Saturday, May 07, 2011
Friday, May 06, 2011
Kawartha Speedway: Objects on the Track Race Larger Than They Appear
At first glance, names can be deceiving. Take the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock division at Kawartha Speedway for example. Sure, they’re 4 cylinder sub-compact racecars, but their performance is anything but ‘mini’. In fact, the use of the term in reference to the action the class provides is a gross underestimation. With nearly 40 of the fastest four bangers in the province signing in for at least 1 show during the 2010 season at the Fraserville, Ontario 3/8th miler, promoter Derek Lynch says fans have something to look forward to once the new season gets underway.
“Our mini stock racers put on some of the best shows we see every year,” said Lynch. “On more than one occasion, their main events went from green to checkered flag without a single yellow. I think they even ran caution free during one of the 50 lappers. The competition is tough and fast and more than half the pack has a chance to find their way to victory lane whenever the green flag flies. It’s truly anyone’s game.”
Peterborough’s Mike Nelson earned his first career track championship during Kawartha’s 10th anniversary season. The 5 year veteran, who enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2010 says paying attention to even the smallest detail helped his #85 Dodge Neon not only pick-up a first main event win but helped pave the way to a title winning effort.
“At the start of the year, there were some nights that we came to just have fun – to get out there and play with the rest of the guys,” said Nelson. “A couple of solid runs and some consistent top 5 and top 10 finishes were the proof we needed to show we were capable of winning. There were only a pair of checkered flags during the year, but that helped my team over the hump and proved what we were able to accomplish. From there, everything just fell nicely into place.”
Kawartha Speedway’s mini stock division has become a proving ground for a number of younger drivers and if Nelson has hopes for another title in 2011, he’ll need to hold off the challenges of the teen scene, including Michael Batchelor, Danny Benedict and Daryl Fice. At just 15 years old, Fice entered the history books Friday, August 13th when he swept his qualifying event, semi feature and ‘A’ main. It’s not just the kids that could stand in the way of another seat at the championship table for Nelson. Darragh Moroney Jr., better known as ‘Too’ finished second in points last year and hopes to build on a season that saw 4 wins for the driver of the #2 Honda.
“We had a great season and in most years, it would have been good enough to win the title,” said Moroney. “Mike just showed more consistency than we did throughout the year. That’s something we’ll have to work on once the new campaign gets underway. When it comes to preparation, our team is one of the best so I think we’ll be able to pull it off.”
Kawartha Speedway’s 2011 season gets rolling with an open practice session Friday, May 27th. The first green flag is a week later. The Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks run 50 lap main events Friday, July 15th – part of the annual fan appreciation night – and Friday, September 9th. For complete schedule details, visit www.kawarthaspeedway.com.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications: ‘Too’ Moroney finished the 2010 season just 29 points behind Mike Nelson in the hunt for the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock championship.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
Merrittville Speedway: First 'Driver of the Week' to be announced Saturday
Thorold, Ontario (May 6) – With the racing action witnessed throughout last Saturday’s Z101 60th Season Opener … Merrittville Speedway Officials have a difficult question to answer.
Who will be the first driver of 2011 to be named a Pete’s Automotive Driver of the Week?
At each and every Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event, a team of Merrittville Speedway Officials picks his or her choice on who they think should be declared Driver of the Week.
A driver from any of the Thorold track’s 5 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions – the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds … the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman ... Hoosier Stocks … J& S Heating & Air Conditioning Mod Lites and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders can be named a Driver of the Week – provided that they receive the most votes that particular week.
While there can be a different Driver of the Week each week during the season – votes that a particular driver receives each week for that award are recorded and go towards Driver of the Year voting.
After each event during the 60th Season where all 5 Divisions are in competition as in past years – the participating officials first pick a driver from each division as a start in arriving at a Driver of the Week. From each official’s 5 drivers … each official then picks one driver as a weekly finalist.
For the first round of picks each driver receives one point and each driver that is in the final group receives another 2 points. The driver or drivers with the most points at the end of the process in then named Driver of the Week.
Each week’s points are recorded and are used in determining the Pete’s Automotive Driver of the Year.
Simply put - the driver from any division that receives the most overall points will be named the Pete’s Automotive Driver of the Year.
Technically – a Driver of the Year could be a driver that was never a Driver of the Week – provided that he or she received the most points week in and week out over the course of the season.
The Pete’s Automotive Merrittville Speedway Driver of Year is the final award presented each year at the Club Castropignano Awards Gala and it is at that time that the winner’s name is announced for the first time and is presented by the Team of Officials that determined the winner – Race Director Bob St. Amand Jr., Pit Steward Rick Agnew, Scoring and Timing Officials Colleen Curvin, Laurie and Britney Devos, Katelyn Pritty, and Co-Announcer/Stats Man Fran Buschardt.
2010 Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Point Champion Rocco Conte is the defending Pete’s Automotive Driver of the Year.
For further information on the 60th Anniversary Season call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit the award winning merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville).
Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a 60th Anniversary LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions with local heroes and up and coming new stars.
Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a carpool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots – a night at the races is so much fun and so close to home!
Your Local Dirt Track is where it’s at!!! Merrittville Speedway ‘The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara.”
Crazy Offer! Race fans – check your 2011 Ticket Stubs for a Crazy Offer from Little Caesars Pizza – located at 572 Niagara Street in Welland. With the purchase of a HOT-N-READY Pizza and Crazy Bread – receive a Free Crazy Bread!
For Immediate Release From Jim Irvine Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
905-892-8266 (Office) jimirvine@cogeco.net or www.twitter.com/merrittville
NASCAR: J.R. Fitzpatrick set for double duty at Dover
With finals at Fordham University in full swing, Chase Mattioli Racing has asked JR Fitzpatrick, driver of the #67 Go Canada Racing Nationwide Ford, to do double duty at Dover and drive the #99 College Complete.com Ford in the May 13th Lucas Oil 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. JR will also be competing in the 5-hour ENERGY 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday, May 14th.
"I am wearing three hats these days, driver, owner and student. With finals at Fordham approaching, I had a discussion with College Complete about stepping aside this week. Obviously, with their focus on education, College Complete agreed it was the right decision. I have worked it out so I can be at the track on Friday to represent College Complete and to be with JR and the team", Mattioli concluded.
"The team reached out to us earlier this week and asked us if JR could drive in place of Chase," says Steve Meehan, owner of the #67 Go Canada Ford. "We are excited to see JR get some additional track time prior to the Nationwide Race and delighted that CollegeComplete.com and Chase Mattioli Racing feel equally confident about JR's abilities," Meehan concluded.
Hailing from Cambridge, Ontario, JR will be celebrating his 23rd birthday on May 9th. He is no stranger to Dover, having driven to an 11th place finish in the 2009 Camping World Truck event.
"We are excited to have JR driving for us in Dover," commented College Complete's Dan Haim. "In the coming weeks, we expect to announce the expansion of the College Complete service to Canada, and having the opportunity to work with JR works well with our strategy. He is a talented young gun and we know that he will represent College Complete (http://CollegeComplete.com) well both on and off the track in Dover," Haim concluded.
From Chase Mattioli Racing
SUCCESSFUL DAY ON TRACK FOR PIERRE BOURQUE
Fraserville, ON (May 6, 2011) Well-known Canadian NASCAR driver Pierre Bourque took to the track in his DJK prepared Dodge Avenger for the first time in 2011 this past week at Kawartha Speedway. He immediately got back into the groove for his upcoming season of racing in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. The reviews from the driver and the team were 100% positive.Though Bourque competed earlier this year at the ARCA series event at the fabled Talladega superspeedway where he ran as high as second, it was his first chance to get the feel of his Canadian ride for 2011. It was an opportunity to return to the tricky high-speed short track at Kawartha and assess where the team is prior to the first competition of the year. “It looked like a Casper the Friendly Ghost car being all white” joked Bourque “but I’m very happy with how the car felt. The gang at DJK Racing do such a good job at preparing the race car and I really appreciate that”.
During the session, a cool and windy afternoon with imminent rain threatening, Bourque made several runs, including a 20-lap bonzai with periodic stops for the team to get feedback from the driver about how the car behaved. “I think we did about 50 laps in total” summarized Bourque. “We didn’t have any issues or headaches. It was really a matter of minor adjustments to make sure I was comfortable and that the car performed as we expected, and it absolutely did".
The other reason for Bourque to jump behind the wheel is that more seat time always helps. “I got to shake off a bit of the Canadian cobwebs” he stated with a sly smile. “Even though I’ve been testing and racing elsewhere, each car feels a little different and you want to be completely ready when the green flag drops for the first race” he added.
"I want to thank my team owner and teammate DJ Kennington for all the passion, sweat equity, and dedication he and the guys have put into the car over the winter months, it really shows," Bourque added, " and in particular I want to thank that unsung genius of the horsepower Doug Kennington who without a doubt builds and fine-tunes the very best and most powerful racing engines in Canada'.
Pierre Bourque will be competing again this season at the most prestigious events on the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire series with the backing of numerous sponsorship partners. “Everyone from last year is back” said Bourque. “We have wonderful relationships with Telus, Mahindra Tractors and of course Aaron’s. We’ll be working hard to represent these great companies all season and getting them front and centre on the race track”.
Next up for Bourque are two ARCA test days with Eddie Sharp Racing in the #6 Toyota Camry, the first on May 17 at the ultra-fast 1.5 mile Chicagoland Speedway, the second on May 25 at the very challenging Michigan Superspeedway, with backing from Revolution Resources (a TSX-listed Canadian-owned North Carolina gold mining company), The Fight Network (the world's premier provider of combat sports content), and Sure Pure (global leader in turbid liquid photopurification).
For more information on Pierre Bourque, go to http://www.pierrebourque.com and http://www.twitter.com/pierrebourque
Attached Photo: Pierre Bourque testing at Kawartha Speedway //Photo Credit: Todd Lewis
Thursday, May 05, 2011
RON BEAUCHAMP JR AND TEAM MOPAR SET FOR 2011
May 5, 2011. Ron Beauchamp Jr and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team took to the track at Kawartha Speedway for the first time this past weekend at the annual Mopar Test Day. The team came away from the afternoon extremely pleased with the results and can’t wait to open the season in just a few weeks at Mosport.
It’s been an off season full of change for the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team. The first visible change is the racy new look to the 2011 Dodge Challenger body on the race car. Also new for 2011 is the Crew Chief as Mike Knott an experienced veteran of the series has signed on. Knott brings with him some new and innovative ideas that the team has worked hard on this off season. “Mike has worked with us in the past a little bit and when the opportunity for him to come aboard full time and be our Crew Chief came about we were thrilled” said Beauchamp.
The new car set up that Beauchamp took to the speedway with proved to be tremendously successful. “I just can’t believe how good the car felt” exclaimed Beauchamp after one segment on the track. “I just kept driving the car deeper and deeper each time around and I was expecting it to get loose, but it didn’t. I can’t remember having a car that handled this well” he added.
The constant once again this season for the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team is the return of all the sponsorship partners for another season. “We get amazing support from everyone” said the driver. “Mopar is not only our sponsor but they are huge supporters of the series and that helps everyone. Plus the additional backing from Mobile 1 and Exide Batteries is fantastic. It’s a privilege to represent them at the races and all of the other events we have planned again this year” he stated.
Ron Beauchamp Jr and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge Team will compete in all twelve races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule beginning with round one taking place May 28th at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario. Once again this year all events will be broadcast on TSN. Fans should check their local listings for times. For more information about the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team log on to http://www.beauchampmotorsports.com/ and www.mopar.ca For series information check out www.nascar.ca.
Attached photo: The #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge Challenger on track at Kawartha Speedway.
Photo Credit: Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
NASCAR: Ted Christopher drives to the top of the Hunter Index
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 5, 2011) — At some point, Ted Christopher may slow down. If the start to 2011 is any indication, that day isn’t anytime soon.
The Plainville, Conn., driver collected wins across three series – two in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, one in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and another at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series – over the last month.
Seven starts, four wins, five top fives.
And that’s just in the last 30 days.
It also earned Christopher the top spot for May in the Hunter Index, as voted on by a panel of auto racing writers and NASCAR representatives.
“With the start of another season Ted Christopher is again out proving that he somehow defies the laws of natural aging,” said Shawn Courchesne of the Hartford (Conn.) Courant. “Closing in on 53 years old, Christopher just continues to romp on the young talent all over the landscape of Modified racing.”
As impressive as Christopher’s performance has been, his ranking at the top of the Hunter Index was by no means unanimous.
In fact, six different drivers earned first-place votes among the 14 panelists.
While Christopher was No. 1 on five ballots, both NASCAR K&N Pro Series East points leader Darrell Wallace Jr. and NASCAR K&N Pro Series West points leader Greg Pursley were on three apiece.
The Hunter Index, which was launched in 2010 on NASCARHomeTracks.com, is a monthly power poll designed to highlight the standout performances in the NASCAR developmental series. This year, the monthly winners will be presented with a trophy designed by Jostens.
Drivers are ranked on their performance over the previous month. The rankings are compiled by a panel of auto racing writers and NASCAR representatives. This season, the panel was expanded to 12 media members from across North American with experience covering NASCAR’s touring and weekly series, along with two voters from NASCAR.
Panelists rank their top 15, with first place receiving 15 points, second 14, third 13 and so on.
Christopher edged Wallace, 191-187, in total points, with Pursley in third at 178.
In addition to his NASCAR K&N Pro Series win at Richmond, Wallace also drove into contention in the subsequent Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown. He was battling NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch for the lead on a late-race restart when he spun, but his showing was enough to impact several voters.
“Wallace has not only has been the top of his class in the K&N Pro Series East, wining at Richmond, but in that same evening he held his own against NASCAR’s top drivers and found himself battling for the lead until late in the race,” said J.A. Ackley of Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated.
Likewise, Pursley’s consistent run earned him the top spot among several voters. His win at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, was his fourth victory in six races dating back to last year.
“He has been the hottest driver in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West for the past six months,” said Tim Haddock of haddockinthepaddock.blogspot.com. “He is off to his best career start in the West Series and has emerged as the favourite to win his first West Series championship.”
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series drivers Brandon Davis and Joe Duvall, and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Bobby Santos all received one first-place vote apiece.
Davis picked up a pair of wins last month to run his season-opening streak to four straight in the Late Model Division at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.), and Duvall won three of four starts in the dirt Modified division between Oklahoma’s Outlaw Motor Speedway and Salinas Highbanks Speedway.
Davis finished fourth in the May voting, just ahead of NASCAR K&N Pro Series East driver Sergio Pena. Pena had a win at South Boston (Va.) Speedway and is second to teammate Wallace in the series standings.
Duvall and Santos tied for sixth. Santos rebounded from an engine issue in the season opener to win at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway.
George Brunnhoelzl III (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour), Brett Moffitt (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East) and Max Gresham (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East) rounded out the top 10.
Moffitt was voted No. 1 in April.
The Hunter Index is named for the late Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president of corporate communications and a longtime supporter of the weekly and touring series that make up the NASCAR Developmental Series.
The Index was designed as an opportunity to compare the top drivers from the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series all the way up to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. It will also encompass drivers from the NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.
The Hunter Index is released the first Thursday of each month from April through November.
The panel also included media members: J.A. Ackley, Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated; Joe Chisholm, Race Time Radio on Sirius 98; Shawn Courchesne, Hartford (Conn.) Courant; Bob Dillner, SPEED; Tim Haddock, haddockinthepaddock.blogspot.com; Keith Lair, Los Angeles Newspaper Group; Spencer Lewis, Inside Track Motorsports News; Jorge Mondaca, FOXSports.com; Pat Patterson, SIRIUS NASCAR Ch. 128/ESPN Radio; Len Sammons, Area Auto Racing News; David Smith, DavidSmithMotorsports.com; and Elgin Traylor, Speed51.com. They are joined by Brett Bodine, who is the chairman of the NASCAR Résumé Committee and represents the NASCAR competition side on the panel, and Jason Christley, a NASCAR public relations representative.
HUNTER INDEX – MAY
1. TED CHRISTOPHER
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour/NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour/NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Why he’s here: The Plainville, Conn., driver won in nearly every race he ran the first month. That included coming from two laps down to win the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opener and starting last in the first of two straight NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour wins.
2. DARRELL WALLACE JR.
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Why He’s Here: The Mobile, Ala., driver continues to be one of the rising stars in NASCAR in his sophomore series. He scored a convincing win at Richmond, and then made his way to the front to battle Kyle Busch for the lead in the Denny Hamlin Foundation Late Model race.
3. GREG PURSLEY
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
Why He’s Here: The Newhall, Calif., driver nearly won at All American Speedway and then picked up his second straight victory on the road course at Miller Motorsports Park, and has four wins and a second in the series’ last six events.
4. BRANDON DAVIS
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Why He’s Here: Two more wins for the Henderson, Nev., native pushed his winning streak in the Late Model Division at Toyota to five straight dating back to last year’s finale.
5. SERGIO PENA
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Why He’s Here: Scored his first career win at South Boston and followed with a solid eighth-place run at Richmond to keep pace with teammate Wallace in the points standings.
6. JOE DUVALL
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Why He’s Here: The Chelsea, Okla., driver is the defending Oklahoma champion and is proving to be the man to beat with three wins and a second in four starts between Outlaw and Salinas Highbanks.
7. BOBBY SANTOS
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Why He’s Here: Set the track record in qualifying at Thompson before being sidelined with a blown motor, the defending tour champion bounced back with a convincing win at Stafford.
8. GEORGE BRUNNHOELZL III
NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Why He’s Here: Overshadowed by Christopher, the West Babylon, N.Y., driver quietly picked up a second at South Boston and fourth at Caraway to solidify his spot atop the standings in his quest for a second tour title in three years.
9. BRETT MOFFITT
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Why He’s Here: Was out front for nearly 70 laps at South Boston before a wreck by a lapped car collected the Grimes, Iowa, driver. He bounced back with a second-place finish at Richmond.
10. MAX GRESHAM
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Why He’s Here: After finishing third at South Boston, the Griffin, Ga., driver led the most laps en route to a fourth-place run at Richmond.
HONORABLE MENTION: BJ Mackey (Caraway Speedway/NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Lee Pulliam (Motor Mile Speedway/NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Burt Myers (Bowman Gray Stadium/NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Moses Smith (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West) and Jason Fensler (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West).
Follow all the NASCAR Home Tracks racing news at:
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Facebook.com/NASCARHomeTracks
Twitter.com/NASCARHomeTrack
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For additional information, contact: Jason Christley, Integrated Marketing Communications, (386) 310-6094 or jchristley@nascar.com
Mosport's 2011 Victoria Day Speedfest on track in two weeks
Pirelli World Challenge, SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am, Castrol Canadian Touring Car, SCCA Pro Spec Racer Ford, SCCA Pro Formula Enterprises and Sundown Grand Prix Highlight Mosport's Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend
(BOWMANVILLE, ON – May 5, 2011) In just two weeks, Mosport International Raceway will kick off its 2011 season with the sights and sounds of thundering GT and Touring car racers on the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend, May 20-22.
Some of North America's best road racing sedan championships - the Pirelli World Challenge Series, the SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series, the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship, the classic Sundown Grand Prix endurance race into darkness and new to Mosport in 2011, the SCCA Pro Spec Racer Ford and SCCA Pro Formula Enterprises - take to the 3.96 km circuit for Mosport's traditional holiday season-opener.
Headlining the three-day weekend is a Pirelli World Challenge doubleheader, with combined class races for GT, GTS and Touring cars. The "Sports Car Wars" entry list is full of popular brands such as Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Honda, Mazda, Porsche, Viper, Volkswagen and Volvo. The 2010 GT Rookie of the Year Fred Roberts of Toronto, coming off an eighth place finish at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah, placing him 11th in points, will have his work cut out for him as he battles against the brand new Cadillac CTS-V one-two punch of Johnny O'Connell and Andy Pilgrim. Roberts' Viper teammate Jason Daskalos is coming off a win and currently sits third in the driver's championship. Two-time defending American Le Mans Series GT champion and Porsche factory driver, Patrick Long will look to take back the points lead after missing the last race.
Long got his 2011 campaign off to a hot start, winning the first two races of the year.
Road racing veteran and Mississauga native Aaron Povoledo is coming off a Touring class win in Utah and currently sits second in the drivers championship. Povoledo has joined the K-PAX Racing team this season and is competing in the new Volvo C30. He will be looking to use the momentum of his last race as he makes his return to Canada.
After returning to Mosport in 2009 following a six-year absence, the SCCA Trans-Am Series will continue their storied history at Mosport, which dates back to 1976. The Series has switched to a new three-class format this season (TA, T2 and T3). Defending champion Tony Ave is coming off a win in Round 2 at Miller and will be a race favourite in his Chevrolet Corvette. Gateway Racing's Blaise Csida, who finished third at Mosport in 2010, will look to use his home track advantage to once again finish on the podium. Other drivers to keep an eye on will be RJ Lopez, Cliff Ebben and Simon Gregg.
The country's top sedan road-racing series, the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship, makes its first of three season stops at Mosport boasting a 40-car field with several new teams and marques competing in Touring and Super Touring classes. This is a doubleheader weekend for the Championship.
New to Mosport in 2011, the SCCA Pro Spec Racer Ford for sports cars and the SCCA Pro Formula Enterprises for open-wheel racers will be running a doubleheader race weekend. Both series' open their season on May 13-15 at Virginia International Raceway.
The Sundown Grand Prix endurance race-into-darkness on Saturday returns to SpeedFest for a seventh consecutive year. There will be GT and Touring cars competing for overall and class wins in the three-hour classic.
It wouldn't be a Victoria Day weekend celebration without Mosport's popular fireworks show scheduled for Saturday night after the Sundown GP.
The racing action starts Friday (May 20) with a full-day of practice for all six championships. Saturday (May 21) is a mix of practice and qualifying in the morning, followed by races for the SCCA Pro Formula Enterprises, Pirelli World Challenge, SCCA Pro Spec Racer Ford, Castrol Touring Car Championship and the Sundown Grand Prix. Sunday (May 22) morning opens with more qualifying and then races in Formula Enterprises, Spec Racer Ford, Castrol Touring, World Challenge and Trans-Am to close out the weekend.
The three-day weekend SuperTicket is just $50 until May 18 ($60 at the Gate). Single-day tickets are also available. Each ticket includes parking, access to the race team paddock, the Mosport Marketplace and admission to Mosport Speedway's Saturday Night Stock Car season-opener at the half-mile paved oval located on the grounds. As with all Mosport events, children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult admission.
Camping is a popular part of the Mosport experience, with advanced general camping passes just $35 for the weekend when purchased before May 18 (tents or pop-up trailers). Advance RV passes are $55.
For those who would like to get closer to the action, the SpeedFest Corral offers a VIP hospitality package which includes a meet and greet with the drivers, race team tech sessions, an opportunity to drive their car on the track in a parade lap and a BBQ lunch on Sunday, all for just $100.
For more information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at
1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com.
From Ryan Chalmers, Mosport
GALLERY: Peterborough Speedway (4/30/11) by Bob Lawless
And I was looking forward to seeing his hair stand on end like he was holding the big silver static ball at the Ontario Science Centre....
There's a move afoot to say, 'You're Fired!" to Donald Trump, as driver of the pace car during the upcoming Indy 500.
Maybe some are concerned that he hasn't produced a long-form driver's licence?
Maybe they were worried about hair debris on the track if The Donald drove around The Brickyard in a Corvette Convertible?
The Toronto Star / Wheels site has a story on the drama here.
PHOTOS: MOPAR Day at Kawartha Speedway
MARITIME PRO STOCK TOUR: Lockhart Truck Center returns as race sponsor
HALIFAX, NS - The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (PFTPST) is pleased to announce that Lockhart Truck Center will return as a race sponsor for the 2011 season. Lockhart Truck Center is Nova Scotia’s premier heavy truck dealer and has been servicing the Maritimes since 1985. Their knowledgeable factory trained staff offer a level of customer service that makes Lockhart your number one choice for sales and service. The Lockhart Truck Center 100 will take place on Saturday, July 2 at Scotia Speedworld, the 3/10 mile oval located just outside of Halifax, NS.
“This is Lockhart Truck Center’s second year partnering with the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and we’re excited to have them back.” Said Ken Cunning, General Manager of the PFTPST. “Lockhart Truck Center is a long time stock car racing supporter and we are thrilled to partner with them again in 2011.”
“Lockhart Truck Center is proud to be a sponsor of the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour.” Said Peter MacGillivary, Vice President and General Manager of Lockhart Truck Center. “We have been involved for many years and we are always impressed with the professionalism and dedication of all the race teams and the Tour staff. We wish everyone a safe and successful 2011 race season and thank all of the fans for their support.”
The CARQUEST 100 will kick off the 2011 Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour season on Sunday, May 22nd at Scotia Speedworld. Stay tuned to www.maritimeprostocktour.com for all the latest news and ticket information.
About Lockhart Truck Center: Lockhart Truck Centre is Nova Scotia’s premier heavy truck dealer, servicing the Maritimes since 1985. Lockhart offers the complete Western Star line up of premium line haul and heavy-duty vocational applications and a new level of customer service that makes Lockhart Truck Centre your number one choice for sales and service. Their knowledgeable factory trained staff are ready to serve you with customized solutions tailored to your business. Visit www.lockharttruckcenter.ca for more information.
About the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour: The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (PFTPST) is the highest level of stock car racing in Canada. The Tour is recognized in the industry as one of the healthiest stock car racing series in North America. PFTPST visits five tracks throughout the Maritimes during its May through September season. The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour is owned and operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. For more information, call our administration office at 902.481.2531 or click www.maritimeprostocktour.com.
From Tara Foster / Media@maritimeprostocktour.com
South Buxton Raceway season opener rained out to May 14
This Saturday's scheduled Opening Night for the 2011 season at South Buxton Raceway has been postponed to May 14.
The entire facility is still unmanageable - much of it is under water - as a result of the heavy amount of rain in recent weeks.
South Buxton's 40th Anniversary season will now open on Saturday, May 14. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m.
For more info, please contact Mike Bennett (519-351-4765).
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
ACT announces NHMS LM All-Star Challenge criteria
Waterbury, VT –The American Canadian Tour (ACT) announced today the criteria and format for the first NHMS - ACT All Star event to be held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) over the weekend of August 12-13, 2011.
The event will be presented as part of the announced INDY weekend at the region’s largest sporting facility, and only super speedway. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Division will join the ACT Late Models as part of an “ALL STAR” weekend for short track, featuring full-fendered ACT Late Models and the open-wheeled NASCAR Modifieds.
The American Canadian Tour Late Models are the most popular stock car division racing in the Northeast at a premiere weekly level, competing at twelve (12) weekly short tracks in the region, and also on two of the most popular touring series in the northeast: the ACT US Tour in New England and New York, and ACT Serie CASTROL Edge, throughout the Province of Quebec.
Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour said, “We want as many Late Model teams to be able to compete at NHMS for this event as possible. It is great that Jerry Gappens, Vice President and General Manager of NHMS has enough confidence in our Late Model teams to offer us this opportunity. We have tried to develop the safest and most competitive set of criteria for racing at NHMS, based on our “ACT Invitational” experience over the past couple years. The goal is to allow as many teams and fans as possible the unique chance to race and enjoy short track type racing at the Magic Mile.”
The event will be based on the ACT sanctioning body’s short track formula using the handicap system for starting spots, heat races, ‘Last Chance’ events, double segments with inversion for the final segment.
“We hope many of the short track fans from around the region will plan to spend the weekend at NHMS. This format will be the most unique format for a division ever to participate at a Super Speedway. We think it will be very exciting for both the competitors and fans. We have also tried to keep the event with some cost constraints, which is in keeping with the philosophy of the American Canadian Tour Late Model program throughout the region,” concluded Curley.
Many of the ACT affiliate tracks have redesigned their 2011 Late Model schedules to allow their competitors to compete in this first-time event at the NHMS. The following is a brief outline of the criteria for participation in the first ever race of its kind at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 12th and 13th:
ELIGIBILITY
1. ACT ‘affiliate’ tracks are: Thunder Road, White Mountain Motorsports Park, Oxford Plains Speedway, Seekonk Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl, Twin State Speedway, Kawartha Speedway, Capital City Speedway, Riverside Speedway (NH), Canaan Fair Speedway, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Albany Saratoga Speedway, ACT US, and ACT Castrol EDGE Serie.
a) All cars competing from any of the above must be 100% ACT legal---no exceptions.
[note: a driver gaining eligibility in a non-ACT legal car will not be allowed to compete in a ‘borrowed’ ACT car]
b) Championship points will be issued for both the ACT US, and Castrol Edge Series.
c) Only one (1) car per driver will be entered. Second cars will not be allowed. Drivers must start the race in their own cars from the first competitive (non-practice) green flag.
2. Who can enter?
a) Any driver who has competed in an ACT Invitational at NHMS over the past two seasons will be eligible to file entry for the NMHS ALL Star Late Model Challenge…
b) Any driver who attended an ACT ‘test and tune’ session at the NHMS over the past two years will be eligible to file entry for the NHMS ACT ALL STAR CHALLENGE…
c) Weekly drivers from any of the above ‘affiliate’ tracks who are in the top 15 in point standings* or have been in the top 15 in point standings in the 2009 and/or 2010 seasons who receive approval from local track officials and management and final approval from ACT management and officials will be eligible to file entry for the NHMS ACT ALL STAR CHALLENGE.
*[MUST BE IN THE TOP 15 IN STANDINGS AS OF MONDAY, JULY 18, 2011]
d) Various drivers who do not meet the above weekly track criteria, but who have participated on either the ACT US or Castrol Edge Series from time to time over the past few years are eligible to file entries for approval to compete in the NHMS ACT ALL STAR CHALLENGE.
TEST AND TUNE SAFETY AND INSPECTION CHECK
There has been a TEST and TUNE scheduled for NHMS for ACT Late Model teams for Tuesday, August 2, 2011.
1. ALL teams that enter the NHMS ACT ALL STAR CHALLENGE TIMELY are eligible to practice during this Test and Tune date ONLY.
Attendance for any ACT teams who have participated in a previous ACT test and tune session and/or a previous ACT Invitational at NHMS in 2009 or 2010 will be optional.
2. It is MANDATORY that any teams who have not competed with ACT at either a test and tune session at NHMS or competed in an ACT Invitational at NHMS, and who have entered the NHMS ACT Late Model Challenge attend the scheduled practice session. There will be safety checks and monitoring of those teams before the entry will be accepted for the August 12-13 event.
For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com. Information is also available at www.nhms.com.
From ACT
PHOTO: Pete Shepherd's new Challenger at Kawartha Speedway
Pete Shepherd III is one of several Mopar-powered NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racers on hand at Kawartha Speedway today for the annual Mopar Day info and testing session for the Dodge NCATS teams. Shepherd's car is one of the new Dodge Challengers, which was produced and distributed during the off-season. Last September, in Shepherd's most recent visit to Kawartha, he won the NCATS season finale.
Photo courtesy of JRA
BRIGHTON: Test & Tune Cancelled for Wednesday Night
Brighton Speedway's 'Test and Tune' has been cancelled for Wednesday Night due to inclement weather. The grader will hit the track on Friday to prepare for the Coca Cola Full Throttle Season Opener on Saturday, May 7th at 7:00 pm.
Gates will open at 5:30 pm and the admission is only $2.00 with a non perishable food donation. Join us as the Vanderlaan Building Supplies Pro Late Models, Bainer's Radiators Canadian Modified's, Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks and the Bill's Johns Comp 4's hit the 1/3rd mile track for the first time in the 2011 season. We'll see you here!
For more information on these events or others all summer long be sure to visit www.brightonspeedway.com or email info@brightonspeedway.com. Brighton Speedway, where a night of family entertainment is turned into a night of excitement!
Ohsweken: Rain cancels May 6 and May 13 practice nights
With much of the area suffering from one of the coolest and wettest springs in history, Ohsweken Speedway officials have been forced to cancel not only this Friday, May 6th practice session but also the second practice night scheduled for Friday, May 13th.
“We have our backs to the wall” exclaimed Ohsweken Promoter Glenn Styres in making the call. “We just have not had any luck with the weather this spring. It just seems to be drying up so we can get at some of the renovation work and the sky’s open up for another day or two and set us back another week. Right now we haven’t even been able to get near the track to turn it in and prepare it for racing. It is just too wet all over the grounds to move,” Styres concluded.
A new driveway has been cut into the back row of the pit area which will help navigate in case of bad weather in the future however that work is still being held up from completion due to the wet grounds. “The laneway project as it sits right now effectively eliminates 50 percent of our available pit area and access to our warm up track which is used extensively to run the program” stated Director of Racing Operations Ken Pelkie. “Completion of this project and proper track preparation is extremely critical to determination of our opening night of racing. Right now it is targeted for May 20 but Mother Nature has got to take some pity on us and help us out a bit. Right now we need about four or five warm days free of rain in order to get this work done,” Pelkie concluded.
Styres also confirmed that the equipment is on standby and ready to work 24 hours a day when the situation presents itself to get at it. Other projects underway include adjusting grandstand seating including relocation of some stands as well as establishment of a spectator viewing area in the confines of the Pit Area. Along with some work to change elevation of the turn one area to eliminate a chronic wet area that “ruts up” and rework of the back stretch retaining wall, none of these projects should hold up opening night but may have to be incorporated throughout the season.
“We are in a regrettable situation” stated Styres “however we are going to do this right so we don’t create a dangerous situation. When we open it will be when we are confident that problems will not be created caused by us rushing the job – we just have to be patient. In the mean time we wanted everyone to know well in advance that we would not be hosting the two practice sessions so they can make other plans with their race teams and families. We hope to see everyone on May 20th”.
Meanwhile, advanced Reserved ticketing sales continues for our three major events in 2011.
July 26th Tony Stewart will be at Ohsweken Speedway to take on the home town CORR/Pak Sprints in a special mid-week point show. Adults will be admitted to this event for $20 while Students 13 through 17 and seniors over 65 and older are $15. Kids 12 and under will be admitted for $5. All seats will be reserved. There are still lots of tickets available for this event.
Tickets for the 4th Annual “SIX NATIONS SHOWDOWN” featuring the World of Outlaws on July 27th and the 7th Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals September 16th and 17th also remain on sale. Plenty of great seats remain for each of these events and can be obtained by calling 1-888-720-7223.
Tickets for all three of these shows are on sale on a first come, first served basis. They will remain on sale Mondays through Thursdays at 1-888-720-7223 from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM until one week before each race date.
If you have difficulty getting through on the line, please email Cheryl at pelkiekj@ebtech.net leaving your name, phone number(s) and a time when you can be reached and you will be called back as soon as possible.
From Ken Pelkie
Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire will compete at NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge
Since 2007, the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge is one of the premier sporting events in Canada and features a round of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the only major NASCAR race outside the USA. With its demanding road course, and its unique atmosphere, the on-track action is exceptional. As the President of CTCC says, the CTCC competitors are preparing excitedly to provide fans a fantastic show. For CTCC, this will be the highlight of 2011.
“We are very happy to have concluded this partnership with Stock-Car Montréal. The Event Promoter François Dumontier, his team and the thousands of expected spectators will also be greatly impressed by our drivers. We are looking forward to offering our fans outstanding performances that will meet the Circuit’s historical expectations,”
stated John Bondar, President of CTCC.
“It will be very interesting to finally see the CTCC cars and drivers compete on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve at the NAPA Auto Parts 200. It is a remarkable Championship with outstanding growth and we appreciate that they recruit drivers from across Canada”, said the Event Promoter and President of Octane Management, François Dumontier.
Fans will be able to experience the rush of CTCC on Thursday August 18 with practice and qualifying sessions followed by a race on Friday August 19.
CTCC drivers and crew will be available in the Support race paddocks, behind the hairpin, throughout the event to interact with fans. Everyone is invited to meet with them.
Tickets to the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge are available featuring the Nationwide and Canadian Tire NASCAR series, the ROLEX series and Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire.
Don’t wait to order the best grandstands tickets and call 514 397-0007 or order online at http://www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca/.
About CTCC
The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire is Canada’s only professional road racing series. Now in its fifth year, CTCC showcases race cars based on their stock street version. In addition of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge in Montreal, CTCC will be featured in 2011 at Circuit ICAR, Mosport International Raceway, Honda Indy Toronto and Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.
Experience the rush of touring car racing!
About Octane Management and Stock-Car Montréal
Mandated by Stock-Car Montréal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) based in Daytona Beach, Florida, Octane Management is, since 2009, the delegated promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge. ISC is the leading promoter of motorsports in North America, hosting over 100 major racing events each year.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
New Holley Oil Pan For LS Engine Swaps
Monday, May 02, 2011
INDYCAR: Power wins weather-delayed race in Sao Paulo
SAO PAULO (Monday, May 02, 2011) -Takuma Sato came up 10 minutes short of potentially claiming his first IZOD IndyCar Series victory. Will Power said "obrigado."
Power, the pole sitter and re-start leader of the rain-postponed Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle, came into the pits for a splash of fuel on Lap 36. Sato, who overtook Power on a Lap 25 restart, gambled on stretching the 22 gallons of 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. But the yellow flag sought didn't materialize and the No. 5 KV Racing Technology-Lotus car had to pit on Lap 48 of 55 in the timed race.
Power inherited the point and went on to his second victory of the season and the championship points lead.
"Being on pole four times and had two wins is a great start," said Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car. "It was a matter of keeping calm, getting past people without making any mistakes and then creating a gap to be safe."
Graham Rahal, who spun on the slippery rain-soaked course on Lap 26 while running sixth, finished second (his best since placing third at Twin Ring Motegi in 2009) in the No. 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing car. Ryan Briscoe recorded his second consecutive top five (third) in the No. 6 Penske Logistics car.
Dario Franchitti also recovered from a slide in Turn 1 on Lap 33 to finish fourth. Oriol Servia was fifth, Mike Conway made up a lap to finish sixth and Justin Wilson was seventh. Sato wound up eighth.
Poor visibility on the 2.536-mile, 11-turn street course caused by persistent rain and approaching dusk forced postponement of the race until 8:05 a.m. (ET). The scheduled 75-lap race resumed on Lap 15. There was 1 hour, 19 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the two-hour race window. The previous IZOD IndyCar Series race postponed because of weather was in March 2010 at St. Petersburg, Fla. -- won by Power.
From Amy Konrath, INDYCAR
Brighton Speedway - Green Flag Drops on Saturday, May 7th
Last weekend over 50 drivers hit the track for Test and Tune, to work out any issues and take the opportunity for pre season seat time. A number of new drivers in each division and a couple of visiting drivers spent the their time enjoying the fine weather and tuning their stock cars. It was a nice weekend all around with a few hiccups for drivers to resolve before opening night arrives on Saturday.
Don’t miss the action this Saturday, May 7h as it all gets started when the gates open at 5:30 and the green flag flies at 7pm. Admission is only $2.00 with a non perishable food donation.
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Sunday, May 01, 2011
CTCC: Honda Performance Development supports CTCC competitors
Toronto, April 30th 2011 – The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire (CTCC) is pleased to confirm that Honda Performance Development will support CTCC Touring Class Honda competitors for the 2011 season.
Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD) is Honda's racing company within North America, and is a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 1993, and located in Santa Clarita, California, HPD is the technical operations centre for Honda's and Acura's high-performance racing programs.
"Honda was well-represented in CTCC last season with 18 different competitors in Touring Class alone. We expect another full contingent of Hondas this season which will put on a fabulous show", stated John Bondar, President of CTCC. "We are excited to welcome Honda Performance Development to CTCC and look forward to another competitive season."
"It's exciting to see how CTCC has grown into the top road-racing series in Canada. CTCC Honda competitors are incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to winning", said Marc Sours, General Manager of HPD. "We are looking forward to supporting them with the goal of growing the series, increasing the participation of the Honda brand, and bringing another Manufacturers Championship in 2011."
CTCC Touring Class Honda competitors will have 45 different opportunities to receive parts credits towards Honda OE parts or Honda Racing/HPD performance parts. Furthermore, an additional Driver Champion Bonus is also available to the Honda competitor that wins the overall Touring Class Championship.
About CTCC: The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire is Canada's only professional road racing series. Now in its fifth year, CTCC showcases race cars based on their stock street version. CTCC will be featured at Circuit ICAR, Mosport International Raceway, Honda Indy Toronto and Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.
From Dominique Longval // CTCC Director of Marketing
Merrittville Speedway: Begolo, Willard, Steele, O'Brien and Goulding win on 60th season opener
Thorold, Ontario (April 30) – Z101 plays the latest and best the Top 40 has to offer. Z101 Night at Merrittville Speedway had race fans enjoying the best the Top 118 Drivers had to offer Saturday April 30th. The 2011 Championship Chase is underway at Merrittville Speedway as all 5 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions completed their first regular point nights with 118 drivers signed in to a crowded Pit Area.
Third generation driver Brent Begolo has led all 80 laps of Hoosier Stock Feature action in 2011 after backing up his 60 lap event a week ago with his second straight win while BJ Willard regrouped from last week’s misfortune to win the 25 lap Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature. Chris Steele went flag to flag in winning the 20 lap J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature. Kingston’s Pat O’Brien won the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Main Event. Rob Goulding earned the first Feature win of the Night - putting his Herbie the Love Bug look-a-like Volkswagen into the winner’s circle in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature.
“We were thinking of changing the gears after last week,” commented Brent Begolo in Hoosier Stock Victory Lane for the second straight time in the young season, “but it was so fast … we just left it – we did very little to it since last Saturday.”
At the drop of Starter Doug Leonard’s green flag, Begolo picked up where he left off last week in leading the Hoosier Stock Feature despite facing early pressure from three time Champion Rob Murray. Begolo would pull away and Murray would catch back up several times before another former Champion Jeff Dayman would take over as challenger before an early caution slowed the field.
On the restart, Begolo would lead the Camaro brigade as his #16 was followed by Murray, Kevin Knapp, Dayman and Dave Small all in the same make of car.
Dayman would make a serious challenge pulling alongside Begolo with Murray also joining in. At the half point however Begolo had a car length on the pair. With 15 laps in the books, Murray now in the runner up spot once again would lose some ground as his car got a little out of shape twice through turn 4. With one lap to go front-runner Dave Small would drop from a top 5 finish with a flat tire.
Similar to a week ago, Begolo would be first to get the checkered flag with Murray, Dayman, Knapp and defending Champion Ken Sargent rounding out the top 5.
“When you start out front,” added Begolo, “it makes it a little easier but you have to stay focused … hit your marks and stay smooth … I wouldn’t be here though without everyone … sponsors … the crew and my Dad!”
One week ago, fourth generation driver BJ Willard put on quite a performance – leading almost the entire Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature before an incident with a slower car sound him restarting at the back of the pack. With a similar run one week later – a last lap caution had to have him thinking of a similar fate. Anything can happen in a one lap dash.
“Over the week … I probably relived it 10 times over every night,” relayed Willard post race, “but you just have to put it behind you and move forward.”
The one lap dash saw Willard jump out to a couple car length lead over his cousin Cody McPherson – holding it until the checkered flag.
The start had to be trying for the two cousins with Willard holding the edge over McPherson as three cautions would slow the field in the first 5 laps. In the early stages, Rob Knapp and Spring Sizzler 60 Winner Brad Rouse would battle at the front of the pack.
Once the event settled down – Willard once again put on quite a performance – opening up as much as a straightaway lead on the field. Through increasing lap traffic McPherson was able to close slightly before the last lap caution set up an anyone can win shoot-out.
Willard held off McPherson, Rouse sophomore driver Adam Leslie and defending Champion Greg Panunte.
“Dad’s got almost 30 years experience,” remarked Willard after co-announcer Clint Kruchka likened him to (former Champion) Bill Willard Jr., “it goes a long way in setting these things up … I just drive it.”
With Bill Willard playing such a vital part in his son’s success – for Chris Steele it may be his mom Val that’s his biggest help.
“Every time she comes to the races … I win,” thanked Chris Steele in Victory Lane after winning the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature, “but thanks to my dad too … I wouldn’t be here without them.”
For the second generation driver he wouldn’t be here without car owner Dean Pronovost either who delivered the car for him from his Quebec home, “ I just love to race … we had some success with Dean’s car last year in the International … and in February in Florida … but I think Dean will be back behind the wheel next week.”
Right from the start Steele distanced himself from the field – opening up a lead of almost a half track on then runner-up Randy Hollingshead. Just before a caution on lap 11 – Josh Sliter was able to get by Hollingshead. Steele in resumed control once again on the restart with Sliter some 10 car lengths behind. Sliter – the defending Champion was on the move with two laps to go eventually catching Steele’s rear bumper.
Through the white flag lap Steele was able to hold off Sliter with Hollingshead settling for third ahead of Kory Howe and Derek Moore.
Like Steele, the driver/car owner relationship is a long distance affair for Kingston Ontario DIRTcar 358 Modified veteran Danny O’Brien and his Ridgeway-based Kendrick Racing Team.
“They’re a good crew and it’s a good package,” said O’Brien after his first career Merrittville 358 Modified Win, “Darren (Kendrick) has spent a lot of time with me this winter and along with the guys at BRP … they’ve taught me how to drive this track … it’s a tough track.”
O’Brien would make it look easy after taking over top spot from Scott Wood on lap 11. O’Brien looked to be on cruise control as through the half way point he managed to open up a lead of a quarter lap despite increasing lap traffic. By lap 20 he stretched it to a half lap with the race for the runner-up spot the one to watch.
Lap 26 saw Pete Bicknell take over second after diving underneath Wood out of turn 2 – with the 20 time Champion setting his sights on O’Brien. Bicknell would make up quite a bit of the gap but at the checkered flag … O’Brien’s margin of victory was some 4 seconds.
The Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature started with pole-sitter Tim Jones holding off Wood until the backstretch of lap 1. Wood would set the pace through two early cautions before O’Brien took control.
O’Brien and Bicknell were followed by Wood, Jones and second generation driver Tommy Flannigan.
“I didn’t know if it would work at all,” admitted Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature Winner Rob Goulding, “it was good in practice last week but with so much weight in the front … it just seems to pull through the turns.”
Goulding had to have a car that pulled its weight after taking control of top spot on a lap 10 restart. Defending Champion Rocco Conte pressured Goulding the remainder of the 15 lap event including a second restart on lap 12 after Sam Rodgers slowed out of Turn 4. Goulding held off Conte by at most a car length advantage at the checkers.
Kyle Pelrine was the initial leader before Terry Larmet took before a lap 4 caution has Rob Overholt breaking into the top three. Pelrine regained top spot with Goulding battling Larmet for the runner-up spot. Larmet unfortunately would retire to the pits on lap 10.
The Volkswagens of Goulding and Conte were followed by Overholt, Pelrine and Jeff Hill at the finish.
For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 60th Consecutive Season visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com or join Merrittville Speedway on Face Book or follow on Twitter. The Speedway Office can be reached at 905-892-8266.
For Immediate Release from Jim Irvine Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
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