NASCAR Barrie: Thomson wins

1. Don Thomson 2. Mark Dilley 3. Scott Steckly 4. Brad Graham 5. Jason Hathaway

NCATS Barrie: 150 laps

Halfway at Barrie.
Don Thomson leads Scott Steckly. Kerry Micks was third but spun to bring out caution. Points leader Andrew Ranger is three laps down with axle trouble. Big pit stops coming, including leaders. 10 cars on lead lap.

NCATS Barrie Autograph Session

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Barrie Qualfying

1. Anthony Simone (first NCATS pole)
2. Mark Dilley
3. Scott Steckly
4. DJ Kennington
5. Ron Beauchamp

Unofficial Race Results for Scotia Speedworld Weekly Racing Series - Friday, September 12

Unofficial Race Results for Season Finale Weekend – Friday Night
Featuring the Scotia Speedworld Weekly Racing Series
For Immediate Release  (Halifax, September 11th)

Results:

Sojourn Signs Bandolero Division
1st        #8        DJ Casey
2nd       #1        Brad Eddy
3rd        #14     Dylan Blenkhorn
4th        #15     Emily Meehan
5th        #24     Ryan Mackintosh

Heat1 #15     Emily Meehan                     
Heat2 #8        DJ Casey

Miller Tire Thunder Division
1st        #99     Dave Matthews
2nd       #16     Derek MacCallum
3rd        #89     Tim Tanner
4th        #56     David Hibbs
5th        #98     Kyle Gammon

Heat1 #55     Robbie Watts
Heat2 #1        Steve Lively
Heat3 #71     Jeremy Hallett

Miller Tire Lightning Division
1st        #119   Dan Michaud Jr
2nd       #133   Trevor Smith
3rd        #144   Russell Smith Jr
4th        #112   Dan Smith
5th        #173   John Poan

Heat1 #122   Jeff Turple
Heat2 #194   Jorden Smith

Lockhart Truck Center Hobby Stock Division
1st        #26     Gordon Ritchie
2nd       #21     Ben Sheehy
3rd        #53     Richie Moore
4th        #40     Terry Moore
5th        #23     Mark Wilson

Heat1             #93     Vernon Brown
Heat 2            #23     Mark Wilson

Legends Division
1st        #3        Vance Hanes
2nd       #6        Steve Pye
3rd        #61     Scott MacLean
4th        #10     Justin MacNeill
5th        #24     Neil Stewart

Heat1 #29     Kyle Campbell
Heat2 #6        Steve Pye
Heat3 #1        Matt Moore

C&R Auto Supply Division
1st        #3        Darren Wallage
2nd       #08     Jeff Dillman
3rd        #77     Colby Smith
4th        #38     Terry Roma
5th        #4        Aaron Boutilier

Heat1 #33     Larry Fisher
Heat2 #05     Fred Schofield
Heat3 #3        Darren Wallage

Scotia Speedworld is located at Exit 6 on Highway 102, across from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. For more information please call our Event Hotline at 873-2277.

Media Contact: Tara Foster

NASCAR: Tony Stewart Press Conference Transcript from Richmond

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
CHEVY ROCK & ROLL 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
September 11, 2009

TONY STEWART, NO. 14 OFFICE DEPOT/OLD SPICE IMPALA SS, met with members of the media at Richmond International Raceway and discussed the Prelude at Eldora Speedway, racing at Richmond, the success of the Stewart-Hass organization this season, leading the points, the Chase and other topics. Full transcript:

TALK ABOUT YOUR GREAT EVENT, THE PRELUDE, AT ELDORA SPEEDWAY THIS PAST WEEK (THE EVENT HAD BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER FROM IT’S ORIGINAL JUNE 3RD DATE) : “Wednesday night was awesome at Eldora. We still had 23 guys, a couple of guys had to cancel due to injuries. (Dave) Blaney couldn’t be there due to a death in his family. We are just so appreciate the guys that came. These drivers and the fans that come there are the two reasons that that event has been such a huge success. Getting the crowds that we have been able to get has raised a ton of money, but getting the fans there and getting these drivers there are the key to that. A lot of these guys had to make changes in their schedules to rearrange things to be able to go Wednesday of which I am very very appreciative and hope they had a good time. It was a great event. Great, great, great battle for the lead half-way through the race and then we got her sorted out there. It was a lot of fun and very thankful we had great weather and great attendance. Hopefully we’ll find out pretty soon what the numbers were on the satellite side. It will take months to figure out what happened from the cable company side. But I think after the last couple of years, we should have a pretty good projection of what it was going to raise once we get those numbers.”

TALK ABOUT TOMORROW NIGHT’S RACE HERE AT RICHMOND: “I am excited about it. This is going to be probably one of the biggest NASCAR weekend’s of the year because of the fact that there are 10 guys that are still trying to bid for eight spots in the Chase. It is definitely going to be exciting. I don’t think the focus is going to be on who is leading the race for sure. It is definitely going to be on those guys that are trying to get in. There are some great drivers and great teams and organizations that are still batting for those spots so, it is going to be exciting to see that. But, this is the place where I got my first (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series) win and it is still my favorite track and the good thing is I don’t have to worry about getting locked in, we are there. So, it gives us the flexibility to worry about just trying to get those extra 10 bonus points and going for the win.”

HOW MUCH OF A DREAM COME TRUE HAS THIS SEASON BEEN FOR YOU TO HAVE BOTH CARS AS COMPETITIVE AS THEY HAVE BEEN? “It has been 100% fulfilled dream so far. We wanted to get one guy in the Chase, that was kind of our unofficial goal. We never really set a goal. We just wanted to be competitive each week and to feel like we were making progress each weekend. But I think deep down inside, we felt like Ryan and myself, we could surely get one of the two of us in and had good potential if everything went right, to get two. I am very very happy with the way we are going in to this weekend’s race. It is a dream to think that we could go out our first year and possibly get all of our cars in the Chase in the first year. I am excited about it.”

KNOWING THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO PUSH HARD HERE, DO YOU NOT PUSH SO HARD HERE KNOWING YOU HAVE TO GO HARD NEXT WEEKEND? “We try to stay with that attitude that we have to get up and go each week. Still, there are 10 bonus points on the line, so even though we have ourselves locked in the Chase, we still fighting to get those 10 points because if it were to come down to seven or eight points that you lose, by and you had a shot at winning a race that you didn’t work 100% at once you got locked in, then you would feel like you shot yourself in the foot. I am excited about it. We all know, we have all been getting ready for the Chase. We look at it as this is our last chance to get those 10 bonus points and get us tied with the guys that are 10 points ahead of us right now. If we win it this weekend, that ties us with those guys, if they win, that is going to start them 20 ahead of us. We focused this week just as hard as we would if it was one of the Chase races coming up starting next week.”

IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO LET RYAN (NEWMAN) HAVE TO PASS FOR THE WIN AT THE END OF THE RACE AND IT IS THE ONLY WAY HE GETS IN THE CHASE, DO YOU GIVE UP THE WIN? DO YOU THROW THE RACE? “Ah, man. It would be awful hard to do. I need those 10 bonus points. The great thing, I don’t know that it is going to come down to that. I hope it doesn’t come down to that. Ryan ran better than we did here in the spring, so I think he will probably settle that on his own. But, man, you just hope it doesn’t even come to that. I think when it comes down it, then you make that decision. That is a tough decision to have to make as a driver while you are out there.”

WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE NHRA AT INDIANAPOLIS? “I didn’t think much about it. I was having so much fun hanging out with Schumacher (Tony, NHRA Top Fuel driver for U.S. Army), I didn’t really pay attention.”

OF THE DRIVERS WHO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE CHASE, IS THERE ANYBODY YOU HOPE DOESN’T MAKE THE CHASE? DOES IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO YOU? “In all honestly, it doesn’t matter who gets in. The good thing is that the guys that make it in are the guys that deserve to be in the Chase. They earned their spots there and those are the guys that you want to race for the championship. It doesn’t matter who it is and what the scenarios are. Kyle (Busch) getting in would be just as deserving as somebody else that doesn’t get. It would be a shame for him to not after four wins to able to make it in the Chase like that.  The hard thing is that it doesn’t matter who those 12 guys are going to be, they are all going to be tough and there are guys that are already locked in that are tough. So It is just going to be fun to see who it is I think more than anything from our standpoint at the end of the night tomorrow night.”

YOU HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL DRIVERS THIS SEASON GAINING POSITIONS ON THE DOUBLE FILE RESTARTS, IS THAT A CASE OF YOU BEING MORE AGGRESSIVE BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE POSITIONS AT STAKE OR BEING MORE PATIENT? “I didn’t know we were, but that is a good stat to know. I think it is just trying to be smart and find the right holes. Obviously when you have lead lap cars there, you are a lot more comfortable with these double file restarts knowing that they guys you are around are cars that are driving good. A lot of times when you had lap-down cars on the inside, guys are struggling, that is why they got a lap down to begin with and now they are fighting to try to get themselves back on the lead lap and they make mistakes, make you nervous around them. I think right now it is a situation when you go to a restart you are comfortable around the guys that you are with and you know that you can work hard and try to get those spots early.”

SO YOU ARE CONFIDENT GOING AFTER A SMALL HOLE? “Yeah I think so. I think we feel more comfortable going and taking a hole that’s opened verses making sure well we’re not getting ourself in a bad spot with a lapped car. The lead lapped cars you know that you can get in that hole and not put yourself or the guys you are around in a bad position doing it.”
 
LOOKING AHEAD BESIDES YOURSELF, WHO WOULD YOU SAY IS THE FAVORITE IN THE CHASE? “Whoever is in it. How do you make a favorite? I guess Jimmie Johnson after three years of winning in a row would be considered the favorite but with the field the way it is this year I don’t know how you can just pick one guy. This series things can change so fast in the course of one race. The whole complexion of the season can be changed after one week next week.”
 
HOW BIG OF A DEAL DO YOU THINK DOUBLE-FILE RESTARTS WILL BE IN THE CHASE? “It will be the same as its been up to this point. They’re not doing anything different with it once the Chase starts. I don’t think its going to be any different than what its already been since its been in effect.”
 
REGARDING RYAN NEWMAN’S COMMENTS THAT’S HE’S BEEN COLLECT 10 DOLLARS FOR THE PAST 10 RACES TO GET TONY TO HELP HIM IF NEEDED IN TOMORROW NIGHT’S RACE. “He collected 10 per week? He should have started with $20. (laughter)”

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY WORKS FOR THOSE 10 BONUS POINTS WINNING RACES ALL SEASON LONG THEN YOU GET TO THE CHASE AND THEY RANK THEM ACCORDING TO THE BONUS POINTS AND TWO WEEKS LATER ITS UPSIDE DOWN, IS 10 POINTS ENOUGH FOR A BONUS FOR WINNING A RACE, SHOULD WE ADD A LITTLE TO THAT? “I don’t think so. It’s a bonus. It’s not supposed to decide who wins a championship so why does it need to be more than that? You think of a guy that hasn’t won and take a guy that’s won four races, that’s 40 bonus points. That’s four points a race that you have to make up which doesn’t sound like much but you look at how the Chase came down last year, man four points a race was a lot for some guys that tried to make up to get back to Jimmie. I think it’s a good system the way it is. It’s a good reward for the guys that have won races but its promoted consistency too which I think is a huge factor in our sport and should be a huge factor for our sport. I don’t think we should get so far off track with bonus points and this and that that you get to where we’re giving a race to a guy because he won a pole or a race. It’s still about good those last 10 weeks.”

From GM

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on TSN: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve race broadcast times

TSN broadcasts of Race #10 of the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series start on Saturday, September 12. The event, held Aug. 30 at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, features a dramatic finish.

Sunset Speedway: September 5 Report, Results & Photos

Stompin' Tom Proves The Parts Don't Make The Man With Victory Number 5 Of 2009 Season

By Spencer Lewis

STROUD, ON - With a track leading 4 feature wins in 2009, it's tough not to rank Stompin' Tom Walters among the province's best. No matter what you think of him personally.

The Bradford, ON veteran has topped the Sunset Speedway Late Model points for the entire 2009 campaign, and entered September 5th's event with every intention of padding his current lead.

Walters (No. 47 G & D Wholesale Tires Chevrolet) started on the inside of row 6, behind a strong contingent of quality drivers including former winners Jason 'Bam Bam' Witty, Scott Beatty and Kevin Cornelius among others.

While Stompin' Tom navigated traffic, Rookie of the Year contender Steve Slaughter Jr. (No. 59 Slaughter Motosports/Paint By Watson
Chevrolet) used his inside pole starting position to catapult himself into a six car length lead.

With the laps winding down, Walters would battle with Witty (No. 19 Toronto Bearings/Wayne Winch Remax Chevrolet) as well as young upstart Steven Mathews (No. 88x Mathews Motorsports Ford) before finally reaching second spot.

The current points kingpin would then need only 2 laps to close Slaughter's six car length lead, passing the rookie on the inside as the pair entered turns 3 & 4.

As Walters checked out on the field, a highlight of the night battle took place for second between Witty and Mathews. After a steadily intensifying game of 'cat and mouse', Witty was able to slip by Mathews on the final restart of the night, securing second place in doing so.

At the stripe, it was Walters, Witty, Mathews, Darin Malcolm and Steve Slaughter Jr.

"I just want to thank all the guys that put so much effort into this car. I really couldn't do it without them" an exuberant Walters explained in victory lane.

"I got a call from the [Sunset Speedway] management this week, and it turns out we had a couple of parts on the car that guys were complaining about. So, we took them off just to keep the peace, and that just made the car better" said Walters. "I guess it wasn't the parts.." Added the veteran with a smile.

"We absolutely love coming out here and racing with lots of cars. I mean, Jason [Witty], Chris [Morrow] and Darin [Malcolm] are such strong runners. They really make you work for it every week" replied Walters when asked about the level of competition he faces weekly.

The 25-time champion also took a chance to show his fatherly side in victory lane, taking a moment to let his daughter Connie know he would pay for her wedding dress as he closed out the victory lane ceremonies.

Ryan Semple entered Saturday night on a certified hot streak. The Loretto, ON youngster debuted a new ride on August 29th, winning his qualifying heat as well as the 30-lap feature event. Still unbeaten in his newly numbered 64B, Semple was ready to show the entire division his first win of 2009 was no fluke.

Semple (No. 64B Lucas Oil/Anderson Sheet Metal Chevrolet) took off from the pole position, and was not seriously challenged throughout the entire 30-lap affair.

Division veteran and fellow 2009 feature winner Mark Adams (No. 51 Rankin's Auto/Racin' Stuff Chevrolet) was able to pull within a few car lengths in the race's dying stages, though did not pose a threat to the 2007 Thunder Car Rookie of the Year.

As Semple picked up his second feature victory in as many weeks, he was followed by Adams, Edward Cole, Flyin' Frank Davey and Charlie Smith.

"I really can't complain, this car has been absolutely awesome"
exclaimed Semple from victory lane. "The only thing we've changed is 4 brand new tires from last Saturday to tonight, the setup is just perfect. We'll be here tomorrow night [for the invitational] to represent the Sunset cars, for sure!"

When the experimental Outlaw Mini Stock class folded midway through the 2009 season, horsepower enthusiast Rob Gibson Jr. wasn't left with too many options. The second-generation driver could have easily chosen to take the rest of the summer off, but instead took a 2-week hiatus to "de-tune" his Honda to once again meet traditional Mini Stock standards.

The process was certainly not without it's speed bumps, as Gibson would experience more than his fair share of mechanical misfortunes in the weeks that followed the modifications.

The Barrie, ON native found his redemption on September 5th, when he led a flag-to-flag feature en route to his first win of the season.

Gibson started inside pole and used his pin-point setup and knowledge of the tricky oval to run the first and second grooves of the race track, at times building a lead of almost a half-straightaway.

As the checkered flag flew, it was Gibson, Harold Noseworthy, Marshall Pender, "Mr. White Walls" Nick Brown and 2008 Four Fun Champion Nicole Podewils.

"This is definitely some sweet retribution for me, cause I have struggled a bit lately" admitted Gibson once outside his winning ride.
"The toe was a bit out in the heat race, so I fixed that for the feature.and man it was fast" continued Gibson with a mix of excitement and relief.

Gibson continued on to thank both his father and his sister, finally confirming his attendance for the following night's 35-lap Mini Stock invitational.

QUICK RESULTS
Mini Stock
Heat 1: Rob Krystal                             Holland Landing, ON
Heat 2: 'Good Luck' Chuck Ireton                Newmarket, ON
Heat 3: Doug Butler                             New Lowell, ON
B Main: Gil Harpin                              Holland Landing, ON

A Main:
1) Rob Gibson Jr.                               Barrie, ON
2) Harold Noseworthy                    Barrie, ON
3) Marshall Pender                              Beeton, ON

Thunder Car
Heat 1: Charlie Smith                   Orillia, ON
Heat 2: Flyin' Frank Davey                      River Drive Park, ON
Heat 3: Paul Maltese                            Innisfil, ON
B Main: Steve Lang                              Bolton, ON

A Main:
1) Ryan Semple                          Loretto, ON
2) Mark Adams                           Mississauga, ON
3) Edward Cole

Late Model
Heat 1: Stompin' Tom Walters            Bradford, ON
Heat 2: Scott Beatty
Heat 3: Jason 'Bam Bam' Witty           Queensville, ON
Heat 4: Kevin Cornelius                 Orangeville, ON

A Main:
1) Stompin' Tom Walters                 Bradford, ON
2) Jason 'Bam Bam' Witty                        Queensville, ON
3) Steven Mathews                               New Liskeard, ON

Photos Courtesy of Al McLean / Sunset Speedway

OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY: Friday Night Thunder Season Champs to be crowned this weekend

By Tommy Goudge (September 10, 2009) – The final event of Ohsweken Speedway’s 2009 Friday Night Thunder series takes to the track this Friday night when the Rochester Americans present Season Championships for Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Bombers, plus another visit by the Vintage Cars.

Tom Huppunen is likely to be crowned the second champion of the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division on Friday, but much is left to be determined in the rest of the standings, where battles for position and point fund prizes are ongoing between Kevin Job, Glenn Styres, Ryan Hunsinger, Dave Dykstra, Jamie Collard, Dain Naida, defending champ Keith Dempster, Mikey Kruchka, and Travis Cunningham.  Cunningham also leads the way in the Rookie of the Year battle, which will be decided between Travis, Kevin Loveys, and Jim Huppunen on Friday night.  Invading drivers from the Empire Super Sprints and ASCS Patriots are also expected in action this Friday as they look for one final tune-up at Ohsweken before next week’s Fifth Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals.

Mitchell Brown has dominated the ESSO Mini-Stock division this season and stands to take home the title on Friday night, but other drivers have been visiting victory lane after the feature races lately, including Chase Hess and Abel Castelein who claimed their first wins of 2009 last Friday night.  Kevin Hilborn, Rick Emberson, Castelein, and Mike Evers also have points positions within the top five yet to be decided.

Jesse McDonald and Lee Hils claimed Bomber feature wins last week, but it is Karl Sault on top of the heap in the points standings.  Sault will be crowed champion on Friday night, while Kacey Huffman, McDonald, Team 113, and Team 13c will try to cement their spots in the top five.

The Vintage Cars also join the card this Friday.  Their last visit to Ohsweken produced an interesting story as Illinois brain surgeon Phil Claussen took the feature win in his 60’s era Falcon Modified.

Tickets are on sale now for the Fifth Annual Arrow Express Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, coming up September 17, 18, and 19!  Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com and call 1-888-720-RACE to order yours today!  It was announced recently that the ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Bombers will join the Empire Super Sprints tour on Thursday, September 17 for non-points events.

Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken Speedway offers affordable family entertainment just a short drive away from most mid-western Ontario locations.  Friday Night Thunder resumes on Friday, September 11 when the Rochester Americans present Season Championships for the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Bombers!

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.

NASCAR: Richard Petty Motorsports to race Fords in 2010

CONCORD, N.C. – Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing announced today they have signed a letter of intent to merge operations in time for the 2010 season. The four-car team will race Fords under the Richard Petty Motorsports banner.

Richard Petty: “This is a pretty big deal for us. We’re thrilled to partner with Ford. We’ve talked with a lot of folks, but in the end it came down to the success the Gilletts and I think we can achieve with Ford Racing. Right now this deal is real new. There are lots of details still left to be ironed out so we don’t have a lot of answers for anyone right now. We’ll be working on all that in the coming days, weeks and months, but we do intend to have everything in place before the start of next season. I’ve won races with Ford and plan to again.”

Team Managing Partner Foster Gillett: “Richard and Kasey (Kahne) showed us Sunday night in Atlanta that they like winning quite a bit and Ford is going to provide the support that we need to go to victory lane more often. If you are going to compete with the other teams in this sport you need a lot of support. We bring a lot to this relationship as well.  We’ve won twice this season and the power of Richard Petty is hard to beat, plus we have the support of some of the biggest names in corporate America.”

Yates Racing Co-owner Max Jones: “This is certainly a great opportunity for both Yates Racing as well as Ford Racing. I have had a long-term relationship with Ford and look forward to continuing that relationship at Richard Petty Motorsports.  Over the coming weeks we will continue to work with Ford and Richard Petty to lay out the best plan for Paul Menard and all of the employees at Yates Racing. We will continue to field both the No. 98 and No. 96 Ford Fusions for the remainder of the season and look forward to continued success on the track with Paul, Bobby Labonte and Erik Darnell.”


Yates Racing Co-owner Doug Yates: “This plan is clearly in the best interest of the Ford Racing community. On a personal level, I am excited about the opportunity to focus my full energy on building Ford horsepower. We look forward to working with Richard Petty Motorsports to produce power second to none. There are many details to be worked out with Richard Petty Motorsports and as we finalize those details we will keep everyone informed.”

Director of Ford North America Motorsports Brian Wolfe: "I am very pleased that Richard Petty Motorsports has made the decision to switch to Ford for the 2010 season. They had choices to consider other than Ford and it's gratifying to us that they have enough faith in the Ford Motor Company and what we're doing to make the switch. We believe we can provide them with superior analytical tools and powertrain, and we will work with them closely on the technical front to help them become even more competitive than they are. What's also really cool to me is the chance to have someone with the class and the legacy of Richard Petty involved with Ford.  Combine that with the chance to work with the Gillett family, who we have great respect for, and add some great drivers to the Ford camp, well, it's hard not to be excited about this opportunity."

Notes:

·  Paul Menard will be one of the drivers in the Petty team joining Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and AJ Allmendinger.

·  Richard Petty Motorsports formed in January when Petty Holdings and Gillett Evernham Motorsports merged. The new team fields its four cars out of shops in Statesville, N.C. and has visited victory lane twice in 2009 including Sunday’s race in Atlanta.

·  Petty Enterprises was the most successful team in NASCAR history owning 268 Cup victories since 1949. Gillett Evernham Motorsports had recorded 15 victories and has consistently been one of the top performing teams in NASCAR.   

·  Yates Racing, formerly known as Robert Yates Racing, owns 57 wins and nearly 50 poles as well as a Sprint Cup Championship in more than 20 years of racing. The team is owned by Doug Yates and Max Jones who jointly took the reins after Doug’s father Robert Yates retired following the 2007 season.

Matthew J. Braydich | Yates Racing
7065 Zephyr Place | Concord, NC 28027
V: 704.720.4630 | F: 704.720.4606
mbraydich@yatesracing.com | www.yatesracing.com

ACT Invitational announces more invitees

Waterbury, VT – The much anticipated ACT INVITATIONAL list is just one spot from completion with today’s announcement of the next seven drivers to be asked to join the field of 28 teams that have already accepted invitations to participate at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) ‘Magic Mile’ on Saturday, September 19, 2009.

“This has been a whole lot more difficult than I had anticipated”, said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour (ACT), the sanctioning body that will host the INVITATIONAL in conjunction with the first of the NASCAR Sprint Cup “Chase for the Cup” weekends that is being held at NHMS on September 18-20.”I have had a ‘short list’ sitting on my desk and traveling with me for over a week. I knew there would be four spots reserved for track champions (Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine and three New Hampshire tracks ---Lee USA, White Mountain Motorsport Park and Twin State Speedway). That left me with 8 solid choices on my list and only four spots available. The toughest part of this process was trying to find reasons not to invite any of the 8 teams I had put on the list. I started looking for reasons why to invite the final teams. The final 36 teams will make some history for Late Model racing. It is my hope that others will get an opportunity to race at NHMS in the future because of their efforts”, continued Curley.

The following will be receiving invitations to the historic event at NHMS:

Travis Adams --- Adams has captured the Oxford Plains Speedway point championship for the fourth straight year. He is a five-time champion of the famous New England speedway, and with his accomplishment, will rank up with the great champions before him. Travis Adams will forever be mentioned in the same company as Mike Rowe, Al Hammond, and Jeff Taylor. He will now represent Oxford in the ACT INVITATIONAL. The invite was especially meaningful to the #03 team. Travis Adams lost his dad just before the 2009 season. They changed some plans and headed back to Oxford because that is where his dad would have wanted him to go. Travis said in victory lane last Saturday night, “Dad got what he would have wanted, the Oxford Championship in an ACT legal car --- I got what I wanted with an invitation to race in the ACT INVITATIONAL at New Hampshire Motor Speedway”.

Guy Caron  --- The Goshen, New Hampshire Late Model driver was dominant in his quest for the Twin State title in the first season of the Speedway taking on the ACT rules package. Caron participated in the test and tune session at NHMS last month and was comfortable and impressive right from the early test sessions. Caron will join fellow Granite State competitor Wayne Helliwell, Jr., who will represent the Lee USA Speedway at the INVITATIONAL. Helliwell has a seemingly overwhelming lead going into the final two weeks of competition over Brian Kruczek, from near-by Newmarket, NH. When asked ‘what if’ Kruczek were to overtake Helliwell, which is mathematically possible, Curley said, “I guess we would have to consider a change in the format and add his name. Brian did a great job at the test and I would not have a second thought about adding him, if we found ourselves in that situation. I just think it is only fair to let the Helliwell team know they are in, so they can prepare for the NHMS experience while still chasing the title”. Curley went on to say “Actually, we are taking a bit of a gamble by making these announcements before this weekend’s Fall Foliage 300 at the new Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY. If we had a surprise winner who could be approved, I guess we would have to look at that in the same way. Like I said earlier, this has been a whole lot more difficult than I had originally envisioned”.

The final track championship is too close to call at White Mountain Motorsports Park. Quinny Welch leads veteran Stacy Cahoon by a mere six points after they battled last Saturday night. There are two races left in the WMMP championship chase, and in all likelihood, it will not be decided until the eve of the ACT INVITATIONAL. Both teams tested well at NHMS and one will not only win the title, but will secure the 36th spot in the INVITATIONAL at Loudon on Saturday, September 19th.

A veteran of over 50 years of winning races and championships will receive his invite to the INVITATIONAL. Joey Laquerre from Barre, VT has been ‘King of the Road’ at Thunder Road and has raced just about every kind of stock car at nearly every track in the Northeast over a storied career. Laquerre was pretty much singularly responsible for helping ACT and Goodyear develop the 8” slick that is now being used throughout North America. He has mentored many younger drivers such as Joey Pole, his own sons, and has a goal of racing at Thunder Road against his grandsons before he hangs up his helmet. Laquerre tested at New Hampshire last month and proved that age has not slowed him down. He was one of the fastest cars at the track over the two days, ironically, the 66-year-old Laquerre raced with Brandon Watson from Ontario for several practice sessions, and both were clocked as two of the quicker drivers. Watson is 16 years old and was on the original list of invitees to come back to New Hampshire.

The only Ford in the field will be driven by three-time Thunder Road track champion Cris Michaud, from Williamstown, VT. Michaud was the original R&D driver for ACT on the GM crate motor program back in 1999. When asked if he would take on the Ford project, he didn’t hesitate this past spring. Although his original goal was to try and win the 50th season championship at his home track, Thunder Road, Michaud gave up some of that effort to work on the Ford crate. He finished third, only losing the title by 53 points to 7-time ACT Champion Jean Paul Cyr, but he made some history of his own when he piloted the first ACT crate Ford motor to victory at Thunder Road this past July.

The Pine Tree state will send another favorite son and veteran race driver to the ‘magic mile’ in less than two weeks. Glen Luce from Turner, Maine was a former Pro Stock racer who went full-time with ACT in 2008. Luce brings strong credentials to NHMS, especially with his impressive outings at the longer and faster tracks that the American Canadian Tour visits on an annual basis. The veteran of Maine ovals has adapted well to the long distance races. His strength seems to be on the longer and faster tracks. He will get to test that at the 160-mile per hour New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 19th.

The group that makes up the ACT INVITATIONAL will have a balance of the veteran stars and the young teams that have proven capable of competing on the big stages of short track in our region. Nick Sweet, from Barre, VT will join the all-star line-up. Sweet has proven to be one of the most popular drivers to come out of the ACT system over the past couple years. This family team, led by Shayne Sweet, Nick’s father, has been consistently a top threat to win races almost since his Late Model team was created in 2008. Sweet tested extremely well at Loudon last month, and will join an impressive cast of young guns comprised of Joey Pole of Hudson, NH, Shawn Martin of Turner, ME, Watson from Ontario, Joey Doiron from Berwick, ME, and Tim Jordan from Plainfield, CT.

ACT INVITATIONAL Invited Teams:
Car#   State  Name             Hometown                Track/Series 
  6        VT    Cris Michaud         Williamstown, VT   ACT/TR

  7        ME    Glen Luce             Turner, ME            ACT

  8        NH    Guy Caron            Goshen, NH          Twin State

  9        ON    Brandon Watson   Stayner, ON          Kawartha Downs

10        NH   Ben Rowe             Turner, ME            ACT

11        VT    Jean Paul Cyr        Milton, VT              Thunder Road

11        RI    Ryan Vanesse        Warwick, RI           Seekonk

14        VT    Phil Scott               Middlesex, VT        Thunder Road

14       ON   Sean Kennedy       Dunrobin, On        Capital City

15        VT   Joey Laquerre        Barre, VT                ACT/TR 

17        MA   Eddie MacDonald    Rowley, MA          ACT

18        VT    Jamie Fisher          Shelburne, VT        ACT/TR

21        QC   Jean Francois Dery Quebec City, QC   ACT Castrol

26        VT    John Donahue        Graniteville, VT     ACT/TR

27        MA   Wayne Helliwell, Jr  Dracut, MA           Lee USA

35        CT    Bruce Thomas       Groton, CT            Waterford

37        VT    Brian Hoar             Williston, VT         ACT

40        VT    Eric Chase             Milton, VT             ACT/TR

44        VT    Dave Pembroke      Montpelier, VT      Thunder Road

47       CT    Tim Jordan            Plainfield, CT          Waterford

48      QC    Karl Allard              Ste Felicien, QC      ACT Castrol

51       ME    Ricky Rolfe            Albany Twnshp, ME  ACT

55      VT     Brent Dragon        Milton, VT                ACT

55      NH    Brad Leighton        Center Harbor, NH   ACT

71      ON    Dan McHattie        Cavan, On               Kawartha Downs

73      ME    Joey Doiron           Berwick, ME             ACT

80      QC    Donald Theetge     Quebec, City, QC     ACT Castrol

88      VT     Nick Sweet             Barre, VT                ACT/TR

89      VT     Scott Payea           Milton, VT                ACT

91      QC    Patrick Laperle       Montreal, QC           ACT Castrol

94      ME    Shawn Martin        Turner, ME              Oxford Plains

97      NH     Joey Polewarczyk   Hudson, NH             ACT

03      ME     Travis Adams         Canton, ME             Oxford Plains

02      NH     Randy Potter                   Groveton, NH          ACT

04      ME     TJ Watson             Cundy’s Harbor, ME Wiscasset

The ACT INVITATIONAL will take place at 5:30 on Saturday, September 19, 2009. Tickets for NASCAR ‘Chase’ weekend, including the ACT INVITATIONAL can be purchased by logging on to www.nhms.com. For additional information on the ACT INVITATIONAL, check the American Canadian Tour website at www.acttour.com.

From ACT.

Canadian Rally Championship : Mitsubishi Brigade attacks Rallye Défi with strong entries

Mitsubishi Brigade attacks Rallye Défi with strong entries

Toronto (September 10th, 2009) – For the last ten years, the best Canadian rally crews have headed for the Quebec Laurentians to compete in one of the longest events of the season, the Rallye Défi. As the fourth round of the Canadian Rally Championship, this event spans over two days and uses some of the most challenging roads in the country.  This coming weekend, Mitsubishi will be represented by no less than ten teams looking for an overall victory or a class win. Leading the 41-car grid in their Lancer Evolution, the defending North-American champions, Antoine L'Estage and codriver Nathalie Richard from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, will seek a record tying fourth victory.  Both won the maiden event in February and are only ten points from leading the 2009 standings.

A trio of Evolutions will be fencing for a spot on the podium: defending Mitsubishi Cup winner, Simon Losier is fifth in the series' standings and will be co-driven by François Morin in his Synchro Autosport Evolution 8RS.  First Group N winners in the Canadian rally history, Jean-Sébastien and Jacques Besner will campaign a similar Evolution edition. Finally Mathieu L'Estage, Antoine's brother, will be back in his older Evolution5 teamed up with Yanick Napert.

Two more crews are contending for class victories: former Production class champions, Jan and Jody Zedril from Winnipeg are leading the 2WD open class after three events while Albertans Zbigniew Szewczyk and Tomasz Karzynski will regroup in a Group 5 Ralliart model.

"It's wonderful to see so many Mitsubishi vehicles in the top starting order", says Koji Soga, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada.  "With our increased commitment in the series this year and a heritage rich in rally sports, these events provide our customers and fans with an opportunity to see what Mitsubishi is really all about".

Other entries include Martin and Maxime Losier, each steering a Synchro Evolution, Philip Deans in a Production model and Michelle Laframboise in her Evolution 4.

Event profile: Rallye Défi

Following the Thursday race and paperwork on Friday morning, the cars will run a string of five spectator stages around Ste-Agathe before they enter overnight parc fermé.  Early Saturday, they head for Montpellier for a double stint of three stages around the Papineau-Labelle Park. Service will be held in there when two wild asphalt stages will be run around lunch. Another double stint of three stages will complete the day with podium ceremony taking place in Ripon. For more information, please visit the event web site at www.rallyedefi.com  or visit our password free media website at www.mitsubishi-motors-pr.ca . 

News Media Contacts:
Susan Elliott, Manager, Corporate & Product Communications
Phone: (905) 833-0826 / selliott@mmsa.com
Or
Jacquie Adams, Corporate & Product Communications
Phone: (416) 995-0308 / jac.adams@sympatico.ca
Or
Sophie Des Marais // Quebec region
Phone: (514) 234-4736 / sophie.dm@sympatico.ca

KAWARTHA: Willie Reyns Faces an Uphill Fight in his Quest for Back-to-Back Kawartha Speedway Championships

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications

PORT HOPE, ON - The fat lady may very well be warming-up in the wings, but Willie Reyns will do anything he can to silence her song.  The Port Hope, Ontario racer – last year’s track champion in Kawartha Speedway’s Better Carpet Thunder Car division – would like nothing better than to accept the same accolades when the 2009 season-ending awards are handed-out, but with just 2 events remaining on this year’s schedule he knows it is a task that could be easier said than done.

After doing everything short of winning a race during his rookie season, Reyns escaped the traditional sophomore jinx in 2008 and finished every event in the top 5, with five wins on the way to the thunder car championship.  He was also named the track’s most exciting driver in an on-line fan ballot.  While he hasn’t slumped this season, he feels the other drivers in the field may have stepped-up their programs in an effort to be more competitive.

“Just like last year, we started the season with a win, but the #57 and #63 teams have been right there every week too,” said Reyns.  Kyle (Donaldson) is a former limited late model champion and he’s having the type of season we did last year, so it explains why he’s leading the points.  John Baker was even strong while running a partial schedule a few years ago.  That doesn’t mean we’ve given up hopes of another title.  In fact, we’ll do everything we can to keep either of those guys from taking our seat at the champion’s table.”

Kawartha Speedway’s thunder car division has offered some of the best racing on the track during the 2009 season.  A recent 50 lap feature event had only 1 yellow flag and gave fans an excellent show – with 3 and 4 wide racing throughout the pack.  It’s that kind of action that keeps the crowds coming back and makes it exciting for the drivers as well.

“We race hard and we race clean,” Reyns continued.  “I think we’re all aware of what it takes to get these cars to the track on a weekly basis. Nearly everyone – the drivers and the crew members – have full-time jobs.  Racing is a hobby and we do it because its fun.  When I got on my roof earlier in the year, we spent a lot of time in the shop making sure the car was ready to race.  It may not have been as ‘pretty’ as it was at the start of the season, but we’re back in full form now.”

Willie Reyns Kawartha Speedway efforts are proudly supported by Cobourg Development Services, Boundy Roofing, Appleman Carstar Collision Service, Kelly’s Homelike Inn and Canadian Industrial Services Electrical Contracting.  For updates on his 2009 season, see www.reynsracing87.com.

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Willie Reyns picked-up the win in his Better Carpet Thunder Car heat race and finished 2nd in the feature Friday, September 4th at Kawartha Speedway.

Stewart Wins Fifth Annual Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway

ROSSBURG, Ohio (Sept. 9, 2009) – Tony Stewart won the fifth annual Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream all-star dirt late model race Wednesday night at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, marking the third time in four years Stewart has won the event.

Stewart passed Kenny Wallace on lap 13 of the 30-lap event and led the final 18 laps en route to victory.  

“This was probably the best I’ve run in the Prelude,” said Stewart, who bought Eldora in 2004.  “We won last year, I think we led the whole thing, but this was one I had to work for.  We weren’t exactly perfect, and we weren’t perfect because I hit the wall on the first two starts right off the bat.”

Clint Bowyer finished 3.358 seconds behind Stewart in the runner-up spot, while Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top-five.  Drag Racing standout Cruz Pedregon, David Reutimann, Aric Almirola, Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson comprised the top-10.

There were four caution periods during the event, although the laps conducted under caution did not count.

The race, which drew more than 23,000 fans, was broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View with proceeds from the nationwide telecast supporting four military-themed charities – Wounded Warrior Project, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Homefront and Fisher House.  Each has a mission that outlines assistance to the courageous men and women who serve their country and need additional support both during and after their time of service.

“The Wounded Warriors Project, Fisher House, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and Operation Homefront, that’s who this money’s going to tonight,” Stewart said.  “Thank you to the fans – you guys helped us do this and you’re the reason we were able to do this tonight.  I just really appreciate the support that our fans give us here.  We also can’t thank the drivers enough.  With the rainout in June, it really means a lot that they were able to rearrange their schedules and come out and help us do this tonight.

“We’re proud to do this.  Thanks to Gillette and HBO, we’ve been able to do more than we ever thought here at the Prelude.  The fans keep making it bigger and better every year.  As long as the fans keep coming and I can keep getting drivers to come out, we’re going to keep doing this every year.”

QUOTES: Tony Stewart, Winner:

Talk about your win.

“We had a lot of fun tonight. This makes up for the spring rainout for sure. What a great race with Kenny Wallace, Clint Bowyer, Rowdy (Kyle) Busch, Ryan Newman and Kasey (Kahne,) we had an awesome run there. We got lucky to get by them on the top and then to get by Kenny (Wallace) was great.”

“This was probably the best I’ve run in the Prelude. We won last year, I think we led the whole thing, but this was one I had to work for. We weren’t exactly perfect, and we weren’t perfect because I hit the wall on the first two starts right off the bat. I’m sure there is a lot of bent up stuff on this Rocket Chassis car, so I’m just really proud of Mark and Josh Richards and all of these fans here and that watched tonight. This is something that took a lot of time and effort, not on my part, but with everyone involved with this event here at Eldora Speedway. They have just done an awesome job of helping us to raise thousands of dollars for these charities.

You keep winning your own races.  What’s up with that?

“If Gillette will put a bounty up to put me on the tail of the field to start next year, I’ll start on the tail of the field.”

You started sixth.  How did you get to the front?

“It was like everyone moved in the direction I needed them to move in order to get to the front. I couldn’t really run on the bottom, but they seemed to all open up on the top and that let me get the spots.”

There were four very deserving charities that will get a nice donation from tonight’s Prelude.

“The Wounded Warriors Project, the Fisher House, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and Operation Homefront, that’s who this money’s going to tonight. Thank you to the fans – you guys helped us do this and you’re the reason we were able to do this tonight. I just really appreciate the support that our fans give us here. We also can’t thank the drivers enough. With the rainout in June, it really means a lot that they were able to rearrange their schedules and come out and help us do this tonight.

“We’re proud to do this. Thanks to Gillette and HBO, we’ve been able to do more than we ever thought here at the Prelude. The fans keep making it bigger and better every year. As long as the fans keep coming and I can keep getting drivers to come out, we’re going to keep doing this every year.”

Clint Bowyer, Second-Place:

Tell us about your night.

“He (Stewart) works his butt off for this event. Man, it's only right that he does win it. You put in that much work into something and he wants to win, too. He's a competitor and he runs good. He's one of the best racers in the world, and he showed it again tonight. (On the incident with Kenny Wallace:) I didn't mean it. Kenny spun his tires on his restart and kind of came across my nose. I tried to miss it, but he was already spinning. That's the thing about these cars. You break traction and you can't get it back. You can't back-pedal enough. I had momentum in that deal. But it was fun. The cushion, that's dirt racing, you never know what you're going to have. Some nights it's on top, some nights it's on the bottom, some nights you've got both. It was certainly on the top tonight and kind of one line. But, hey, we got it in."

Kyle Busch, Third-Place:

Tell us about your night.

“It’s tough to beat the track owner at his own track. Nah, I’m just joking. It was great. I really want to thank Gillette Young Guns and Gillette, M&M’s – everybody on this car here. Scott Bloomquist was a great help for me. It was really cool to come out here, have some fun. Get a good run here. Last year, I struggled here a little bit. That was pretty cool. Wish it was a little more racing than the one groove that we had.”

Is this something you would like to do more than once a year?

“I’ve done it twice this year, and I’ve finished second and third, so my record seems to be okay. My average finish is definitely a lot better than my Cup effort.”

Anything you can take from here into this weekend momentum wise?

“No, not at all. We’ll just get down to Richmond and hopefully give it a good run and see what we can do.”

Ryan Newman, Fourth-Place:

What did you see out there tonight?

“Well, I thought it was pretty good racing. Tony (Stewart) did a great job obviously. I wanna thank all the fans for coming out. It’s just a blast to do this and obviously for a great reason with the injured and wounded warriors and fallen heroes as the charities. It was cool when it was kids and now it is really cool because we couldn’t do what we’re doing without the people that fought for our freedom a long time ago. To give back like this is awesome. It’s the best way for us drivers to give back, and obviously for the fans to come out the way that they did and buying it on TV – it was really special.”

This is something that is obviously really close to your heart because of your U.S. Army sponsorship. Did you get a chance to talk to the soldiers or wounded warriors that were here tonight?

“I talked to a good few of them – even the National Guard guys who don’t always associate themselves with the Army guys came around and talked and took pictures. It’s just special. I’ve got to thank Tony (Stewart) and all the people for putting this on – obviously Gillette, Old Spice, Bass Pro Shops, everybody that helps out with this function. It’s a blast to drive the racecars, but to see the soldiers here and what we are doing this for, it was really special. They call them soldiers, but they are really heroes.”

At any point tonight did you think you could be your boss?

“When he was behind me. I knew that he was going to be the guy to beat. I said that before. If you are going to beat somebody, you might as well beat Tony here because that will give you a good shot at the win. Obviously, it would have been nice tonight, but to start fourth and finish fourth and do some passing, it was the most competitive I have felt in a dirt late model. I had a blast.”

Anything you can take from tonight and carry-over into the weekend at Richmond?

“Excitement, adrenaline, fun. I mean, it’s what it is all about. When you have a good night like this, it definitely helps. I really look forward to this weekend.”

Matt Kenseth, Fifth-Place:

How was the track tonight?

“The track was good, I guess. I don’t run much dirt. We didn’t wreck it too bad so that’s good. The one run right before the caution I was running fast and it seemed like I was catching the leaders there. But after the caution, I just couldn’t get going again. The track was in really good shape, but it was slick.”

How does the track change every time you come here?

“I never now what to expect here. I didn’t think we’d qualify that fast, so I was surprised. The speeds were slow, and the track got slower and slower as the night went on. I was surprised by that. How it is now (at the end) is what I expected it to be.”

Cruz Pedregon, Sixth-Place:

Tell us about your night.

“I had a good car, but fatigue started to set in. I knew where I wanted to run on the track. Parnelli Jones once told me, 'You've got to go where they're not.' My plan was to do what I did: slide guys and I wanted to make sure I cleared them. You know, for a drag racer – I've probably raced 12 Late Model races in my career that started about three years ago thanks to Tony and his whole group here – this is the most fun type of car I've ever driven. These cars are incredible, but they're very difficult to drive. Had it not been the eight or 10 (Late Model) races I ran this year, I probably wouldn't have passed anyone tonight. But that experienced helped me out a lot. In previous years, I did just some hot laps at different tracks before this event. But this year I went out and bought my own car. I bought a rocket car. And I decided that this is such a neat event and it's such an honor for a guy like me to come in a different venue, that I thought there are not many opportunities where you can race in front of a crowd like this, race with all these guys, so I invested in a car and went out to different tracks around the Indianapolis area and thought if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right. So that's about as good as it gets. I think I was a slight bit over my head, there. But I kept picking guys off, so I thought, let's keep it going. It's a great feeling. My goal was to finish in the top-10 tonight and I got sixth. So, I'm so excited and happy to have done this event. I hope the fans enjoyed it."

Kasey Kahne, Ninth-Place:

Tell us about your night.

“We had a great car throughout most of the night. It was a lot of fun to drive, and a lot of fun to race with these guys. We just missed it in the main event.”

Talk a little bit about why you guys take the time to come out do the Prelude.

“We get to race late models and come out and raise money for a great cause. It’s enjoyable. Everybody gets to do it. It makes a lot of sense to come out here and have fun for the night with no pressures. It’s time to just go out, enjoy yourself and race hard.”

With the Chase weighing on everyone’s minds does this give you any momentum going into Richmond?

“This is just kind of  a nice part of the week. Saturday night will all start on Friday with practice and getting the car where it needs to be. Then Saturday we just need to have a clean night. Tonight’s just a great part of the week, and a fun part of the week looking ahead to Richmond.”

Jimmie Johnson, 10th-Place:

Tell us about your night.

“To win a heat race and beat Tony (Stewart) is awesome. Starting that deep in the field (10th), it's really tough to pass guys. So I just kind of rode around and had fun. You'd think if you win a heat they'd give you a chance to start up front. (Laugh.) No, I understand, it's all good inverted short-track racing stuff. I had a blast tonight. It was a lot of fun. I never experienced movement like this before, so there's a lot of new things I went through tonight and learned. All in all, really good."

Kenny Wallace, 17th-Place (top-three for most of the night before incident on final restart with Bowyer):

Tell us about your night.

“You know, it's disappointing because I take this as a real race. We led, Tony was just really fast, he got by us. And then Clint (Bowyer) got into my left rear and flattened it out, so it was a real bummer. It's disappointing. On to Richmond."

Joey Logano, 20th-Place:

Tell us about your night.

“It didn’t go so well. I’m fine. It was a good car again, driving to the front, running alright. And then they wrecked in front of me and I had nowhere to go on that. The track is fun, but you just can’t see three cars in front of you when you’re in the back like that. By the time you go into a corner and see it (a crash) and the track is so slick, and you just slide, and you slide and you just slide right into the wreck. It’s a bummer.”

From Joe Crowley // True Speed Communication

Canadian Motor Speedway website goes live

On Tuesday, Sept. 8 in Ft. Erie (ON), a public meeting was held regarding the approval process for the proposed Canadian Motor Speedway project in the US/Canada border town.

Individuals made presentations both for and against the building of the facility. Those against were reportedly mostly concerned with sound and emission issues. Those for the building of CMS pointed to the economic benefits to the region.Sources close to the project say the meeting went very well and they believe the CMS is very close to final approval, most likely prior to the end of October.

Click here to visit the newly unveiled Canadian Motor Speedway website.

During the meeting, a representative of four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champ Jeff Gordon read a statement written by the racer.

Here is the text of that message:

Jeff Gordon Message – Canadian Motor Speedway Public Meeting: Sept 8/09

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming out tonight. I wish I could be there as the Canadian Motor Speedway takes this very important step towards becoming a reality. I would also like to say how excited that I am to be part of the project team. I can tell you that the group has left no stone unturned in assembling a first class team (and site) to fulfill its vision.

Being associated with this innovative development is a point of pride for me personally, not just because the facility is the first Speedway of its kind in Canada, but also because of the great fan support that I have received from North of the border over the course of my career. I feel strongly that the distinctive layout of the Speedway (and road-course) presents the future of motorsports as it caters directly to the needs of the fans and the competitors.

As the Speedway plan evolved the team has worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to attract uses that would be beneficial to the racetrack, as well as the community as a whole. Clearly, combining the best of motorsports with high level research and development within a post-secondary education framework does just that. I know the team feels satisfaction in knowing that the partnership with McMaster will make a great contribution to Fort Erie and the Niagara Region for years to come.

We are looking forward to seeing the results of the years of investment and hard work on the Canadian Motor Speedway. And, I am hopeful that we’re getting very close to the ‘green flag’ and that we can move forward with building one of the most unique motorsports entertainment complexes in North America, and perhaps the World.

Thank you,

Jeff Gordon.

Kawartha Speedway: Return of the Usual Suspects and a Familiar Friend

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

It was easily the most perfect racing evening of the season and an excellent way to kick-off the unofficial end of summer.  Conditions were ideal as Kawartha Speedway’s 3 weekly divisions gathered Friday, September 4th to welcome the Labour Day Weekend.  50 lap feature events for both the thunder car and mini stock divisions were slated to close out the night of action.

First on the agenda was a pair of NAPA Auto Parts Late Model qualifying events – and it was the kid’s turn to shine as 16 year-olds Brandon Watson and Cole Powell took the checkered flags.  Mike Sinopoli and Kelly Wood collected the wins in the late model semi feature and consolation round.  The Better Carpet Thunder Cars were next as Joe Sinopoli and 2008 champion Willie Reyns split the heats.  The semi feature and consolation event wins went to Norm Mayhew and John Roberts.  Qualifying concluded with ‘Too’ Moroney and Cory Martin sharing the Discount Car and Truck Rental Mini Stock heats.  Martin was back in the winner’s circle after the semi feature, with Dennis ‘The Menace’ Ambrose earning the mini consolation checkered flag.

With the heat races wrapped-up, feature action took centre stage.  The NAPA Auto Parts Late Models were first for a 25 lap affair.  Chris Morrow – driving Vic Parsons’ #1 Toyota for a second straight week – and Mike Sinopoli brought the field to the green.  Three was definately an unlucky number for Bryan Mercer, Owen Smith and Sean Cronan.  Their 3 car spin in turn 3 on lap 3 brought out the race’s first and only yellow flag.  It was clear sailing from there as the regular cast of characters came through the pack.  As the 25 lapper wrapped-up, Dave Morgan had earned his first trip to the winner’s circle in over a year.  Morrow, Tim Fernandes, Brandon Watson and Ryan Kimball completed the top 5.  Current point’s leader Dan McHattie was 6th.

With 50 laps of action on their plate, the Better Carpet Thunder Cars showed a pack numbering 19 strong when Howie Crowe and 2007 champion Steve Mayhew led the way to the green flag.  The yellow was unfurled early as Chad Strawn and John Roberts collected each other in the 4th turn.  Roberts was finished for the night, while Strawn returned to the fray a number of laps in arrears.  Just as Kyle Donaldson, Willie Reyns and John Baker Jr. – the top 3 drivers in track points – were coming-up on early leader Norm Mayhew, the #60 machine all but stopped in turn 4.  He’d broken a rear end and spun in his own oil, making contact with the wall. 

He was able to nurse the damaged racer to the infield pit road and the field remained under green flag conditions.  The #87 of Willie Reyns assumed the point and paced the field for a number of circuits.  Just as he was about to put Chad Strawn another lap down, the #77 pulled-up in front of the leader.  With Reyns forced to back out of the throttle, Donaldson worked past and held on for the win.  Reyns was 2nd, with Steve Mayhew, John Baker Jr. and Donny Munce finishing out the top 5.

The 50 lapper for the Discount Car and Truck Rental Mini Stocks closed out the night, as Chris McPherson and Mike Nelson paced the crowd of 24 to the starter’s orders.  The field ran clean and green until the lap counter showed 26 complete.  That’s when things came to a big-time halt on the back stretch.  A 3 car crash involving Mason Racine, Kyle Baker and Cory Martin blocked the track.  All 3 cars were sidelined for the night.  Although shaken, each driver walked away under their own steam.  After a lengthy delay to clean-up some fluids, the remaining race distance was completed without another yellow – but the results had been seen before.  Current point leader Mike Wallace picked-up another win, with Jason Juriga and ‘Too’ Moroney right on his tail.

Kawartha Klips:  With Dan McHattie and Brandon Watson slated to miss the Friday, September 18th event due to their participation in the ACT Invitational, season points for the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model division will conclude following the Friday, September 11th show.  McHattie occupies top spot with 771 points.  Watson is second, with 734.  Dave Morgan is 3rd, nearly 100 points behind Watson...Tickets for all Kawartha Speedway events, including the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season finale Saturday, September 26th can be ordered at www.ticketbreak.com.

Photo attachments:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

#1).  Peterborough’s Mike Wallace collected another Discount Car & Truck Rentals Mini Stock feature win.  With 2 events remaining on the schedule, the 3rd generation runner has a 34 point advantage over Jason Juriga.

#2).  With another Better Carpet Thunder Car win, Kyle Donaldson has a 37 point cushion over last year’s champion Willie Reyns as the 2009 season winds down.

#3).  A win in the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model feature helped his cause, but it won’t be enough to earn Dave Morgan the 2009 track championship.

Rick Young's www.rickattheraces.com: September 2 - 7, 2009

- 2 Sep      Capital City Speedway (Ont)

- 5 Sep       Brockville Ontario Speedway (Ont)

- 6 Sep       Cornwall Motor Speedway (Ont)

- 7 Sep       Rolling Wheels Raceway Park (NY)

This week's report which is based around this past Labour Day weekend will unfortunately have to be shorter than normal and much abreviated. The original version was quite lengthy as you might expect, but just as I was about to send it out, somehow it got wiped out from my computer.

After many hours spent typing and almost ready for sending, the file got deleted. It's a mystery as to what happened but I simply don't have the time to re-do it in full, so this week's report will be in quick note form.

Please accept my apologies.

Wednesday 2 Sept. I was at the Capital City Speedway in Ottawa.

Good racing from all divisions with Kenny Baird winning the Late Model Feature. There was a big wreck in the Late Model feature involving Stefany Malanka and Chris Ferguson. Ferguson's car ended up on its side. Weather was good !

Thursday 5 Sept ... Work!

Friday 4 Sept. Plans to attend the Mohawk International Speedway were ended due to a late finish at work

Saturday 5 Sept.  I attended the final points night at the Brockville Ontario Speedway.

Excellent races in all divisions with Todd Stewart winning a great four way battle between himself  Danny Johnson, Danny O'Brien and Gage Morin in the nights 358 Feature. Dave Wilgosh won his first ever SPORTSMAN feature. Weather was good !

Sunday 6 Sept. I was at the Cornwall Motor Speedway for the combined 358 SUPERDIRT SERIES/LUCAS OIL CANADIAN DIRT SERIES event.

The two events were combined following two previous rain outs of the Canadian Series. The big race was a great one with Carey Tarrence crossing the line side by side with team mate Dale Planck . The transponders determined that Terrance won by a fraction of a second. A third place for David Hebert of St Damase , Quebec, was enough to secure the 2009 CANADIAN DIRT SERIES. Also on the program was the Mohawk Race Parts Pro Stock Series which provided a run away victory for Joey Ladouceur. Being the final race night of 2009 for the premier divisions the traditional end of season party was held in the pits following the last race. A giant bonfire was lit and the disco began. I didn't get home until 1-45 am. Weather was good !

Monday 7 Sept , I made my usual Labour Day Monday trip to the Rolling Wheels Raceway Park at Elbridge NY.

It was for the staging of a 100 lap SUPER DIRT SERIES race for Big Block Modifieds and a SUPER DIRT SERIES 50 lapper for SPORTSMAN which had some personal interest . Chris Raabe, (Napanee, Ont) Shane Pecore (Cornwall Ont) Matt Billings (Brockville Ont) Luke Whitteker ( Iroquois, Ont) and Adam Turner (Picton , Ont) were some of my local tracks drivers taking part  in the SPORTSMAN race . I left my home in Cornwall at midday knowing before I departed that I would not see all the show. Work comitments on Tuesday morning meant I would have to leave before the end. I was there long enough to see Jipp Ortiz win the SPORTSMAN feature before I had to head for home. Best finisher of my local guys was Adam Turner in ninth spot. Also racing that day was my good friend Claude Hutchings Jnr. Claude and his dad Claude Snr I know well, from the AMEC ice racing group. 

In my absence, Brett Hearn won the 100 lap Big Block race. Weather was good !

PIC 1  Legend newcomer Len Bertrand has problems at the Capital City Speedway

PIC  2  Stefany Malanka's damaged Late Model at the Capital City Speedway

PIC 3   Chris Ferguson's Late Model on its side it the Capital City Speedway wall.

PIC 4  Kenny Baird wins the Capital City Speedway Late Model Feature.

PIC  5  SPORTMAN action at the Brockville Ontario Speedway

PIC  6  A Steet Stox at the Brockville Ontario Speedway is put back on its wheels

PIC  7  Todd Stewart celbrates his Brockville victory with his family.

PIC  8  Dave Wilgosh wins his first SPORTSMAN feature at Brockville

PIC 9  David Hebert, the 2009 Lucas Oil Canadian Dirt Series champion at Cornwall.

PIC 10  First three in the 358 SUPER DIRT SERIES race at the Cornwall Motor Speedway

PIC 11  Joey Ladouceur winner of the Pro Stock feature at Cornwall

PIC 12   David Hebert, 2009 Lucas Oil Canadian Series winner with Cornwall promotor Ron Morin.

PIC 13  Chris Raabe on the scales at Rolling Wheels

PIC  14  Claude Hutchings Jnr lines up for his Rolling Wheels Sportsman heat.

PIC  15  Jipp Ortiz wins the 50 lap Rolling Wheels SUPER DIRT SERIES Sportsman race.

PIC 16  Brett Hearn in warm ups prior to his 100 lap Rolling Wheels SUPERDIRTSERIES race

INDYCAR SERIES Danica Patrick Q & A - Sept. 9, 2009

Series driver Danica Patrick participated in a Q&A session to discuss the upcoming IndyCar Series race at Twin Ring Motegi. The transcript is below.

Danica Patrick

·         27-year-native of Roscoe, Ill. is competing in her fifth season in the IndyCar Series and third with Andretti Green Racing.
·         Drives the No. 7 Boost Mobile/Motorola entry.
·         Ranks fifth in points with five top-five finishes and nine top-10 finishes.
·         Recorded her first front-row start, first top-five finish at Twin Ring Motegi in 2005. Claimed her first IndyCar Series win at Twin Ring Motegi in 2008.

Q. Danica, the next race on the schedule is a place that is very special to you. Twin Ring Motegi, where you earned your first win last season.

DANICA PATRICK: I never come back to a track as the previous year's winner as an IndyCar (Series) driver. There's a level of confidence that comes with being the defending winner and there's some excitement as well. But just going back to Japan is always nice for me.

Q. Motegi has been a place that you have always run well at. You're first front-row start came there and obviously the first win was there. What about it suits your style?

DANICA PATRICK: I guess what I want out of a race car suits Motegi. The characteristics that I like in a car work well there. That's all I can really pinpoint. There are tracks that you get on well with and there are tracks that you don't and sometimes you have no idea why (that happens). I think that Turns 3 and 4 are the most important turns there and that's the focus. We've always managed to improve car and get it to go around there, and I've always driven for good teams.

Q. Do you think the oval aerodynamic changes will make a big difference into getting into Turns 3 and 4, which really make a lap at Motegi.

DANICA PATRICK: I don't know what it will be like this time because I'm sure the aero bits will be on. I'm not really sure which bits we will use or how much is different from the past, but those changes will only help us. In the past, we've gotten to the point where we're flat around the whole track. That's challenging, but it encourages you to get a car that you really believe in and are comfortable with. It's all about getting into Turn 3.

Q. The race is later in the year. Do you expect the change to affect the race.

DANICA PATRICK:  I'm sure the characteristics will be the same. We've faced rain a lot and humidity and cooler temperatures and weepers and a lot of different things that are challenging. I've never been to Motegi in September, but hopefully the conditions will allow us to get as much track time as possible. It seems like this year that there is less track time. It's really challenging to not have a couple of practice sessions before you go out to qualify. Hopefully we'll get all the practice time and we'll get the race in when we're supposed to.  When you get time in the car to improve, you improve the racing, too. People learn how to race each other on the course in practice.

Q. Dan Wheldon is the only driver to win multiple races at Motegi. Is it more important for you to repeat there or just win another race?

DANICA PATRICK: I think the second win. I don't really care about where it comes. I was lucky enough to win at a place like Motegi this first time around, but I am not picky. I will take a win anywhere.

Q. When you win at Motegi, you don't just get a trophy. You get a bowling ball, a bicycle, a samurai sword among other things. Where are all the prizes from last year?

DANICA PATRICK: I've got all of it in the basement (of the house) in the safe. The sword came out for a while because it came with a beautiful stand, but it didn't really fit with the rest of the décor of the house. We still have everything. It's especially cool to see my face on a trophy, because that's the big deal at Indy, too.

Q. You mentioned your face on a trophy. What will it be like to see the Indy Japan trophy with your face etched into it?

DANICA PATRICK: I will know how they did my hair then. I've always wondered how they did my hair from the photos.

Press release from John Griffin, Indy Racing League // www.indycar.com .... photo from Google Images.