NASCAR HUNTER INDEX: Canadian Scott Steckly #6 on this month's list

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 5, 2011) — As the summer months heat up the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship race, Keith Rocco shows no signs of cooling off. In fact, the 26-year-old Wallingford, Conn., native continues to roll off wins at an astounding rate.

Over 10 starts last month, Rocco posted seven wins, nine top fives and 10 top 10s to further cement his place atop the national standings. The recent run gives him 20 wins – one less than his national championship performance a year ago – in 35 starts in the weekly asphalt Modified division.

It also earned him the recognition as the top driver in the August edition of the Hunter Index, as determined by a panel of auto racing writers and NASCAR representatives.

Rocco collected eight of the 12 first-place votes and easily outdistanced runner-up CE Falk III and the rest of the touring and weekly series drivers.

“It’s gotten to the point over the last few weeks that it’s become more newsworthy when Rocco doesn’t win, he’s become that automatic,” said Shawn Courchesne of the Hartford (Conn.) Courant, who covers Rocco on a weekly basis at the three Connecticut NASCAR tracks -- Thompson International Speedway, Stafford Motor Speedway and Waterford Speedbowl.

“Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m witnessing history being made each weekend when I go to cover events at the three tracks Rocco runs at full-time. Twenty years from now people will be talking about these past two years and what he has done behind the wheel. And people who weren’t around to see it, they’ll think the stories are some made up myth. That’s just how staggeringly unbelievable his dominance has been since the start of the 2010 racing season.”

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.

Falk, who had five wins in his six asphalt Late Model starts in the southeast, also earned three first-place votes. Luis Martinez Jr. and Homero Richards received the other first-place votes.

Martinez scored his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series West win at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, while Richards’ win at Mexico City last month was his third straight NASCAR Mexico Series victory.

“Only a handful of drivers have been able to beat Greg Pursley in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West,” said,” said Tim Haddock of haddockinthepaddock.blogspot.com. “Not only did Martinez beat Pursley, but he won the first race of his West Series career on a difficult road course. Martinez was patient and calculating. More importantly, he didn't panic when the result of the race was on the line.”

Overall, Rocco collected 166 points, to Falk’s 149.

Twice this season, Rocco has swept three races at three different tracks on the same weekend. He holds a lead of 22 points over North Carolina’s Lee Pulliam and 24 over Virginia’s Philip Morris in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series standings.

Max Gresham (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East) with 134 points, Todd Szegedy (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) with 125 and Morris with 107 rounded out the top five in the Hunter Index voting.

Falk collected three wins in five Late Model starts over the last month to move to fourth overall in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series standings. He swept the twin features at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., last weekend, including the first which also featured Morris. He was fourth at South Boston (Va.) Speedway on July 16, in a race Morris won.

“When the heat index is in the 100s, CE Falk's No. 40 is the last car any competitor should want to see show up at their local track,” said David Smith of DavidSmithMotorsports.com. “For the last three summers, Falk has been on a planet by himself in the short-track racing world. Over 30 wins in a two-and-a-half-year span in the state of Virginia is difficult to accomplish.”

Gresham added to his K&N Pro Series East points lead at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He earned the 21 Means 21 Pole Award presented by Coors Light, led the most laps and won the race. He also won the pole and finished seventh at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway.

Szegedy picked up the Whelen Modified Tour win at New Hampshire after Ryan Newman’s disqualification. He also finished second at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway, his third top two finish in the last four tour races.

Scott Steckly (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series) was sixth in August’s voting, followed by Pursley (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), Martinez, Darrell Wallace Jr. (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East) and Richards.

Pursley is the only driver to be in the top 10 in voting in each of the first five months.

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.

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 week of each month from April through November.

The panel also included media members: J.A. Ackley, Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated; 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 – AUGUST

1.    KEITH ROCCO

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why he’s here: The Wallingford, Conn., driver picked up another seven asphalt Modified division wins last month to give him 20 for the season and 41 over the last two years, as he chases a second straight national title.

2.    CE FALK III

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why He’s Here: His dominance at Langley Speedway – five wins in July – has vaulted the 23-year-old from Virginia Beach, Va., into the national championship hunt.

3.    MAX GRESHAM

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

Why He’s Here: He backed up his pole run at New Hampshire with a win on the ‘Magic Mile’ to further solidify his hold on the series points lead.

4.    TODD SZEGEDY

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Why He’s Here: A strong run at New Hampshire resulted in his second win of the season and he followed with a win on the bullring at Riverhead.

5.    PHILIP MORRIS

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Why He’s Here: The three-time national champion has been nearly unbeatable at South Boston – three straight wins gives him 14 for the season.

6.    SCOTT STECKLY

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

Why He’s Here: His second-place finish to Andrew Ranger on the street course at Toronto was nearly as impressive as his pole and win in Vernon.

7.    GREG PURSLEY

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West

Why He’s Here: A late-race mechanical issue at Portland has been the only thing to slow the Newhall, Calif, driver, who also claimed the checkered flag at Evergreen for win no. 6.

8.    LUIS MARTINEZ JR.

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West

Why He’s Here: The Long Beach, Calif., driver held off a stout field of road-course aces at Portland to earns his first series win.

9.    DARRELL WALLACE JR.

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

Why He’s Here: The 17-year-old from Mobile, Ala., bounced back from mechanical issues at New Hampshire to dominate at Columbus and collect his second win of the year.

10.  HOMERO RICHARDS

NASCAR Mexico Series

Why He’s Here: A victory at his hometown track in Mexico City was his third straight series wins and moved him up to second in the championship race.

    HONORABLE MENTION: Lee Pulliam (Motor Mile and South Boston/NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Amy Catalano (Spencer and Holland/NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Travis Braden (Columbus and Kil-Kare/NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Brandon Davis (Toyota/NASCAR Whelen All-American Series) and Pete Shepherd III (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series).

From Jason Christley, NASCAR IMC, (386) 310-6094 or jchristley@nascar.com

NASCAR: Ron Fellows returns to Nationwide Series at The Glen and Montreal

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 5, 2011) – JR Motorsports announced today the return of two critical components to its road-course program – driver Ron Fellows and sponsor Canadian Tire. Fellows, a previous winner for JR Motorsports, will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) events at Watkins Glen International (Aug. 13) and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Aug. 20) with Canadian Tire as the team’s primary sponsor for both events.

Fellows finished second at Road America on June 25th for JR Motorsports. The No. 5 Canadian Tire team will give JRM three entries in both of the remaining road-course events. Aric Almirola will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet in both races. Jimmie Johnson will drive the No. 7 at Watkins Glen in a one-race deal announced Tuesday, and Danica Patrick will take over the No. 7 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Canadian Tire is the largest automotive retailer in Canada with more than 480 stores. The retailer first graced the panels of Fellows’ JR Motorsports Chevrolet at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2010.

“Canadian Tire has a long history of supporting racing and motor sports in Canada,” said Allan MacDonald, senior vice-president, automotive. “We are proud to support Canadian racing legend, Ron Fellows, both at home and across the border this summer. We wish Ron the best of luck at Watkins Glen International and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.” 

Fellows, a native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, has remarkably scored top-five finishes in four of his seven career races with JRM.  In 2008 he earned the team its first road-course victory at Montreal, leading seven laps en route to an emotional win. In 19 career Nationwide Series road-course races, he has four wins, nine top-fives, 11 top-10s and two poles. 

“It has been great fun driving for JRM on the road courses,” Fellows said. “I have really enjoyed working with the Eurys as well.  We’re all looking forward to picking up where we left off at Road America. Having Canadian Tire on board for both Watkins Glen and Montreal is a bonus, particularly with the number of Canadian fans who make the trip to Watkins Glen.”

Just as he did at Road America, Tony Eury Jr. will serve as Fellows’ crew chief at Watkins Glen. The duo nearly won the first road-course race of the year, but a NASCAR ruling after the checkered flag correctly relegated the pair to second place.

A longtime sports car and road-racing veteran, Fellows is credited with three class championships in the American Le Mans Series, two class wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 19 overall victories in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans-Am Series as a member of the Corvette Racing Team. His NASCAR credentials include six overall wins (two in the Camping World Truck Series), and two runner-up finishes in Sprint Cup competition. 

From Heath White // Public Relations, JR Motorsports

Image courtesy of Inside Track Motorsport News

MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY: New 'Rookie Pit Stop' program aimed at first-time guests

BROOKLYN, Mich. (August 5, 2011) — A NASCAR race is more than a sporting event. It’s a vacation, an experience, a way of life. Some fans, especially first-timers, may need a little help to make the most of the thrill and understand the sport.

So for fans visiting Michigan International Speedway for the first time during the August 19-21 Pure Michigan 400 race weekend, having a fellow race fan give friendly advice when you arrive could be extremely beneficial. That’s exactly what the track’s new “MIS Rookie Pit Stop” program is designed to do.

Throughout the race weekend, first-time race fans are asked to stop by the MIS Rookie Pit Stop welcome tent and ask a member of the speedway’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) and some motorsports insiders for tips and advice on how to understand the speedway and the sport of NASCAR.

“Whether you are a newcomer to MIS or a seasoned veteran, we want each and every fan to walk away from the Pure Michigan 400 race weekend with a positive experience,” MIS Director of Guest Services Tim Booth said. “There are so many things to do and experience at MIS on a race weekend, we felt this new program will help first-time fans and new fans engage with members of our Fan Advisory Board and get some great tips on how to make their race weekend a more enjoyable one.”

The program is being initiated as a way to build fan-to-fan relationships with new guests and make sure their first time at MIS is a positive one.

What exactly is wedge? What’s the wave-around rule and what’s a ‘lucky dog’? How does a driver know when to pit and why did they pick that pit road spot? These are some of the things new race fans want and need to know.

Combine a 106,000-seat venue on 1,400 acres, and a 43-car field of 48s, 24s, 88s and 14s – it’s enough to intimidate anyone.

The welcome tent will be located near the main Gate 24 ticket office in the New Holland Fan Plaza. The hours of the welcome tent are as follows:

Friday, August 19

12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 20

8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Sunday, August 21

8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

The activities in the welcome tent are not structured or stuffy. This is a simple, one-on-one interaction among the Fan Advisory Board and guests.

The track’s Fan Advisory Board has been instrumental in assisting the speedway with fan initiatives like the Rookie Pit Stop Program. FAB members have been active answering questions on the MISpeedway.com website. Fans can visit the PLAN YOUR VISIT tab on the site and click on the ASK AN MIS FAN link to ask a specific question for the FAB.

A drop-down box allows the fan to select the topic of their question. Subject matter experts are available for questions about everything racetrack-related including traffic, camping, hospitality, pit passes, seating, ticket, gates and facility questions.

It’s like a virtual guide to all things MIS because each FAB member has varying degrees of racetrack experience and knowledge.

“All of the Fan Advisory Board members are excited about the Rookie Pit Stop,” FAB member Mike Carpenter of Walled Lake, Mich., said. “We enjoy and embrace the opportunity to help first-time fans out with their experience during the Pure Michigan 400 race weekend. Our board will help in any way that we can.”

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

Keep up with Michigan International Speedway via Twitter @MISpeedway or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MISpeedway. Join our Mobile Fan Club by texting MISCLUB on a Sprint Handheld or other mobile device to 69050 on a Sprint Smartphone or other mobile device. Standard text message rates may apply.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the Pure Michigan 400 on Aug. 21 are as low as $30 while supplies last. Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 today to take advantage of great pricing for 2011 events at MIS. The ticket office is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

As always, parking is free at MIS – and the track allows coolers through the gates. Check the speedway’s website for details.

Michigan International Speedway - 2011 Schedule

Friday, Aug. 19           Meijer Pole Day

Saturday, Aug. 20       NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200

Sunday, Aug. 21         NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400

Sunday, Sept. 11        Spirit of America Blood Drive – 10th Anniversary!

# # #

From Sammie Lukaskiewicz, MIS Director of Communications (517) 592-1208 or slukaskiewicz@mispeedway.com // Dennis Worden, MIS Manager of Public Relations (517) 592-1204 or dworden@mispeedway.com

Western Speedway: O'Dell Slinger Service Night on Saturday

VICTORIA, BC - This Saturday Night at the fast  4/10th's mile paved oval in Langford, O'Dell Slinger Service presents exciting auto racing action as four classes will hit the track.  The always exciting Late Models will be back in action, this will be the last time they race, before the Canada 200 on September 3rd.  A very competitve field should be on hand as the drivers use this as a tune up for one of Canada's preimer Late Model events the Canada 200.  Other divisions competing include the popular Island Series Stock Cars, IMS4 Mini Stocks and the Old Time Racing Association.

In the Late Model division Vancouver's Jason Terasenko is the currrent points leader by 18 points, 378 to 360 over Courtney driver Bart Smith , Smlth who has one feature win so far this season will be trying to win his second fearure. Terasenko will be looking for his first feature win at Western in his new Shane Harding built Chevrolet Impala.  Victoria's Brandon Carlson holds down third position with 358 points, Carlson is coming off the biggest win of his career winning the Thrifty Foods 150 at Saratoga Speedway on July 24th.  Rory Smith and Mike Schott round out the top five with 340 and 322 points respectively.

The Island Series Stock Car division has four time Champion Ryan Wade leading the point standings by 50 points 1115 to 1065 over Aaron Wilke.  For Wade its all about fives as he will be looking to make it five feature wins in a row this season, as well he sets his sights on his fifth championship in a row.  Wilkie will desperately be seeking his first feature wiin of the year in hopes of closing the point difference, as he hopes to win his first championship afterfinishing second to Wade in 2010.  Third position to seventh position are only separated by 30 points, Dave Reside is in third with 944, followed by Kyle Cottam with 936, Cody Auman the top Rookie of the Year contender with 932, Daryl Crocker with 914 and Chris McInerney with 903 points.  A good points night or a bad points night could have huge impact as these five drivers battle for position.

Alex Mouner leads the IMS4 Mini Stock points standings on the strength of four featuire wins, Mouner leads Matt Szauer by 79 points 1146 to 1067.  Former Champion Gilles Parenteau is in third with 1009 points followed by Jeremy Waksel with 991 and Justin Woodske at 922.

The (OTRA) Old Time Racers Association will also be on hand as these cars resemble the cars that raced at Western in the 50's and early 60's.  Feature wnners in 2011 include James Campbell with two, Western Speedway and Saratoga Speedway, Tom Cinnamon Western Speedway, Larry Joyce Agassiz Speedway and George Jenson Western Speedway.

Othertop contenders include Joe Dardengo, Dean Gill, Dennis Morneau and Roger Beck.

The front gates open at 5:00 pm, qualifying at 6:00 and racing at 7:00 pm.For more information please go to www.westernspeedway.net or call the Speedwayoffice at (250) 474- 2151.

From George Wade

SCOTIA SPEEDWORLD: Ben Rowe officially enters the Atlantic Cat 250

HALIFAX, NS - Super Late Model hot shot Ben Rowe (Turner, ME) has added his name to the talented roster of drivers set to do battle at the Atlantic CAT 250. The extended distance event will be held at Scotia Speedworld on Saturday, August 13th as part of the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour.  Rowe is a five-time PASS champion and currently sits second in the PASS North point standings. Rowe is no stranger to the CAT 250 or victory lane, Rowe won the prestigious event in 2002 and 2003. Rowe will have to beat more than 25 of Canada’s best stock car drivers if he wants to become the first three-time winner in the 12th edition of the CAT 250.

A second generation driver, Ben and his father Mike make up the Turner, ME Rowe family duo who have been so successful on the short tracks of eastern North America. The addition of Ben Rowe on the list on entrants for the Atlantic Cat 250 has just made it more difficult for the other drivers to win the race. Rowe would like nothing better to win the Atlantic CAT 250 and take home the Scott Fraser Memorial Cup and a piece of the $50,000.00 purse posted for the event.

Rowe will drive the # 10 Chevrolet out of the Steven Henderson shop in Truro, NS. Henderson currently fields the Dexter Construction / Municipal Contracting sponsored Chevrolet of 2009 Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour Champion Shawn Turple.

Advance tickets for the Atlantic CAT 250 are on sale now at Ticket Atlantic outlets (Atlantic Superstores) or by phone 1.877.451.1221 or online at www.ticketatlantic.com.  Admission for the Atlantic CAT 250 is $35.00 for adults; $6.00 for youth aged 8-15; children 7 and under are admitted free. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pit admission is $40.00 and restricted to those 16 and older.  Tickets are also available at the gate on race day (cash only).

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

About Scotia Speedworld: Scotia Speedworld (SSW) is a 3/10-mile asphalt oval racing facility.  SSW is the only venue in Nova Scotia to host a weekly racing series, which runs May through September and features six different classes of racecars. SSW also hosts special events, including Monster Jam and the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour. SSW is located at Exit 6 on Highway 102, across from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. For more information please click on www.ScotiaSpeedworld.ca or call our Event Hotline at (902) 873-2277 or our office at (902) 481-2514.

From Tara Foster / MPST

 

SCOTIA SPEEDWORLD: Coco Beach Warms Up Weekly Racing Series this Friday

(Halifax, NS – Aug 5, 2011) With just a handful of races left on the 2011 Weekly Racing Series schedule, action on the track is heating up….just in time for Coco Beach Night, presented by Coco Beach Tanning Studios! 5 divisions of hotrods will see action this Friday at Scotia Speedworld including:  Trucks, Lumbermart Thunder & Lightning cars, Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman and of course the Coco Beach Legends. Heat races to determine the qualifying order for each feature will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Grandstands and Box Office open at 5:00 p.m.

Jeff Dillman (Middle Musquodobit) leads the Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman Series into action on Coco Beach Night. Dillman leads Aaron Boutilier (Porters Lake) by 11 markers and only has 17 points on freshman driver Russell Smith Jr. of Lakeside.

Steve Pye (Lantz) used a win last week to extend his point lead to 16 over Dylan Blenkhorn (Truro) in the Coco Beach Legend Cars. Dylan’s father Paul (Truro) runs third in points while Matt Moore (Falmouth) and “The Legend” Cy Harvey (Elmsdale) are locked into a duel for fourth place in the popular class.

JP Arsenault (Church Point) and Dan Smith (Lower Sackville) continue to exchange the lead week after week in the Scotia Speedworld Truck class. The two now only have one point between them with the long-haul driver in the #4 leading the 2010 Most Sportsmanlike Driver in the #39.

Matthew Warren (White’s Lake) made a statement last week by picking up the win in the Lumbermart Thunder car feature. Warren, who had just taken the point lead from Dave Matthews (Kennetcook) the week before now finds himself 13 points up on the #99. Tylor Hawes (Sheet Harbour), who finished third last week enters Coco Beach Night third in points, 9 points up on veteran Joey Lawson (Porter’s Lake).

Jorden Smith (Lakeside) is trying to run away and hide from the rest of his fellow Lumbermart Lightning drivers. Smith has a 57 points lead on teammate Nick Hurshman (Lakeside). Hurshman finds himself in a battle with “Crazy” Craig Cordeau (Windsor), Jamie Dillman (Carrolls Corner) and Cody Singer (Kennetcook) all within 23 points of second entering Coco Beach Night.

Admission for Coco Beach Night is: $12.00 for adults; $2.00 for youth aged 8-15; children 7 and under are admitted free. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pit admission is $15.00 and restricted to those 16 and older.  Tickets are available at the gate on race day. Visit www.ScotiaSpeedworld.ca for more information or call our event hotline at 902.873.2277.

Format for Friday Aug, 5 – Coco Beach Night

Pit Gate opens                                                                                     4:30 p.m.

Tech Inspection starts                                                                         4:30 p.m.

Practice starts (LG, TH, LI, TR, SP) 5 min sessions                                          5:00 p.m.

Practice ends                                                                                      6:20 p.m.

Drivers Meeting @ line up board (LG, TH, LI, TR, SP)                                    6:25 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies/Parade Lap                                                      7:00 p.m.

Heats

Trucks – 10 laps

Coco Beach Legends – 10 laps

Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman – 10 laps

Lumbermart Lightning Cars – 10 laps

Lumbermart Thunder Cars – 10 laps

Features

Trucks – 25 laps

Coco Beach Legend Cars – 25 laps

Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman – 30 laps

Lumbermart Lightning Cars – 20 laps

Lumbermart Thunder Cars – 25 laps

Format subject to change without notice

About Scotia Speedworld: Scotia Speedworld (SSW) is a 3/10-mile asphalt oval racing facility.  SSW is the only venue in Nova Scotia to host a weekly racing series, which runs May through September and features six different classes of racecars. SSW also hosts special events, including Monster Jam and the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour. SSW is located at Exit 6 on Highway 102, across from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. For more information please click on www.ScotiaSpeedworld.ca or call our Event Hotline at (902) 873-2277 or our office at (902) 481-2514.

From Tara Foster / Media@scotiaspeedworld.ca

Ontario woman wins a Harley-Davidson via A&W's Cruisin the Dub Contest

A partnership between Harley-Davidson® in Canada and A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. has left one Southern Ontario woman the proud owner of a 2011 Harley-Davidson Softail® Fat Boy® motorcycle.

The Harley® motorcycle was the Grand Prize in this spring’s A&W Cruisin’ the Dub contest—part of A&W’s national Cruisin’ the Dub program that brings classic car and bike enthusiasts together at local events to share their passions. 

The winner, Judy Dettman of Clifford, Ontario— pictured here with The Great A&W Root Bear— drove away on her bike which was presented at the Fox Harley-Davidson® dealership in Owen Sound, Ontario. A&W will hold more than 2,000 Cruisin’ the Dub events this season.

Car enthusiasts still have the chance to win a 2011 Dodge Challenger SXT Plus as part of Cruisin’ the Dub’s summer giveaway, with entries submitted here: http://www.aw.ca/cruisin-the-dub

Photo credit: Kurt Faris // Distributed by Claudia Richard // Hoggan & Associates

Team Canada Scholarship hopefuls continue to impress

The search for the first driver to win the inaugural Team Canada Scholarship to the Festival is heating up. For the principals of BGR Sports and Entertainment, (BGR S & E), Gerry Merz, Dave Matkovich, and Brian Graham, founders of Team Canada Scholarship, the task of selecting the driver to represent Canada at the 2011 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch is in full swing.

Eligible drivers have been putting in some impressive performances in the Ontario Formula Ford Championships, (OFFC), and the Quebec based Formula Tour 1600 Series, (FTour). Both series are in action this weekend, Mosport International Raceway will host the OFFC for rounds 7 and 8 while the Formula Tour 1600 drivers tackle the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières.  Three finalist will be announced late August with the winner of the 2011 scholarship selected mid-September.

The eligible drivers for the 2011 Scholarship are:

Michael Adams - 16  OFFC, Nathan Blok - 17  FTour, Mackenzie Clare - 16 OFFC, Xavier Coupal - 20  FTour, Matthew DiLeo - 17  OFFC, Garett Grist - 16  OFFC/FTour, JP Jodion - 16  FTour, Dalton Kellett - 17  OFFC, Charles Leclerc - 20  FTour, Aaron  McCauley - 18  FTour, Ayrton Triolo - 17  OFFC

Currently two of the drivers are leading their respective championships, Nathan Blok leads the Formula Tour 1600 points and Garett Grist leads the way in the OFFC.

In the meantime, corporate and personal support for the Team Canada Scholarship program has been very encouraging. Stepping up to the plate as Primary Corporate Sponsor is Grote Industries of Canada, see, www.grote.com Grote has been a driving force in support of junior formula car development and has been the primary sponsor of BGR Team Grote Racing since 2006. Quoting Brad Morris, GM of Grote Industries of Canada, “Supporting Team Canada Scholarship is a natural fit and progression for Grote of Canada. Being intimately involved in regional and national junior development is very rewarding, but now, to be able to help put one of our country’s best young up and coming racers, in front of a much larger, more global audience and event, will truly be an exciting and rewarding opportunity for our company and Canadian junior formula car development in general!”

As well, Nick Majors, and his newly created Race Driver’s Guild of Canada, has also weighed in with generous support as a Corporate Partner see, www.racedriversguild.ca Quoting Majors, “The Race Drivers Guild is committed to the growth of motorsports in Canada and the development of driver talent to increase competitiveness at all levels.  The program is a wonderful example of our investment in young, up and coming drivers, who are destined to become future champions.  We are proud to be supporters of the Team Canada effort!”

Key supplier/partners have also stepped up to support the program such as media partner  www.eformulacarnews.com and official SWAG partner Niko Apparel Systems, www.nikoapparel.ca

Other generous proud supporters, companies, and veteran racers, who’s support are making it all happen are; Formula Tour 1600 Series www.siteformulatour1600.com ; Major Gen. Lewis MacKenzie (Ret); LSI INTERNATIONAL, www.lsi-industries.com ; Britain West Racing; Jim Hallman; BGR-Team Grote Racing, www.briangrahamracing.com ;  The Merz Family; Teresa & David Matkovich; and Brian Graham.

“The support and momentum that Team Canada Scholarship has been gathering, both corporate and personal, has been really encouraging”, stated BGR S & E principal Gerry Merz. “Although this is the inaugural year, we know that the drivers who come through this program will move on and up into higher level series, and will always pay homage to the program and most important, those companies and individuals who help make it happen! “The racing world needs to see how much talent there is in junior formula car development coming from Canada and that our best get the opportunity to display those talents in front of a much larger global audience”. “Our funding and support is moving along well, but given that this is going to be an annual program, we can use as much corporate and personal support as possible to build financial momentum”

For information on supporting Team Canada Scholarship please contact Gerry Merz gmerz@bgrse.com or via cell 416-708-1278 // For more information about Team Canada Scholarship see www.teamcanadaracing.org.

OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY: Art Hill Memorial highlights Friday Night Thunder

By Tommy Goudge (August 4, 2011) – A very special event takes to the track at Ohsweken Speedway this Friday when HRW Automotive presents the “Art Hill Memorial 42” for the HRW Automotive Mini Stock division. The Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, Lighthouse Tattoos Thunder Stocks, and Pierced Parts Bombers will also be in action, and the 3rd annual Ohsweken Speedway Hot Dog Eating Contest will take centre stage during intermission.

CORR/PAK MERCHANDISING SPRINT CARS: Fenwick driver Jim Huppunen's excellent season continued last week as he scored a pair of top 10 finishes in Tuesday and Friday action. He leads the Sprint Car standings by 65 points over "Tilbury Tornado" Kyle Patrick heading into this week's event. Jamie Collard of Burford scored another runner-up finish on Friday and is currently 3rd in the standings, followed by Dain Naida of Tecumseh, Michigan, and Brantford's Mitch Brown who is tied with Ohsweken driver Glenn Styres for 5th.

Friday marks the last event before the "mulligan" rule comes into effect, as each driver's worst finish will be thrown out, which should shake up the standings with just over a month left in the season.

LIGHTHOUSE TATTOOS THUNDER STOCKS: Burford driver Phil Nyssen scored his first career Thunder Stock feature win on Friday, but Caledonia's Mike Thorne continues to lead the championship chase. Another Caledonia driver is in 2nd in the form of Ryan Dinning, while Port Robinson's Devin Habiuk, Brantford driver Chris Dickie, and leading rookie Cory Turner of Caistor Centre round out the top 5.

HRW AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS: Dundas driver Karl Sault is still the leader of the Mini Stock division heading into Friday's special 42 lap race which honours Art Hill, the only driver ever to lose their life at Ohsweken. Sault leads Brantford's Jake Brown by 60 points, while Caledonia's Mike Evers is 3rd and fresh off his 2nd win of the season. Cayuga driver Abel Castelein and Caistor Centre's Dan Erskine also hold top 5 spots.

PIERCED PARTS BOMBERS: Waterdown's Rodney Rutherford has seen his points lead shrink to just 34 over Caledonia driver Jesse McDonald, who has won the last 3 Bomber features. Hamilton driver Jeremy May is 3rd, followed by Waterdown driver Trevor Roszell, and Dunnville's Tylor Brock.

HOT DOG HERO: Do you think you've got what it takes to become Ohsweken's next Hot Dog Eating champ? The 3rd annual Ohsweken Speedway Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place this Friday during intermission. Contestants must be 18 years of age or older.

COMING SOON: The final rounds of the Northern Summer Nationals miniseries are set for Friday, August 19 at Ohsweken Speedway, and Saturday, August 20 at South Buxton Raceway. The overall winner of the Northern Summer Nationals series not only receives cash awards, but a guaranteed starting position in the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Make sure to visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for all the information on these special events.

TICKETS PLEASE!: Advanced reserved seat tickets for the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals on September 15, 16, and 17 at Ohsweken are on sale now! The 7th annual edition of this huge event will bring together 60 or more of the best Sprint Car drivers and teams from all over North America to compete for the $11,000 winner’s prize. Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com and call 1-888-720-RACE to order your tickets today!

RIDE WITH THE PROS: Ohsweken Speedway has two custom-built two-seater Sprint Cars available each race night for rides during intermission and after the races.

Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com to learn how you can take the ride of your life with one of the stars of the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars!

OUR SPONSORS: About HRW Automotive: HRW was founded by Robert Workman in 1990. By providing good old-fashioned customer service, HRW has gained a loyal following in the community. You can entrust all of your vehicle’s service and repair needs to the team of automotive professionals at HRW Automotive. Visit the title sponsor of Mini-Stock Racing at Ohsweken Speedway at 163 Baptist Church Road in Caledonia, or on the web at www.HRWAutomotive.com.

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY: Kids Box Car races on Saturday

Thorold, Ontario (August 4) Merrittville Speedway’s Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Race Teams are no doubt busy preparing for the CMH Sales and Leasing Night Saturday August 6th after a busy weekend of local racing.

So too are members of the Thorold Track’s PartSource Kids Club as one of their biggest events is up next on the schedule with CMH Sales and Leasing Night also including Box Car Races.

“No doubt many have already started on their creations and believe me … the kids are quite creative,” prides (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell-Jones, “there are 3 age groups and one entry will be picked as best of show!”

Box car racing affords the opportunity for all kids – not just the members of the 2011 PartSource Kids Club to race on the front-stretch of the d-shaped oval with very little cost or work. All you need is a box … put a hole in the top for their body to fit through … paint and decorate it like your favourite race car and you’re ready to race.

For 2011’s event … parents will once again become more involved as the children start at one end of the track, run to a predetermined point where their adult crew member is waiting. The crew member takes a shoe off, puts the shoe back on -simulating a pit stop with a tire change.

Once the pit work is completed, the child runs back to the original starting point with the winners receiving a trophy.

“This is a great chance for the parent and child to work together,” adds Kid’s Club Director Mike Barnett, “they can build their box together and then work together in the race.”

 “It’s shaping up to be quite a night,” boasts Bicknell-Jones, “our 5 stock car divisions and the kid’s races … if there is a night not to miss this season – it’s this one!.”

Kids wishing to enter the Box Car Races can find all the rules and regulations at http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/meridiankids.htm

Since 1993, CMH Leasing has helped it’s customers with credit problems acquire reliable transportation and re-establish their credit.

CMH Leasing – your Niagara Region Used Car Superstore is located at 169 Hartzel Road in St. Catharines. Visit their location to lease to own a quality used car truck or van or call them at 905-641-8779 or you can visit www.cmhniagara.com for more info including Featured Vehicles available right now!

Gates open at 5:30 Saturday August 6th with Showtime is at 7:00. 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.

From Jim Irvine / Merrittville Speedway

CTCC Webisode 5 Features Dean Fantin

Trois-Rivières, August 4th 2011 – Dean Fantin is a very competitive driver and drives for the win. His goal during this Webisode is to be ahead of the Super Class leader, Richard Boake. In his #13 Amico Racing BMW 328, the Amherstburg, Ontario driver stands in third position of the Super Class Standings.

"I really think that we can dominate the series if we just put our mind to it", says Fantin.

Determined to beat Boake and earn points, the team puts all their efforts into the competition and tries to stay calm while many unexpected problems happen. An extreme heat wave and a broken driveshaft also add-up to the challenge!

"I want to prove that we can beat Boake. He's a phenomenal driver and I think I'm a phenomenal driver …. I'm trying to pull up every little trick I can come up with", adds Fantin. "I had to go into his head or to force him to make some mistakes but he's right on top of his game."

To find out more about this story, log on to the CTCC Youtube Channel or visit our Web Site at www.touringcar.ca. Follow this link for the YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/canadiantouringcar

From Dominique Longval / Director of Marketing

DELAWARE SPEEDWAY: ISMA - World's most powerful short track racers this Friday

Delaware Speedway was literally built for Super Modified Racing and each year the ISMA Super Modifieds come home to Delaware Speedway this weekend August 5 & 6.  They bring with them from the United States their special brand of speed, thrills, and skills which only super modified racing can deliver.

The Super Modifieds only returned to Delaware Speedway in 2006 after being away for nearly twenty years.  This event will be their sixth return to the track for an event which has now become a two-day racing weekend.

Coming into the event, Mike Lichty (#84) of Innerkip is the highest ranked Canadian in points just 22 points behind leader Russ Wood of Pelham, NH.  Lichty suffered mechanical woes at the recent July 30th Hy-Miler 200 at Sandusky Speedway in Ohio, luck he will certainly hope to turn around on home soil.  Mark Sammut (#78) of London currently sits seventh in points.  Another Canadian, Craig Rayvals of Brockville provides more local flavor to this exciting event.

What is an ISMA Super Modified?

ISMA Super Modifieds are billed as the "World's Most Powerful Short Track Cars", with good reason.  The cars are mostly home built by the teams weighing only 1850 pounds and generating an amazing 800 hp.  Super Modifieds require a push start as they do not have a starter and are directly driven.  The cars also feature wings mounted on air shocks which increase down force in the turns and move almost flat to the track on the straights.  The tires are soft slicks, featuring a massive 18" wide right rear tire.

NASCAR Whelen Weekly division action is expected to be hot this weekend as well, with each of them taking a turn on the track throughout the weekend:

- The FT Garage Late Models are running twin 30-lap races with a special pricing structure and a $200 bonus for the driver who qualifies best in time trials on Friday.

- Two other weekly divisions of Dynamic Super Stocks and Demar Trucks have slightly bumped prizing for the weekend.  Trucks run on Friday, Super Stocks on Saturday.

- The POWERADE Open-Wheel Modifieds are on track for an excellent invitational event on Saturday in which drivers from across the province are expected to compete.

Additional Notes:

- Fans are strongly urged to make use of hearing protection at the ISMA event.  While some adults may choose not to make use of this protection, children at the event should certainly be making use of hearing protection.  Super Modifieds are incredibly powerful.

- Even the most powerful P.A. system in the world would have trouble overcoming the power of a Super Modified.  Bring an FM headset tuned to 89.1 FM to catch the onsite announcers feed and don't miss a beat.

- Sunday is the designated rain date for the event(s).  Any changes to the program would be announced as necessary.

- Johnny Benson is racing in this weekend's event.

- Saturday's event features an autograph session.

- Kids club will be open throughout the weekend before the races behind the broadcast tower.

- Hoppy the clown will also be on site once again this weekend.

- Gates open at 5:00 pm at both events, racing starts at 8:00 pm.

Camping is available for $20 for the weekend.  Tickets for the event will be available at the gate and are also available through the track's website.

Fans are encouraged to check the info page for the event here for detailed information on gate times: http://www.delawarespeedway.com/tickets/delaware-classic-isma

Video Links: Local driver Mark Sammut takes a tour of an ISMA car http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBhc8fAQpy0

From John Houghton / Delaware Speedway

PHOTO GALLERY: Sunset Speedway July 30th & 31st (LLM, SS, MS)

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Same Day Coverage of the GP3R on TSN

 

OSCAAR: 12th Annual Don Biederman Memorial Friday at Kawartha Speedway

FRASERVILLE, ON - Friday marks round eight on the 2011 OSCAAR schedule and the 12th running of the 75 lap Don Biederman Memorial presented by Matco Tools at Kawartha Speedway. OSCAAR will join Kawartha’s three weekly divisions on a night that will surely be full of excitement.

The event holds one of the largest purse’s throughout the OSCAAR season with several sponsors stepping up in big ways to support the drivers and the series. First Canadian Auto Collision of Brampton, Ontario is the official sponsor of the OSCAAR pace truck for the event. Standing Arrow Smoke Shop of Chippawa, Ontario has also had a big part in sponsoring the event and their contributions will go towards the night’s top qualifier as well as the half-way bonus awards (to the driver leading at the race’s half way point). B&B Towing of Stayner, Ontario is the official sponsor of the most laps led award. VP Racing Fuels, the official racing fuel of the OSCAAR Super Late Model Series, is the sponsor of the hard luck driver award.

The title sponsor of the event is Matco Tools. Matco will be giving away two pit tool carts (valued at CND $1000); one to the race winner, and one to a lucky fan. In addition, Matco will be using its Infinium line of cordless impact guns to set-up a pit-stop challenge for the fans. Bill Drinkwater, Buisness Director for Matco Tools in Canada, was extremely excited about the partnership with OSCAAR.

``It gives you a chance to bring the whole family out and meet some of the drivers and be a part of the fun and the enthusiasm. (It`s all about) that feeling you get when you say ‘gentlemen start your engines’ and 600 horsepower fires up,`` explained Drinkwater.

The Official OSCAAR Souvenir Trailer will be carrying a limited number of event t-shirts with artwork designed and printed by one of OSCAAR’s top sponsors, Knightworks Designs of Newmarket, Ontario. In addition to the t-shirt graphics, Knightworks has produced all of the signage for the 2011 Don Biederman Memorial. Each year the special event memorabilia sells faster and faster, so be sure to get yours early in the evening. When you stop by the OSCAAR souvenir trailer, be sure to fill out a question ballot to ask your favourite OSCAAR driver a question. His response could be played live Friday evening.

Additionally, be sure to get yourself a program as you enter the racetrack. If your program is signed by an OSCAAR driver, you will receive an OSCAAR prize pack.

The action on the track will be just as fierce and exciting at the activities off the track. The race for the OSCAAR points championship has certainly heated up and so has the rookie of the year championship. Jeff Hanley won his first race of 2011 last weekend at Peterborough Speedway and became the first driver to solve Glenn Watson this season. Watson had won six straight races, but finished second at Peterborough.

Wayne Isaacs debuted a brand new Outlaw at Peterborough, but is hoping to return to his original car Friday night as he attempts to chase down Glenn Watson from his second place points position.

Lloyd Ritchie has run consistently as of late and already has a second place finish at Kawartha in his back pocket this season. Kawartha has been one of Ritchie’s best track’s in the past, so expect more success from the #62.

Glenn Watson is always a top contender to win and Friday night will be no different. Watson led all fifty laps at Kawartha in June, is the points leader heading in to the event, and is the odds on favourite to repeat.

Todd Campbell and Tyler Hawn continue a heated battle for the Rookie-of-the-Year Championship. Campbell matched his season-high sixth place finish at Peterborough; ahead of a tenth place Hawn. Chris Burrows and Shane Gowan have also applied the pressure. Burrows has finished eighth in four consecutive races and Gowan finished a season –high seventh. Look for all four drivers to be at the top of their game come Friday night.

Jeff Dunford will look to rebound from a tough finish. Dunford was in the second running position for most of the night at Peterborough before ending his night with nine laps remaining due to an oil leak. Nonetheless, he sits fourth in the standings and will certainly be looking for his first OSCAAR feature win on the series’ biggest stage.

Gary Passer quietly finished in fifth one week ago and moved up to fifth in the championship standings, leap-frogging Tyler Hawn. Look for the Passer #13 to get on the podium come feature time Friday night.

Brandon Vanderwel will look to rebound from two straight sub-par finishes due to mechanical difficulties. Vanderwel’s third place finish at Sauble Speedway on July 9th demonstrated his capabilities and makes him a threat to finish on the podium each and every week.

Craig Stevenson has had a consistent season, finishing around the top-ten every race. Stevenson finished twelfth at Peterborough after some mechanical difficulties put him a few laps down.

Charlie Gallant will search for a solution to his hard luck season. Gallant has been involved in two incidents that were out of his control and suffered a blown engine a few weeks ago at Sunset Speedway. Gallant won his first heat of 2011 last weekend at Peterborough.

Ontario`s fastest asphalt series is set to invade Kawartha Friday night and surely will not disappoint. With a car count anticipated to be in excess of twenty, it is a show that no racing enthusiast will want to miss. The Kawartha Speedway dining gallery will be open for the convenience and dining needs of fans beginning at 5:00pm and closing at 7:30pm, just after the first green flag. Be sure to claim your seat when the spectator gate opens at 5:00pm and take in the on-track practice and all of the events off the track. The first green flag is set to fly at 7:00pm.

From Clayton Johns / OSCAAR

PHOTO GALLERY: Sauble Speedway July 27th, 2011 Dash for Cash (LLM, SS, TC & MS)

CTCC Featured in Friday Night Race at GP3R

Trois-Rivières, August 3rd 2011 – Motorsports fans in Trois-Rivières are getting ready to attend the biggest event of the year this weekend, the 42nd edition of Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire (CTCC) is proud to announce that it will be featured in the Friday night race with headlights on.

Among the seven series that are presented during the GP3R weekend, only CTCC has the capacity of presenting a night show. With headlights on, Round Eleven will become even more spectacular to watch and definitely challenging for the competitors. With FREE admission on Friday after 5:00 p.m. and several local competitors, this is the race you don't want to miss!

During Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, watch for Etienne Borgeat of Montréal in his Pontiac Solstice from GT Racing; Borgeat is in second position in the Super Class standings with 1001 points and he is only five points away from the leader Richard Boake. In third position with 951 points is Amherstburg driver Dean Fantin.

In Touring Class, still unbeatable is Markam driver Tom Kwok with 1134 points. Kwok, in his Honda Civic Si, is being followed closely by the MINIs teammates Alain Lauzière from Vaudreuil in second place with 1026 points and Michel Sallenbach from Roxton Pond, in third position with 987 points.

VW GTI driver P.J. Groenke stands in fifth position with 850 points.

As several drivers experienced big crashes at Mosport during Round Ten, Rounds Eleven and Twelve will be exciting to follow. Going into the end of the Championship, points matter even more and only one position (five

points) can make the difference.

Weekend Schedule

At Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières on August 5th and 6th, CTCC competitors will have a practice session at 9:45 on Friday morning, followed by a qualifying session at 3:35 pm the same day. Drivers will be competing Round Eleven on Friday Night at 8:30. This race will be preceded by an official race protocol at 8:00. Round Twelve will be battled on Saturday at 3:05 p.m.

Fans can keep track of live CTCC competition with their smartphone or computer by connecting to www.livetiming.net/ctcc . CTCC live timing is available whenever and wherever the race cars are on the track

For more details about CTCC and to capture the best moments via our event Webisodes, visit www.touringcar.ca .You can also follow CTCC on Facebook and Twitter.

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 2011, CTCC will be featured at Circuit ICAR, Mosport

 

NCATS: 37 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series entries for Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Montréal, August 3, 2011 - The increasing popularity of the Montreal stop on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule, the NAPA Autopro 100 the weekend of August 19 & 20 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, has reached unprecedented heights this year. The promoters of the event that also features the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the Canadian Touring Car Championship, received this week from officials of the Canadian NASCAR Series, an entry list of 37 drivers who should make the grid for Saturday morning's race in Montréal.

The record number of entries will produce the series' largest-ever field since its inception in 2007, which incidentally, has always been a part of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge. Over the years, the Montreal stop has seen its number of entries increase with 31, 33 and 34 drivers registered over the last three years. The Montréal event lists Kerry Micks as the inaugural winner, Andrew Ranger in 2008, JR Fitzpatrick the following season and Ranger as a repeat winner last season.

"This is great news for our organization. It proves once again that drivers from Québec and outside the province want to win fame in front of the Montréal crowd and challenge a legendary track," said François Dumontier, President of Octane Management and delegated promoter of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge. "We are happy to offer race fans fields of 25 and up to 43 cars in the four series scheduled that weekend. As for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, since 2007 it has produced very exciting races, and I have no doubts that it will once again be spectacular."

Since its creation in 2007, the Canadian Tire Series has fielded 30 cars or more only seven times, with four of them in Montréal, two in Toronto and one in Edmonton. Earlier in July, 33 drivers registered for the Toronto Indy race weekend. According to the latest entry list, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will, in just over two weeks, welcome one California driver, two each from British Columbia and Alberta, 17 from Ontario and 15 from Québec.

Following round seven of the 2011, 12-race schedule in Saskatoon, 2008 series champion Scott Steckly of Milverton ON, was leading the standings ahead of defending series champion D.J. Kennington of St. Thomas, ON sat in second place, twenty points back of the leader. Third place belongs to Don Thompson, Jr. of Hamilton. Steckly, Kennington and Thompson will lead the Ontario contingent. Andrew Ranger, Alex Tagliani, Isabelle Tremblay, Louis-Philippe and Jean-François Dumoulin, veteran driver Donald Theetge, who is sporting the NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge logo on the hood of his car, and former Montréal Canadien's defenseman Patrice Brisebois, will headline the Quebec field for this very exciting 100-kilometer race.

Tickets for the 2011 Montreal NAPA Auto Parts 200, presented by Dodge are currently on sale. To order the best grandstands tickets still available and see Carl Edwards, Marcos Ambrose, Danica Patrick, Reed Sorenson, Elliott Sadler and all the other NASCAR Nationwide stars take on Patrick Carpentier, Ron Fellows Andrew Ranger, Alex Tagliani and Jacques Villeneuve on track on Friday and Saturday, August 19 and 20, fans must call right now 514 397-0007 or order online anytime at www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca. 

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.

From Marie-Pierre Laflamme / Media Services Manager

Photo: Andrew Ranger leads the pack in last year's NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Québec driver went on to win his second career Canadian Tire Series race in Montréal. Photo Credit: Stock-Car Montréal

NCATS: Dumoulin Competition back where it all began

Louis-Philippe and Jean-François Dumoulin return to their hometown in the hope of a podium this weekend (August 5th to 7th), at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix. Two generations of Dumoulin family have almost 50 participations on this mythic street course. This weekend, the two brothers will participate in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series’ race on Sunday, at 3:30 p.m.

The two drivers and professional race instructors, who regularly travel on the different tracks around North America, are happy to be back home every year for this event in the streets of Trois-Rivières.

“Every year we want to be as good as possible. Our team is from Trois-Rivières, we are proud and bound to our Grand Prix. There is always a lot of action and we are very busy! We have the support of everyone and we want to celebrate this when we race. A podium at the GP3R would be fantastic,” admits Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, driver of the No. 47 Maskimo/Somavrac car.

“Every year I am looking forward to race in Trois-Rivières, to come back home. I am very enthusiastic. Since our debut in Formula Ford, our partners, family, friends and fans have supported us year after year. I consider it as an immense privilege to be allowed to race the GP3R each summer,” explained Jean-François Dumoulin, driver of the No. 04 Group Bellemare Dodge.

Seventh last year at the GP3R, Jean-François Dumoulin was doing testing last week and he is well satisfied about the results. “I would like to finish in the top-five. I want to obtain a good starting position to be able to fight for the lead as fast as possible,” added the oldest of the Dumoulin brothers.

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, who finished fourth and seventh in three races so far this season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series, aims at a first podium in the series. “We want to continue to improve as a team. We had great results up to now and we have to keep going forward in each race,” he said.

The Dumoulin brothers invite all their supporters and GP3R’s visitors to meet and cheer on the team in action at the paddocks. You can follow the team this weekend on Facebook and Twitter (DumoulinDC).

Dumoulin Compétition, in partnership with the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix, Cogeco and Bernier Crépeau, will then head to Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve (August 19th and 20th) to participate in the NAPA 200 weekend, of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series. Every year, the team has the unconditional support of everyone – partners, family, friends, medias and fans – that believe a podium is attainable.

From Paul Corbeil

SPEEDWAY 660: Street Stock 75 kicks off final stretch

Fredericton N.B. – Coming off their only off weekend of the racing season, Speedway 660 will see the RV World Street Stock cars in the Street Stock 75 this weekend.

Speedway 660 will see another winner in the 75 lap feature as Peter Gaddess, last year’s winner has moved into the Sportsman division, making room for a new winner.

Four-time track champion and reigning champion Rick Cashol has been trading the points lead this season with Benji Ruff so these two can be expected to make a strong push for the victory.

Regular points racing will take place in the O’Leary Auto Group Pro Stock, Martins Home Heating Sportsman, Hanwell Village Mart Bandolero, and 4 Cylinder divisions as the final push for the points championships begins this weekend as well.

Saturday, August 6th @ 7:00 p.m.

Pit gates open at 2:30 p.m.

Grandstands open at 5 p.m.

Racing starts at 7 p.m.

Divisions Racing:  O’Leary Auto Group Pro Stocks, Martins Home Heating Sportsman, RV World Street Stocks, Hanwell Village Mart Bandoleros and 4 Cylinders.

Web:  www.speedway660.com // From Angela Coffey // Speedway 660

 

Stanley and Canadian Tire team up with Marcos Ambrose to donate 100K for Jumpstart

Oakville, On., August 8, 2011 – Stanley® has made a guaranteed donation of $100,000 to Canadian Tire Jumpstart™ on behalf of Stanley® and Stanley-sponsored Richard Petty Motorsports driver Marcos Ambrose, who is competing in the 2011 Nationwide Series race in Montreal on August 20th.

Stanley’s involvement with the program is now in its second year, and includes participation in annual product promotions which will help support the Canadian Tire Jumpstart™ program. 

"Not only am I excited to race in Montreal in front of all the Canadian fans, but I am very happy to be racing for a worthy cause such as the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program where Stanley will donate $100,000 on our behalf” said Ambrose.  “If we can help kids achieve their goals in sports programs across Canada with support from great companies such as Stanley & Canadian Tire, that is a great accomplishment"

“Stanley is pleased to be involved with Canadian Tire Jumpstart™ for this second year. We believe that by helping kids in financial need take part in community-based organized sport and recreation programs, is important way to help keep Canadian kids active, not only for the health benefits, but also in the development of life-skills, self-esteem and confidence.” says Jeff Crews, President of Stanley Black &Decker Canada, CDIY Group

Canadian Tire Jumpstart™ is a community-based charitable program that helps kids aged four to 18 participate in organized sport and recreation activities such as hockey, soccer, dance and swimming.

Canadian Tire’s purpose in establishing Jumpstart was the idea that physical activity gives a lot more to kids than just rosy cheeks and a healthy weight. It also helps kids build self-esteem, social skills, concentration and character as well as helping them learn how to work together, how to share, and how to lead.

“When it comes to organized sport and recreation programs, how much children get to play is unfortunately often limited by how much their parents can afford. In fact, one in three Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their children in organized sports and recreation,” says Dan Thompson, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart™. “Canadian Tire Jumpstart® believes that by providing kids with the chance to play today gives them a jumpstart on their future. We are proud Stanley also recognizes the value of sport and recreation programs and has joined our team of partners.”

Canadian Tire Jumpstart™ is a national program that delivers support to children in financial need through a network of local chapters made up of community leaders committed to helping kids get active, such as Parks and Recreation Canada, the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Canada, and the YMCA. The program helps cover the cost of registration, equipment and/or transportation.

To date, there are 310 Canadian Tire Jumpstart™ chapters in communities across the country. Since the program’s launch in February 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart™ has helped give more than 330,000 kids in financial need the chance to play.

For more information on Stanley Hand Tools, please visit www.stanleyhandtools.ca.  For more information on the Canadian Tire Jumpstart™ program, please visit www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart

PHOTO GALLERY: Ohsweken Speedway July 26th, 2011: An Evening With Tone Stewart

NASCAR MONTREAL: Jacques Villeneuve & Alex Tagliani - Montreal Preview

JACQUES VILLENEUVE (No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge Challenger R/T) CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO RACE IN MONTREAL?  “It’s exciting.  There’s always an amazing crowd for that race.  It’s a lot of fun racing there with the Nationwide cars.  I think that I’ve been on that track 14 or 15 times, so I’ve raced there quite a few times in F1 and it’s very different.  We had a great run at Elkhart Lake.  The car was very competitive.  You could drive aggressive with it.  The way that the setup felt, I think it will be very good in Montreal as well.”

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN IF NASCAR DECIDED TO BRING THE SPRINT CUP SERIES TO MONTREAL?  “It would be great.  What you have to understand is that Montreal is used to having F1, which is a big international race.  It’s a little bit different fan base for NASCAR.  The Quebec fans are just race fanatics and they just turn up for whatever racing there is.  But if you brought the big league – the Cup (Series) there, you’d get bigger crowds than you get for F1.  That would definitely be amazing.”

DO YOU SEE ANY PARALLELS BETWEEN YOUR SITUATION IN 1999 WHEN YOU WENT TO BAR HONDA AND NASCAR’S CARL EDWARDS AT ROUSH RACING?  CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE GRASS BEING GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE MINDSET?  “I haven’t really followed the situation.  There’s many things that impact racing, one of which is that you love racing and yet, you love competing and you want to win.  The other thing is the business side of it.  Sponsors spend money because they want a return and you want what is deserved (by the sponsor) as well.  Of course the money would have an influence.  Now, I’m really not sure what he (Carl Edwards) is doing.  When we built BAR, I didn’t build it for the money.  There were options for similar salaries.  It was just the excitement of building a new team at that point.”

ALEX TAGLIANI (No. 12 Hot Wheels Dodge Challenger R/T) CAN YOU TALK ABOUT RACING IN MONTREAL?  “I love the track.  It’s always nice to have the opportunity to race on that track.  I think motorsports is pretty important for the Dodge brand.  With what Jacques (Villeneuve) did in Elkhart Lake, it seems like the Dodge Challengers are pretty quick.  I feel fortunate for the opportunity to race for Penske.  I think it’s great.  I’ll have the chance to race once in front of my home crowd; I think that’s always nice.  I’m looking forward to it.”

WHAT WOULD IN MEAN IF NASCAR DECIDED TO BRING THE SPRINT CUP SERIES TO MONTREAL?  “In Canada, somehow we’ve been able to attract lots of different series across the country and those series are giving a lot of importance to the Canadian market.  From Indy Car, west coast to the east coast, NASCAR, F1…that’s a sign the Canadian fans are really fanatics.  If you are capable of bringing the Sprint Cup Series to Montreal, I think, first of all, the attendance is going to show how much the fans are fanatics.  At the same time, it’s going to bring a major event from the NASCAR Series to a crowd that is supporting, more and more, the NASCAR Series.  That would be a pretty good move.”

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHO’S PUTTING TOGETHER YOUR CARS?  IS IT A FULL PENSKE EFFORT, A COMBINATION OF TEAMS? “It’s a full Penske effort.  It’s the No. 12 crew.  Same crew chief as usual.  They’re going to bring everything they’ve got to try and be as competitive as possible.  Obviously, the Montreal race is a pretty important market for the Dodge brand and Penske being a good representative team for Dodge.  As professional as they are, they’re always going to try and bring the best equipment and the best staff.  They never go halfway.  I think that it’s a very nice opportunity for me to compete on that track that I like a lot with Jacques (Villeneuve) and the team.  So far, they’ve been really competitive and I’m looking forward to it.”

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE NATIONWIDE SERIES CAR?  “I’m going to have to believe what Jacques (Villeneuve) says because I haven’t tried the (NASCAR Nationwide Series) car yet.  The only other experience that I had was a couple of years ago with a different team with the old version of the Nationwide car.  So, that’s why I’m looking forward to it.  Not long ago, I had a chance to do a review with a magazine with the Dodge Challenger SRT/8 392.  It (Nationwide Series car) is pretty heavy from what I’m used to driving.  It seems to have plenty of power.  Like Jacques says, the car handles well.  I’m definitely looking forward to trying it.”

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR INCIDENT WITH ANDREW RANGER IN THE NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES AT MIRABEL?  “What happened at Mirabel with me is very simple.  As soon as you walk out of the race track, it’s all over.  You try as much as possible to fix with the other driver the things that happened.  Things have also gone wrong in Toronto in Indy car – Helio (Castroneves) took me out and basically five-minutes after we chat, it was all over.  When you’re fighting for the same piece of real estate and you’re racing at those speeds, I don’t think that you can expect races are going to go perfectly fair and right.  You have to agree with that.  You have to be living OK with it.  As soon as things are fixed with the drivers, then you move on.  Keeping a grudge for a long time is unhealthy when you’re back in the car.”

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS RACING THE INDYCAR SERIES THIS YEAR IN LAS VEGAS? “I look forward to racing Vegas.  It’s a second hometown race for the year in IndyCar, so it should be interesting.  I think the format is also quite exciting.  We’ll see what the outcome of what Randy Bernard is going to do; I’m looking forward to that.

“In regards to racing with Sam, I think that it’s been a good second year for the team.  Good performance for the team with two poles back-to-back, one at the Indy 500.  Quite a bit of bad luck on two ovals and two street courses.  We got taken out and ran out of fuel – a couple fuel pump issues.  Overall, we’re competitive.  We just have to get a clean race and just get back into the top five where we belong.”

From Scott Sebastian / Dodge Motorsports PR / Darnell Communications

Sports Car Club of BC - August 2011 Club Newsletter

Thanks to Pete Weedon for passing along the August 2011 edition of the Sports Car Club of BC's August (2011) club newsletter.

Click here or on the cover at right to view the PDF.

MOSPORT: Race recap July 30, 2011

(Bowmanville, ON – August 2, 2011)    To quote the advertising motto from Port Perry's Great Blue Heron Charity Casino, "Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have A Winner."

In fact, there were four winners crowned last Saturday night, as the local Casino along with Mosport Speedway, presented the Pure Stocks, the Bob's Towing Sportsman, the Late Models and an open-wheeled Modified Invitational 25-lap feature event.

Pure Stock

Anthony DiBello has stepped up his racing programme this year, and has been a regular competitor in Mosport's Sportsman division. But over the past couple weeks, Anthony has been competing as the team driver for Matt Boyce, running his new Pure Stock car as the #94.

In a recently acquired, unfamiliar and untested Honda, Anthony was put to the test on Saturday night. But the Cannington resident managed to 'keep his foot in it' and came away with a three-race sweep on the evening, claiming not only both heat race victories (each time over Ryan Oosterholt), but also the win in the 20 lap feature as well.

Starting from the inside of the second row, DiBello leapfrogged past the suddenly ailing #99 Sunbird of pole sitter Henk Mulders to snatch the lead on the opening lap. With Corey Hayward's #70 Prelude filling his mirrors, DiBello watched as Oosterholt in Jeff Scott's #96 mount, joined the now three-car fray.

On lap nine, Oosterholt slipped past Hayward in Turn Three to claim the runner-up position, and although he was able to edge ever closer to the race leader, his charge fell short, DiBello taking the checkered flag six car lengths in front of the red, Nofty's Fries #96.

"Not a bad result for throwing this car back together last night. We worked on this thing till four o'clock this morning to get it ready," said DiBello.

Hayward faded slightly, but held on for a third place result, and was able to maintain a healthy (1/2 track!) advantage over fourth place finisher Heath MacDonald (#69). In a tight scramble for a top five finish, Bryan Holmes (#82) fought off the #63 Sable of Ray Smith and Jeff VandeBelt's #00 Dodge for the position.

Bob's Towing Sportsman

John Baker Jr. continues to edge ever closer to Bob's Towing Sportsman points leader Bill Northam and on Saturday night, 'Big John' used a hat trick of race wins to narrow the gap even further.

The top three in points, Northam, Baker, and Bob Kish (#78 Rapid Racing Monte Carlo) all finished in the top three in every contest, with Baker leading the dominating trio.  

In the 20-lap feature, contest, all three took turns leading the race, but it was Baker in his #63 Marksmen Club Chevy closing the deal on lap five, squeezing low past Northam's #85 Five Points Mall Pontiac as the pair entered Turn Three to assume the point.

Running 'Clean and Green' to the checkered flag, Baker brought out his broom as he made a clean sweep of the evening's Sportsman events.

"I haven't done a hat trick in over two years, and (wife) Sarah missed it," exclaimed Baker. "She pushed me harder than anyone, this race is for her."

Late Model

Four drivers, including pole sitter Shannon Kimmerly, Tyler Betts and defending series champion Jim 'the Professor' Rossiter all took turns leading the 25-lap Late Model feature race, but at the checkered flag it was the #55 Cal Jessup Trucking Impala piloted by Darren 'Not The Kid Anymore' Kearnan who claimed the well-deserved victory.

Moving into second place behind Rossiter, thanks to contact between then-leader Tyler Betts (#86 Pingle's Farms) and the #68 of Scott Harrison on lap 15, Kearnan stalked the Late Model point man, eventually sneaking low through Turn Three to grab the race lead.

A five car breakaway pack then formed headed by Kearnan, with Rossiter, division points leader Dwight Brown (#12), Todd Delisle (#22) and Paul Law (#72) all sitting within easy striking distance. A Turn Four bobble behind the leader with two-to-go allowed Kearnan to open up his advantage slightly, the Burketon driver taking the checkered flag four car lengths in front of Rossiter's #66 Roy Nichols Motors/Matco Tools Impala.

"I didn't have a lot left at the end," admitted Kearnan. "The other guys took themselves out of the chase which made me feel a little better on the last lap."

Todd Delisle (#22 NAPA-Port Perry Chevy) was able to pip Dwight Brown for the last step on the podium on the final lap, Delisle, Brown and Paul Law crossing the stripe in a bumper-to-bumper finish.

Open-Wheel Modifieds Invitational

The Open-Wheeled Modifieds made their second appearance of the season at Mosport Speedway on July 30, the field filled with Mosport regulars along with competitors from the Delaware and Varney Speedways.

Using the same car (#46 TTR Transport) and talent that carried him to the 2004 Mosport Modified title, Kearnan appeared on his way to a well-deserved feature win, but a determined Tyler Hendricks (#38 Vertec Contracting) and a soft brake pedal ultimately spelled Kearnan's doom.

Taking the lead on lap four, Kearnan, followed closely by Hendricks, were the class of the Modified field, gapping their rivals until a series of yellow flags regrouped the pack. In a three-lap shootout following the last of the caution periods, Kearnan and Hendricks continued their battle at the front, but having just taken the white flag, Hendricks got the better launch off of Turn Two, and grabbed the low line as the duo entered Turn Three. In a drag race to the checkered flag, Hendricks prevailed, taking the win a quarter car length in front of Kearnan.

"There was a couple of times I might have had a shot at him, but I didn't want to get into him," explained Hendricks. "I had the pedal all the way down, all race, that's all she had."

An obviously disappointed Kearnan conceded, "This will stick with me a long time, I really wanted this one."

Only slightly further back, a three car battle for third place raged, with Jim Rossiter in the Warnes Racing #95 edging Delaware Speedway's Stephen Richmond (#24) and Rob Warnes (#95) for the final step on the podium.

"We were down a little on power, I had nothing for the leaders," admitted Rossiter. "But I sure had the best seat in the house to watch them."     

For further information: Ryan Chalmers, Mosport     ryan@mosport.com

Photo Credit - Peter Brand

Photo 1 - The winner of all three Pure Stock races Anthony DiBello.

Photo 2 - John Baker Jr. was the winner of both heat races and the feature contest.

Photo 3 - Darren Kearnan was the winner of the Late Model feature race.

Photo 4 - Tyler Hendricks (centre) was the winner of the Open-Wheel Modifieds Invitational.  Also pictured, Kearnan (left) and Jim Rossiter (right).