In a season that has challenged the resolve of Brad Graham and the Full Throttle /Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts team their efforts were rewarded during round nine of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series posting a top-five finish at Cayuga Speedway.
For much of the racing season the Full Throttle team has worked hard to learn the intricacies of their new Hess built race car. It has taken time for the crew to understand how the adjustments made impact the handling and performance of the car but now feel they are on their way.
The Full Throttle team and driver Brad Graham worked diligently during practice to prepare the car but came away with a disappointing qualifying time placing them fifteenth on the starting grid. “I was expecting it to be a long night” said Graham afterwards “but things sure worked out for us in this one”.
Graham maneuvered the Full Throttle Dodge around the 5/8 mile oval and began moving through the field. The driving was aggressive right from the start of the 200 lap main event and quickly turned into a battle of survival. “It was pretty aggressive in the first race of the season here and this one was no different” said Graham afterwards. The cooler evening conditions suited the car and Brad quickly moved the Full Throttle Dodge into the top-ten.
A little before the midway point of the race the Full Throttle team made their scheduled pit stop for fuel and new right side tires and team performed flawlessly returning Graham to the race in the top-ten. “The car was really good with those new tires and just got better, I was faster than some of the cars but when I tried to pass it got a little physical. So I just tried to take my time and pretty soon we were running third.
The physical type of racing continued as the two cars ahead of the Full Throttle Dodge made contact, Graham checked up to avoid the incident and was punted from behind. “After that spin the car we made a pit stop but obviously wasn’t quite as good”. Graham though would return to the battle after service and again move up through the field.
The aggressive driving continued until the very end of the race with two top-runners collected in a last lap incident. Graham avoided the dust up and despite the less than perfect handling car Brad would bring the Full Throttle Dodge to the finish line in fifth position. “To come away with a fifth place in this race obviously we’re pretty pleased” said the driver afterwards. “We’ve made some progress with the car and with all the banging that went on to grab a top-five is great, it gives us a boost for next week”.
Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Team are back in action this coming weekend as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series returns to Barrie Speedway on Saturday September 8th. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All 12 races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
NCATS: THOMSON SCORES POLE IN HOME HARDWARE CHEVROLET, NIGHT ENDS EARLY
Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware Chevrolet team returned to Ontario to begin the final third of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) season at a track they claimed victory at earlier in the year, Cayuga Speedway. While Thomson was fast during practice and scored his second Bud Pole Award of the season, his race was cut short due to contact from behind.
Already twice a winner this season Thomson and the Home Hardware Chevy team were intent on continuing their strong season that had them second in the overall championship, but weren’t content to just sit back and use follow what they did during the first race of the season at Cayuga Speedway. “You know me, I’m always trying little things to get better” said Thomson. Those subtle differences put the Home Hardware Chevy on pole for the 200 lap main event with a scorching qualifying lap of 20.864 seconds. Thomson would be joined on the front row for the second time this season by teammate J.R. Fitzpatrick.
Race strategy for the Home Hardware Chevy when starting up front is typically, lead a lap early and then begin to settle in and make sure the car is solid for the entire race. As the green flag waved to begin competition Thomson claimed the bonus points for leading a lap and after only a few laps began to feel pressure from the 02 car. After completing only seven laps of the 200 scheduled Thomson was punted from behind, sending his Home Hardware Chevrolet spinning and crashing hard into the wall on the backstretch. “I don’t get it” he shrugged afterwards. “You know me, if you want go that badly so early in the race I’ll let you go, there’s no need for that. We got punted from behind by the 02 car and I don’t know what else to say, our night was finished. The team did a great job getting the Home Hardware Chevy ready for this race, we qualified up front and our night is finished almost before it starts, it’s a shame”.
The competitor that hit Thomson’s Home Hardware car from behind was penalized by NASCAR officials for overly aggressive driving, however the damage was done. Despite the efforts by the team the car was bent and twisted both front and back, too severely damaged to continue.
Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware team are fifth in the championship point standings after nine events.
The Home Hardware team will be back in action this coming weekend as the series makes its second stop of the year at Barrie Speedway on Saturday September 8th. The NCATS run a twelve event schedule on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits across Canada. You can watch all twelve races this season on TSN. For information about the NCATS including schedule, results and more, log onto www.nascar.ca
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
Already twice a winner this season Thomson and the Home Hardware Chevy team were intent on continuing their strong season that had them second in the overall championship, but weren’t content to just sit back and use follow what they did during the first race of the season at Cayuga Speedway. “You know me, I’m always trying little things to get better” said Thomson. Those subtle differences put the Home Hardware Chevy on pole for the 200 lap main event with a scorching qualifying lap of 20.864 seconds. Thomson would be joined on the front row for the second time this season by teammate J.R. Fitzpatrick.
Race strategy for the Home Hardware Chevy when starting up front is typically, lead a lap early and then begin to settle in and make sure the car is solid for the entire race. As the green flag waved to begin competition Thomson claimed the bonus points for leading a lap and after only a few laps began to feel pressure from the 02 car. After completing only seven laps of the 200 scheduled Thomson was punted from behind, sending his Home Hardware Chevrolet spinning and crashing hard into the wall on the backstretch. “I don’t get it” he shrugged afterwards. “You know me, if you want go that badly so early in the race I’ll let you go, there’s no need for that. We got punted from behind by the 02 car and I don’t know what else to say, our night was finished. The team did a great job getting the Home Hardware Chevy ready for this race, we qualified up front and our night is finished almost before it starts, it’s a shame”.
The competitor that hit Thomson’s Home Hardware car from behind was penalized by NASCAR officials for overly aggressive driving, however the damage was done. Despite the efforts by the team the car was bent and twisted both front and back, too severely damaged to continue.
Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware team are fifth in the championship point standings after nine events.
The Home Hardware team will be back in action this coming weekend as the series makes its second stop of the year at Barrie Speedway on Saturday September 8th. The NCATS run a twelve event schedule on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits across Canada. You can watch all twelve races this season on TSN. For information about the NCATS including schedule, results and more, log onto www.nascar.ca
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
NCATS: J.R FITZPATRICK STARTS MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOLS CHEVY ON FRONT ROW
John Ryan (J.R.) Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet team began the final third of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season at Cayuga Speedway this past Saturday. As usual J.R. had a fast race car and was looking to make some headway in the overall points standings. Sadly in what is becoming the norm the actions of others severely impacted the finishing position of the team.
The Milwaukee Electric Tools car showed great speed during the early practice sessions but J.R. did not have the same comfortable car during second practice. “The rubber from some of the cars in the other racing series was really causing us some problems” he stated. The team however made the necessary adjustments and gave Fitzpatrick the handling and speed he was seeking. J.R. would post the second fastest time during qualifying and join his teammate Don Thomson Jr. on the front row for the 200 lap race.
As the race began the two teammates raced hard but gave each other room to each lead a lap and gain bonus points. Fitzpatrick looked to settle into a solid early race pace and let more aggressive drivers through so as not to cause problems. “It makes no sense to run that hard early” he concluded. Despite his best intentions trouble would once again fin the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevy. Contact with Fitzpatrick’s teammate initiated by the 02 car would cause a huge pile up on the backstretch collecting several cars including the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet.
Due to the severity of the collision the race would be red flagged for several minutes to clear the cars and debris. “I just can’t believe it; this is the third time we’ve been collected by somebody else. One second I’m coming out of turn two hard on the gas, and in the next moment my teammate is coming toward me, two good race cars got wrecked by this and it’s totally unnecessary”.
The Milwaukee Electric Tools team went to work immediately to try and make repairs to allow Fitzpatrick to get back into the race. The team would get J.R. back into the competition and the car was surprisingly quick. “If the car was that fast, being bent up, it would have been incredible in peak shape, we definitely would have had a car to win. I just don’t understand how you drive like that early in the race, when we got back in after making the repairs we still weren’t at halfway”.
After nine events J.R. Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools team are now sixth in the overall point standings.
J.R Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools team are back in action this Saturday evening at Barrie Speedway. More information on the series can be obtained by visiting www.nascar.ca All twelve races will also be shown on TSN.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
The Milwaukee Electric Tools car showed great speed during the early practice sessions but J.R. did not have the same comfortable car during second practice. “The rubber from some of the cars in the other racing series was really causing us some problems” he stated. The team however made the necessary adjustments and gave Fitzpatrick the handling and speed he was seeking. J.R. would post the second fastest time during qualifying and join his teammate Don Thomson Jr. on the front row for the 200 lap race.
As the race began the two teammates raced hard but gave each other room to each lead a lap and gain bonus points. Fitzpatrick looked to settle into a solid early race pace and let more aggressive drivers through so as not to cause problems. “It makes no sense to run that hard early” he concluded. Despite his best intentions trouble would once again fin the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevy. Contact with Fitzpatrick’s teammate initiated by the 02 car would cause a huge pile up on the backstretch collecting several cars including the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet.
Due to the severity of the collision the race would be red flagged for several minutes to clear the cars and debris. “I just can’t believe it; this is the third time we’ve been collected by somebody else. One second I’m coming out of turn two hard on the gas, and in the next moment my teammate is coming toward me, two good race cars got wrecked by this and it’s totally unnecessary”.
The Milwaukee Electric Tools team went to work immediately to try and make repairs to allow Fitzpatrick to get back into the race. The team would get J.R. back into the competition and the car was surprisingly quick. “If the car was that fast, being bent up, it would have been incredible in peak shape, we definitely would have had a car to win. I just don’t understand how you drive like that early in the race, when we got back in after making the repairs we still weren’t at halfway”.
After nine events J.R. Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools team are now sixth in the overall point standings.
J.R Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools team are back in action this Saturday evening at Barrie Speedway. More information on the series can be obtained by visiting www.nascar.ca All twelve races will also be shown on TSN.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
NCATS: TEAM MOPAR DAY SURVIVES ROUGH RACE AT CAYUGA
The Mopar Parts Dodge team has fought tooth and nail through the middle portion of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season to regain their expected level of performance. Persistence by Ron Beauchamp Jr. and company was rewarded in a battle of survival at Cayuga Speedway this past Saturday.
A sense of improvement for the team began with qualifying and Beauchamp was able to post the 9th quickest time in the Mopar Parts Dodge. “The car was feeling better than it has and I knew we’d be able to run well in the evening conditions” said the driver afterwards.
There was plenty of action early in the 200 lap main event at the 5/8 mile oval with a spectacular multi vehicle collision in the first few laps. “I saw it happening and just went inside across the grass to avoid it” said Beauchamp. The Mopar Parts car would escape with only some body damage to the right front fender but it would severely impact the team’s fortunes.
When the racing resumes Ron Jr. and the Mopar Parts Dodge were clicking off one consistent lap after another and running solidly in the top-ten. All seemed on track until a ruling by NASCAR officials changed the tone of their race. “I didn’t like it” said Beauchamp, they were worried about the body work on the right front fender and black flagged us to stop and check it out, it was fine, but it changed our whole race”.
Despite the setback Team Mopar dug in and continued to compete hard for the rest of the race. Pit stops were solid and as expected the car was strong for the entire event. “At the end of the race we were running faster than most of the lead cars” said an excited Ron Beauchamp Jr. afterwards. “We finished this one and that’s a start, I think we’ve taken a big step forward”. The Mopar Parts Dodge would finish the race 14th.
A series of mechanical misfortune, racing incidents and just plain tough luck have caused the Mopar Parts team to underachieve through the last several events but being able to survive a race that was full of aggressive driving like Cayuga can give a team a boost. “We’re definitely feeling improvement” said Beauchamp afterwards. “We had a tough break with the right front fender call, but without that, we’re running up front, we’re as fast as the top cars and we’re in the mix. I’m really excited to get going next weekend”.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be back in action next weekend as teams head to Barrie Speedway on Saturday September 8th. The 12 race schedule will take the teams from coast to coast and will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits. For the complete schedule, results and other information log onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch all twelve races this season on TSN.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
A sense of improvement for the team began with qualifying and Beauchamp was able to post the 9th quickest time in the Mopar Parts Dodge. “The car was feeling better than it has and I knew we’d be able to run well in the evening conditions” said the driver afterwards.
There was plenty of action early in the 200 lap main event at the 5/8 mile oval with a spectacular multi vehicle collision in the first few laps. “I saw it happening and just went inside across the grass to avoid it” said Beauchamp. The Mopar Parts car would escape with only some body damage to the right front fender but it would severely impact the team’s fortunes.
When the racing resumes Ron Jr. and the Mopar Parts Dodge were clicking off one consistent lap after another and running solidly in the top-ten. All seemed on track until a ruling by NASCAR officials changed the tone of their race. “I didn’t like it” said Beauchamp, they were worried about the body work on the right front fender and black flagged us to stop and check it out, it was fine, but it changed our whole race”.
Despite the setback Team Mopar dug in and continued to compete hard for the rest of the race. Pit stops were solid and as expected the car was strong for the entire event. “At the end of the race we were running faster than most of the lead cars” said an excited Ron Beauchamp Jr. afterwards. “We finished this one and that’s a start, I think we’ve taken a big step forward”. The Mopar Parts Dodge would finish the race 14th.
A series of mechanical misfortune, racing incidents and just plain tough luck have caused the Mopar Parts team to underachieve through the last several events but being able to survive a race that was full of aggressive driving like Cayuga can give a team a boost. “We’re definitely feeling improvement” said Beauchamp afterwards. “We had a tough break with the right front fender call, but without that, we’re running up front, we’re as fast as the top cars and we’re in the mix. I’m really excited to get going next weekend”.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be back in action next weekend as teams head to Barrie Speedway on Saturday September 8th. The 12 race schedule will take the teams from coast to coast and will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits. For the complete schedule, results and other information log onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch all twelve races this season on TSN.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
PARTS CANADA SUPERBIKES: SZOKE WINS TITLE
SHANNONVILLE, Ont. – Brantford, Ont.’s Jordan Szoke clinched his second straight Parts Canada Superbike Championship with a fourth place finish on his Kawasaki ZX-10R in the final round at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday.
Although his closest challenger for the title, Steve Crevier scored his third straight victory of the season, the Canadian Kawasaki Motors factory rider still ended the season with 298 points compared to Crevier’s 290. Crevier led all 20 laps of the season finale on his Team Toyota Yamaha / Fast Company Yamaha YZF-R1 to claim his all-time leading 26th career national Superbike victory.
He finished 3.510 seconds ahead of Szoke’s rookie teammate Brett McCormick on another Kawasaki ZX-10R. Kevin Lacombe completed the podium riding the Team Toyota Yamaha / Brooklin Cycle Yamaha YZF-R1.
NCATS PHOTO GALLERY: Cayuga... by Dave Franks
Another NCATS race, another last-lap battle that ends up with one car on top of another. The gallery also includes photos from the Ontario Sportsman Series season finale.
Thanks to Dave Franks for sharing these photos from Saturday's event at Cayuga Speedway Park.
NCATS: LYNCH TAKES OPPORTUNITY AND WINS SUBWAY 300
(Another wild finish. Track owner Jerry Santucci estimated 5,300 (incl. VIPs) for the race. The stands looked full, as was the campground. And with another wild NCATS finish, you can bet they'll be back. I'll post a photo gallery shortly. - GM)
*******
NELLES CORNERS, Ontario (Sept. 1, 2007) – Derek Lynch (No. 77 Allied Steel Buildings/Canadian Shield Dodge) played the role of opportunist to win the Subway 200 presented by Sicard Holiday Campers at Cayuga Speedway Park.
Peter Gibbons (No. 1 Canadian Tire/Master Craft Chevrolet) and Jim Lapcevich (No. 25 EMCEA Transport/Tim Hortons Chevrolet) exchanged the lead five times in the final 37 laps, but on the final turn of the final lap the two locked bumpers sending both cars spinning out of contention. Lynch was more than happy to fill the void and pick up his first NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio victory. He was able to outdistance runner-up Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Wal-Mart/Tide Ford) to the finish line by just over a half second.
Last lap passes for the win are some of the most exciting in racing and the Canadian Tire Series has made it routine. Five of the last six races have been determined on final lap lead exchanges.
“Gibbons and Jim (Lapcevich) were going at each other pretty hard there for a long time,” said the victorious Lynch. “I wasn’t going to stick my nose in there. I had a top five car and I wanted to bring it home that way.”
Lynch, out of Warkworth, Ontario, was racing under the colors of a new sponsor – Allied Steel Buildings – and he was happy to bring them on board with a win.
“It really could not have worked out better,” Lynch said. “It’s the perfect ending for their first race. The car looked great, but more importantly it drove great. It hasn’t been our best season, but this gives us some great momentum for the last three races.”
Polesitter Don Thomson Jr. (No.4 Home Hardware Chevrolet) had his sights set on taking both ends of the Cayuga doubleheader in 2007 after having won the May race, but that bid was foiled on just the eighth lap. As the field was heading into turn three, Kerry Micks (No. 02 Beyond Digital Imaging Ford) made contact with Thomson which sparked a multi-car accident. Involved in the accident beyond Thomson was his Fitzpatrick Motorsports teammate J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet) and Doug Brown (No. 10 Haldex/NAPA Dodge). All three cars were knocked from contention. Only Fitzpatrick was able to make repairs and re-enter the race despite being 85 laps down.
With Thomson and Fitzpatrick sitting second and third, respectively, in the championship point standings, the beneficiary of the accident was Ranger. As the current points leader, Ranger found himself in the second position on the track after the smoke cleared.
Ranger took the ball and ran with it by wrestling the race lead away from D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/Krispy Kreme Dodge) on lap 35. He did not surrender that lead until he headed to pit road for service on lap 130 along with most of the other leaders.
The changes made to the Ranger machine by the Jacombs Racing team did not have the desired effect. The car did not seem as strong once the green flag racing resumed.
“No, the car did not like the changes at all,” stated Ranger. “But second place is a great finish for us here.”
The pit stops shuffled the field, but Gibbons, who was running second to Ranger prior to the stops, quickly worked his way through the pack and assumed the race lead on lap 138. He went on to lead 41 of the final 62 laps of the race. However the final lap incident with Jim Lapcevich relegated him to a seventh-place finish.
Kennington started the race in the third position and stayed among the leader all evening and collected the third-place trophy and snapped a brief two-race slump.
Micks rebounded from the early race incident to finish fourth – his fourth consecutive top-five finish. Brad Graham (No. 19 Full Throttle Energy Drink/Challenger Freight Dodge) earned his first top five of the season with his fifth-place effort.
Jeff Lapcevich, Gibbons, Jim Lapcevich, Jason Hathaway and Randy MacDonald rounded out the top 10. The race was slowed six times for 40 laps. The lead changed hands 14 times with 10 different drivers out in front.
In the unofficial championship point standings, Ranger’s second-place finish certainly didn’t hurt, but his case was further aided by the suffering of Thomson and Fitzpatrick. Ranger stretched his lead from 91 points coming into the race to 112. Micks and Kennington now share the second spot, but Micks gets the nod due to his two victories compared to Kennington’s one. Thomson and Fitzpatrick dropped to fifth and sixth, respectively.
The Canadian Tire Series visits the cozy confines of Barrie (Ontario) Speedway for the ATTO 300 next Saturday evening.
NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES presented by SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO-Subway 200 presented by Sicard Holiday Campers UNOFFICIAL Results
Saturday
At Cayuga Speedway Park
Hagersville, ON
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (16) Derek Lynch, Warkworth, Ontario, Dodge, 200 laps, 66.578 mph, $7,500.
2. (6) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Quebec, Ford, 200, $3,300.
3. (3) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $4,150.
4. (5) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ontario, Ford, 200, $2,600.
5. (15) Brad Graham, Glencoe, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $3,080.
6. (19) Jeff Lapcevich, Caistor Centre, Ontario, Chevrolet, 200, $1,875.
7. (4) Peter Gibbons, Stouffville, Ontario, Chevrolet, 200, $1,780.
8. (13) Jim Lapcevich, Hamilton, Ontario, Chevrolet, 200, $1,740.
9. (12) Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $2,150.
10. (11) Randy MacDonald, Oshawa, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $1,850.
11. (17) Dave Whitlock, Petrolia, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $1,350.
12. (23) Bob Merrifield, Belle River, Ontario, Dodge, 197, $1,275.
13. (18) Pierre Bourque, Ottawa, Ontario, Dodge, 196, $1,210.
14. (9) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ontario, Dodge, 189, $1,180.
15. (7) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 183, $1,120.
16. (14) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ontario, Dodge, 161, $1,080.
17. (20) John Gaunt, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 150, suspension, $1,040.
18. (21) Nik Lapcevich, Hamilton, Ontario, Chevrolet, 150, accident, $1,000.
19. (22) Kent Nuhn, Williamsford, Ontario, Pontiac, 143, electrical, $960.
20. (2) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ontario, Chevrolet, 115, $920.
21. (8) Ron Van Es, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Chevrolet, 16, oil leak, $880.
22. (1) Don Thomson, Jr., Ayr, Ontario, Chevrolet, 7, accident, $2,380.
23. (10) Doug Brown, Brantford, Ontario, Dodge, 7, accident, $880.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 52 minutes 39 seconds
Margin of Victory: .560 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: D.Thomson Jr. (107.841 mph, 20.864 seconds)
Caution Flags: 6 for 40 laps.
Lead Changes: 14 among 10 drivers.
Lap Leaders: J.Fitzpatrick 1-4; D.Thomson,Jr. 5-7; K.Micks 8-12; D.Kennington 13-35; A.Ranger 36-129; D.Whitlock 130-132; R.MacDonald 133-134; D.Whitlock 135-137; P.Gibbons 138-162; J.Lapcevich 163-171; P.Gibbons 172-182; J.Lapcevich 183; P.Gibbons 184-188; J.Lapcevich 189-199; D.Lynch 200.
Standings: 1. A.Ranger, 1472; 2. K.Micks, 1350; 3. D.Kennington, 1350; 4. P.Gibbons, 1308; 5. D.Thomson,Jr., 1303; 6. J.Fitzpatrick, 1298; 7. M.Dilley, 1247; 8. D.Lynch, 1242; 9. J.Hathaway, 1213; 10. S.Steckly, 1161.
From Shon Sbarra / NASCAR Public Relations
*******
NELLES CORNERS, Ontario (Sept. 1, 2007) – Derek Lynch (No. 77 Allied Steel Buildings/Canadian Shield Dodge) played the role of opportunist to win the Subway 200 presented by Sicard Holiday Campers at Cayuga Speedway Park.
Peter Gibbons (No. 1 Canadian Tire/Master Craft Chevrolet) and Jim Lapcevich (No. 25 EMCEA Transport/Tim Hortons Chevrolet) exchanged the lead five times in the final 37 laps, but on the final turn of the final lap the two locked bumpers sending both cars spinning out of contention. Lynch was more than happy to fill the void and pick up his first NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio victory. He was able to outdistance runner-up Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Wal-Mart/Tide Ford) to the finish line by just over a half second.
Last lap passes for the win are some of the most exciting in racing and the Canadian Tire Series has made it routine. Five of the last six races have been determined on final lap lead exchanges.
“Gibbons and Jim (Lapcevich) were going at each other pretty hard there for a long time,” said the victorious Lynch. “I wasn’t going to stick my nose in there. I had a top five car and I wanted to bring it home that way.”
Lynch, out of Warkworth, Ontario, was racing under the colors of a new sponsor – Allied Steel Buildings – and he was happy to bring them on board with a win.
“It really could not have worked out better,” Lynch said. “It’s the perfect ending for their first race. The car looked great, but more importantly it drove great. It hasn’t been our best season, but this gives us some great momentum for the last three races.”
Polesitter Don Thomson Jr. (No.4 Home Hardware Chevrolet) had his sights set on taking both ends of the Cayuga doubleheader in 2007 after having won the May race, but that bid was foiled on just the eighth lap. As the field was heading into turn three, Kerry Micks (No. 02 Beyond Digital Imaging Ford) made contact with Thomson which sparked a multi-car accident. Involved in the accident beyond Thomson was his Fitzpatrick Motorsports teammate J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet) and Doug Brown (No. 10 Haldex/NAPA Dodge). All three cars were knocked from contention. Only Fitzpatrick was able to make repairs and re-enter the race despite being 85 laps down.
With Thomson and Fitzpatrick sitting second and third, respectively, in the championship point standings, the beneficiary of the accident was Ranger. As the current points leader, Ranger found himself in the second position on the track after the smoke cleared.
Ranger took the ball and ran with it by wrestling the race lead away from D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/Krispy Kreme Dodge) on lap 35. He did not surrender that lead until he headed to pit road for service on lap 130 along with most of the other leaders.
The changes made to the Ranger machine by the Jacombs Racing team did not have the desired effect. The car did not seem as strong once the green flag racing resumed.
“No, the car did not like the changes at all,” stated Ranger. “But second place is a great finish for us here.”
The pit stops shuffled the field, but Gibbons, who was running second to Ranger prior to the stops, quickly worked his way through the pack and assumed the race lead on lap 138. He went on to lead 41 of the final 62 laps of the race. However the final lap incident with Jim Lapcevich relegated him to a seventh-place finish.
Kennington started the race in the third position and stayed among the leader all evening and collected the third-place trophy and snapped a brief two-race slump.
Micks rebounded from the early race incident to finish fourth – his fourth consecutive top-five finish. Brad Graham (No. 19 Full Throttle Energy Drink/Challenger Freight Dodge) earned his first top five of the season with his fifth-place effort.
Jeff Lapcevich, Gibbons, Jim Lapcevich, Jason Hathaway and Randy MacDonald rounded out the top 10. The race was slowed six times for 40 laps. The lead changed hands 14 times with 10 different drivers out in front.
In the unofficial championship point standings, Ranger’s second-place finish certainly didn’t hurt, but his case was further aided by the suffering of Thomson and Fitzpatrick. Ranger stretched his lead from 91 points coming into the race to 112. Micks and Kennington now share the second spot, but Micks gets the nod due to his two victories compared to Kennington’s one. Thomson and Fitzpatrick dropped to fifth and sixth, respectively.
The Canadian Tire Series visits the cozy confines of Barrie (Ontario) Speedway for the ATTO 300 next Saturday evening.
NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES presented by SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO-Subway 200 presented by Sicard Holiday Campers UNOFFICIAL Results
Saturday
At Cayuga Speedway Park
Hagersville, ON
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (16) Derek Lynch, Warkworth, Ontario, Dodge, 200 laps, 66.578 mph, $7,500.
2. (6) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Quebec, Ford, 200, $3,300.
3. (3) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $4,150.
4. (5) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ontario, Ford, 200, $2,600.
5. (15) Brad Graham, Glencoe, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $3,080.
6. (19) Jeff Lapcevich, Caistor Centre, Ontario, Chevrolet, 200, $1,875.
7. (4) Peter Gibbons, Stouffville, Ontario, Chevrolet, 200, $1,780.
8. (13) Jim Lapcevich, Hamilton, Ontario, Chevrolet, 200, $1,740.
9. (12) Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $2,150.
10. (11) Randy MacDonald, Oshawa, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $1,850.
11. (17) Dave Whitlock, Petrolia, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $1,350.
12. (23) Bob Merrifield, Belle River, Ontario, Dodge, 197, $1,275.
13. (18) Pierre Bourque, Ottawa, Ontario, Dodge, 196, $1,210.
14. (9) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ontario, Dodge, 189, $1,180.
15. (7) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 183, $1,120.
16. (14) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ontario, Dodge, 161, $1,080.
17. (20) John Gaunt, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 150, suspension, $1,040.
18. (21) Nik Lapcevich, Hamilton, Ontario, Chevrolet, 150, accident, $1,000.
19. (22) Kent Nuhn, Williamsford, Ontario, Pontiac, 143, electrical, $960.
20. (2) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ontario, Chevrolet, 115, $920.
21. (8) Ron Van Es, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Chevrolet, 16, oil leak, $880.
22. (1) Don Thomson, Jr., Ayr, Ontario, Chevrolet, 7, accident, $2,380.
23. (10) Doug Brown, Brantford, Ontario, Dodge, 7, accident, $880.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 52 minutes 39 seconds
Margin of Victory: .560 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: D.Thomson Jr. (107.841 mph, 20.864 seconds)
Caution Flags: 6 for 40 laps.
Lead Changes: 14 among 10 drivers.
Lap Leaders: J.Fitzpatrick 1-4; D.Thomson,Jr. 5-7; K.Micks 8-12; D.Kennington 13-35; A.Ranger 36-129; D.Whitlock 130-132; R.MacDonald 133-134; D.Whitlock 135-137; P.Gibbons 138-162; J.Lapcevich 163-171; P.Gibbons 172-182; J.Lapcevich 183; P.Gibbons 184-188; J.Lapcevich 189-199; D.Lynch 200.
Standings: 1. A.Ranger, 1472; 2. K.Micks, 1350; 3. D.Kennington, 1350; 4. P.Gibbons, 1308; 5. D.Thomson,Jr., 1303; 6. J.Fitzpatrick, 1298; 7. M.Dilley, 1247; 8. D.Lynch, 1242; 9. J.Hathaway, 1213; 10. S.Steckly, 1161.
From Shon Sbarra / NASCAR Public Relations
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
