ALMS MOSPORT: Graf takes overall pole

MOSPORT, ON - A wild season of qualifying in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón continued Saturday. Muscle Milk Team CytoSport's Klaus Graf grabbed pole position for Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mospot, the seventh driver in eight races to earn those honors. He set a best lap of 1:06.956 (132.212 mph) around Mosport International Raceway in the Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder that he will drive with factory pilot Romain Dumas.

Graf outpaced Dyson Racing's Chris Dyson – driving the Mazda-powered Lola coupe he will share with Guy Smith – by 0.186 seconds in another incredibly close qualifying battle. Patrón Highcroft Racing's Simon Pagenaud was third in the HPD ARX-01c he will drive with David Brabham at 1:07.228 (131.677 mph).

The top four cars were within 0.526 seconds. Needless to say, the margin for error was razor-thin.

"This is very special to be (on pole)," Graf said following his first career Fast Qualifier honor. "Congrats to all the guys. In any class driving at this place is quite challenging and difficult. In the LMP cars, it's unbelievable. Some of the corners you go through - it's like a roller coaster. To put it all together and get a good lap and be overall pole here at Mosport is unbelievable."

The Muscle Milk squad remains in the thick of the LMP championship despite missing the Mid-Ohio round. Team owner Greg Pickett was injured in a testing crash earlier that week and is out for the rest of the season. Graf and Pickett were winners at Lime Rock, and Timo Bernhard joined Graf with the two finishing second last weekend at Road America.

"It`s a fantastic car, not just at this place, but everywhere," Graf said. "So we are happy right now and we`ll get a good sleep tonight, but the big thing will be tomorrow. We had a good pace setup right away. We weren`t always happy; we tried a lot of things. We were trying for the sweet spot. We didn`t make any big steps this morning, but we did in the second practice. Those things were crucial."

Given how close race finishes have been the last few weekends, any adjustment the right way is critical. The last two Series races – at Mid-Ohio and Road America – have been nail-biters with a combined winning margin of 0.779 seconds. There have been three finishes of less than a second in overall races and a total of seven finishes of less than two seconds in all classes.

Risi Competizione's drama-filled day ended on a high thanks to Gianmaria Bruni's third career GT pole position. The Italian turned a lap of 1:17.160 (114.728 mph) on his third of five laps in the Ferrari F430 GT that he will drive with Toni Vilander. Bruni was to team with full-season partner Jaime Melo but he was pulled from the lineup with a stomach virus Saturday afternoon.

Vilander originally was in a second Risi entry but it was withdrawn following a vicious crash with Pierre Kaffer at the wheel Saturday morning. Kaffer went hard into the outside wall between turns 1 and 2 with heavy impact on the front end. He was transported to a local hospital but released a few hours later. Because Vilander was moved to Bruni's car following the first practice, the car will start Sunday's race from the back of the field.

"Wherever we finish – first, second or third – it will come from a clean good race," said Bruni, the pole-winner at Utah. "Right now I'm not thinking points or championships. I`m just thinking how I can get by all the cars tomorrow. We`ll see how it ends up tomorrow and see how it goes."

"When the accident happened this morning, although I was fast I was not on the limit," Kaffer said. "Everything was under control.  At the exit from the corner which enters the little short straight between Turns 1 and 2, the rear floor of the car hit the ground and the car got upset and snapped into the barriers. It was quite harsh and very sudden. I didn't expect it at that point as the car was really good as our lap times would have showed."

Bruni's best qualifying lap was 0.301 seconds better than Flying Lizard Motorsports' Jörg Bergmeister in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR he will drive with Patrick Long. He turned a lap of 1:17.461 (114.282 mph) in the class championship-leading Porsche. Four manufacturers and five entrants filled the top-five with BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team's Tommy Milner third at 1:17.491 (114.238 mph). Those two cars will start on the front row in class.

As has been the case all year, more than half the field were bunched insanely close. Only 0.681 seconds separated the top-seven in GT. The championship standings reflect the class' competitiveness. Risi is third in the team standings and only 14 points behind Flying Lizard.

"We are fighting for the championship with the (Flying Lizard) Porsche so we made the change to keep going," said Bruni, a runner-up in class in 2007 at Mosport. "I enjoy this track here. It's more of a driver track than any parts of America. You have to have a good car and a good setup more than anything. It`s a great job for the team; they've worked so hard this weekend."

In LMP Challenge, Luis Diaz claimed his second straight class pole with a lap of 1:11.455 (123.888 mph). He will make his third start with Ricardo Gonzalez in PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports' ORECA FLM09.

Diaz was 0.558 seconds clear of Genoa Racing's Frankie Montecalvo, who put in an impressive effort for 1:12.013 (122.928 mph).

"For us it's been a dream really. Ricardo and I fit perfectly in this team," Diaz said. "The car has been fantastic since we got here Wednesday. It was kind of weird but boring. I didn`t know what to ask the engineers. To have the pole is nice, we love it. But Mosport is Mosport. The race is going to be very, very tough tomorrow. We know we have the speed but it will come with strategy too."

The Mexican star won the LMP2 class last year at Mosport and shared the Series' class championship with Adrian Fernandez. So he has some prototype experience and data to share.

"Basically in the P2, we had a lot more downforce through turns 1 and 2, and in Turn 8 we were flat out," Diaz said. "It's really a pleasure with the LMPC because you have to really think about corners and braking and driving the car. I remember last year when I was driving I told Adrian, 'You will get to drive lots tomorrow. This is too dangerous!' But the LMPC is perfect for this track. It's just a great challenge to keep it fun but advanced too. "

Gunnar Jeannette qualified third at 1:12.073 (122.825 mph) in the Green Earth Team Gunnar entry he will drive with Elton Julian. The top four cars in the class were within 0.805 seconds.

Bryce Miller broke Jeroen Bleekemolen's stranglehold on GT Challenge pole positions with his first career Fast Qualifier in the ORBIT/Paul Miller Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup entry. The young American set a lap of 1:22.495 (107.308 mph) in the car he will share with Luke Hines, good enough for a 0.103-second gap back to Bleekemolen in the Black Swan Racing entry.

"I really enjoy this circuit. It's a great circuit with a lot of character," said Miller, a GT2 race-winner with Farnbacher Loles Racing at Road America in 2008. "It`s exciting to be in the qualifying position at this track and pull a great lap here. It can be an unforgiving track. It's great for the team; the car has been technically sound but we just really had the luck come our way."

Bleekemolen, who posted a lap of 1:22.598 (107.175 mph) and Tim Pappas lead the class championship after four wins in five races. But Miller has been one of the few drivers in class to match the speed of Bleekemolen. Like Risi in GT, the ORBIT squad had to overcome a little weekend drama of its own; the Porsche's engine let go early in Friday's test session.

Shane Lewis was next in class for Velox Motorsports at 1:22.911 (106.770 mph). He will drive with Lawson Aschenbach, the duo seeking Velox's third podium finish in four races.

Miller has raced a variety of cars at Mosport, and his father Paul was a Trans-Am winner at the circuit in 1985. So the younger Miller knows Mosport's risks and rewards.

"It's incredible to look at the data and realize the speed you're carrying around here. All the corners are really fast, which is a strength for me. I like fast corners. It`s really exciting, the laps really count a lot here because the track can be unforgiving. You have to have a lot of confidence here. Hopefully I can also finish up with a result."

Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport is set for 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 29 from Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. SPEED will air the race in its entirety starting at 4 p.m.

________________________________

Mobil 1 presents Grand Prix of Mosport
Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
Saturday's Qualifying
1. Romain Dumas, Ales (FR); Klaus Graf, Germany (DE); Porsche RS Spyder (LMP), 1:06.956, 132.212
2. Chris Dyson, Pleasant Valley, NY (US); Guy Smith, Bracken, Yorkshire (GB); Lola B09 86/Mazda (LMP), 1:07.142, 131.846
3. David Brabham, Maidenhead, GB (GB); Simon Pagenaud, Montmorrillon, FR (FR); HPD ARX-01c (LMP), 1:07.228, 131.677
4. Paul Drayson, London, GB (GB); Jonny Cocker, Guisborough, GB (GB); Lola B09 60/Judd (LMP), 1:07.482, 131.182
5. Tony Burgess, Toronto (CA); Johnny Mowlem, London (GB); Lola B06 10/AER (LMP), 1:08.117, 129.959
6. Ricardo Gonzalez, Monterrey (MX); Luis Diaz, Mexico City (MX); Oreca FLM09 (LMPC), 1:11.455, 123.888
7. Christian Zugel, Holmdel, NJ (US); Frankie Montecalvo, Highlands, NJ (US); Oreca FLM09 (LMPC), 1:12.013, 122.928
8. Elton Julian, Santa Monica, CA (Spa); Gunnar Jeannette, Salt Lake City, UT (US); Oreca FLM09 (LMPC), 1:12.073, 122.825
9. Kyle Marcelli, Barrie, ON (CA); Chapman Ducote, Miami Beach, FL (US); Oreca FLM09 (LMPC), 1:12.239, 122.543
10. Scott Tucker, Leawood, KS (US); Christophe Bouchut, France (FR); Oreca FLM09 (LMPC), 1:12.260, 122.508
11. Jaime Melo, Milan, IT (BR); Gianmaria Bruni, Rome, IT (Ita); Ferrari 430 GT (GT), 1:17.160, 114.728
12. Joerg Bergmeister, Langenfield, DE (DE); Patrick Long, Bellaire, FL (US); Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 1:17.461, 114.282
13. Bill Auberlen, Redondo Beach, CA (US); Tommy Milner, Leesburg, VA (US); BMW E92 M3 (GT), 1:17.491, 114.238
14. Jan Magnussen, Denmark (DEN); Oliver Gavin, Yardley Hastings, GB (GB); Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (GT), 1:17.668, 113.977
15. Scott Sharp, Jupiter, FL (US); Johannes van Overbeek, San Francisco, CA (US); Ferrari 430 GT (GT), 1:17.726, 113.892
16. Olivier Beretta, Monaco (MON); Johnny O`Connell, Flowery Branch, GA (US); Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (GT), 1:17.794, 113.793
17. Dirk Mueller, Monte Carlo, Monaco (DE); Joey Hand, Sacramento, CA (US); BMW E92 M3 (GT), 1:17.841, 113.724
18. Bryan Sellers, Braselton, GA (US); Wolf Henzler, Nuertingen, DE (DE); Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 1:18.469, 112.814
19. David Robertson, Ray, MI (US); David Murry, Atlanta, GA (US); Andrea Robertson, Ray, MI (US); Doran Design Ford GT (GT), 1:18.502, 112.767
20. Marc Goossens, Huntersville, NC (Bel); Paul Gentilozzi, Lansing, MI (USA); Jaguar XKRS (GT), 1:19.099, 111.915
21. Ed Brown, Las Vegas, NV (US); Guy Cosmo, West Palm Beach, FL (US); Ferrari 430 GT (GT), 1:21.771, 108.258
22. Darren Law, Phoenix, AZ (US); Seth Neiman, Burlingame, CA (US); Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 1:21.798, 108.223
23. Scott Tucker, Leawood, KS (US); Andy Wallace, England (ENG); Oreca FLM09 (LMPC), 1:22.081, 107.850
24. Bryce Miller, Summit, NJ (US); Luke Hines, Essex (Eng); Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (GTC), 1:22.495, 107.308
25. Tim Pappas, Boston, MA (US); Jeroen Bleekemolen, Monte Carlo, Monaco (Net); Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (GTC), 1:22.598, 107.175
26. Shane Lewis, Jupiter, FL (US); Lawson Aschenbach, West Palm Beach, FL (US); Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (GTC), 1:22.911, 106.770
27. Henri Richard, Los Altos Hills, CA (FR); Andy Lally, New York, NY (USA); Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (GTC), 1:23.211, 106.385
28. Bill Sweedler, Westport, CT (US); Mitch Pagery, Deerfield Beach, FL (USA); Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (GTC), 1:23.324, 106.241
29. Jon Field, Dublin, OH (US); Clint Field, Dublin, OH (US); Lola B06/10 AER (LMP), No Time.

From Public Relations/Media Services Contacts // Bob Dickinson

PHOTOS: NASCAR Nationwide Qualifying in Montreal

Aussie Marcos Ambrose posted the fastest time during qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Ambrose edged out Jacques Villeneuve for the pole with a last-lap effort. Joey Logano will start third.

Photos by Greg MacPherson / Inside Track Motorsport News

GP3 Series Spa Race 1 Report... Canadian Robert Wickens wins in a monsoon

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, 28th August 2010 ... WICKENS HANGS ON TO SCORE REMARKABLE MONSOON WIN

Canadian Robert Wickens scored Status Grand Prix's third GP3 Series win of the season in extraordinary
circumstances at Spa-Francorchamps to keep his championship challenge alive.

On a dry track, Wickens converted his pole position into an immediate lead by beating second-place starter
Adrian  Quaife-Hobbs  off  the  line,  but  his  Status  GP-team  mate  Daniel  Morad,  who  had  started  in  fourth
place, fell foul of a first corner accident that caused him to retire and brought out the safety car for two laps.

Wickens re-established his lead at the restart, and after four laps had a 0.7sec advantage over the Manor
Racing driver. But then on lap five it began to rain around the start-finish area, and by the time the lead duo
arrived back there a lap later a downpour had left the track teeming with water. Wickens was helpless as his
slick  tyres  aquaplaned  his  car  on  the  water  and  he  hit  the  inside  retaining  wall,  damaging  his  nose  and
causing him to spin.

As the safety car was rapidly deployed again, Wickens retook the track in second place, which soon became
first when new leader Roberto Merhi followed suit of most other drivers and stopped to fit wet weather tyres.
Wickens and the Status GP engineers then chose a strategy that amazed onlookers but paid dividends. With
the  30-minute  time  limit  of  the  race  approaching,  Wickens  stayed  out  in  the  teeming  rain  on  slicks,  even
though he was struggled to even stay on the track and keep up with safety car.

In  a  nail-biting  climax,  the  safety  car  turned  off  its  lights  to  indicate  it  was  coming  in  and  the  race  would
resume  with  only  30  seconds  of  the  race  remaining,  and  by  the  time  Wickens  crossed  the  finish  line  the
chequered  flag  was  already  out  to  finish  the  race  after  only  nine  of  the  12  scheduled  laps,  giving  the
Canadian a memorable victory. With championship leader Esteban Gutierrez failing to score points, Wickens
is now trailing by 17 points with another opportunity to close the gap further in tomorrow's race.

GMH Motorsport-backed driver Morad was bitterly disappointment to have his race end so quickly after he hit
the rear of the car in front at turn one and was then impacted at the rear as the pack arrived behind him,
causing him to slew across the circuit and into immediate retirement.

Marussia Motors development driver Ivan Lukashevich also failed to finish after falling victim to the torrential
rain conditions. After a great start from 18th, he was in the top 10 over the opening laps and showing good
speed before, on lap six, he hit the same stream of water as Wickens had and also spun. But the luckless
Russian slid into another car which had spun and damaged his rear suspension and retired on the spot.

The Drivers' View...
Robert Wickens (CAN): (Result: 1st. 30m10.463s, 9 laps. Championship position: 2nd, 57pts).
"It's always great to win, but this was certainly an unusual one. In the dry I was strong and comfortable, and
the rain didn't seem too bad until I hit the downpour - and as the leader you get no warning. Luckily the nose
damage was not bad and there was little point in pitting after that - it was just better to calculate that the rain
would keep the safety car out long enough for the race to run down. Even at those slow speeds for three laps
I was fighting to keep the car straight on slicks, so it's a strangely satisfying result."

Ivan Lukashevich (RUS): (Result: Rtd, 6 laps. Championship position: 32nd, 0pts).
"I got a good start to make up eight positions, and then I held my own in the top 10. When the rain came and
I hit this huge river across the track I was a passenger, and it was unfortunate I hit the Carlin car that had just
spun in front of me."

Daniel Morad (LIB): (Result: Rtd, 0 laps. Championship position: 11th, 15pts).
"I'm  very  disappointed  not  to  capitalise  on  a  strong  starting  position.  I was overly aggressive into the first
corner and unfortunately paid the penalty."

Chicagoland 100: Canadian James Hinchcliffe wins Indy Lights race

Firestone Indy Lights: Chicagoland 100

JOLIET, Ill. - Results Saturday of the Chicagoland 100 Firestone Indy Lights Series event on the 1.52 mile Chicagoland Speedway, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, laps completed and reason out (if any):

1. (13) James Hinchcliffe, 67, Running

2. (2) Pippa Mann, 67, Running

3. (4) Philip Major, 67, Running

4. (5) J.K. Vernay, 67, Running

5. (11) Dan Clarke, 67, Running

6. (10) Stefan Wilson, 67, Running

7. (14) Arie Luyendyk Jr., 67, Running

8. (12) Adrian Campos Jr., 67, Running

9. (9) Dillon Battistini, 67, Running

10. (15) Rodrigo Barbosa, 67, Running

11. (3) Sebastian Saavedra, 64, Running

12. (8) Brandon Wagner, 64, Running

13. (1) Martin Plowman, 58, Contact

14. (6) Charlie Kimball, 5, Contact

15. (7) Gustavo Yacaman, 5, Contact



Race Statistics

Time of Race: 42:30.9080

Winners average speed: 143.723

Margin of victory: .0159 of a second

Cautions: 4 cautions for 17 laps

Lead changes: 4 among three drivers

Lap Leaders: Plowman 1-29, Mann 30-59, Hinchcliffe 60, Mann 61-65

Hinchcliffe 66-67

Point Standings: Vernay 444, Hinchcliffe 391, Kimball 343, Plowman 338, Saavedra 303, Clarke 271, Wilson 262, Major 258,  Yacaman 249, Campos 243.

NASCAR NATIONWIDE POLE PRESSER

Joey Logano (l) will start third in tomorrow's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Marcos Ambrose (middle) will start on the pole, alongside of hometown hero Jacques Villeneuve (r).

NASCAR MONTREAL: Dodge - Keselowski-Allgaier Open Interview

NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge // Circuit Gilles Villeneuve // Keselowski/Allgaier Open Interview

BRAD KESELOWSKI (No. 22 Discount Tire/Ruby Tuesday Dodge Charger) HOW WAS YOUR CAR IN PRACTICE?  “Our car is decent; it’s probably better than I am.  A lot of room to expand and become a better road-course racer, that’s for sure.  It’s kind of interesting to have fast cars and be around other people and learn a lot from them and know what they’re doing.  I’ll try to follow those guys like Max (Papis) that know what they’re doing, but not too close like I did last year.  I feel good about being here.  We had a small problem with the brakes getting too hot and catching the back-half of the car on fire, no big deal…it was just fire (smiles).  We’re in good shape, ready to go.”

JUSTIN ALLGAIER (No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge Charger) HOW WAS YOUR CAR IN THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSIONS?  “Eventful to say the least.  For me last year, starting the race was the first time that I saw this place dry.  So, it was good to come back and get some practice with the weather being nice and sunny.  The car was pretty good.  Like Brad said, the car is a lot better than I am.  I don’t have much in the way of road course racing experience.  I’m just trying to get the car comfortable and making sure that when we get in the race, we’ll be in good shape.  I’m trying to be conservative on brake temps and making sure that they’re there at the end of the race.  So I think as long as we can keep that up, we’ll be in good shape.”

KESELOWSKI:  HOW SERIOUS WAS THE FIRE IN PRACTICE AND WILL IT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE RACE?  “Every fire is serious; it’s just a matter of how serious it is when you get control of it.  It’s a serious concern for us right now that our car is going to catch fire in the middle of the race.  Every year, race cars get faster and progress.  NASCAR put a cap on the brakes that we’re allowed to use.  So there are rules on what braking systems are allowed to try and cut costs for the series.  Essentially, as the years have progressed, our cars have gotten faster and have exceeded those brake capabilities to keep up with our car.  The challenge for us as drivers is to manage our brakes and sometimes in order to do that is to do things…the team does…whether it’s cooling or whatever…and do the things that it takes to keep the car cool for the brakes and (they) occasionally catch fire.  It’s kind of a balancing act between having too much and risking catching fire and not having enough (brakes) and not having enough brakes at the end of the race.”

KESELOWSKI:  HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT LEARNING FROM THE ROAD COURSE EXPERTS LIKE WE HAVE HERE IN MONTREAL THIS WEEKEND?  “You can always talk, but watching is the best way that I’ve learned.  Experience is going to get you further than anything else.  Doing it yourself and figuring it out…I can watch Shaquille O’Neal dunk all day long…I don’t think that I’m ever going to be able to dunk…it takes a little bit of experience.  I think that I can get there (being a good road course racer).  I’ve showed progress this year on road courses already and feel, hopefully, in the next few years, I can show some more progress.”

ALLGAIER:  “The biggest piece of advice that I learned last year is don’t wreck a Canadian in a Canadian race (smiles).  That wasn’t good.  I wrecked Ron Fellows and honestly, of all the people that helped me the most last year, he was probably the one that gave me the most advice.  I didn’t mean to wreck him, by the way.  It was just a victim of circumstance.  He was at the right place at the wrong time.  For me, it’s the same thing, just going out and following guys.  I talked to Max (Papis) yesterday for a few minutes and talked to Ron Fellows and a couple of guys.  I’m just trying to learn as much as I can.  Like Brad said, until you get in a car and actually go out and do it, there’s nothing that’s going to substitute for experience.  Obviously, these guys can go out and throw a car in a corner and kind of know what the limits are.  For me, I’m still trying to learn what those limits are.”

KESELOWSKI:  YOU’RE LEADING THE NNS POINTS, WHAT IS YOUR TARGET FINISH IN THIS RACE?  “I think the last three road courses, we’ve been very fortunate to pull out strong finishes.  Here (Montreal) I think we ended up fifth; I didn’t deserve to run fifth, but got there and finished there.  At the Glen, the last road course that we had, we were a legitimately third or fourth-place car and we finished fourth.  I was very proud of that.  Even at Road America, we were able to finish fourth.  For us, it’s running a smart race and being there at the end.  There are some sacrifices that we make or that I make personally to make sure that I’m there at the end.  I would say that those are the biggest things and the biggest goal is to go out there and get a solid finish and solidify where we are at in the points in a race that is a wild card for us.”

KESELOWSKI:  DO YOU EXPECT TO WIN THE RACE TOMORROW?  “The goal is always to win, but to be realistic, I think that we can get a solid top-10 day out of tomorrow.”

KESELOWSKI:  HOW DO YOU DEFINE RESPECT TOWARD THE OTHER DRIVERS?  “Apparently, I don’t have it all figured out or I’d be in a lot better shoes that I am right now, that’s for sure.  There’s a little bit of a ‘boys only’ club that is going on and over time, we all make our way in it if you keep knocking on the door.  If’ you’re knocking on the door…it’s not a lot of fun…and sometimes you get kicked back out of the house.  I’m trying to make my way in it.  You’re not going to get in there by being a pushover.  You have to be up front, leading races and contending and so far that’s where we’re at with the Nationwide program.  We’re not there yet with the Cup program.  Running up front certainly gets you a lot of attention.  There’s a lot of resistance because, let’s be honest, racing…the system in racing is a pie which means only a certain percentage can be running up front any given weekend.  When you threaten somebody that’s in that piece of pie and try and push them out to the other part of it which is the 10th to 15th part of it, they don’t like it, nor should they.  There’s some resistance to that from the whole collective group.  When I look at the issues that I’ve had, quite honestly, I feel that if somebody else did it, it would be alright.  In fact, I’ve seen a couple people do the same thing this year and it was alright.  So, it’s just the way that it is and I’m going to keep my head down and keep digging and try to break my way into the club.”

KESELOWSKI:  WHY DO YOU THINK THINGS ARE DIFFERENT FOR YOU WITH ALL THESE ALTERCATIONS THAT YOU’VE HAD?  “It’s just because I’m newer to the sport.  I just haven’t been in it as long.  I don’t have the recognition or name value I guess.  I don’t know.  That’s my take.  You tell me.  What do you think?”

KESELOWSKI:  DO YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO LEARN MORE AS YOU GO?  “Yeah.  I have a lot to learn.  I don’t think that I have anything 100 percent figured out.  I think that I have some things figured out, but now all of it and there are some things that I can do better, there’s no doubt about that.  I feel pretty good about the majority of it and feel like when the circumstances have arrived where there’s been conflict, I’m fairly happy with the way that I’ve handled it.  At the same point, I want to win races and be up front, be a contender…everybody wants to do that.  At some point, you have to accept the fact that those around you aren’t going to be happy when you’re winning.  I’m not out there trying to make my competitors angry, but I seem to do a damn good job at it whether intentional or not.  That’s unfortunate.  I don’t want them to be angry.  I don’t come into the sport saying, ‘I want to make Carl Edwards or Kyle Busch angry’.  But when you beat them, it’s just natural for them to be that way.”

From Denny Darnell // ddarnell@darnellcommunications.net // http://twitter.com/teamdodge // www.media.chrysler.com

MONTREAL: NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Qualifying Record Run For Ranger

MONTREAL -- Andrew Ranger extended his dominance in road-course qualifying with a record run Saturday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in advance of Sunday's NAPA AUTOPRO 100.

Ranger posted a top lap of 1 minutes, 45.003 seconds (92.877 seconds) around the 2.709-mile course for his ninth career pole position in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented Mobil 1. Ranger, who is only running a partial schedule in the series this year, has won the pole in all four road-course races he has entered. The Roxton Pond, Quebec, driver won the 2008 race at Montreal.

The top five qualifiers all exceeded the previous record set by Kerry Micks of 1:46.664 (91.465) in 2008.

Points leader JR Fitzpatrick qualified second at 1:45.085 (92.805). Jason Bowles, the 2009 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion, qualified third at 1:46.016 (91.990).

Micks and DJ Kennington rounded out the top five for Sunday's race, the fifth and final road-course race of the season. Mark Dilley qualified sixth, followed by Don Thomson Jr., Jeff Lapevich, Anthony Simone, and Scott Steckly.

The NAPA AUTOPRO 100 will air live Sunday on TSN and RDS. The broadcast will start at 11:30 a.m., with the green-flag scheduled for 11:40 a.m. Fitzpatrick is the defending race winner and holds a 16-point lead over Kennington entering the weekend.

Qualifying Results

NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES presented by MOBIL 1 - NAPA AUTOPRO 100 Lineup
Race Sunday; Qualifying Saturday
at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Montreal, Quebec
Lap Length: 2.709 miles

1. (27) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Dodge, 92.877
2. (84) JR Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ont., Chevrolet, 92.805
3. (11) Jason Bowles, Ontario, Calif., Dodge, 91.990
4. (02) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ont., Ford, 91.975
5. (17) DJ Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont., Dodge, 91.589
6. (9) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ont., Dodge, 91.412
7. (4) Don Thomson, Jr., Hamilton, Ont., Chevrolet, 91.292
8. (23) Jeff Lapcevich, Grimsby, Ont., Chevrolet, 91.222
9. (95) Anthony Simone, Holland Landing, Ont., Chevrolet, 91.176
10. (22) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Dodge, 91.139
11. (69) Trevor Seibert, Williams Lake, B.C., Dodge, 91.101
12. (47) L.P. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 90.943
13. (66) Robin Buck, Campbellville, Ont., Ford, 90.629
14. (42) Peter Klutt, Halton Hills, Ont., Chevrolet, 90.615
15. (04) J.F. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 90.527
16. (3) Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ont., Dodge, 89.803
17. (59) John Farano, Toronto, Ont., Chevrolet, 89.729
18. (60) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ont., Dodge, 89.485
19. (44) Jarrad Whissell, Calgary, Alta., Ford, 89.151
20. (00) Pierre Bourque, Ottawa, Ont., Dodge, 89.089
21. (50) Joey McColm, Ajax, Ont., Dodge, 88.829
22. (56) Howie Scannell, Jr., Milton, Ont., Dodge, 88.740
23. (71) Patrice Brisebois, West Mount, Que., Dodge, 88.087
24. (19) Brad Graham, Glencoe, Ont., Ford, 87.814
25. (01) Caitlin Johnston, Orangeville, Ont., Dodge, 87.289
26. (96) Marc-Andre Cliche, Vallee-Jonction, Que., Chevrolet, 86.663
27. (21) Jason White, Sun Peaks, B.C., Chevrolet, 86.216
28. (10) Maryeve Dufault, Sorel, Que., Dodge, 85.994
29. (55) Dexter Stacey, Kahnawake, Que., Chevrolet, 85.415
30. (99) Derek White, Kahnawake, Que., Chevrolet, Provisional
31. (81) Shawn McGlynn, Kitchener, Ont., Dodge, Provisional
32. (77) Isabelle Tremblay, St. Hippolyte, Que., Ford, Provisional
33. (67) David Thorndyke, Oshawa, Ont., Chevrolet, Provisional
34. (85) Michel Pilon, Blainville, Que., Chevrolet, Provisional

From Shon Sbarra, NASCAR Public Relations

MOSPORT: The Biggest Event Of Mosport's 50th Anniversary Season Is Underway

MOSPORT, ON - The biggest sports car race weekend of the year revved into high gear as the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport got underway.

All of the series' running this weekend held practice sessions on Mosport's famed road course as the 10-turn circuit holds its final major event of its 50th anniversary season.  The American Le Mans Series held three separate test sessions while the other popular series’ running, the Star Mazda Championship, Cooper Tires Prototype Lites, Playboy MX-5 Cup and Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship held their first practices of the action packed weekend.

The Muscle Milk CytoSport duo of Klaus Graf of Germany and France’s Romain Dumas set the pace in the prototype class with a fast lap time of 1:07.801 in their Porsche RS Spyder.  The lone Canadian in action the series was the fourth fastest in the LMP Challenge class as he and American co-pilot ran a fast lap of 1:14.404.

Toronto’s own Robert Sabato had the fastest times in the Lites 2 category of the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship in both of Friday’s practices.  His best lap was 1:20.224.

Saturday's action begins with practice and qualifying sessions in the morning.  The Cooper Tires Prototype Lites and the Castrol Touring cars will run the first leg of their doubleheaders Saturday afternoon.  The weekend headliner, The American Le Mans Series will hold their qualifying session in two groups to end the day.

The Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport is the eighth race of the season for the American Le Mans Series and will run on Sunday, August 29 at 3:05 pm.

From Ryan Chalmers, Mosport

Montreal: Fogarty, Said Break Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Track Records, Capture Rolex Series Poles

MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada (Aug. 27, 2010) - Jon Fogarty and Boris Said used Chevrolet power to lead a record-breaking pair of qualifying sessions Friday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and capture  respective poles for Saturday's Montreal 200, Round 11 of 12 in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.

The two-hour race takes the green flag at 2:15 p.m. ET (SPEED, live).

Fogarty ran a lap of 1:31.524 (106.556 mph) to capture his second Daytona Prototype pole of the season in the No. 99 GAINSCO Chevrolet/Riley. In the production-based GT class, Said gave Marsh Racing its first Rolex Series pole with a lap of 1:38.895 (98.614 mph) in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Corvette.

"It was a really good run for us," said Fogarty, who extended his series record to 16 career poles. "Circuit Gilles Villeneuve presents interesting challenges. You have to have the balance when your tires are good, but you have to get to that point without overheating your brakes - like getting all the stars to align. I was able to run clear laps and go hard, let things cool, and then go hard again. Each time I was able to improve and the time just came - not necessarily from pushing harder, but with the balance of the car."

Fogarty will be joined on the front row by Memo Rojas, who ran a lap of 1:31.839 (106.190 mph) in the No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley shared by points co-leader Scott Pruett. Rojas and Pruett have won seven of 10 races this season, and will be looking to break a tie for the all-time single-season record shared with Fogarty and Alex Gurney. They also lead the championship standings by 26 points (302-276) over Ryan Dalziel.

Ricky Taylor qualified third in the No. 10 SunTrust Ford/Dallara, a two-time Montreal 200 winner co-driven by Max Angelelli. He will be joined on the second row by Burt Frisselle, driving the lone Canadian-based DP, the No. 61 Pacific Mobile/Bio Sign Ford/Riley.

Brian Frisselle, who won the past two years at Montreal, hit the wall in Friday morning practice and did not qualify, although the No. 6 Pit Stop of Norris Lake Ford/Dallara co-driven by Michael Valiante will start at the back of the grid.

Said prevailed in a terrific back-and-forth battle with Andrew Davis in GT qualifying before claiming the pole on his final lap.

"I got Andrew and I was going to quit the session, but they said do one more after he nipped me so I went for it," explained Said, driving for the third time this season with Marsh Racing. "The guys have been developing this car with every race, and they're getting it better and better with each week. GM's got good power; it handles really well and it has awesome brakes."

Davis and co-driver Robin Liddell won the past two runnings of the Montreal 200 for Stevenson Motorsports in a Pontiac, but they are still looking for their first victory in the No. 57 Camaro.

"I thought I had the pole going in, but it was a great battle - and a great driver to battle with Boris Said," Davis said. "I hate to come up so short, but even though we've won this race the last two years, this is our best starting position so we're really hoping for a good run tomorrow. We've got a strong car and I know we've got the strongest team."

Motorcycle veteran Scott Russell qualified third in the No. 07 Banner Racing Corvette shared by Paul Edwards, and will be joined on the second row by Adam Christodoulou, driving the No. 68 MazdaSpeed Motorsports Mazda RX-8.

From J.J. O'Malley, GRAND-AM Public Relations

PHOTOS: Autodrome Edelweiss 27 Aug 2010

Photos from Autodrome Edelweiss, from Rick Young (www.rickattheraces.com), on August 27, 2010. Thanks Rick!

Delaware Speedway: August 27th recap and results

DELAWARE, ON - In the last race night before the Great Canadian Race weekend, front-runners didn’t make their way to Victory Lane but one driver did get his first experience in the winner’s circle.

Dion Verhoeven (77) started out front of the NASCAR Late Model field and within a half-lap he had the top points leaders on his tail; Scott Lindsay (20) in second and Ron Sheridan (52) third.  Sharpie’s yellow flag went up at lap 5 for a spin out on turns one and two by the 72 of Shawn Thompson.

Mark Watson (78), Andrew Gresel (81) Steve Robblee (28) completed the six-pack out front.

At lap 10, Watson overtook Sheridan, who slipped back to sixth within another lap, just behind Robblee.  By the halfway mark, Verhoeven and Lindsay were a tight one and two up front but Watson caught up and shrunk the gap until lap traffic at lap 21 nearly cost Verhoeven his lead.

At lap 24 a bunch of cars got caught up in a spin on the front straightaway – Jamie Grover (33), Terry Jacques (35) and Jay Doer (43) found themselves turned around and creating a blockage on the track. Lindsay was able to knock off some dangling material from the #20 during the caution and didn’t have to pit.  But at lap 26, Lindsay and Robblee connected and Lindsay’s car struck hard into the cement off turn three and nearly went airborne.  He was out of the car quickly to show he was fine but the vehicle didn’t fare as well.  Robblee was black-flagged for this incident but instead of going to the back of the field, he drove to the pit area and parked. Doer also came in for the evening.  Mark Watson moved into second place for the short-lived because of trouble on turn four involving Jamie Cox (00), Marc Jacobs (08) and Rick Emery (14). 

Yellow again at lap 27 for Matt Box (27) and Shawn Thompson (72) where the 72 ended up with some right front damage.

On this restart, Gresel got a length up on Watson for second and Cole Powell (25) moved into fourth with Sheridan tracking fifth.  Although Gresel got a nose under Verhoeven on the last time around turn 3, Verhoeven got the win.  Gresel ended up second followed by Powell, Sheridan and Watson.

Jake Ott, ranked 6th in points at the start of the night and coming off several weeks of bad luck, had the pole in the Delaware Super Stocks feature. By the 6th lap, Ott had clean air with Darrell Lake (77), Jason Lidster (11) and Jared Shields (07) fighting for second and third. Lake had second and near the half-way point, Lidster took it away. 

At lap 15 the points leader, Kris Lawrence, (28) called it a night with problems in the car’s rear end. It looked to be a great night to gain points for second-place driver Lidster but trouble hit him late in the race.  Ott had a full straightaway lead on the pack and Lake had grabbed back second place from Lidster at lap 20.  At lap 23 Lidster’s 11 lost a tire and the car spun out on the front straightway.  The tire continued on to the billboards between turns one and two before bouncing into the infield.  Lidster waved to cheers from the 11 as it was towed off the track. Steve Smith 84) moved into third.

Another caution shortly after the restart: the cause was unclear but Matt Humphrys (04) ended up with some damage and needed a tow. Jared Shields (07) hit a tire at turn four but limped off the track without a yellow having to fly.  Ott’s domination of the race continued right to the checkered flag and his first trip to Victory Lane.  Darrell Lake finished second and Steve Smith third. Paul Fothergill was fourth and Scott Nagy, fifth.

The Demar Aggregates Trucks feature got in 3 laps before the first caution and a driver to end his night on a Whitworth Towing hook.

Gary Triska (57) had the pole and the 16 of Chad Riejen overtook him in the second lap.  Jeff Showler (56) moved into second pushing Triska to third as Shawn Johns (00) caught up with Matt Koricina (93). Johns was towed off but Koricina was back out for green however he didn’t finish the race.

Showler made several attempts to go high on Reijen as the two trucks broke away from the rest of the field.  By lap 8 points leader Paul Fothergill, had worked his way up from 12th to third position and Triska was out of the top five.  At lap 10, Showler started experiencing cornering problems and started to slip in the line-up, allowing Fothergill to move into second with Devon Bloemendal (01) third. 

Caution at lap 13 for debris on the speedway. Jeff Showler used the yellow to make a quick visit to the pits and rejoined the race in time for green.

It was Reijen and Fothergill in a tight duo out front with Bloemendal, McCaw and Gary Adrieansen (55) rounding out the top five.  At lap 18, McCaw made his move and claimed third while Fothergill repeatedly tried the high side to get past Riejen. They took most of the last lap side by side but Riejen hung on and won the race.  Fothergill ended second, McCaw third, Showler fourth and Bloemendal fifth.

The Transmission Direct Enduro Challenge was missing the division’s points leader, David McCullough.  Bill Brekelmens (88) was the pole-sitter and led a lap before Jim Fergusson (06) took over.  At lap 13, the most recent Enduro winner, Jeremiah Rabideau (5) took the lead and soon created a multi-car-length lead for himself. At lap 18, some contact involving the leader dropped him down to third and Fergusson reclaimed the lead. Steve Book (64) moved into second. Rabideau grabbed the lead back for a couple of laps until Book got it again at lap 24 and Rabideau leap-frogged over Book again at lap 25.

A tangle on the front straightaway a lap before the end threatened to catch some traffic but everyone went low and avoided it.  Jeremiah Rabidaeu took the checker – his second in a row.  Steve Book finished second.  Barry Watson, third; Jamie Klumper fourth.

From Lisa Brandt / Delaware PR

Edelweiss Speedway: David Hébert wins the Canadian Super Challenge Race

Cantley, PQ – Friday, August 27, 2010 – Martin Bélanger – Edelweiss presented one of the biggest shows of the year next Friday with the Canadian Super Challenge part of a 4-race series, as the first two were completed in July at Autodrome Granby and Autodrome Drummond. A total of 27 modifieds are expected for this 100-lap event with $20,000 in prize and $3,000 going to the winner of the race. A great field of drivers from Quebec and Ontario is expected for this race. The Semi-Pro and Mod-Lite classes will also see some action on Coca-Cola Night.

A Quebec-Ontario confrontation on the front row with Canadian Super Challenge point`s leader Steve Bernard on the pole and Danny O'Brien besides him, they lead the 27-car field to the green flag of the Coca-Cola 100. Bernard got a great jump over Danny O'Brien with Gino Clair in third. David Hébert was strong on the inside lane and took third over Clair with 3 laps down. Hébert was really fast and passed O'Brien for second on lap 7 as the leaders were now in lap traffic. O'Brien went too low in turn 2 and lost some ground and Mario Clair was now in third spot. Bernard was trapped behind a slower car and Hébert was now on his back bumper with 15 laps done. Hébert was now the leader as he passed Bernard for the lead on lap 16. The race was slowed on lap 18 for a car stopped in turn 2. On the restart, Bernard gained back the lead over Hébert with Gino Clair back in third. Kayle Robidoux passed Gino Clair for third on lap 22. The two leaders were together and they swapped the lead. Hébert was back in the lead when the second caution came out on lap 29. Hébert got a good jump over Bernard and Robidoux was also able to pass him but Bernard charged back to take the second spot on lap 31. Clement Therrien gained a lot of ground as he was flirting with the top 5 after starting 18th on the grid with 40 laps in the books as caution came out for a 2-car tangle in turn 2 on that lap. Hébert kept the lead over Robidoux and Bernard in third. The Clair brothers were in battle for fourth spot.

Hébert got a good lead as the race reached the halfway point, Robidoux was second, Bernard third, and Gino and Mario Clair were your top 5. Hébert was a man on a mission as he passed several slower cars and maintained his lead. Jasmin Léveillé brought the field together on lap 59 as he stopped in turn 4. The yellow laps started to count and the race started back on lap 62 with Hébert the leader as Pat Cashman stopped in turn 4 and the caution came out two laps later. The race was back on green on lap 67, as Michel Chicoine and Pierre Dagenais got together in front of the grandstand and yellow was back out, both cars were ok. On the green, Hébert was still in front with Bernard in second and Robidoux in third. Mario Clair was coming strong from the outside lane and took second with 25 laps to go. Robidoux charged back as 4 cars were doing battle for second as yellow came out for Mario Clair that was running for the second had a flat and headed to the pits. Hébert had Robidoux as a dancing partner with 15 laps to go. Ryan Foley and Jasmin Léveillé got together in turn 2 and the yellow was out on lap 86. The race was back with the green-white-checker dash. Hébert was able to resist to the charges of Robidoux to win the 100-lap feature over Robidoux, Bernard, Gino Clair and Allan Therrien completed the top 5.

A strong field of 18 cars took the green in the 15-lap Semi-Pro feature. Stéphane Carrière was the early leader with Benoit Dubois and John Benard, Dubois was able to pass Carrière just before the caution came out for André Mainville who had a flat tire on lap 2. What a start for Nico Leblanc that started way back and passed several cars to take the second spot when caution came out for Jeremy Lacombe on lap 3. On the restart, Boivin was able to gain the lead with Leblanc on his backbumper. Alex Gagnon came from the back of the field to grab third on lap 9. The top 3 cars were racing together for the lead. The leaders were now in traffic; Alex Gagnon took the opportunity to take the lead to win his second feature of the season over Nico Leblanc and Bruno Boivin.

Mathieu Robinson was the early leader in the 15-lap Mod-Lite feature and led the first 4 laps when caution came out for Sylvain Laframboise. On the restart, Robinson kept the lead over Richard Renaud and Dean Pronovost that were running together for second. Renaud was on the back bumper of Robinson when caution came out on lap 9. Robinson maintained the lead but bobbles in turn 4 and caution came out, Pronovost was the new leader. Pronovost got a good jump on the restart with Pat Bell now second and Sylvain Ericksen in third.  Laframboise brought a second caution with 3 laps to go. Pronovost led the final laps to win his fifth feature of the season.

Next week will be a special show for the Semi-Pro class with a 50-lap extra distance event with $600 to win for race winner and over $3,000 in prize money, a large field of Semi-Pro is expected. The Mod-Lite will also have a larger than normal feature with 25 laps of competition with some invaders that will probably make the call, the Mini-Stock will also have a 25-lap finale. Drivers that wants to try their cars before the Monday, September 6 Enduro, a special practice session will be held during the evening.

Canadian Super Challenge Modified Feature Results (100 laps)
David Hébert, Kayle Robidoux, Steve Bernard, Gino Clair Alan Therrien, Danny O'Brien, Yan Bussière, Alex Fortier, Pierre Dagenais, Eric Gauvreau, Stéphane Lafrance, Gage Morin, Laurent Ladouceur, Jasmin Léveillée, Mario Clair, Ryan Foley, Patrice Demers, Martin Gagné, Pat Cashman, Denis Gauvreau, Clément Therrien, Jean Boissonneault, Luke Whitteker, Michel Chicoine, Frédéric Gamache, Chris King, Paul St-Sauveur

Semi-Pro Feature Results (15 laps)
Alex Gagnon, Nico Leblanc, Bruno Boivin, Benoit Dubois, Michel Hamelin, Steve Gagné, Mark Trudeau, Charles Galipeau, John Benard, Denis Gauvreau, Jason Lamothe, Bruno Doucet, Beau Miller, Ile Opris, André Mainville, Stéphane Carrière, Richard Brady, Jeremy Lacombe

Mod-Lite Feature Results (15 laps)
Dean Pronovost, Pat Bell, Sylvain Ericksen, Chloé Ericksen, Clara Ericksen, Richard Renaud, Sylvain Laframboise, Mathieu Robinson

Conor Daly record 9th Star Mazda pole at Mosport

Mosport Raceway (August 28, 2010) – Continuing his record-breaking pole position streak, championship points leader Conor Daly scored his ninth pole of the season for this afternoon's Round 12 of the 2010 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at the Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport.   The young American turned a lap of 1:15.342 (117.496 mph) in the #22 Juncos Racing / INDECK / The College Network / Merchant Services Ltd. Mazda.

Starting alongside Daly, in his first-ever appearance on the front row of the Star Mazda starting grid, is Venezuelan racer Jorge Goncalvez with a lap of 1:15.481 (117.280 mph) in the #9 Team Apex / Wabash Capital Investments Mazda.  Both drivers turned their quick time on Lap 3 of the session, as did 3rd-place qualifier French racer Tristan Vautier with a lap of 1:15.504 (117.244) in the #38 Andersen Racing / Moulin TP / Cecibon / Circuit du Laquais / Fontanel Mazda.  Vautier has scored two wins this season, but several finishes outside the top-10 have dropped him to 6th in the championship. 

Starting on the outside of the second row will be young Quebec racer Mikael Grenier with a lap of 1:15.768 (116.836 mph) in his #17 Andersen Racing / Slow Cow / April Super Flow / NAPA Auto Parts / HS Telecom / Desharnais Mazda.  Grenier is 4th in the championship and won from the pole in Round 8 at Autobahn. 

Starting 5th on the grid is the only driver in the field with an outside chance to deny Daly the series championship.  Norwegian racer Anders 'The Viking' Krohn, still looking for his first win this season in the #47 Andersen Racing / Norse Cutting & Abandonment / Trallfa / Colosseum Mazda, has parlayed a consistent string of top-5 finishes into 2nd-place in the championship – albeit a somewhat distant second place as Daly, with six wins and nine poles, need only finish 12th or better in this afternoon's pentuntimate round of the 2010 Star Mazda Championship to clinch the title.  Krohn's qualifying lap was 1:15.899 (116.634 mph).

Starting alongside Krohn, in the 6th grid position with a lap of 1:15.901 (116.631 mph) will be California racer Connor De Phillippi, driving the #11 JDC Motorsports / MAZDASPEED Motorsports / Skip Barber Mazda.  De Phillippi, the 2009 Skip Barber Pro Series champion is racing this season in Star Mazda with funding provided by the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder and scored his first Star Mazda podium finish at Road America and is 5th in the championship.  Interestingly, Daly was also the Skip Barber champion (in 2008) and drove last year with backing from the MAZDASPEED Ladder.

The other championship that will be decided here today is the Master Series for drivers 45 and older.  Carlos Conde, an investment banker from San Juan, Puerto Rico and New York City has scored six in-class wins so far this year racing his #31 Team GDT / Pronto-GMT / Olympus Securities Mazda.  The points situation is such that he will become the 2010 Star Mazda Master Series Champion the instant the green flag falls.  His teammate and owner of Team GDT, Texan J.W. Roberts, has already clinched the Expert Series championship for drivers 30 to 44 years old with eight in-class wins driving the #65 Team GDT / General Data Tech Mazda.  Roberts chose not to compete this weekend, allowing the GDT squad to focus on Conde's championship effort.

While Daly and Krohn are the only two drivers left in competition for the overall series championship, the top-8 drivers in the field are all still in the running for the inaugural VISITFLORIDA Cup, a 7-race championship-within-a-championship sponsored by the series' television partner, VISIT FLORIDA, the official tourism and marketing organization for the state of Florida.  The live HDnet broadcasts and global syndication package made possible by the VISITFLORIDA partnership brings Star Mazda Championship racing to more than 150 million households worldwide.  The prize, a custom 'dream vacation' provided by VISIT Florida goes to the driver scoring the most points in the seven races that are part of the Cup, including this weekend's Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport and the season finale at the 13th Annual Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, September 29 – October 2.  For information about where and when you can see the Mosport race (and other Star Mazda VISITFLORIDA races) on television, visit www.MazdaRacing.tv.

Conor Daly also leads this competition with 192 points scored in races, and Anders Krohn is in second with 179 VISITFLORIDA points.  But with 90 points remaining to be won in the final two races, that leaves the top-17 drivers still in contention, including two of the four Canadians in the field.  Mikael Grenier is starting in third, and local driver, David Ostella, from Maple, Ontario is 10th in the championship, but has two top-4 and six-top-10 finishes in the #16 AIM Autosport / GP Global Precast Mazda.  He starts from 9th on the grid with a lap of 1:16.318 (115.994 mph).          

Mikhail Goikhberg, a 22 year-old Russian racer from St. Petersburg now living in Toronto, is a full-time racer in the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda and is making his Star Mazda debut with JDC Motorsports, which also fields his USF2000 effort.  Zack Meyer, a Canadian karting champion and Skip Barber racer is making his debut alongside David Ostella driving for AIM Autosport, the only Canadian team currently competing in the series.  They will be starting 16th and 18th, respectively.

This afternoon's 45-minute Star Mazda Championship race, with the traditional F1-style 'standing start', gets the green light at 1:15 pm.

Status GP_GP3 Series Spa Qualifying Report: WICKENS AND MORAD SECURE TOP FOUR POSITIONS FOR GP3 FEATURE RACE

Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, 28th August 2010: Robert Wickens took pole position and his Status GP team-mate Daniel Morad secured fourth place in the qualifying session for this afternoon's GP3 Series feature race at Spa-Francorchamps.

Canadian Wickens' best lap was 0.5sec clear of his nearest challenger in wet conditions at the challenging 4.35-mile  Belgian circuit. He set the lap on wet weather tyres on a drying circuit, before he and his  rivals pitted towards the end of the 30-minute session to change to slicks.

However, a series of incidents as cars span off the circuit in the slippery conditions at the end of the session meant that yellow caution flags were displayed, and Wickens backed off and did not improve his times. Some other GP3 drivers did go faster before the chequered flag, but a stewards inquiry concluded this afternoon that any improved times were deleted, and Wickens' advantage was restored. This means he will start on pole for the first time this season, and gives him maximum opportunity to close the gap on championship rival Esteban Gutierrez.

GMH Motorsport-backed driver Daniel Morad also showed superb form in his first visit to the sweeping Spa track to set the fourth fastest time on his wet weather tyres. The Canadian-Lebanese star also slowed down when he saw the yellow flags at the end of the session, despite being on a faster lap, and therefore avoided action from the stewards.

Marussia  Motors  Development  driver  Ivan  Lukashevich  suffered  some  misfortune  during  the  session. Running as high as 11th place midway through the session, the Russian driver pitted to change to slick tyres with  10  minutes  remaining.  However,  and  problem  re-firing  the  engine  lost  him  valuable  time and the 19-year-old  was  unable  to  get  his  tyres  up  to  full  operating  temperature  before  the  end  of  the  session  and dropped to 18th on the grid in the final reckoning.

Results
Robert Wickens (CAN): Best time: 2m19.94s, POLE; Position: 1st.
Daniel Morad (LIB): Best time: 2m20.87s, +0.92s; Position: 4th.
Ivan Lukashevich (RUS): Best time: 2m26.14s, + 6.21s; Position: 18th.

KARTS: Apollo Motorsports' Parker Thompson shows speed at Canadian National Championships

Apollo Motorsports driver Parker Thompson, driving under the SH Karting banner, had a strong outing this past weekend at the ASN/FIA Canadian National Championships held at Circuit Karting Mont-Tremblant in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. Competing in the Rotax Mini Max class, Thompson adapted to the tricky facility early and proved that he was one of the drivers to beat all weekend long.

Driving the #80 Tony Kart, Thompson’s Canadian National Championships week got off to a rough start as a misplaced package in shipping would see Parker’s motor and other important pieces for his machine be lost in transport to Montreal. Utilizing a borrowed motor and engineering some pedal risers to make Thompson comfortable in the kart, the talented driver would set forth for a pair of test days as he looked to get up to speed quickly.

“We were thankful for the motor that SH Karting loaned us for the test sessions,” explained Thompson after Wednesday’s practice day. “We are hopeful that are stuff will show up before Friday’s qualifying session.”

Looking for an upside to the lost package, Thompson was able to log long practice sessions and multiple laps to familiarize himself with the facility. Learning tricks around the 16 corner track that decreased his lap time, Thompson was looking forward to the official timed sessions and the intense wheel-to-wheel racing action.

Arriving at the trace track on Friday morning, Thompson and his crew had learned that the race engine had arrived and they quickly began preparation to get it fitted to their Tony Kart. Hitting the track for practice one, Thompson was one of the quickest drivers on the track and was looking good heading into qualifying. Some major changes for practice two to test some different setups were in order and Thompson struggled slightly.

After resetting the kart and qualifying in the fourth position, Thompson and the rest of the Mini Max field were forced to use the heat race format to set the grid for the pre final. Starting all three of his heat races outside the second row, Thompson would look to improve with each heat and garner a front row starting spot for ‘Super Sunday’.

When the green flag flew for the first two heat races, Thompson and his Tony Kart machine were on a tear scoring third and first place results. Not only was Thompson at the pointy end of the field, the talented driver set the fastest race laps in both heats as he looked for Canadian National Championships glory. The third and final heat did not go so well for the Apollo Motorsports driver as the rain began to fall harder and harder. After being caught up in an opening lap incident, Thompson was forced to unfamiliar territory at the back of the pack and came home eighth.

With the combined points from all three heats, Thompson would improve one position for the start of the pre final and would line up inside row three. With the rain continuing to fall, Thompsons luck would head south as at one point in the twelve lap pre final he was mired back in the fifteenth position. Racing hard for every position, Thompson battled back up to the eighth position where he would take the checkers.

With high hopes for the main event, Thompson looked strong at the drop of the green flag. Looking like a seasoned veteran, the Tony Kart driver sliced and diced his way through the field. Setting the fastest race lap by almost half a second, Thompson was looking to make a pass for the third place podium position but a slight mechanical problem caused his machine to slow on the final circuit as he was forced to nurse it home to a fourth place result.

Thompson added, “I learned a lot this weekend. The tracks on the east coast of Canada are amazing and I am happy to have had the opportunity to compete against Canada’s best. I would like to thank my tuner Chris Freckelton and all the guys from SH Karting and Apollo Motorsports for their support this weekend.”

Parker would like to thank his current supporters and sponsors:  Tony Kart West, SH Karting, Apollo Motorsports and BGR Graphics for all their hard work and continued support.

Press release prepared by: Race Tech Development // Photo courtesy of: Doug Thompson
PHOTO: Thompson leaves Montreal with a solid fourth place finish

NCATS Statistical Advance: Analyzing The NAPA Autopro 100 At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2010) – The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 makes its fourth visit to Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday, Aug. 29 for the NAPA AUTOPRO 200. It is the 2010 season’s 10th event and the last of five road-course races this year. Below is a statistical look at the race and recent performance of selected drivers in Montreal, as well as some statistical trends:

Ron Beauchamp Jr. (No. 60 Mopar/Mobil 1 Dodge)
·            Posted his best Montreal finish of sixth last season
·            Posted finishes of 28th and 21st in first two starts on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
·            On Aug. 21 at Mosport, posted first top-five finish since July 3 at Autodrome St. Eustache
·            One of seven drivers to start all 47 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races, to date

Jason Bowles (No. 11 Triad Racing Technologies Dodge)
·         Making third series start
·         Finished third on June 13 at Mosport International Raceway in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut and second in Toronto
·         Is reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion
·         Four of his nine career wins in the K&N Pro Series West have come on road courses
·         Is splitting time behind the wheel this season with John Gaunt handling the duties on the oval tracks

Patrice Brisebois (No. 71 L’equipeur Dodge)
·         Making fourth career NASCAR Canadian Tire Series start
·         Finished 12th last season in his track debut
·         Veteran of 18 National Hockey League seasons – 16 with Montreal Canadiens

Robin Buck (No. 66 Active Green+Ross/Durabody Ford)
·         Has a pair of top-10 finishes in Montreal – third in 2007 and eighth in 2008
·         Making his 13th series start, all on road courses
·         As an instructor at Mosport International Raceway, once had current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Jeff Gordon, at 15 years of age, as a student

Mark Dilley (No. 9 Exide Dodge)
·         Has consecutive top-10 finishes – seventh in 2008 and fifth in 2009 – after a 21st-place finish in 2007
·         Has posted four consecutive top-10 finishes
·         Has a pair of top-10 finishes – Mosport and Trois-Rivieres – in four road-course starts this season
·         One of seven drivers to start all 47 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races, to date

Maryeve Dufault (No. 10 Dodge Dealers of Quebec Dodge)
·         Making her second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series start after debut in Trois-Rivieres
·         The fourth female driver in series history following Ashley Taws, Catlin Johnston and Isabelle Tremblay
·         Has raced sports cars and motorcycles, as well as serving as a Hollywood stuntwoman
·         Developmental driver with FAZZT Race Team that fields car for Alex Tagliani in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

J.F. Dumoulin (No. 04 Group Bellemare/GP3R Dodge)
·         The Quebec native, and brother of fellow competitor Louis-Philippe, is making his fifth series start
·         Making first series start in Montreal
·         Often competes in GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series events
·         Car owner is current National Hockey League star Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning

L.P. Dumoulin (No. 47 Maskimo/Somavrac Dodge)
·         The Quebec native, and brother of fellow competitor Jean-Francois, is making his fifth series start
·         Finished 23rd in last season’s NAPA AUTOPRO 100
·         Car owner is former Montreal Canadien Marc-Andre Bergeron

JR Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Schick Hydro Chevrolet)
·         Won last season’s Montreal event
·         Finished 22nd in each of his first two trips to Montreal, despite leading laps in both races
·         Has led a series-high 39 laps in action at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
·         Current points leader by 16 points over DJ Kennington
·         Collected sixth series victory on July 25 at Edmonton City Centre Airport and fifth series victory on June 13 at Mosport International Raceway
·         Five of his six career series wins have come on road courses – Mosport (2), Edmonton (2) and Montreal
·         Competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event, as well
·         Finished seventh on June 19 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., in his first NASCAR Nationwide Series start in 2010 and first for JR Motorsports
·         Finished 11th on Aug. 7 in NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.)

Jason Hathaway (No. 3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge)
·         Finish of 13th a season ago is career best in Montreal
·         Finished 20th in 2007 and 28th in 2008 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
·         Has top-10 finishes in three of four road-course starts this season, with Toronto being the exception
·         Had a four-race streak of top-10 finishes snapped in his last outing at Mosport Speedway with a 14th-place effort
·         One of seven drivers to start all 47 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races, to date

Caitlin Johnston (No. 01 Pizza Pizza Dodge)
·         Making her third career Canadian Tire Series start after competing this season at Mosport Int’l Raceway and Exhibition Place in Toronto
·         One of three female drivers, along with Maryeve Dufault and Isabelle Tremblay, entered into the event
·         At Mosport, became the second female driver to compete in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series following Ashley Taws in 2008

DJ Kennington (No. 17 Castrol Edge Dodge)
·         Finished fourth in all three Canadian Tire Series starts in Montreal
·         Has strung together four straight top-10 performances
·         Earned the victory in four of his last 10 series starts dating back to 2009
·         Collected his seventh career series win and third of 2010 on Aug. 4 at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway
·         Collected his sixth career series win and second of 2010 on July 3 at Autodrome St. Eustache
·         Collected his fifth series-career win in 2010 season opener on June 5 at Delaware Speedway
·         Competing in NASCAR Nationwide Series event, as well

Jeff Lapcevich (No. 23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet)
·         Has registered top-10 finishes in all three of his Montreal starts – eighth in both 2007 and 2009, and sixth in 2008
·         The 18th-place finish on Aug. 21 at Mosport Speedway was first outside the top 10 in 2010
·         Posted top-10 finishes in seven of last 10 series starts dating back to last season

Kerry Micks (No. 02 Dickies/Beyond Digital Imaging Ford)
·         Won the 2007 race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
·         Finished third in other two Montreal starts
·         Has led a total of 28 laps in Canadian Tire Series action in Montreal
·         Has finished inside the top 10 in 15 of his last 16 series starts dating back to last season
·         Has one oval-track win (Mosport Speedway in 2008) and two road-course wins (Montreal and Trois-Rivieres in 2007) in NCATS action
·         Is one of seven drivers to compete in all 47 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races

Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Dodge Dealers of Quebec Dodge)
·         Won the 2008 Montreal event
·         Finished second in his other two series starts at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
·         Has two Canadian Tire Series wins this season – Toronto and Trois-Rivieres
·         Has 10 consecutive Canadian Tire Series podium finishes on road courses, including seven wins, dating back to 2008
·         Eight of his 11 Canadian Tire Series wins have come on road courses
·         Has a pair of NASCAR K&N Pro Series road-course wins this season – Infineon Raceway (West) and Lime Rock Park (East)
·         Two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion (2007 & 2009)
·         Holds overall career series mark for wins at 11

Anthony Simone (No. 95 Rx100 Chevrolet)
·         Has finished of 33rd (2008) and 30th (2009) in his two Montreal starts
·         Has top-10 finishes in four of his last five starts
·         Posted a pair of runner-up finishes on road courses – Mosport and Trois-Rivieres – last season

Scott Steckly (No. 22 Canadian Tire Jumpstart Dodge)
·         Career-best Montreal finish was second in 2008
·         Finished fifth in 2007 and 19th in 2009
·         Finished 17th on Aug. 21 at Mosport Speedway for his first finish outside the top 10 for the first time since July 17 at Toronto
·         Collected his first win of the season on July 31 at Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, B.C.
·         Has finished inside the top five in five of nine starts this season
·         Has eight NASCAR Canadian Tire Series wins to his credit
·         Won 2008 series championship

Don Thomson Jr. (No. 4 Home Hardware Chevrolet)
·         Logged finishes of sixth (2007) and fifth (2008) on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
·         Finished 18th a year ago in Montreal
·         Broke a 10-race winless streak with Aug. 21 victory at Mosport Speedway for sixth career win and first of 2010
·         Has top-10 finishes in seven of last eight starts
·         Holds the overall series career mark for poles with 11
·         His six series wins is tied (JR Fitzpatrick) for the fourth-highest total in series history

NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES presented by MOBIL 1 At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
·         This is the series’ fourth season to compete at the legendary circuit in Montreal.
·         The average starting field in Montreal is 32.67 and average cars finishing on the lead lap is 19.
·         There has been an average of 2.67 caution periods for an average of 5.67 laps in the three prior races in Montreal, with the earliest coming at Lap 2 in 2009 and the latest at Lap 22, also in 2009.
·         The average starting position of the winner is 3.67, while the polesitter has an average finish of 14th.
·         There are 10 Quebec natives entered into the event – Brisebois, Marc-Andre Cliche, Dufault, J.F. Dumoulin, L.P. Dumoulin, Ranger, Michel Pilon, Dexter Stacey, Isabelle Tremblay and Derek White.
·         First series race with three female drivers – Dufault, Johnston and Tremblay – in the field.

For more information, contact: Shon Sbarra, NASCAR Public Relations, (704) 309-5493 or ssbarra@nascar.com