009. “Wins are always nice but right now I will be after consistency for the last half of the season. I need top five finishes and no DNF’s.” The #46 Lucas Oil Dodge had three DNF’s (did not finish) in 2008 which left the 2007 NPP Champion out of the top three in points.
Mention the Gold Cup race weekend to NPP competitor Mike Tom and there are many unpleasant flashbacks. Tom hopes his luck improves at this years Gold Cup event in Edmonton. “I can’t remember any good Gold Cup events. None of them stand out in my mind at all.”
Tom did finish third at last year’s event but previous Gold Cup events for the Stony Plain Alberta driver have been major struggles with mechanical difficulties and blown motors. Tom currently sits tied for third in the NPP Championship point standings with Kevin Clark and is coming off a fourth place finish in Lethbridge two weekends ago.
“This is one of the better starts to a season for us,” says the driver of the Enerbuilt Technologies #55 Chevrolet, “despite our recent (Gold Cup) luck the team is really looking forward to this weekend’s event. We’ve been trying out different things the past few races. We are back at the home track and are expecting to be fast.” The NPP Late Model Series is expecting its biggest car count of the season this weekend with 19 cars competing for valuable 2009 Championship points.
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS CHASE (TOP 10)
1. #46 Jason Beaulieu; Campbell River, BC Dodge 812
2. #14 D. Midgley/C. Beaulieu; BC Dodge 789
3. #55 Mike Tom; Stony Plain, AB Chevrolet 686
# 5 Kevin Clark; Altario, AB Dodge 686
4. #81 Dwight Kennedy; Edson, AB Dodge 650
5. # 8 Pat Fines; Whitecourt, AB Dodge 627
6. # 7 Shawn Kennedy; Edson, AB Dodge 620
7. #78 Ken Clark; Edson, AB Chevrolet 616
8. #88 Crystal Kennedy; Edson, AB Dodge 614
9. #01 Dan Stewart; Seba Beach, AB Dodge 610
10. #80 Curtis Moore; Sherwood Park, AB Dodge 604
2009 GOLD CUP
Edmonton, Alberta
>Friday, July 10th
Spectator Gates: 5:00pm
Racing: 7:00pm
>Saturday, July 11th
Spectator Gates: 4:00pm
Racing: 6:00pm
WEEKEND RACE NOTES
- NPP Late Model race teams have not competed on their home track since Sept. 19th (295 days ago)
- Jason Beaulieu, Dwight Kennedy, Trevor Emond and Darrell Midgley have been the most recent Feature winners at Gold Cup events dating back to 2006.
- Whitecourt’s Pat Fines is fifth in Championship points and is off to his best start in an NPP Late Model since his rookie season (2007).
- Jason Beaulieu won the last NPP Feature at Castrol Raceway (Sept 19th) and has won two of the last three Gold Cup features since 2007.
- after engine troubles in Lethbridge, three-time NPP champion Trevor Emond is still questionable for this weekend’s race in Edmonton.
- after missing the last four events due to work commitments, Sidney BC’s Darrell Midgley is back behind the wheel of the Lucas Oil #14 Dodge this weekend.
- just 82 points separates third place from 10th place in the NPP Championship point standings.
Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd., based in Edson, Alberta, is title sponsor of the NPP Late Model Series which brings big league racing to Western Canadian race fans. Northern Provincial Pipelines is also proud to be one of the major sponsors of the #81 Dodge in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
ST. THOMAS DRAGWAY: Diamond Jim Jet Funny Car added to Diamond Days
Diamond Days this weekend - Diamond Jim Jet Funny Car added
As an added attraction at this weekend’s Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen Jewellers the Diamond Jim Jet Funny Car has been added to the program. This will replace the previously announced Pro Comp class. Diamond Jim will be making passes Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday.
This will allow the Friday and Saturday night spectators to see this outstanding show for only $10. The regular admission price for Saturday and Sunday is only $15.00 The event kicks off Friday night with the Performance Unlimited Street Legal program and the Quick 8 cars and bikes running for $250 to win in each category. This is for street legal cars and bikes. Mufflers, lights, horn and license plates are required but any tire is allowed.
We’ll see who has the quickest license plate(s) in the park!!
Saturday will feature full bracket racing and the winners of Top and Mod will run off for a $5,000 diamond ring courtesy of Roffelsen Jewellers, Chatham. Sunday will see the Summit Series final eliminations.
With the major sponsorship by Henry Roffelsen of Roffelsen Jewellers, Chatham the prize money totals over $22,500 for the bracket racers as well as reduced entry fees for the racers. Canada Trailers Top and Wiseco Mod will race for $1,500 to win both days, Chandler Technology Street and Borhog Power Sports Bike/Sled run for $1,000 to win both days and the Nothers Junior Dragsters for the first time will run for $500 to win both days.
Racer entry fees are reduced for this event to $40 per day for Top and Mod, $30 per day for Street and Bike/Sled and $25 for Junior Dragsters. Spectator admission is now $15 per day, seniors and students $10 per day and kids 12 and under as always no charge with a paid adult admission. Admission for Friday night’s Street Legal program is $10 and Saturday night’s Run What Ya Brung is $10 after 6. Car and driver are $20 to race both Friday and Saturday night.
For further information, contact the track at 519-775-2263 or visit the website at www.stthomasdragway.com.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series News & Notes - St. Eustache
- Tide 250 Notebook
- Dickies 200 Post-Race Notebook
- Ranger Primed For First Oval Track Win
The Place: Autodrome St. Eustache,
The Date: Saturday, July 11
The Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
TV Schedule: TSN, July 19, 2 p.m. ET
Track Layout: .4-mile flat oval
Race Purse: $85,398 CAD
2008 Winner: Event not held
2008 Pole: Event not held
Schedule: Practice 1-2 p.m. Qualifying 4:45 p.m.
Track Contact: Tobie Légaré, (450) 472-6222, tlegare@autodrome.ca
NASCAR Contact: Shon Sbarra, (704) 309-5493, ssbarra@nascar.com
1. Ron Beauchamp Jr. 500
2. Andrew Ranger 492
3. DJ Kennington 465
4. Anthony Simone 459
5. Kerry Micks 450
6. Dave Whitlock 442
7. Scott Steckly 438
8. Mark Dilley 409
9. Jason Hathaway 392
10. Kent Nuhn 384
11. Don Thomson Jr. 379
12. Jason White 375
Ranger Primed For First Oval Track Win
The road to his 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship started with a win at Mosport International Raceway.
While winning another title is certainly a goal, Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Walmart/Tide Ford) has a more immediate target in his crosshairs—his first series victory on an oval track.
The accomplished road racer, who has four road-course wins to his credit, has flirted on numerous occasions with an oval-track triumph. His most recent opportunity at this elusive item on his to-do list came in the 2009 season opener at Autodrome St. Eustache in his home
He established very early, after making the move from the former Champ Car Series, his ability behind the wheel of a race car. It was simply a matter of mastering the nuances of piloting a stock car.
As a result of his Mosport win, the 22-year-old out of Roxton Pond, Que., jumped to second in the championship driver standings, just eight points behind leader Ron Beauchamp Jr.
The question two seasons ago was if he could win on an oval track. Now, it seems to be just a matter of when. And it would be quite apropos to complete his transition in his native
ASE News & Notes
The Race: This event is the fourth of 13 races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule. It is the third trip to the track for the series and second in 2009.
The Procedure: The starting field is 22 cars, including provisionals. The first 19 cars will be determined from two-lap time trials. The remaining three spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 250 laps (100 miles).
The Track: The Autodrome St. Eustache racing complex, located northwest of
The Records: The one-lap qualifying record for the Canadian Tire Series at the track is 17.219 seconds (83.629 mph), set by Don Thomson Jr. last year on July 5. The 250-lap race record is held by Scott Steckly at 1 hour, 53 minutes, 11 seconds, also set last July 5 for an average speed of 53.484 mph.
Making Debuts: In addition to Jacques Villeneuve, two other drivers—Jonathan Bouvrette and Hugo Vannini—will be making their series debut in the Tide 250. Bouvrette is the reigning track and provincial champion in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
Last Time In St. Eustache: In the 2009 season opener on May 23, Dave Whitlock, just days after announcing that he will retire at the close of the 2009 season, started the year off right with a win in the Tufoil 250. It was his first career series victory. Kerry Micks and Ron Beauchamp Jr. took second and third, respectively.
Also On Tap: Joining the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on Saturday night will be the Ippersiel Sportsman and Lucas Oil Sport Compact classifications of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Additionally, the Papa Johns ANCA Modified Legends and REVSTAR sprint cars will be on hand.
NCATS Notebook: Dickies 200 Wrap-Up
Road Warrior: For the second time in three years, Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Walmart/Tide Ford) took the checkered flag at Mosport Int'l Raceway. He dominated the entire weekend by leading both practice sessions, earning the pole position and winning the race by a series record margin of victory—6.678 seconds. In the nine road-course races since the series began in 2007, the driver out of Roxton Pond, Que., has been victorious in four of them and runner-up in three others. His other two wins came last season in
Still The One: By registering his third top-five finish in three starts this season, Ron Beauchamp Jr. (No. 60 Mopar/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge) retained his position at the top of the driver standings. He holds an eight-point advantage over Ranger, who moved into the second spot with his Dickies 200 victory.
Mosport Superlatives: With a runner-up finish at Mosport, Anthony Simone (No. 95 Crown Modular/United Lumber Chevrolet) established a new personal-best finish. So far this season, the sophomore driver out of Holland Landing, Ont., has a pair of top fives and currently sits fourth in the driver standings, 41 points behind Beauchamp. Howie Scannell Jr. (No. 56 Lucas Oil/RC Trailers Dodge) scored a ninth-place finish in his series debut.
Mobil 1 Command Performance Driver of the Race Award: As a reward for his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victory at Mosport International Raceway, Ranger collects $1,500 from Mobil 1 for his effort.
Mopar Quick Three: This program awards the top three finishing Dodges in the race. In the Dickies 200, DJ Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/Mahindra Tractors Dodge), who finished fourth, was the highest-finishing Dodge and thus earned a $2,000 bonus. Fifth-place finisher Beauchamp was the second-highest finishing Dodge, which earned him $1,000. Picking up $500 for finishing as the third-highest Dodge was Jason Hathaway (No. 3 Snap-on Tools/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge). He finished eighth, overall.
Coca-Cola Move of the Race Award: Improving his position the most over the course of the race was Jeff Lapcevich (No. 23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet). After qualifying and starting 19th on the grid, he was able to navigate his way to a seventh-place finish. As a result, he earned the $1,000 award from Coca-Cola.
MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Race Award: In a new program for 2009, the driver who compiles the most points in a specialized system involving qualifying, race finish and leading laps collects the $1,000 award. By virtue of starting on the pole, leading the most laps and winning the race, Ranger earned the bonus.
Home Tracks Update: Bouvrette Is Looking For Another Title In 2009
The weather and beating Jonathan Bouvrette in the Ippersiel Sportsman classification in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series have been two of the most difficult things at Autodrome St. Eustache in 2009.
Since the beginning of May,
Bouvrette, of St. Therese, Que., is the defending track and
Occupying second place in the standings is a familiar name to NASCAR Canadian Tire Series fans—Andre Coursol, who has been a regular this season in his familiar-looking No. 5 Chevy. He has one win to go along with eight top-five and nine top-10 finishes in 10 starts. Despite those impressive numbers, they pale in comparison to Bouvrette's gaudy stats, which have Coursol down 65 points.
Like Bouvrette, 2007 track champion Guy Jubinville has posted a top 10 in every race, but he has yet to reach
The Ippersiel Sportsman class is scheduled to have a 60-lap event on Saturday night prior to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Tide 250.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series serves as the foundation of NASCAR – grassroots racing across the
Up Next: SunValley
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series packs up and heads west for the next three races.
The first stop is the speedy half-mile tri-oval of SunValley Speedway in
Fitzpatrick Motorsports has had its way at the track, nestled in the mountains of southern
Scott Steckly, twice, has been the runner-up at the track.
Follow all the NASCAR Home Tracks racing news at:
http://www.nascarhometracks.com
http://www.facebook.com/NASCARHomeTracks
http://twitter.com/NASCARHomeTrack
CBSSports: F1 in jeopardy as teams walk out of meeting in Germany
"Formula One's fragile peace deal was thrown into doubt again Wednesday when eight leading teams walked out of a meeting with the governing body after being told they had not been entered into the 2010 championship and would have no say on finalizing cost-cutting measures..."Click here for the full story.
IHRA: MOPAR Canadian Nationals - Grand Bend Preview
The Great Canadian Race: Grand Bend Motorplex hosts International Thrill Fest
July 17-19, 2009
Since the International Hot Rod Association truly became a multi-national sanctioning body with the running of the Canadian Nationals in 2000, Grand Bend Motorplex has been one of the premier venues on the Nitro Jam tour.
Located just outside the quaint village, and popular summer tourist destination, of Grand Bend, Ontario, on the shore of Lake Huron, Grand Bend Motorplex annually hosts large, enthusiastic, fun-loving crowds of race fans from Ontario, Michigan and beyond.
The 2009 version of the Great Canadian Race, the MOPAR Canadian Nationals, promises to be bigger, better, louder, more exciting, more thrilling and more over-the-top than ever before.
“We love to entertain, and that is exactly what we are going to do at Grand Bend,” said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. “Drag racing is an entertainment business. From the sights, sounds, and smells of the nitro-burning Top Fuel dragsters to our always-exciting door car classes, we love to keep our fans on the edge of their seats, not knowing what they are going to see next.”
The MOPAR Canadian Nationals, race six on the 10-event 2009 Nitro Jam schedule, will feature competition in the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock class, home of the quickest and fastest “factory hot rods” in drag racing today.
And if you can’t get enough “doorslammer” racing, hang on to your hats as one of the season’s largest fields of Pro Modified machines blister the GBM quarter-mile with five-second, 245-plus mph runs. Bolstering the ranks of the IHRA regulars will be members of the Ontario-based Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), which has added an additional race to its schedule just to allow its members to take part in the excitement that is the MOPAR Canadian Nationals.
Also on the agenda is the Alcohol Funny Car showdown between two of London, Ontario’s favorite sons, and drag racing’s top drivers. Three-time IHRA Alcohol Funny Car champion Rob Atchison will go head-to head against Paul Noakes in the unique “King of Canada” match race. These two guys are friends, but on the track it’s every man for himself.
In addition to all of this mind-blowing action, the night skies will be set ablaze when the nitro-burning Top Fuel Dragsters take to the track, joining Nitro Harleys, the Ballistic Eagle jet motorcycle, and the “Xtreme Machine” jet-powered Kenworth Classic truck.
This will be without a doubt the wildest, most pulse-pounding, thrill-a-minute entertainment spectacular in Ontario this summer. Everyone you know is going to be there, so don’t be the only one on your block to miss all the amazing action!
Purchase your tickets today by logging on to: www.ihra.com or www.grandbendmotorplex.com.
From Larry Crum // Manager of Media and Publicity // IHRA - Feld Motor Sports
Patrick Laperle Looking for Kawartha Speedway ACT Tour Hat Trick this Sunday
Laperle Looking for Kawartha Speedway ACT Tour Hat Trick
Lightning may have struck the same place twice, but Patrick Laperle hopes he continues to hold a hot hand when the American-Canadian Tour late model machines head to Kawartha Speedway for the ACT Summer Sizzler 200 – Sunday, July 12th. The driver of the Laperle Motorsports Chevrolet – who hails from St-Denis, Quebec – has won the last 2 events at the popular 3/8th mile oval at Fraserville, Ontario using a unique race strategy. The #91 machine ran the entire 200 lap race distance in both 2007 and 2008 without a pit stop.
Heading into the Kawartha event, Laperle will likely feel like a marked man. He sits second in the (Quebec based) Castrol Series standings, trailing Donald Theetge by just over 30 points. On the national tour, Scott Payea of Milton, Vermont enjoys a 32 point advantage over Hudson, New Hampshire’s Joey ‘Pole’ Polewarczyk. New Hampshire’s Randy Potter and Vermont’s John Donahue are also within sight of the leaders. Kawartha’s event is the next stop on the national tour.
A number of American-Canadian Tour regulars, including multi-time champion Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, Vermont list Kawartha Speedway as one of their favourite venues, but the invaders may face some tough competition from the home track favourites. Cavan, Ontario’s Dan McHattie and teenaged sensation Brandon Watson of Stayner, Ontario have already announced their intentions to protect the hallowed ground against the intruders. Fans of Friday night shows at Kawartha could also expect to see Cole Powell, Ryan Kimball and Tim Fernandes attempt to crack the starting grid. Track general manager/promoter Derek Lynch has also filed an entry for the 200 lap affair.
The big prize for ACT runners in 2009 is a trip to the ACT Invitational Saturday, September 19th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. All race winners and each track champion from an ACT sanctioned venue will be guaranteed starters for this prestigious event.
Gates at Kawartha Speedway will open at 8:00 Sunday, July 12th with on track practise sessions beginning at 11:00. The Better Carpet Thunder Cars, Discount Car & Truck Rental Mini Stocks and Ontario Legends Series racers will also be part of the show. For complete details, see www.acttour.com or www.kawarthaspeedway.com.
Kawartha Speedway is located at Fraserville, Ontario – near the intersection of highways 28, 7 and the 35/115 – just minutes from Peterborough.
Photo attachment: (Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications)
Patrick Laperle takes his #91 Chevrolet back to the pit area after qualifying for the 2008 American-Canadian Tour Summer Sizzler at Kawartha Speedway.
By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications
ST. THOMAS DRAGWAY: PMRA and Quick 32 dropped from Diamond Days
For immediate release
Sparta, Ont. - July 7, 2009
Diamond Days this weekend - PMRA and Quick 32 not coming!
A major change has occurred in the format for the Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen Jewellers which will be held this weekend, July 10, 11 and 12 at historic St. Thomas Dragway. The PMRA Pro Mods have been unable to muster the promised 12 cars for the program and as a result Bruce Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations for the PMRA, has regrettably decided to cancel rather than bring in fewer cars and thus a lesser show that the fans expect from the PMRA. As the new for 2009 NAPA Quick 32 Sportsman Series is part of the PMRA program they too have cancelled.
They will be replaced by a Pro Comp program with $1,500 to win, $600 runner-up. Cost is $100 for car & driver. As well the spectator admission price drops to $15 per day.
The event kicks off Friday night with the Performance Unlimited Street Legal program and the Quick 8 cars and bikes running for $250 to win in each category. This is for street legal cars and bikes. Mufflers, lights, horn and license plates are required but any tire is allowed. We’ll see who has the quickest license plate(s) in the park!!
Saturday will feature full bracket racing and three qualifiers for the Pro Comp entries. The winners of Top and Mod will run off Saturday night for a $5,000 diamond ring courtesy of Roffelsen Jewellers, Chatham. Sunday will see the final Pro Comp qualifier and Summit Series final eliminations.
With the major sponsorship by Henry Roffelsen of Roffelsen Jewellers, Chatham the prize money totals over $22,500 for the bracket racers as well as reduced entry fees for the racers. Canada Trailers Top and Wiseco Mod will race for $1,500 to win both days, Chandler Technology Street and Borhog Power Sports Bike/Sled run for $1,000 to win both days and the Nothers Junior Dragsters for the first time will run for $500 to win both days. Racer entry fees are reduced for this event to $40 per day for Top and Mod, $30 per day for Street and Bike/Sled and $25 for Junior Dragsters. Spectator admission is now $15 per day, seniors and students $10 per day and kids 12 and under as always no charge with a paid adult admission. Admission for Friday night’s Street Legal program is $10 and Saturday night’s Run What Ya Brung is $10 after 6. Car and driver are $20 to race both Friday and Saturday night.
For further information, contact the track at 519-775-2263 or visit the website at www.stthomasdragway.com.
(30)
Sports Car Club of BC (SCCBC) July 2009 newsletter
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS: Tour heads back to Brighton Speedway this Saturday
By Tommy Goudge (July 7, 2009) – The Southern Ontario Sprints tour is back in action at Brighton Speedway this Saturday, July 11th for the fourth round of the championship series, with defending champion Glenn Styres leading the way.
Styres has won both SOS races held at Brighton this season, and raced to a runner-up finish at South Buxton behind Adam West to build a solid points lead. Chasing Styres in the standings are Justin Martin, Ryan Hunsinger, Bob Crawford, and Warren Mahoney. The rest of the top ten includes Adam West, Keith Dempster, rookie of the year contender Tyler Rand, Dick Mahoney, and Jamie Collard.
Meanwhile Rick Wilson isn’t chasing points, but he is chasing the feature win at Brighton as he tries to add to his lead atop the all-time SOS feature wins list, and all of the drivers will also be looking to stake their claims in the Riverside Bar and Grill mini-series points fund.
The last SOS event at Brighton on June 6th ended with Glenn Styres in victory lane, followed by Keith Dempster, Justin Martin, Ryan Hunsinger, and Jamie Collard. Styres, Hunsinger, and Collard also recorded top five finishes in the opening round of SOS competition at Brighton on May 17th.
Don’t miss the fourth round of the Southern Ontario Sprints season on Saturday, July 11! Dekeyser Excavating will present the evening’s activities, featuring the fourth round of the SOS season presented by Holiday Inn of Trenton, along with Brighton’s popular Canadian Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Stingers, plus the first ever Excavator Olympics, with proceeds going to Quinte Access and Brighton Speedway Chase for the Cancer Cure charities. Make sure to come early and catch Brighton’s pre-race show, the Lucas Oil Hot Seat, LIVE in the courtyard starting at 6:20 p.m.!
WHAT: Southern Ontario Sprints 2009 Season, Round #4 // 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: www.brightonspeedway.com
WHEN: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Pit Gates open @ 3:00p.m., Spectator Gates Open @ 5:30p.m., Sprint Car Hot Laps @ 5:50p.m., Racing @ 7:00p.m.
Tickets: $18 Adults, $14 Youth and Seniors, $4 Children Ages 7-12, FREE Children Ages 6 and Under, $45 Family Pass
Please visit www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com for more news and information about the Southern Ontario Sprints. 2009 marks the fourteenth year of operation for the Southern Ontario Sprints. Nine Championship Points events are on the schedule this season, plus five special non-points events. Together they create the fourteen race 2009 schedule, brought to you by Wiseco Performance, ASi Racewear, BS&B Radiator, Fatheadz Eyewear, Triple X Race Co., Kenetic Photos, and www.ImageFactor.ca.
From Tommy Goudge / SOS Media Officer
Merrittville Speedway: Kart Results (July 5, 2009)
Thorold, Ontario (July 6) Performance Manufacturing and Slack Performance Karts presented the Burris Tire 50 Twenty Five at Merrittville Speedway July 5th and when the 50 lap Event for the Cassell Manufacturing Senior Flathead Division took the checkered flag and $500 – Blake Priestley had won the 50 lap Lucas Oil Feature – his fourth of the season.
In the Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Senior Animal 50 lap Event, Nick Herriven came home the winner of the Performance Manufacturing and Slack Karts 50 lap Event $500 to win Event – his first of the season.
Two drivers earned their second features of the season – both earning $200 in the process.
Jordan Cosco came home the winner of the Action Appraisal and Priestley Cut Tires 25 lap Event for the Ed MacPherson Construction Junior 2 Division while Brett Senek won the 25 lap Cosco Haulage Event for the Superior PetroFuels Junior Restricted Flat Head Division.
Ninth place Junior 2 Finisher Gregory Beckett and runner-up Junior Flathead James Moll each received $50 Bonuses donated by the Bilinsky and Sears’ Families/Insane Injun Racing/Insane Cuts respectively in post race draws.
RCM Racing Equipment posted the $100 Feature Winners Share for their Tuesday Night Junior 1 Division and for the 9th time of the season – Dylan Davidson was in KC Auto Parts Victory Lane at the conclusion of the 25 lap Event.
Kurtis Wiley earned his 4th KC Auto Parts Novice 2 Feature of the season also sharing in the $100 purse donated by JNE Recovery.
Chris Crawford won his 8th Drummond Home Hardware Garden City Auto Complex Novice 1 Feature of the season - sharing as well in the $50 Purse Money donated by Canadian Roadside Assistance and Kingsbury Racing.
The Tillsonburg Outlaw Kart Club who race weekly at Chesterman Power Products in Tillsonburg paid a visit to add to the 9 Division Event with Connor Mahoney and Dylan Chesterman winning their respective Junior and Senior 30 lap Events.
Merrittville Speedway would like to thank event sponsors - Performance Manufacturing, Slack Karts, Burris Tire, Lucas Oil, RCM Racing Equipment, Cosco Haulage, Action Appraisals, Priestley Cut Tires, Bilinsky Racing, Canadian Roadside Assistance/Kingsbury Racing, JNE Recovery and Hansen Racing, the Sears Family and to Race Director Paul Klager and his staff - Steve Sim, Andy Tallman, Chris Steele, Adam Leslie, Joey Mastroianni, Colleen Curvin, Tim Tallman, Dan Wilder, Dave Sim, Heather Nash and St. John Ambulance.
Merrittville Speedway would also like to remind its Lucas Oil Weekly Karting Series Race Teams that there is no racing Tuesday July 7th. Racing resumes Tuesday July 14th.
Gates open at 5:00 with racing at 7:00. Grandstand Admission is free. For further information call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Performance Manufacturing Slack Performance Karts
Burris Tire 50 Twenty Five Heat Results
Drummond Home Hardware Garden City Auto Complex Novice 1 Division – Group 1 Heat 1 – Kathleen Lampman, Donald Hingston, Justin Kingsbury, Wyatt Seburn, Austyn Werstroh. Group 1 Heat 2 – Kathleen Lampman, Justin Kingsbury, Austyn Werstroh, Wyatt Seburn, Donald Hingston. Group 2 Heat 1 – Chris Crawford, Donny Lampman, Kyle Phillips, Cora Czuba, Ryleigh Sliter. Group 2 Heat 2 – Chris Crawford, Kyle Phillips, Donny Lampman, Ryleigh Sliter, Cora Czuba.
Drummond Home Hardware Garden City Auto Complex KC Auto Parts Original Pizza Logs Novice 2 Division – 7 laps – Heat 1 – Kurtis Wiley, Joshua Hansen, Lee Sleight, Noah Walker, Brandon Ruch, Jacob Wilson, Sydnee Seburn. Heat 2 – Jacob Wilson, Lee Sleight, Noah Walker, Kurtis Wiley, Brandon Ruch, Sydnee Seburn, Joshua Hansen.
RCM Racing Equipment Original Pizza Logs Junior 1 Division – 8 laps – Heat 1 – Dylan Davidson, Alex Riley, Wyatt Walker, Steven Beckett, Parker Abruzno, Driver Kart #58, Eric Veihdeffer, Mackenzie St. Jean. Heat 2 – Dylan Davidson, Mackenzie St. Jean, Eric Veihdeffer, Wyatt Walker, Parker Abruzno, Steven Beckett, Alex Riley, Driver Kart #58.
Ed MacPherson Construction Original Pizza Logs Junior 2 Division – 8 laps – Group 1 Heat 1 – Jordan Peters, Braeden Bilinsky, Travis Majuery, Alex Blasko, Dylan Culp, Joshua Dmytrow, Brian Monahan, Gregory Beckett. Group 1 Heat 2 – Darren Peters, Travis Majuery, Alex Blasko, Braeden Bilinsky, Joshua Dmytrow, Brian Monahan, Gregory Beckett, Dylan Culp. Group 2 Heat 1 – Jordan Cosco, Nicholas Schultz, Matthew Veihdeffer, Travis Miller, Greg Kohut. Group 2 Heat 2 – Nicholas Schultz, Matthew Veihdeffer, Jordan Cosco, Travis Miller, Greg Kohut, Caleb Vandervalk.
KC Auto Parts Superior PetroFuels Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Flat Head Division – 8 laps – Heat 1 – James Moll, Brett Senek, Ben Werth, Taylor Sears, Chance Watt, Court Turner, Dillan Sliter, Jordan Barnes. Heat 2 – Brett Senek, Ben Werth, James Moll, Taylor Sears, Court Turner, Jordan Barnes, Chance Watt, Dillan Sliter.
Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Original Pizza Logs Senior Animal Division – 10 laps – Heat 1 – Nick Herriven, Aaron Barker, Matt Barker, Larry Stolzenberg. DNS – John Matthews. DQ – Kevin Daunce, Isaac Pelissero. Heat 2 - Blake Priestley, Connor Mooradian, Matthew Farnham, Corey Bodman, Chris Watson, Jesse Linney.
Cassell Manufacturing Senior Flathead Division – 10 laps – Heat 1 – Blake Priestley, Jay Bean, Larry Stolzenberg, Kevin Root, Larry Wight, Alicia Willard, Dave Ruch, Paul Lindberg, Nick Herriven.
Tillsonburg Outlaw Kart Club Junior Heat 1 – Connor Mahoney, Jayden March, DJ Christie, Cody Adcock, Brad Perrott, Brandon Norris, Hannah Ferrell. Heat 2 – Connor Mahoney, Hannah Ferrell, Jayden March, Brad Perrott, DJ Christie, Brandon Norris, Cody Adcock.
Tillsonburg Outlaw Kart Club Senior Heat 1 - Dylan Chesterman, Cody Day, Cassidy March, Chris Waters, Cody Coburn, Ron Parker, Tim Ferrell, Jeremy Chatterson. Heat 2 – Dylan Chesterman, Cassidy March, Cody Day, Chris Waters, Tim Ferrell, Ron Parker, Cody Coburn, Mark Courtnage, Jeremy Chatterson.
Performance Manufacturing
Slack Karts
Burris Tire 50 Twenty Five Feature Results
Drummond Home Hardware Garden City Auto Complex Novice 1 Division –Canadian Roadside Assistance/ Kingsbury Racing 20 lap Feature – Chris Crawford, Kyle Phillips, Justin Kingsbury, Kathleen Lampman, Donny Lampman, Donald Hingston, Austyn Werstroh, Wyatt Seburn, Ryleigh Sliter, Cora Czuba.
KC Auto Parts Original Pizza Logs Novice 2 Division – JNE Recovery 20 lap Feature - Kurtis Wiley, Jacob Wilson, Lee Sleight, Joshua Hansen, Noah Walker, Sydnee Seburn, Brandon Ruch.
RCM Racing Equipment Original Pizza Logs Junior 1 Division – 25 lap RCM Racing Equipment Feature – Dylan Davidson, Wyatt Walker, Mackenzie St. Jean, Alex Riley, Eric Veihdeffer, Steven Beckett, Driver Kart # 58, Parker Abruzno.
Ed MacPherson Construction Original Pizza Logs Junior 2 Division – Action Appraisal/Priestley Cut Tires 25 lap Feature – Jordan Cosco, Nicholas Schultz, Jordan Peters, Matthew Veihdeffer, Joshua Dmytrow, Travis Majuery, Alex Blasko, Travis Miller, *Gregory Beckett, Caleb Vandervalk, Dylan Culp, Brian Monahan, Greg Kohut, Braeden Bilinsky. * - $50 Bonus from Bilinsky Racing
KC Auto Parts Superior PetroFuels Original Pizza Logs Junior Animal Division - Cosco Haulage 25 lap Feature – Brett Senek, *James Moll, Taylor Sears, Ben Werth, Court Turner, Chance Watt, Jordan Barnes, Dillan Sliter. * - $50 Bonus from Sears Family
Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Wilder Racing Engines Original Pizza Logs Animal Division – Performance Manufacturing/Slack Karts 50 lap Feature – Nick Herriven, Aaron Barker, Kevin Daunce, Blake Priestley, Corey Bodman, Matt Barker, Chris Watson, Larry Stolzenberg, Jesse Linney, Matthew Farnham, Connor Mooradian, John Matthews.
Cassell Manufacturing Senior Flathead Division – Lucas Oil 50 lap Feature – Blake Priestley, Jay Bean, Larry Stolzenberg, Kevin Root, Larry Wight, Alicia Braun, Dave Ruch, Paul Lindberg, Nick Herriven.
Tillsonburg Outlaw Kart Club – Junior Outlaw 30 lap Feature – Connor Mahoney, DJ Christie, Cody Adcock, Jayden March, Hannah Ferrell, Brad Perrott, Brandon Norris.
Tillsonburg Outlaw Kart Club – Senior Outlaw 30 lap Feature – Dylan Chesterman, Chris Waters, Cody Coburn, Cody Day, Ron Parker, Tim Ferrell, Mark Courtnage, Jeremy Chatterson, Cassidy March.
IndyCar: Conquest Racing and King Tut Together Again
King Tut to be featured on #34 car at Honda Indy Toronto
INDIANAPOLIS (July 7, 2009) – After a successful venture together at this year’s Indianapolis 500, Conquest Racing and the Rubicon Sports Agency are thrilled to announce an extension of the partnership with the King Tut exhibition “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs and exhibition organizers Arts and Exhibitions International to include next week’s Honda Indy Toronto.
“Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” will make its exclusive Canadian appearance at the Art Gallery of Ontario from November 24, 2009 to April 18, 2010, marking the first time in 30 years an exhibition of King Tut’s treasures has visited Toronto. As in Indy, a golden image of the boy pharaoh will once again be featured on the cockpit of the #34 Conquest Racing car of Montreal driver Alex Tagliani with additional King Tut branding on the front wing.
“The King Tut exhibit is an extraordinary one and it’s an honor to be able to promote such a wonderful exhibition once again,” expressed Conquest Racing Team Owner Eric Bachelart. “With the exhibit heading to Toronto after its run in Indianapolis, it’s a natural fit for us to continue our partnership with Arts and Exhibitions International. I invite everyone who is in or who will be in the Toronto area when the exhibit is in town to go see it, as it’s a rare opportunity to see such magnificent ancient treasures and a unique way to learn about ancient Egyptian history.”
The King Tut exhibition is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.
“We’ve already seen a swell of excitement surrounding the exhibition coming to Toronto,” said Bryan Harris, vice president of marketing and sales, Arts and Exhibitions International. “Partnering with Conquest Racing, Rubicon and Alex Tagliani for the Honda Indy Toronto helps bring the excitement of King Tut to fans in a whole new way.”
The historic collection, which is currently on display until October at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, features more than 100 artifacts from King Tut’s tomb and other ancient Egyptian sites. Additional information and ticket pre-registration is available at www.kingtut.org.
"We are delighted to have Arts and Exhibitions International back on board with their King Tut exhibit for the Toronto event,” said Jim Freudenberg of the Rubicon Sports Agency. “The month of May created a very successful platform for them with Conquest Racing and Alex and with the exhibit heading to Toronto after Indy, it makes sense that we work together again to create awareness and advance ticket sales for them."
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION: On display from November 24, 2009 through April 18, 2010 at the Art Gallery of Ontario, “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” features striking objects from some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the 4th Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2600 B.C. – 660 B.C.). Derived from a variety of contexts, including temples and royal and private tombs, most of these artifacts had never visited North America prior to this tour. It will have made stops in Atlanta, GA and Indianapolis before appearing at the AGO.
More information about the exhibition and pre-registration for tickets is available at www.kingtut.org or www.ago.net.
ABOUT CONQUEST RACING: Conquest Racing is amongst the longest-running, well-established open-wheel race teams in the IndyCar Series. The organization is recognized for its simple and efficient ways of doing business as well as its approach to achieving excellence in motor sports. Entering its 13th year of competition in 2009, Conquest Racing has amassed pole positions, podium finishes and race wins through its years in different racing series. The team first participated in Indy Lights from 1997 to 2001, before doing a single season in the IndyCar Series in 2002, where they claimed Rookie of the Year honors. Conquest then competed in the Champ Car World Series from 2003 up until the beginning of 2008 when the team made the transition to the newly unified IndyCar Series.
PMRA Pro Modifieds will race during IHRA National Event meet at the Grand Bend Motorplex
The Pro Modified Racing Association race, the PMRA Challenge presented by Motorsport 1320 will be the fourth event in the seven-race 2009 PMRA tour, and the first time the Pro Modified series has raced at a major national drag race meet and be run eighth-mile.
“We are very pleased and honored to be a part of the IHRA MOPAR Canadian Nationals,” said PMRA Director of Operations Bruce Mehlenbacher. “The PMRA event will be part of our Championship Point Award Series during the IHRA weekend, and our teams will be out in full force. This is a great opportunity for fans at a major drag race in Canada to witness the PMRA, and a great opportunity for our teams to partake in this prestigious event.”
The 10th Annual MOPAR Canadian Nationals will be round seven of the 11-race IHRA 2009 series, and will feature a full contingent of Professional and Sportsman teams.
The PMRA Challenge presented by Motorsport 1320 will hold its qualifying and elimination runs throughout the weekend with the IHRA Professional categories, including a round during the popular “Night of Fire” session held Saturday evening July 18. This action-packed night will also feature professional qualifying in Top Fuel, Pro Stock, Pro Modified and other special racing, including a 200-mph Jet Motorcycle, a Top Fuel Bike, an Alcohol Funny Four Car Match Race Saturday night and the Xtreme Machine Jet Truck.
Two qualifying sessions for PMRA competitors will be held Friday, July 17, with the professional categories at 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. and at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. The fourth and final qualifier will be held during Saturday’s “Night of Fire,” and eliminations are scheduled to get underway Sunday, July 19, at noon.
For information about the 10th Annual IHRA MOPAR Canadian Nationals at the Grand Bend Motorplex, call (519) 238-7223 or visit www.grandbendmotorplex.com
For more information on the PMRA Challenge presented by Motorsport 1320, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher Bruce@PMRA.ca
About the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA):
The Pro Modified Racing Association, www.PMRA.ca, was organized late in 2004, started racing operations in 2005, and is entering its fifth year of operation in 2009. The PMRA is a self-governing organization with input from its teams, and adheres to the technical and safety rules as outlined by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The series has event venues in Ontario, Quebec, and New York State.
The PMRA will compete at several drag strips in 2009, including dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, starting with the season opener on May 16 and 17, June 13 and 14 and the season-closer on September 19 and 20, and 12, and the South-western Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex at the 10th Annual IHRA MOPAR Canadian Nationals July 17 to 19, the Stratford Spectacular Hot August National presented by Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts August 8 and 9 and on September 5 and 6.
Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class is one of drag racing’s most exciting and colorful classes, offering a diverse group of race cars with different types of 2,500-horsepower supercharged, nitrous powered and turbocharged engines.
Combining classic body styles and modern equipment, constructors are permitted, within established rules and parameters, to modify and enhance the cars in both appearance and performance. The cars are fuelled by gasoline or methanol, propelling them down the quarter-mile in low six-second times at over 200 miles per hour. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity to see, hear, and experience the popular Pro Modifieds, known as "the world's fastest door slammers".
Several of the PMRA events will be run in conjunction with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca, offering fans a great show of drag racing.
Photo Credit: Mark Ackert - Drag Race Canada - www.dragracecanada.com
Castrol Canadian Touring Car Return to Indy
Canada's Best Drivers Racing Today's Hottest Touring Cars will be on hand for all three days of this exciting race weekend in downtown Toronto with an open practice and qualifying session following up with two 30 minutes races that are sure to give the fans a glimpse of intense professional Canadian road racing.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Have your say... NASCAR's Most Popular Driver voting is underway
You can support your favourite NASCAR Canadian Tire Series driver by voting online in NASCAR's Most Popular Driver poll.
Click on the following link to vote for your driver: www.nascar.com/news/features/mpd.poll.canadian.tire.series/index.html
Mitsubishi dealers expand customer service with Yokohama tires
Beginning this summer, the coast-to-coast network of 74 Mitsubishi dealers will be able to provide premium Yokohama tires for the full range of original equipment (OE) tire sizes, along with the recommended winter tires for the complete Mitsubishi line of cars and light trucks, the two companies announced.
Owners of Mitsubishi cars like the acclaimed Lancer Evo X are already familiar with the extraordinary performance and superior driving characteristics of Yokohama ADVAN ultra high performance tires, which are standard equipment on Evo X.
“It just makes sense for Mitsubishi owners to be able to get the right tires for their vehicles from the source they trust – their regular Mitsubishi dealer,” says Eric Dedoyard, Director of Sales for Yokohama Canada. “Now Mitsubishi owners can look after tire replacement in the same place where they get their vehicles serviced, with the same confidence.”
The dealerships will work with existing Yokohama dealers to manage product distribution.
Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. markets and distributes a full line of tires for high performance, passenger car, light truck, and commercial truck applications, as well as off-the-road tires for mining, forestry and construction applications. It maintains distribution centres across Canada to serve more than 700 independent tire dealers.
Chris Raabe Scores 2nd DIRTcar Sportsman Series Win Sunday At Cornwall!
Raabe Doubles Up In 2009 DIRTcar Sportsman Championship At Cornwall
*Rick Young Photo Attachment // Cornwall, ONT – July 5, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director
Around this same time last year Chris Raabe was celebrating his first career feature race victory in the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series. Three months later he was officially crowned Mr. DIRTcar Champion at the age of 17.
Only four shows have reached the record book this season, and now Raabe, a seasoned veteran of the weekly open-wheel wars, has already captured his second checkered flag on tour and his latest triumph Sunday in the Benson Auto Parts 50 at Cornwall elevated him back into familiar territory --- first-place in the latest Mr. DIRTcar point standings.
The ‘Teenage Tornado’ settled into the top-three by the halfway mark, moved in to shadow leader Guy Ouellette with 30 laps scored, then dove under the fast Frenchman to forge the only lead change with 13 laps still remaining. A late race scare in traffic nearly thwarted Raabe’s best effort, yet the talented traveler from Napanee, Ontario held on for a three car-length margin over hard-charging Brandon Sweet in the tour’s first trip to Cornwall since 1996.
“Hats off to everyone here (on the team), they’re the real winners. I just get in the car and drive it, not a whole lot to it,” downplayed Raabe, the modest teenager who is now staring history right in the eye with a second-straight Mr. DIRTcar title clearly in sight. “The guys worked really hard on the car, we were a little bit off at the start but got better as the night went on.”
Qualifying fifth fastest in time trials to help sort out the 30-car field, Raabe finished second in his heat behind Sweet before drawing sixth to start outside row three and right alongside Sweet in the 50-lap finale.
Ouellette grabbed the pole in his own pre-race pick and shot out early before the first yellow waved just as the opening circuit ended. When the dust finally cleared, Canadian chauffeur Sheldon Hoogwerf and Central New Yorker Eric Giguere were among the casualties although each were able to rejoin the rear without losing a lap.
Ouellette jumped out front back under green flag conditions and was chased by Western New York invader Jipp Ortiz, fresh off his win the night before stateside at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville. Raabe stormed into third with a handful of laps complete, although he traded spots with fourth-place runner Shane Pecore to leave him just ahead of Sweet while fast time trailer Sammy Reakes IV crept up to challenge in the early stages.
Quebecois driver Steve Bernier had slowed in turn four to force a second caution period on lap seven, and it wasn’t until fellow Canadian Todd Ferguson looped his mount exiting turn three that yellow lights would fall again on lap 21.
The top-five positions remained intact at the halfway mark forcing the nearest challengers to zero in on the #07 of Ouellette, #0 of Oritz and #01 of Raabe as the tight quarter-miler blackened with each passing lap. Raabe finally overtook Ortiz for second on lap 28, yet three yellows in three laps only delayed his rise to the front as Ouellette made his car as wide as can be knowing a change was about to come.
Pulling up to the leader’s bumper seemingly lap after lap, Raabe finally made it alongside Ouellette on the back chute, then pulled off a perfect slide for life exiting turn four before emerging as the new front-runner with three miles of racing still to go. Knowing Raabe had found the hot set-up with laps clicking off at a 15-second clip, Sweet followed suit and bullied his way into second with eight laps left and 23 cars riding around to contend with.
Raabe suddenly drew a gasp from the capacity crowd as he made contact with American Mark Chiddy on the front straightway attempting to put him a lap down just as the white flag was in the air. Raabe slowed his Scott Industrial Services no. 01 Kingston RV Centre-Tyroute Communications/TEO machine sideways for a brief moment, regrouping just in time to shut the door on a fast-closing Sweet en route to his sixth DIRTcar win of the season.
“I was off that (front) wall more times than I could count, we’re gonna have to start putting on a heavier right side bar, that’s for sure,” smiled Raabe, who retook the series points from sixth-place finisher Reakes by a count of 307-301 through the initial four tour events.
“The track was a little choppy at the start of the night, but everyone here working on it did a great job getting it back into shape. It was real racy, certainly had lots of bite through the middle and was just a good track tonight,” noted Raabe, whose first series win this year came at Can-Am in April, with Black Rock (9th) and Brewerton (21st) his only other finishes in tour competition.
While Raabe visited victory lane at Cornwall last season, Sweet was just as excited with his runner-up tally as it highlighted his first-ever trip to Ron Morin’s plush facility as well as his initial top-five feature race run on tour this year.
“It's definitely awesome to come out here for the first time and run this good,” remarked Sweet, who finished 18th in the final overall 2008 Mr. DIRTcar title hunt. “But first off, I want to congratulate Chris, he’s a good runner and we’ve been running with him since go-karts.”
“I’d also like to thank all my sponsors, its been a great year so far, hopefully we can keep it going,” added Sweet, who has registered four feature wins in ’09 aboard the no. 24 Clarence Henry Coach-Powis Excavating/Bicknell entry, split evenly between Can-Am and Thunder Alley Speedpark at two apiece.
On this day a member of the touring trio comprised of top Frenchmen representing autodromes Granby and Drummond, Ouellette was in line for his first win of the season until Raabe forced the St-Hyacinthe, Quebec driver out of his groove before crossing the line in the show position. A climb up the victory lane podium was met by track PR master Brian Mulligan, who served as translator for Ouellette in his first-ever post-race appearance trackside.
“This is my first time to Cornwall and I really enjoyed the experience,” opened Ouellette after keeping his R Tuning-J.Anctil Rona/TEO mount at the head of the class all night until developing a push as the laps dwindled. “I’d like to thank all the spectators for coming out to support this event. It was a real pleasure to run with guys the caliber of Chris and Brandon, hopefully I’ll get to do it again sometime very soon.”
The Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series takes nearly a two-week break before getting the green light for round number five at Cayuga County Fair Speedway on Saturday, July 18 as part of DIRTcar All-Star Weekend, July 17-19.
DRAGS: St. Thomas to host round three in NAPA Quick 32 Sportsman Series
SPARTA, ONTARIO (July 5, 2009) - The next event in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts will be the Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen Jewellers at the St. Thomas Dragway in Sparta, Ontario July 11-12.
This will be the third event in the six-race Quick 32 Sportsman Series tour, and the first time the series has competed at the track.
The event will also host round three in the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) tour.
Season-opener winner T.J. Schippling of Shakespeare, Ontario, leads the Quick 32 Championship Point Award Series Standings at present with his Top Dragster, followed by Top Sportsman racer Darrin Grubb of Pine River, Ontario and his Cavalier.
Next is the Dodge Stratus of Kevin Wicke of Stratford, Ontario, while Jamie Bridge of Napanee, Ontario is fourth with his dragster, and Spencer Hyde of Stratford, Ontario is fifth with his dragster.
Wagg & Bell, Paul Martin, Mitch Elliott, Todd Hope, Doug Cadman, Lisa Spiering, Melanie Simmons Michael Hinbest, Scott Wildgust, Carl Spiering, Michael Kalin, Darryl McMillen and James Lichty round out the top 18 teams.
At present, Hamilton, Ontario’s Bruce Boland leads the PMRA Championship Point Award Series Standings, followed by Ike Maier of Tottenham, Ontario, and Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario.
Fourth is Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Dave Earhart of Strathroy, Ontario is fifth, and rounding out the top ten is Tony Piselli, Jeff Roth, Jason Kalso, Eric Latino and Jack Grainy.
This St. Thomas event, known as The Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen Jewellers Race, will be held July 11-12 for the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, and is to be run in conjunction with the Pro Modified Racing Association Pro Modifieds for the two-days.
Qualifying for the Diamond Days presented by Roffelsen begins at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 11, the first of three qualifiers that day. Championship eliminations will begin Sunday, July 12, starting at 1:00 p.m.
For information about St. Thomas Dragway, call (519) 775-2263 or visit www.stthomasdragway.com. From Bruce Mehlenbacher
IHRA: Rocky Mountain Nationals Wrapup - Litton becomes first repeat winner
Litton becomes first repeat winner of year... Hoover gets his revenge in Pro Modified
EDMONTON, AB - Records fell by the wayside both on and off the track during a very busy weekend at the River Cree Resort and Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV Sunday at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
With six professional classes, nearly two dozen sportsman classes and small handful of match races and exhibition vehicles sprinkled in for fun it was an exciting three days of racing as fans came out in droves to see the world's greatest drivers go at it on the Canadian quarter mile.
Packing the stands as tightly as possible to make room for three straight sold out crowds, race fans watched Bruce Litton (Top Fuel), Ed Hoover (Pro Modified), Roger Bateman (Alcohol Funny Car), Jason Arkinstall (Nitro Bikes), Gary Christopher (Pro Mod Bike) and Rod Elliott (Pro Nostalgia) take home Ironman trophies during Parts Source Championship Sunday at Castrol Raceway.
The IHRA also saw its record of four straight events without a repeat winner among its regular touring pros come to an end Sunday thanks to the win by Litton.
Also taking home wins during Sunday's championship rounds were Scott Blake (Top Sportsman), Tom Koenen (Top Dragster), Jamie Fiesel (Quick Rod), Dennis White (Super Rod), Casey Plaizier (Hot Rod), Randy Hutchings (Stock) and Casey Plaizier (Super Stock) in sportsman competition.
There were also a number of drivers taking home wins in several other sportsman categories.
Nitro Funny Car also returned to IHRA competition over the weekend as Dale Creasy Jr. made his return to racing against Terry Haddock in a weekend long grudge match between the two Nitro Funny Car world champions.
While Creasy dominated the headlines, it was Bruce Litton who took the spoils.
Litton made quite a statement in his bid for a second championship Sunday while also breaking up the list of non-repeat winners with a victory in Top Fuel Sunday at the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway.
Litton (Indianapolis, Ind.) ran a solid 4.908 second lap at 299.26 miles per hour to get around Mitch King (Galveston, Texas) who was in his first career final. King ran a disappointing 7.221 elapsed time after smoking the tires at halftrack.
"I am just thrilled that we could get a win for the fans and for Lucas Oil Canada and United. They are the ones that keep us racing and turning win lights," Litton said. "It was a long haul up here, but the spectators made this worthwhile. These crowds are second to none."
Sunday marked Litton's second win of the year as he also claimed a victory at the season opening Mardi Gras Nationals in Baton Rouge. It was also Litton's fourth final in five tries this season as he extended his points lead over rookie Del Cox Jr. to 84 points after Cox fell out in the first round.
"It isn't about me, I just steer the car. These guys (my crew) deserve all the credit. They do their jobs so well and allow me to come out here and have the easy part," Litton said. "We have been so blessed to do this and we enjoy having the opportunity to represent our sponsors and put on a good show for these incredible fans."
Litton, who won the inaugural Rocky Mountain Nationals in 2003, knocked off Bobby Lagana Jr., Terry Haddock and King on his way to his 15th career victory.
King reached his first career final round with a big upset of Terry McMillen in the semifinals. McMillen began pedaling the car at mid-track while King produced a trouble-free run with a 5.145 second pass at 273.39 miles per hour to advance. McMillen crossed the line on a 5.997 second lap at 166.37 miles per hour.
Litton made his fourth final in five tries with a dominating win over Terry Haddock who had all sorts of trouble in his run. Litton blew bye the '08 Nitro Funny Car champ with a 4.987 second pass at 288.21 miles per hour while Haddock limped across the line nearly two seconds later.
In quarterfinal action King pulled a huge upset of protégé Del Cox, who suffered his first first round loss of the season. With the loss Litton was able to extend his points lead over the rookie from California.
Haddock continued the upset trend with a stunner over Edmonton product Tim Boychuk in a pedal fest as Haddock kept in the throttle despite smoke rolling from every corner of the car. In the other quarterfinal rounds Litton got past Bobby Lagana Jr. and McMillen made an easy pass against Smax Smith.
Coming into the weekend everyone knew that the Pro Modified final at the Rocky Mountain Nationals would probably consist of Ed Hoover and Kenny Lang.
What they didn't know was who was going to come out on top this time.
Hoover (Gilbert, S.C.) and Lang (Grande Pointe, Manitoba), meeting for the fourth time in five races this season, continued their grudge match in the battle of the United States versus Canada as this time Hoover got the best of Lang, breaking up a string of three-straight elimination losses to the Canadian to take home his first win of the year.
"It has been a tough road. We have been to five races and have made just one final. It was our turn to win," Hoover said. "Kenny Lang beat us and shut us down three times this year and it was nice to get one back. It is just satisfying to win one for Paul Trussell. He has been behind me 13 years now and we needed to get one. The car was just phenomenal this weekend."
Hoover ran a 6.127 elapsed time at 235.23 miles per hour to get around Lang (Grande Pointe, Manitoba) who smoked the tires on his way to a disappointing 13.265 second lap in the finals.
"It is a tribute to my team, my crew and to our new deal – Gilbert Powerhouse. That is the name of my new engine company," Hoover said. "I took over tuning this car this year and we like to tune it aggressive. This is Ed Hoover power, now Al Billes power. I wanted to do something different and that is what I did. We qualified No. 1, set both ends of the track record and got the win.
"That is a good day for Ed Hoover Powerhouse."
Hoover picked up his 14th career victory.
Hoover, traveling nearly 3,000 miles to be at Castrol Raceway for this weekend's event, set up his dominance early by claiming the Last Man Standing award on Friday on his way to taking the No. 1 qualifying position, a number that would hold as the weekend advanced.
"I have to keep talking about the Canadian fans. Last night we had a tent full drinking beer and having a great time. They are great people," Hoover said. "It may be a long haul, but these fans make it worth the trip."
Lang got a bit of revenge on Saturday, stealing the five points back, but Hoover was able to get it done when it mattered most. Hoover claimed wins over Wade Sjostrom, Wayne Hofer and Lang to take the victory.
With the win Hoover closed the gap to just eight points in the Pro Mod points chase.
Hoover and Lang set up their epic second straight final with a few interesting afternoon runs.
Hoover, who was almost eliminated in the first round, rebounded nicely with a big win in the quarterfinals to receive a bye in the semis via his No. 1 qualifying position. It was in that bye run that Hoover claimed lane choice, running a solid 6.10 elapsed time at 236.17 miles per hour.
Lang's journey went a little smoother in the early morning, but really picked up in the afternoon session when Lang went head to head with Rick Distefano in the semis in a battle of the '53 Corvettes.
Despite the super semifinal matchup, Distefano took all the guess work out of the win when he went red, giving the free pass to Lang who ran a 6.706 E.T. at 227.46 miles per hour, setting up the battle of the best in IHRA Pro Modified competition.
Hoover survived a scary first round, stumbling twice before powering his way to a win. He didn't have nearly as much of a challenge in the quarters with an easy win over Wayne Hofer. In the other quarterfinal matchups Distefano got a free pass when Joe Delehay failed to show and Lang smoked Ross Hogenson.
Roger Bateman left no question who had the most dominating car of the weekend Sunday afternoon when he rocketed past Ken Webster in the Alcohol Funny Car final as Bateman walked away from the Rocky Mountain Nationals with two new track records and a shiny new IHRA Ironman to add to his collection.
"We had a good week. The race car was good and it makes it easy on an old man when the race car is this good," Bateman said.
But it wasn't just the car that kept Bateman motivated – it was the memory of the last time he was at Castrol Raceway for the Rocky Mountain Nationals.
"We raced here three years ago and the guys reminded me that I lost in the final that year despite having the fastest car," Bateman said. "We didn't give it away this time."
Bateman (Calgary, Alberta) was a force to be reckoned with all weekend long, taking the No. 1 spot in qualifying and setting a pair of track records on Saturday before rolling through the competition Sunday on his way to his first career IHRA victory.
Not only did he set the new track record over the weekend, but every run over the course of the weekend was faster than the old track marks.
"Even our worse run was better than the track record," Bateman said. "Now that is a good weekend."
Bateman defeated Ken Webster (Red Deer, Alberta) in a superb final as Bateman ran a 5.669 elapsed time at 252.80 miles per hour to Webster's 5.909 second lap at 233.92 mph.
Bateman's domination of the Alcohol Funny Car class continued in the semifinals in a matchup with the second fastest car of the weekend, John Evanchuk. While Evanchuk got off the line first, Bateman was able to regroup and drive around the Edmonton native with a 5.697 elapsed time at 250.97 miles per hour. Evanchuk ran a 8.112 after hitting some trouble on the far end.
Webster advanced to the finals when his opponent, Trevor Lebsack, took too long to stage essentially giving the free pass to Webster. Webster ran a 5.723 second lap at 253.33 miles per hour.
In quarterfinal action Lebsack pulled a bit of an upset over three-time IHRA world champion Rob Atchison who heavily shook the tires at about 200 feet. Webster got a nice win over Nathan Sitko in a super race, while Evanchuk took down Scott McVey and Bateman rolled over Jordan Pawlick.
A great weekend of racing in Nitro Bikes saw a bit of a scary moment during the finals when Jason Arkinstall, moments after taking the win light, ran off the far end of the track after failing to get stopped during his run against Damian Cownden.
After a brief delay Arkinstall's and his bike were pulled from the sand and he was able to celebrate in victory lane with his first career IHRA Ironman trophy.
Arkinstall (Surrey, British Columbia) ran a 6.610 elapsed time at 214.31 miles per hour to Cownden's (Victoria, British Columbia) 7.192 E.T. at 154.60 mph as Cownden dropped a cylinder at halftrack, easily handing the victory to Arkinstall.
Arkinstall and Cownden, who seemed to be on a crash course all weekend long, made sure that matchup became a reality with a pair of nice wins in the semifinals.
Arkinstall defeated John Breckenridge with a 6.659 elapsed time at 212.76 miles per hour to Breckenridge's 7.882 second lap. Cownden reached the finals with a 6.779 second time at 212.03 miles per hour to get past Ken Kent who ran a 6.899 E.T.
In the quarters it was Cownden over Mike Scott, Kent over Kevin Boyer, Breckenridge over Andy Beauchemin and Arkinstall over Mike Pelrine
Without a doubt the most dominating vehicle of the weekend whether on two wheels or four was the 2004 Ninja motorcyle driven by Gary Christopher in Pro Modified bike.
Holding down the top spot in qualifying throughout the weekend and carrying that momentum into Sunday, Christopher (Hope, British Columbia) was able to easily eliminate one opponent after another en route to taking the Pro Modified Bike championship Sunday afternoon.
Christopher eliminated Gord Smith (Kelowna, British Columbia) in the finals with a 7.229 second pass at 182.53 miles per hour while Smith coasted across the line nearly six seconds later after running into a bit of trouble early in his run.
Christopher, who had the fastest car all weekend long, easily reached the finals with a dominating win over Kevin Shupac. Christopher ran a 7.309 elapsed time at 188.12 miles per hour to Shupac's 9.172 E.T.
Smith matched himself with Christopher via a win over Rich Podszus who struggled at the line. Smith ran a 6.679 E.T. at 167.76 miles per hour.
In the quarters it was Christopher over Mike Smith, Shupac over Spencer Johnson, Smith over Terry Schweigert and Podszus in a solo pass when his opponent failed to show.
In Pro Nostalgia Rod Elliott was able to survive a couple of scares to reach the finals, eventually taking a victory over No. 1 qualifier Eddy Plaizier in the 7.20 index class.
Elliott (Edmonton, Alberta) ran a 7.242 elapsed time at 198.78 miles per hour while Plaizier (Edmonton, Alberta) ran a 7.274 E.T. at 163.10 miles per hour.
Elliott, who held the top spot on Friday, was knocked off of the podium by Plaizier on Saturday but was able to get his revenge by taking home the Ironman Sunday afternoon.
Plaizier was gifted a trip to the finals when opponent Cal Tebb took too long to stage, essentially awarding a free pass to Plaizier. Even with the freebie Plaizier still ran a blazing 7.210 E.T. at 188.70 miles per hour on the 7.20 index.
Elliott advanced to the finals with a win against newcomer Corey Sakura in a great drag race. Elliott ran a 7.258 second time at 187.05 miles per hour to Sakura's 7.282.
In quarterfinal action it was No. 1 qualifier Plaizier over the two-time Rocky Mountain Nationals champ Joey Steckler, Sekura over Jason Bussey, Tebb with a free pass and defending champ Elliott over Tim Boychuk.
Boychuk, who was entered in both Top Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Car, failed to make the semis in either class.
From Larry Crum / IHRA
Sunday, July 05, 2009
2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Schedule Announced
2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Schedule Announced
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 4, 2009) – NASCAR announced today that its premier short-track racing showcase, the 2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, will be run Jan. 29-30 at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.).
The sixth running of the event, which brings together the top racers from across North America for the ”Daytona 500 of short-track racing,” will be highlighted by the 225-lap NASCAR Camping World Series all-star race.
The schedule also includes a 100-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model race and a 75-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race. Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED as part of full weekend of racing on SPEED that includes the Rolex 24 at Daytona sports-car event.
“The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown is, without question, the pinnacle event of our touring and weekly series calendar,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR’s managing director of racing operations. “The excitement and competition has grown with each running of the event. The all-star weekend is a perfect way to cap a tremendous 2009 season, and also get drivers and fans ready for another great year of racing.”
The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown was held in the fall for its first five years. It was moved to January last year to give competitors more time to prepare and also to increase exposure for drivers and teams.
The result was an event that had everybody talking. Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Joey Logano went for the win on the final turn of the final lap and collected race leader Peyton Sellers. Instead of a second straight showdown victory, Logano was penalized for the move, and the victory went to Matt Kobyluck.
It was just another of a long line of exciting finishes to the all-star race.
Kobyluck, who won the NASCAR Camping World Series East title, became the first reigning series champion to cap the season with a NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown victory.
The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown main event – contested in NASCAR Camping World Series cars – is open to any driver approved to drive on a half-mile or longer tracks in the NASCAR Camping World Series. Current Sprint Cup Series drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Logano launched their careers in the NASCAR Camping World Series. The series is the top development step for drivers looking to make the jump to one of NASCAR's national series.
“The Toyota All-Star Showdown is NASCAR’s most prestigious short track racing event featuring some of the finest talent this segment of motor racing has to offer and Toyota Speedway at Irwindale is honored to again serve as its host,” said Bob DeFazio, Toyota Speedway at Irwindale track operator. “It continues to grow in popularity as a ‘must attend’ event and we can’t think of a better way for race fans and NASCAR short track racing’s elite to put the finishing touches on 2009 and kick-off the 2010 NASCAR racing season!”
Each race winner during the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Series season will become eligible for a protected starting spot. In addition, 2009 series champions of NASCAR's regional touring series – the NASCAR Camping World Series East, NASCAR Camping World Series West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, and NASCAR Mexico Series – and the 2009 national champion for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series are also eligible for protected starting spots.
In addition to eligible 2009 race winners and series champions, the starting lineup will be determined through time trials, limited provisionals for NASCAR Camping World Series regulars, and the last-chance "Open" race that provides drivers one final chance to make the grid."
New this year, the top five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state champions – as determined by the final national standings – entered in the Late Model race will be eligible for protected starting spots.
From Jason Christley, NASCAR Public Relations
Ohsweken Speedway: Northern Summer 360 Nationals photos from Rick Wellman
Northern Summer 360 Nationals Sprint action and feature winners.
Photos courtesy Rick Wellman Photography
8229 Westwood St.; Niagara Falls, Ont. Canada L2H 1Y3
Phone 905 354 4445
INDYCAR: Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen starting lineup
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - Qualifying Saturday for the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen IndyCar Series event on the 3.37-mile Watkins Glen International, with starting position, car number in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine, time and speed in parentheses:
1. (6) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 1:28.5970 (136.935)
2. (18) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.3106 (135.841)
3. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.7279 (135.209)
4. (5) Mario Moraes, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.8003 (135.100)
5. (02) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.9526 (134.871)
6. (10) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, no time (no speed)
7. (24) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.1715 (136.052)
8. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.2076 (135.997)
9. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.3539 (135.775)
10. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.4131 (135.685)
11. (13) E.J. Viso, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.5661 (135.453)
12. (4) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.9137 (134.929)
13. (27) Hideki Mutoh, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.7943 (135.109)
14. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 1:29.8662 (135.001)
15. (15) Paul Tracy, Dallara-Honda, 1:30.6167 (133.883)
16. (14) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 1:30.4001 (134.203)
17. (06) Robert Doornbos, Dallara-Honda, 1:30.6266 (133.868)
18. (2) Raphael Matos, Dallara-Honda, 1:30.4981 (134.058)
19. (23) Milka Duno, Dallara-Honda, 1:33.6824 (129.501)
20. (98) Richard Antinucci, Dallara-Honda, 1:31.1910 (133.039)
21. (20) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 1:31.6852 (132.322)
Note: Franchitti lost his two fastest laps for causing a full-course caution during Firestone Fast Six.
IHRA EDMONTON: Saturday - More records set at Castrol Raceway
More records set at Castrol Raceway: McMillen shoots to top of Top Fuel charts; Hoover holds off Lang
Despite a sudden downpour during the afternoon session and chilly temperatures throughout the day, the IHRA still saw record crowds during the SMS Equipment Night of Fire at the River Cree Resort and Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV Saturday night at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta Canada.
It was standing room only before the showers and more of the same once the rains subsided as fans in attendance stayed to see a collection of nearly ever form of drag racing on the planet earth.
Top qualifiers during Saturday’s SMS Equipment Night of Fire were Terry McMillen (Top Fuel), Ed Hoover (Pro Modified), Roger Bateman (Alcohol Funny Car), Jason Arkinstall (Nitro Bikes), Gary Christopher (Pro Modified Bikes) and Eddy Plaizier (Pro Nostalgia).
McMillen (Elkhart, Ind.) used what ended up being the only Top Fuel round of the afternoon to shoot to the top of the charts with a 4.834 second time at 287.78 miles per hour.
McMillen and Terry Haddock were able to get in one round of Top Fuel qualifying moments before the rains started, giving McMillen the advantage as the only driver with three qualifying runs over the weekend.
“It was a great run under some pretty awesome conditions. I hated to see the second round of qualifying get rained out, but we were happy to be able to get in that run,” McMillen said. “It was great to see all these fans out despite the downpour, the Edmonton fans truly are some of the best in the world.”
Despite the great lap by McMillen it was Bruce Litton who grabbed the five bonus points for being Saturday’s Last Man Standing, running a 4.844 elapsed time at 302.41 miles per hour. Litton claimed the honor by being the fastest winning car during the SMS Equipment Night of Fire qualifying session.
With that lap Litton dropped in behind McMillen in second while Edmonton’s own Tim Boychuk placed himself third with a 4.898 E.T. at 299.46 miles per hour heading into Sunday’s eliminations.
Mitch King (5.044) and Del Cox (5.448) rounded out the top five in Top Fuel.
“I think we are in pretty good shape going into tomorrow. It won’t be easy, IHRA Top Fuel always has tough competition, but we are ready to get back at it in the morning,” McMillen added.
In Pro Modified Lang (Grande Pointe, Manitoba) got his revenge on Ed Hoover (Gilbert, S.C.) in the battle of the United States versus Canada as the two drivers who have went at it all season long continued their grudge match Saturday night.
Hoover got the edge on Lang Friday night, garnering the five bonus points associated with claiming the Last Man Standing award, but Lang responded on Saturday with a 6.060 elapsed time at 235.93 miles per hour to steal the five points back and claim Saturday’s Last Man Standing Award.
While Lang had the top time Saturday night, Hoover remained on top as the No. 1 qualifier heading into eliminations. Hoover ran a 6.026 E.T. at 237.55 miles per hour on Friday to remain on top of the charts.
“Usually after a rain like that the track gets super good so I stepped al over the motor and my clutch just to see if we could go a five here and that is just a chance you have to take,” Hoover said. “You plan on the track cooling off and it did, but what happened was that enough cars didn’t go down the track before the fast cars got out there.
“I got in trouble when I put it in second gear, I pedaled it and then I quit it. We will now just go back with what worked in the daytime and go with that tomorrow.”
Lang wedged himself just behind Hoover in second, followed closely by a trio of Alberta natives in Rick Distefano (6.208), Joe Delehay (6.240) and Ross Hogenson (6.293).
When it was all said and done the two drivers on top of the points split their wins during qualifying, but it is Sunday where the win light really matters.
“I like racing him until race day when he kicks my butt,” Hoover said with a laugh. “It was nice getting a few wins over him during qualifying, but it would be better if we could do it when it counts. Tomorrow we need to stay in that right lane because that is my lane of choice. The car is set up for that lane so I need to go very fast every round to keep that choice.”
Alcohol Funny Car continued to put on a show Saturday night with several close side-by-side runs and a pair of new track records set by Alberta’s own Roger Bateman.
Bateman (Calgary, Alberta) reset both track records at Castrol Raceway with a blazing 5.615 elapsed time at 254.23 miles per hour to take the top qualifying spot heading into Sunday’s eliminations.
Ken Webster (Red Deer, Alberta) was just behind Bateman in second with a 6.675 E.T. at 253.56 miles per hour and three-time IHRA world champion Rob Atchison (5.767) was third. Scott McVey (5.775) and John Evanchuk (5.791) rounded out the top five in a field that came one spot shy of an all five-second field.
In the two wheel category it was Arkinstall in Nitro Bikes and Christopher (Hope, British Columbia) in Pro Mod bike topping the motorcycle charts.
Arkinstall (Surrey, British Columbia) ran a 6.599 elapsed time at 218.90 miles per hour on his nitro-powered 2003 Weekend to top the Nitro Bike category while Ken Kent (Edmonton, Alberta) qualified second with a 6.625 E.T. at 210.93 mph.
Damian Cownden (6.664) who had the top spot going into the day dropped to third while Andy Beauchemin (6.723) and John Breckenridge (6.756) round out the top five going into Sunday.
Christopher ran a 7.153 elapsed time at 190.67 miles per hour to top the qualifying charts in Pro Modified. Gord Smith (Kelowna, British Columbia) was just behind him in second with a 7.243 E.T. at 189.63 mph.
Rich Podszus (7.473), Kevin Shupac (7.975) and Spencer Johnson (8.046) rounded out the top five in Pro Modified Bikes.
Half track burnouts and crazy bodies highlighted the Pro Nostalgia class as Eddy Plaizier claimed the top spot in qualifying heading into Sunday’s eliminations.
Plaizier (Edmonton, Alberta) ran a 7.203 second elapsed time on a 7.20 index at 188.28 miles per hour to take the top spot while Jason Bussey (Edson, Alberta) was second with a 7.208 E.T. at 188.44 miles per hour.
Rod Elliott (7.223), Cal Tebb (7.230) and Ron Sekura (7.235) rounded out the top five.
Racing action will get back underway at 9 a.m. Sunday morning with pro eliminations getting underway at 11 a.m. Final eliminations are set to begin at 4 p.m. Sunday evening.
EDMONTON, Alb. -- First-round pairings for professional eliminations Sunday for the River Cree Resort & Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV at Castrol Raceway, the fifth of 10 events in the 2009 Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.
Top Fuel -- 1. Terry McMillen, 4.834 seconds, 287.78 mph vs. 8. Smax Smith, 8.449, 89.20; 2. Bruce Litton, 4.844, 302.41 vs. 7. Bobby Lagana Jr., 7.509, 107.04; 3. Tim Boychuk, 4.898, 299.46 vs. 6. Terry Haddock, 5.714, 174.37; 4. Mitch King, 5.044, 286.80 vs. 5. Del Cox Jr, 5.448, 182.16.
Pro Modified -- 1. Ed Hoover, Chevy Camaro, 6.026, 237.55 vs. 12. Wade Sjostrom, Camaro, 7.043, 195.05; 2. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.060, 236.01 vs. 11. Tim Vogt, Corvette, 6.691, 206.73; 3. Rick Distefano, Corvette, 6.208, 229.12 vs. 10. Tom Meheden, Chevy Beretta, 6.649, 208.52; 4. Joe Delehay, Camaro, 6.240, 228.69 vs. 9. Perry Thyr, Camaro, 6.515, 212.66; 5. Ross Hogenson, Corvette, 6.293, 219.51 vs. 8. Dan Vogt, Corvette, 6.484, 211.93; 6. Vern Mills, Chevy Bel Air, 6.357, 218.27 vs. 7. Wayne Hofer, Corvette, 6.398, 215.20.
Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Roger Bateman, Ford Mustang, 5.615, 254.23 vs. 8. Jordan Pawlick, Dodge Avenger, 6.044, 237.17; 2. Ken Webster, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.675, 253.61 vs. 7. Nathan Sitko, Pontiac Firebird, 5.944, 239.65; 3. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.767, 250.41 vs. 6. Trevor Lebsack, Chevy Camaro, 5.848, 246.21; 4. Scott McVey, Monte Carlo, 5.775, 248.75 vs. 5. John Evanchuk, Firebird, 5.791, 247.38.
Nitro Bikes -- 1. Jason Arkinstall, 6.599, 218.90 vs. 8. Mike Pelrine, 6.979, 189.84; 2. Ken Kent, 6.625, 210.93 vs. 7. Kevin Boyer, 6.904, 205.60; 3. Damien Cownden, 6.664, 210.97 vs. 6. Mike Scott, 6.871, 216.10; 4. Andy Beauchemin, 6.723, 206.23 vs. 5. John Breckenridge, 6.756, 200.26.
Pro Modified Bike -- 1. Gary Christopher, 7.153, 199.49 vs. 8. Craig Pelrine, Harley-Davidson, 8.148, 146.35; 2. Gord Smith, Kawasaki, 7.243, 190.11 vs. 7. Terry Schweigert, Suzuki, 8.096, 166.42; 3. Rich Podszus, Suzuki, 7.473, 178.35 vs. 6. Walter Dwelsdorf, Ninja, 8.057, 169.15; 4. Kevin Shupac, Suzuki, 7.975, 165.72 vs. 5. Spencer Johnson, Suzuki, 8.046, 148.38.
Pro Nostalgia -- 1. Eddy Plaizier, Chevy, 7.203, 188.36 vs. Bye; 2. Jason Bussey, Chevy Camaro, 7.208, 200.65 vs. 15. Tom Reithmayer, Mustang, 7.034, 207.88; 3. Rod Elliott, Plymouth Barracuda, 7.223, 194.24 vs. 14. Brian Ross, Swindahl Camaro, 10.022, 98.36; 4. Cal Tebb, Pontiac GTO, 7.230, 195.59 vs. 13. Rick Barnhart, Ford Fairlane, 7.662, 177.28; 5. Ron Sekura, Camaro, 7.235, 188.60 vs. 12. Brent Harris, Willys Coupe, 7.467, 200.62; 6. Tim Boychuk, Ford Mustang, 7.267, 190.00 vs. 11. Sherrie Bodnarchuk, Plymouth Superbird, 7.373, 198.03; 7. Corey Sekura, Pontiac Trans Am, 7.284, 191.38 vs. V; 8. Darrell Webb, Chevy Nova, 7.295, 194.16 vs. 9. Joey Steckler, Chevy Corvette, 7.325, 192.96.
From Larry Crum / IHRA
IHRA EDMONTON: Hoover resets track records at Castrol Raceway
Hoover resets track records at Castrol Raceway
EDMONTON, AB - On a night where records seemed to fall left and right, Pro Modified driver Ed Hoover made the biggest splash of them all with a new track mark for speed and elapsed time in front of a packed house Friday the River Cree Resort and Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Going head to head with points leader Kenny Lang in a battle of the United States versus Canada, Hoover (Gilbert, S.C.) got the best of the Grande Pointe, Manitoba resident with a 6.026 E.T. at 237.55 mph to Lang’s 6.154 elapsed time at 235.72 mph to top the provisional qualifying charts and claim Friday’s Last Man Standing in Pro Modified.
“Jim (Weinert) has done a great job on the track. I did not expect that kind of E.T. out of my car, but we just got a hold of it early and had a great 60 foot and a great eighth mile and that is where your E.T. comes from,” Hoover said. “I didn’t expect 6.02 here on the mountain. I figured it would probably go 10 or 11 at best, it was pretty surprising.”
Hoover’s numbers were good enough to reset all of the track records at Castrol Raceway, joining a pair of Alcohol Funny Car drivers who also set new marks as records seemed to fall at will under the pristine drag racing conditions at the Canadian quarter mile.
“We work on this thing every week and I am tuning it myself,” Hoover said. “I never quit tinkering with it; I am never settled on a tune-up. We are trying a few things a little different this weekend and hoping they will pay off on Sunday.”
Behind Hoover and Lang was a trio of Alberta natives including Rick Distefano (6.231, 229.12) who made his IHRA return after a lengthy absence with the third spot through two rounds of qualifying. Rounding out the Pro Mod top five are Ross Hogenson (6.298) and Joe Delehay (6.309).
While Hoover headlined the door slammer rounds, the nitro rounds saw an incredible night of racing in both Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car as the IHRA welcomed the nitro burning floppers back to competition in style.
Dale Creasy Jr., Terry Haddock, Jason Duchene and Randy Bykowsky put on quite a show in Nitro Funny Car to round out the evening’s competition rounds.
While the Funny Cars put an end to the evening’s qualifying sessions, Top Fuel got down to business in trying to determine the fastest rail car of the evening.
And that honor went to Indianapolis, Ind. native Bruce Litton who claimed Friday’s Last Man Standing and topped the provisional qualifying charts with a 4.868 elapsed time at 297.16 miles per hour.
“It was a good run. We just wanted to go down to the finish line under power and just get something under our belt,” Litton said. “The sun played a little bit of havoc, driving right in the glare, but we kept it in the groove and that is all you can ask. It worked out well.”
Mitch King (Galveston, Texas) was just behind Litton with a 5.044 E.T. at 286.80 mph while King’s second car, driven by Del Cox Jr., qualified fourth (5.448). Tim Boychuk (7.509) was fifth.
IHRA also welcomed Alcohol Funny Car back to the fold and the alcohol burning cousins of the nitro clan did not disappoint.
Both track records were reset during Friday’s qualifying rounds as Roger Bateman (Calgary, Alberta) set the new E.T. mark with a 5.655 second lap at 252.05 mph to top the provisional qualifying charts while Ken Webster (Red Deer, Alberta) set the new speed record at 253.61 miles per hour, falling in line behind Bateman on the charts with a 5.761 elapsed time.
Three-time IHRA Alcohol Funny Car champion Rob Atchison was third on the charts with a 5.767 E.T. at 250.41 mph followed by Scott McVey (5.775) and John Evanchuk (5.807).
A pair of two-wheel classes made quite a bit of noise in the middle of the order headlined by the nitro-burning Harley Davidson class. Damian Cownden (Victoria, British Columbia) headlined the Nitro Harleys with a 6.664 elapsed time at 210.97 miles per hour to take the provisional pole, followed very closely by Ken Kent (Edmonton, Alberta) who put down a blazing 6.665 E.T. at 210.93 mph.
Andy Beauchemin (6.729) was third and Jason Arkinstall (6.747) was fourth, putting down top speed of the night at an incredible 218.90 miles per hour, one mile per hour shy of the world record. John Breckenridge (6.821) rounded out the top five.
In Pro Modified Bikes it was Hope, British Columbia native Gary Christopher on top of the charts with a 7.154 elapsed time at 199.49 miles per hour. Gord Smith (Kelowna, British Columbia) is second with a 7.243 E.T. at 189.63 mph.
Rounding out the Pro Mod Bikes are Rich Podszus (7.473), Kevin Shupac (7.975) and Tony Clizbe (8.089).
In Pro Nostalgia Edmonton’s own Rod Elliott topped the provisional charts with a 7.243 E.T. at 194.24 miles per hour. Ron Sekura (Drayton Valley, Alberta) was second on the charts with a lap of 7.243 seconds at 188.25 mph.
Eddy Plaizier (7.254), Tim Boychuk (7.267) and Cal Tebb (7.272) rounded out the top five in Pro Nostalgia.
Racing action will get back underway at Castrol Raceway at 10 a.m. Saturday morning leading up to the SMS Equipment “Night of Fire” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening.
EDMONTON, Alb. -- Results Friday afterqualifying for the River Cree Resort & Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV at Castrol Raceway, fifth of 10 events in the 2009 Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Bruce Litton, 4.868 seconds, 297.16 mph; 2. Mitch King, 5.044, 286.80; 3. Del Cox Jr, 5.448, 182.16; 4. Tim Boychuk, 5.649, 174.75; 5. Bobby Lagana Jr., 7.509, 107.04; 6. Smax Smith, 8.449, 89.20; 7. Terry McMillen, 8.770, 88.56.
Pro Modified -- 1. Ed Hoover, Chevy Camaro, 6.026, 237.55; 2. Kenny Lang, Chevy Corvette, 6.154, 235.72; 3. Rick Distefano, Corvette, 6.231, 229.12; 4. Ross Hogenson, Corvette, 6.298, 219.51; 5. Joe Delehay, Camaro, 6.309, 226.24; 6. Vern Mills, Chevy Bel Air, 6.357, 218.27; 7. Wayne Hofer, Corvette, 6.411, 208.39; 8. Dan Vogt, Corvette, 6.484, 211.93; 9. Perry Thyr, Camaro, 6.515, 212.66; 10. Tim Vogt, Corvette, 6.696, 206.01; 11. Tom Meheden, Chevy Beretta, 6.777, 198.99; 12. Wade Sjostrom, Camaro, 7.043, 195.05.
Nitro Bikes -- 1. Damien Cownden, 6.664, 210.97; 2. Ken Kent, 6.665, 210.93; 3. Andy Beauchemin, 6.729, 206.23; 4. Jason Arkinstall, 6.747, 218.90; 5. John Breckenridge, 6.821, 199.76; 6. Mike Scott, 6.871, 212.29; 7. Lyle Newton, 7.292, 193.85; 8. Ben Ground, 7.327, 191.97. Not Qualified: 9. Mike Pelrine, 7.785, 173.47; 10. Kevin Boyer, 8.233, 188.99; 11. Jim Schellenberg, 8.378, 165.86.
Alcohol Funny Car -- 1. Roger Bateman, Ford Mustang, 5.655, 252.05; 2. Ken Webster, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.761, 253.61; 3. Rob Atchison, Monte Carlo, 5.767, 250.41; 4. Scott McVey, Monte Carlo, 5.775, 248.75; 5. John Evanchuk, Pontiac Firebird, 5.807, 247.38; 6. Trevor Lebsack, Chevy Camaro, 5.848, 246.21; 7. Nathan Sitko, Firebird, 5.953, 238.30; 8. Jay Childs, Dodge Avenger, 6.408, 213.84. Not Qualified: 9. Jordan Pawlick, 10.129, 91.29.
Pro Nostalgia -- 1. Rod Elliott, Plymouth Barracuda, 7.243, 194.24; 2. Ron Sekura, Chevy Camaro, 7.243, 188.25; 3. Eddy Plaizier, 7.254, 188.36; 4. Tim Boychuk, Ford Mustang, 7.267, 190.00; 5. Cal Tebb, Pontiac GTO, 7.272, 192.91; 6. Joey Steckler, Chevy Corvette, 7.325, 192.96; 7. Cory Kincaid, 7.330, 192.55; 8. Darrell Webb, Chevy Nova, 7.337, 194.16. Not Qualified: 9. Rick Barnhart, 8.259, 173.76; 10. Brian Ross, 10.022, 98.36; 11. Corey Sekura, 7.196, 187.34; 12. Brent Harris, 7.182, 200.62; 13. Jason Bussey, 7.105, 200.65; 14. Sherrie Bodnarchuk, 7.071, 198.03; 15. Tom Reithmayer, 6.906, 207.88.
Pro Modified Bike -- 1. Gary Christopher, 7.154, 199.49; 2. Gord Smith, Kawasaki, 7.243, 189.63; 3. Rich Podszus, Suzuki, 7.473, 171.36; 4. Kevin Shupac, Suzuki, 7.975, 165.72; 5. Tony Clizbe, Suzuki, 8.089, 156.10; 6. Cory Duncan, Suzuki, 8.091, 163.63; 7. Terry Schweigert, Suzuki, 8.096, 166.42; 8. Craig Pelrine, Suzuki, 8.148, 144.69; 9. Walter Dwelsdorf, Ninja, 8.351, 169.15; 10. Spencer Johnson, Suzuki, 8.468, 130.86; 11. Dan Boehm, Kawasaki, 9.263, 175.07; 12. Devin Pelrine, Suzuki, 10.938, 75.28; 13. Mike Smith, Kawasaki, 11.211, 153.81.
From Larry Crum / IHRA
IHRA EDMONTON: Friday Notebook - Rocky Mountain Nationals
Rocky Mountain Nationals – Friday Notebook
LONG HAUL
From the Nitro Nationals at Rocky Mountain Raceways to the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway, IHRA's west coast swing continues this weekend as drivers from all over the globe converge on Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the seventh annual River Cree Resort and Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Paradise RV.
While the IHRA it typically considered more of an east coast racing organization, the past two weeks have proven the sanctioning bodies' continued commitment to expanding its borders and growing its presence across North America.
For drag racing fans that means more racing at a track near you, but for the drivers that expansion means more miles logged on the trucks and trailers hauling the rigs from one stop to the next across the U.S. and Canada.
Two drivers in particular, Pro Modified veteran Ed Hoover and Top Fuel ace Bobby Lagana Jr, have learned the hard way what growing the IHRA brand is all about.
Lagana, a New York native who has traveled with the IHRA for both of their west coast stops and Gilbert, S.C. native Ed Hoover both made the long haul to Edmonton this weekend and both are hoping to make the long trips pay off with wins at one of the largest drag races in North America.
"The best part about this event is the fans. They don't have a lot going on up here so they really appreciate the IHRA coming up here," Hoover said. "I remember a few years ago we got here on Friday and it was pouring outside. Despite the rain, I had more fans come by that day and thank me for coming than I do during most sunny days.
"They are all nice people and they take the time to thank you for being here. You don't see much of that anymore."
Hoover's crew began their journey one week and 3,000 miles ago, making it to the Edmonton track early this week. Hoover, however, decided to meet his team a few days later in an effort to avoid fatigue behind the wheel.
While the trip is long enough in a plane, behind the wheel the miles – and the wear and tear on both the equipment and the body – can really add up.
"We spent a week and roughly $4,000 on maintenance alone just to make the journey," Hoover said. "It beats them to death during the four day drive and that is why I fly because the driver doesn't need to be tired on Sunday.
"But once we get up here, the fans make it all worth while."
Top Fuel veteran Lagana reiterated that thought.
Lagana, who rarely passes on a chance to race, made the trip to Salt Lake City last weekend for the IHRA Nitro Nationals and wasted little time packing up and heading across the border for the race in Edmonton this weekend.
"We were in Salt Lake City when I made the comment that maybe we should have our heads examined as far away from home as we are, but it was beautiful out there," Lagana said. "Already being in Utah the trip wasn't bad coming up here. I have been here every single year except for one and I really think it is a pleasure racing here."
And Lagana isn't done yet. Immediately following the race this weekend Lagana and his crew will pack up and head back across the border for an event in New Hampshire next week. He will then return to Canada a week later for the MOPAR Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend.
"We are definitely going to see the country. From the Midwest, east, central and west, we are going to see it all," Lagana said. "These are dedicated racers. Every car that is up here and even some of the guys who wanted to come but couldn't make it, they are all hardcore racers. That is what the IHRA is all about – dedicated racers."
DOUBLING UP
Racing one nitro car in a weekend is tough enough, but wrestling two cars down the track is just downright impossible.
Well, almost impossible.
IHRA veteran Terry Haddock will show why he is one of the best drivers on the tour this weekend when he wheels both a Top Fuel dragster and a Nitro Funny Car this weekend at River Cree Resort and Casino Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway.
"It makes for a tremendously hectic weekend. And we are going to have a new challenge this weekend because a few crew members were unable to make the trip," Haddock said. "We will figure out how to do a good job, but it won't be easy."
Haddock, the 2008 IHRA Nitro Funny Car world champion, will debut his flopper this weekend in a match race against three other NFC wheelmen. One of his competitors, two-time world champion Dale Creasy Jr., will be looking to get back at the Washington native after he stole a potential third straight title from him late last year.
Creasy, who was seemingly well on his way to a third title midway through the 2008 season, was involved in an accident at Castrol Raceway last year that put him out for the rest of the season, opening the door for Haddock to steal his very first championship.
Now Creasy returns to the track that bit him one year ago to take on Haddock in a battle of the best in nitro burning floppers.
But proving who is king of the Nitro Funny Cars is only a small portion of Haddock's schedule.
Along with driving his flopper in a handful of match races, Haddock will also be looking for a victory in the Top Fuel ranks this weekend as he tries to move back into the top five in points after missing the last few events.
"Driving these cars is what we love to do so getting to drive them both will be a lot of fun," Haddock said. "The economy hasn't been nice to us so far this year, but we are hoping people will see how much dedication and heart this team has.
"We really don't have much in the way of money or support, we are just out here doing what we love each weekend and hoping in the end it all pays off."
WELCOME BACK
While the decision to cut Alcohol Funny Cars from the 2009 Nitro Jam schedule was not an easy one, the IHRA welcomes its alcohol burning floppers back to the fold this weekend at the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway.
Well over a dozen Alcohol Funny Cars are on hand for this weekend's event including one of the greatest in the history of the sport – Rob Atchison.
The Canadian born wheelman is second all-time on the IHRA charts in wins (20) and has three championships to his credit all gained back-to-back-to-back during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons.
While Atchison has been able to keep the tires spinning on his Ace sponsored car, the 35-time final round participant is thrilled to be able to return to IHRA competition this weekend.
"It is a great opportunity to be able to come back and run at the Edmonton track. For me I was fortunate to have Ace Manufacturing step up and sponsor my west coast car and I have been able to run a few more races in Canada giving me an opportunity to see a little more of my Canadian fans," Atchison said. "This is a beautiful facility. They work hard at accommodating the racers and making it the best they can. This is usually the best weekend of the year for drag racing."
While Grand Bend is considered Atchison's home track, Castrol Raceway has a special place in his heart. Along with a win in 2005, Atchison has seen plenty of success and has one of his biggest followings right here in Edmonton.
"Other than Grand Bend our biggest following is here. Alberta fans really support this event and that is why we are here," Atchison said. "We are here to put on a show and entertain a full crowd. It is nice to be able to do this in front of 30,000 screaming fans. It is a place where you can here them cheering on you even from the other end of the track."
WELCOME BACK PART 2
After taking a couple of years off competing in the Pro Modified class, Rick Distefano is back.
Distefano has competed in a number of WCPM events in the west, getting a win and a runner-up in the process. This weekend will be his biggest test, however, as he takes on the competitors in the IHRA for the Rocky Mountain Nationals.
This year is really a season long test session as he dials in his engine program in anticipation of taking delivery of his new 70 ½ Camaro. This is the newest body style to debut in the Pro Mod ranks and he will be one of only a handful to compete with this very unique frame.
The engine program has also netted the team some success including a few rounds in the low 6s at non-national event tracks leaving the team very optimistic that they can net a few rounds in the five second range at close to 240 miles per hour.
"The engine program is all in-house this year and it gives us complete control of all aspects of its development," said Distefano.
From Larry Crum / IHRA
SPEEDWAY 660: Fan Fest a big hit
Fredericton, NB – Mother nature has not been to kind to us lately as it has rained on our parade or so to speak the past couple weekends. She did not win this weekend. All week the forecast has been showing rain for this weekend. Track officials made the decision to wait until later in the day to make the decision whether to race or not to race. The right decision was definitely made as the races went on and what exciting racing it was.
It was the first FANFEST 2009 presented by Sojourn Signs + Weekly Racing event at Speedway 660 and it was a huge success. Drivers, crews and race fans of all ages were admitted into the track for FREE. This was a great opportunity to show appreciation for all the support that the drivers, crews and fans show each and every week. It was good to see a lot of regular race fans and a lot of new faces in the crowd tonight. Guaranteed they will become regulars now that they have seen what they have been missing. Racing is a wonderful sport and one that can be very addictive once you have heard the cars, and have seen racing from some of the finest drivers in Canada each and every week.
In the Coast Tire Street Stock division, Rick Cashol came out strong winning his heat, dash and feature and taking home the Robin’s Inn Hat Trick Award. Cashol is a contender each and every week. He had a little weight lifted off his shoulders tonight as he was not pulling double duty by racing in both the Coast Tire Street Stock and Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman divisions. It was reported that Bradley Logan was in the # 54 Sportsman car tonight. Logan has filled in for a few drivers this season. Finishing a strong second was Trent Noble and Matt Matheson also with a strong podium finish in third.
In the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman Division, John Rankin was the big winner of the evening. Rankin has had a very good season thus far. Ranking finished second in the heat and dash and quickly moved though the field in the 30-lap feature to battle Dave Biggar for the lead. Rankin had a huge lead until the caution came out. Rankin got back out front and never looked back. This is a very exciting and al competitive division and tonight was a great show. Dave Biggar also had a very good night winning his heat, dash and coming in third in the feature. Glyn Nott passed Dave Biggar to take second place.
In the Irving Lubricants ProStock division, Robert Tomlinson came out strong in the heat until the last lap when Brad Mann took the lead and went on to win the race. Tomlinson also lead the first part of the feature until the first caution when a couple of cars got together and spun. Brad Mann sprinted out to take the lead on the restart. Mann got shuffled back in the pack but came back to take fourth. Big Kevin Moore was the big feature winner of the evening. Greg Fahey challenged Mann but came up a little short ending up with a second place finish. Glen Rasmussen had a good night finishing in third. There were a couple familiar faces on track tonight as Dan Eddy and Jerry Curtis were in the Pro Stock field.
Next weekend will be the TWIN 100s-COAST TIRE "Best of the Best" Pro Stock 100 + Martins Home Heating Sportsman 100. Fans will see some exciting racing for sure.
From www.speedway660.com
NASCAR SPRINT CUP: Stewart Wins Wild Coke Zero 400 at DaytonaPowered By Coca-Cola
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 51st annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola produced a thrilling finish as Tony Stewart captured his third career win in the mid-summer classic at Daytona International Speedway.
With the checkered flag in sight, Stewart, running second, attempted to pass leader Kyle Busch. Busch’s No. 18 and Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet made contact and Busch spun into the outside wall in the tri-oval.
The victory was Stewart’s third in July in the last five years and his 14th overall win at “The World Center of Racing.”
Stewart started on the pole after qualifying was rained out and the field was set according to point standings. He stayed near the front of the field all evening with the help of quick pit stops and led a race-high nine times for 86 of the 160 laps.
The Indiana native has now led 345 laps in the summer contest, the most of any active driver and sixth on the all-time list. The win also marked the second time Stewart has won the race from the pole, the most times of any driver.
“We had a strong car for sure,” said Stewart, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader. “It was nice to be able to drive away in a line up front and get away from the crowd in the back.”
Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top three and Busch, the defending winner of the race, was relegated to a 14th-place finish.
Hamlin, who seemed to have one of the strongest cars from the drop of the green flag, picked up his first top-10 finish in a points race at “The World Center of Racing”.
“Yeah, I don’t know how to finish in the top 10 here,” said Hamlin who led six times for 63 laps. “I can run up front for 95 percent of the time but can’t finish. I don’t think I’ve ever had a car this strong on a superspeedway. I’m proud of our whole team.”
Defending Daytona 500 champion Matt Kenseth kept his No. 17 Ford in the top 10 throughout the night and finished eighth.
This year’s race marked the 25th anniversary of Richard Petty’s 200th win. The milestone event took place July 4, 1984 with President Ronald Reagan in attendance – the first time a sitting President of the United States attended a NASCAR race.
Kyle Petty, former NASCAR driver and Richard’s son, served as Grand Marshal, giving the 43-car field and his dad the command to start their engines. Petty led the field during the parade lap in a replica 200th winning No. 43 car.
Daytona Beach native and NBA star Vince Carter served as Honorary Pace Car driver and Tampa Bay Buccaneer tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was an Honorary Race Official. Papa John’s founder John Schnatter served as Honorary Starter.
Grammy-nominated rock band “Buckcherry” performed a pre-race concert and the National Anthem was sung by the 82nd Airbourne Chorus out of Fort Bragg, N.C.
From www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Posts
