2014-07-15

Dominic Jacques remporte sa 2e victoire consécutive

Communiqué, pour diffusion immédiate

Le 13 juillet 2014, Québec

Dominic Jacques remporte sa 2e victoire consécutive

C'est ce samedi, le 12 juillet que ce tenait le programmequi soulignait la mi-saison de la Série Sportsman Québec Lucas Oil à l'Autodrome Chaudière de Vallée-Jonction

C'est avec un nombre de 21 voitures Sportsman que la journée a débuté.

Dès le début des séances de pratiques le #67 Dominic Jacques et le #33 Philippe Poulin se sont démarqués enregistrant les meilleurs temps avec le #1 Tony Côté.

Les séances de qualifications se sont déroulées dans unediscipline appréciée des dirigeants de la Série. Sont sortis gagnant le #27 Marco Savoie, le #17 Jimmy Nadeau et le #67 Dominic Jacques.

Jacques dominant sur toute la ligne

Partant en 2e position en finale, le #67 Dominic Jacques de Vallée-Jonction, commandité principalement par Claude Boutin Services Sanitaires, a connu une journée parfaite! Réalisant d'excellents temps en pratique, victorieux en séance de qualification, Jacques a mené la finale du début à la fin. Filant à toute allure sur la piste, paraissant parfois même intouchable, il va chercher sa 2e victoire consécutive et ce, sur sa piste.

Le retour du #95 Steve Lesage paraissait presque irréalisable après les accidents qu'il a subit sur la piste d'Icar la semaine derrière. Ce pilote de Neuville et son équipe ont travaillé d'arrache-pied pour être présent et on pourra dire que leur travail a été récompensé. Commandité principalement par Ardem Démolition, Lesage qui était partie en 10e position a remonté le peloton de façon brillante pour terminer au 2e rang de cette finale.

C'est le #33 Philippe Poulin de Saint-Georges de Beauce qui termine le podium. Connaissant une saison exceptionnelle, Poulin commandité principalement par Les Équipements Sigma inc, a encore une fois performé devant les siens. Malgré la forte compétition, il est resté centré sur son objectif et s'est hissé en 3e position.

Jimmy Nadeau #17 commandité principalement par Lucas Oil termine la course en 4e position. Ce vétéran est bien déterminé à remonter au classement général et nous l'a bien démontré lors de cette épreuve.

On ne pourrait passer sous silence la performance du #40 Sylvain Labbé de Saint-Joseph. Le pilote commandité principalement par Iga Veilleux Ste-Marie et St-Appolinaire n'a participé qu'à quelques programmes cette année mais s'est définitivement fait remarqué hier. L'an dernier, ce pilote a connu malchance par-dessus malchance, c'est avec beaucoup de fierté qu'il a terminé en 5e position lui qui était partie en 12e position. Verrons-nous le #40 revenir en piste de façon régulière pour la prochaine saison?

Était présent pour la première fois cette année le #1 Tony Côté. Ce pilote participe d'année en année à quelques programmes lors des présences de la Série à l'Autodrome Chaudière. Chaque présence est toujours remarquée et appréciée des spectateurs. Côté qui connait la piste comme nul autre a réalisé le 2e meilleur temps des pratiques. Il a mené de chaudes luttes au meneur et nous a offert un spectacle à couper le souffle.

La Série Sportsman tient à souligner la victoire du #84 Martin Latulippe lors de l'épreuve de la Série ACT LMS. Étant par l'entremise de l'entreprise familiale, Frameco, non seulement un commanditaire de la Série mais aussi le fournisseur officiel des pneus et ancien champion Sportsman des pneus nous sommes fiers d'avoir été présent pour le voir accéder au podium!

Après 4 programmes consécutifs, la Série Sportsman prend une semaine de pause. Nous vous retrouverons donc le 26 juillet à l'Autodrome Saint-Félicien pour une épreuve qui mettra à l'honneur le pilote Karl Allard; le pilote le plus titré de la région du Lac St-Jean. Pour cette occasion, il sera à bord de la voiture #7A au couleur de NAPA. Plus de détails vous seront communiqué ultérieurement.

Ce sera aussi le retour des Mini-Sportsman; nos jeunes pilotes ont bien hâte de retourner en piste!

Marie-Claude Levasseur, Relationniste.

 


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Peltier Ends PASS South Drought With Hard Fought Win At Southern National

Peltier Ends PASS South Drought With Hard Fought Win At Southern National

 

-       For Immediate Release

 

KENLY, NC (July 12) – Preston Peltier survived a furious battle with Tyler Church and Jared Irvan in the Southern National 150 to claim his first Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model win in over a year Saturday night at Southern National Motorsports Park.  The win was Peltier's first since winning the 2013 Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway and pushed his PASS South career wins total to 11, tops among all drivers.

            "Man, I tell ya, I just drove as hard as I could and these guys never stopped believing in me," said Peltier after his first ever PASS South win at Southern National.  "I hope he [Church] isn't mad at me, I didn't give him any room that's for sure.  I needed this win in a bad way and I thank Tyler for driving me clean."

            Peltier started then evening off in fine form claiming his 15th career PASS South quick qualifying time with a lap 94.259 miles per hour around the high banked,4/10 mile speedway.  Following the top 10 qualifiers redraw, Peltier would slot into the fourth starting position while rookie Zane Smith and veteran Brandon Ward moved up to the front row.

            At the drop of the green flag, Ward jumped into the lead as the field headed into turn one.  Ward would dominate the early stages of the Southern National 150 as the rest of the field plotted varying strategies to try and claim victory.  While Peltier and Church slid back in the top 10, rookie Kiel Spaulding quickly made his way up from 11th starting position into the top five.

            Laps clicked off quickly until the first caution of the night waved on lap 94 when Tanner Rumburg's Chevrolet came to a stop on the backstretch.  Ward led on the restart, but his first challenge of the night came fromTrevor Noles and Jared Irvan.  On lap 97, Ward and Noles made slight contact just past the start/finish line allowing Irvan to move into the lead entering turn one.  At this point, Peltier, Church, and Tate Fogleman were making a charge towards the top five, while Spaulding and Smith had faded.

            Irvan continued to lead through the race's second caution when Tyler Dippel spun exiting turn two with 23 laps to go.  Irvan led the field to green, but by this time, Peltier and Church had made their way up to second and third respectively.  Despite having the preferred groove, Irvan gave way to Peltier who moved into the lead with a strong run on the outside with 21 laps to go.  Eventually, Church and Fogleman were both able to move by Irvan and set their sights on Peltier. 

The final caution of the night waved with 7 laps to go for debris in turn two and set up a classic shoot out for the win.  Peltier and Church raced hard, making contact on several occasions, but Peltier was able to pull out by a couple of car lengths after contact with Church as they exited turn two.  Peltier held off Church to take the win over Fogleman, Brandon Setzer, and Irvan.  Rounding out the top ten were Jody Measamer, Ward, Noles, Cole Timm, and Tyler Audie.

In the PASS Pro Late Model division, Kodie Conner passed Jeff Batten on lap 13 and led the rest of the way for his second straight win.  Several cars were eliminated on lap 14 when Batten and Mason Diaz collided in turn two causing Diaz's car to go up and over Batten's hood.  Following Conner at the finish were fast qualifier Lucas Jones, Zachary Dabbs, Walker Yates, and Nick Robinson.

The PASS South Super Late Models will be in action again on Saturday, August 16, at South Boston Speedway along with Twin 75s for the NASCAR Late Model Stocks.  And don't forget, the best Super Late Model racers in North America will vie for over $25,000 this weekend with the 41st Annual Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine.  For entry forms and more information, please go toProAllStarsSeries.com.


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Steckly Finishes Eighth in Edmonton

 

Edmonton, Alberta. Friday July 11, 2014

Steckly Finishes Eighth in Edmonton

Round four in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 took place on Friday at Edmonton International Raceway.  Steckly driving the Canadian Tire/Mobil 1 Dodge finished eighth after battling back from a two lap deficit.

Practice went well for Steckly in his 22 Racing entry as he finished first practice in the top spot and was runner up in practice number two. "The car is really good but I think we are going to find it difficult to pass in the race so qualifying up front will be important."

Qualifying didn't go quite as planned as the Canadian Tire Dodge was seventh quickest, lining them up on the inside of row four for the start of the Alberta Has Energy 300.

The 300 lap race was going according to plan as Steckly continued to move to the front, challenging race leader and teammate Tagliani for the lead.  After the lap 141 competition caution for tires and fuel Steckly was again working his way to the front when a rear end oil line came off the car.  The 22 Racing crew quickly went to work and had Steckly back on track only two laps down.  Now the work would begin to get those laps back.  While the cautions came to allow him to get his laps back the race was reaching its conclusion and an eighth place result was posted.

"We had a great car tonight," said Steckly.  "The result doesn't reflect how good a car we had.  My crew did an incredible job of getting the car fixed and back out losing only the two laps.  We will head to Saskatoon and go for the win again."

The Alberta Has Energy 300 from Edmonton International Raceway will air Sun. July 20th at 3 p.m. ETon TSN and Sat. July 26th at 3 p.m. on RDS2.

Next up for the Canadian Tire/Mobil 1 team will be Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in Saskatoon on Wednesday July 16th where Steckly is the defending race winner.

Scott Steckly is supported by the following companies:  Canadian Tire Corporation, Osram Sylvania, Mobil 1, Erb Group of Companies, AW Millwrights, Reefer Sales and Metrocom Canada.

Fans can follow Scott Steckly through his website at 22racing.ca or on Twitter @ScottSteckly22 or you can Like the 22RacingTeam fan page on Facebook.  For all at track updates during race weekends for Scott and the other 22 Racing Team entries follow us on Twitter @22RacingTeam.

Photo Credit:  Driven Motorsport Innovations

For more information on Scott Steckly please contact:

Linda Jones


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Dimanche, à la piste Airborne de Plattsburgh PLACE À L’INTERNATIONAL 300

Pour diffusion immédiate

Dimanche, à la piste Airborne de Plattsburgh

PLACE À L'INTERNATIONAL 300

 

C'est dimanche, à la  piste Airborne Speedway de Plattsburgh, que se tiendra la deuxième édition de l'International 300, le premier événement majeur de l'American-Canadian Tour en 2014. Naturellement, tous les inscrits visent la victoire et le chèque de 25,000$ en devises américaines qui l'accompagne. Cependant, en raison de leurs prestations antérieures ou palmarès, plusieurs sont favoris plus que d'autres.

C'est précisément le cas de Brian Hoar de Williston, Vt. Ce dernier, âgé de 42 ans compte plus de 20 saisons dans l'Américain-Canadian Tour, Il a huit titres et 40 victoires à son actif. Il a déjà gagné le Milk Bowl, une épreuve dont le format est identique à l'International 300 et ce, en trois occasions. Sa dernière victoire sur le tracé new-yorkais remonte au 18 mai 2013.

Puis, il y a un autre vétéran, soit Jean-Paul Cyr de Milton, Vt. Il a sept championnats à son actif et cumule 19 visites dans le cercle des vainqueurs. Il n'a pas gagné à Plattsburgh depuis 2008, mais pourrait bien se retrouver sur le sentier de la victoire tout comme Wayne Helliwell Jr. de Dover, NH qui est le monarque des deux dernières saisons dansl'American-Canadian Tour. Il n'a qu'un seul triomphe à Plattsburgh, soit en octobre 2012.

Que dire maintenant de Joey Pole d'Hudson, NH, le même endroit d'où venait Dave Dion. Agé de 25 ans, Joey a gagné toutes les épreuves spéciales de l'American-Canadian Tourdont l'International 300 en 2013. Il en est à sa 10e saison avec l'ACT et possède une fiche de 12 victoires en carrière. L'année dernière, il avait excellé avec un pointage de 1,1 et 2 pour un total de 4.

Et les Québécois

Patrick Laperle de St-Denis-sur-Richelieu, Alex Labbé de St-Albert, Jonathan Bouvrette de Blainville, Jean-François Déry de Québec, Dany Trépanier de St-Édouard-de-Lotbinière, Claude Leclerc de Lanoraie, Réjean Plante de St-Hyacinthe ainsi que Stéphane Descoste d'Oka, participeront à cette deuxième édition del'International 300.

 

De ce groupe, Laperle est celui qui a plus de connaissances concernant le tracé de Plattsburgh. C'est à cet endroit que lui et son frère ont fait leurs débuts en stock-car alors qu'ils étudiaient dans la région. Dans l'American-Canadian Tour, il compte 18 succès dont cinq à la piste Airborne. Dans cela, on comptabilise trois victoires dans le prestigieux Milk Bowl, une épreuve au format similaire. Laperle n'a pas triomphé depuis le 12 septembre 2010 à cet endroit, mais il est de loin celui qui connait le plus les talents de ses rivaux.

Quant à Labbé, son excellente prestation lors du Fall Foliage 200 remonte au mois de septembre 2013 alors qu'il a disposé de tous ses rivaux de l'American-Canadian Tour, puis quelque temps tard, il avait la pôle lors des essais chronométrés pour le Milk Bowl et avait pris place sur la troisième marche du podium. Ces succès sont encore frais dans sa mémoire et il pourrait bien récidiver.

Pour sa part, Déry a terminé en cinquième place lors de l'International 300, soit la meilleure performance québécoise, Bouvrette s'est classé deuxième à cet endroit en mai dernier,Trépanier est là comme négligé, mais il a déjà fait mordre la poussière aux meilleurs lors du dernier Showdown à Vallée-Jonction et Leclerc affectionne courir à Plattsburgh.

Pour ce qui est de Plante, le paternel de Josiane et Maxime, il en sera à ses débuts sur un tracé asphalté, mais c'est vétéran pilote qui a connu de nombreux succès sur les tracés des autodromes Granby et Drummond dans la catégorie Récents Modèles.

Avec le format de trois manches (50 et 2 fois 75), il est assuré que les amateurs présents seront tenus en haleine du début à la fin. Au même programme, les pilotes de la série Procam Super Trucks seront à l'horaire puisque que ce championnat est maintenant sanctionné par l'American-Canadian Tour.

Samedi en soirée, la piste Airborne sera occupée par le groupe Black Cat Hell on Whells, un groupe de cascadeurs hors-pair. Pour ce spectacle, l'admission a été fixée à 10$ alors que le lendemain, le prix d'entrée  sera de 25$. En déboursant un 10$ supplémentaire, on pourra se procurer un siège réservé.

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Source : American-Canadian Tour

                www.acttour.com

Collaboration : Yvon Larrivée

                acttour@gmail.com

Photos :         Guy Laroche

           

 


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Stone Back On Top Entering Devil’s Bowl Mid-Season Championships

ATTACHED PHOTO: Todd Stone of Middlebury, VT is back on top of the Bond Auto Parts Modified standings heading into Friday's Rutland Herald Mid-Season Championships at Devil's Bowl Speedway.  (Alan Ward photo)
 
 
Stone Back On Top Entering Devil's Bowl Mid-Season Championships

Late Model, Renegade leaders ahead by only one point; Driver autograph session scheduled

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                DBS-071414-1

 

WEST HAVEN, VT – Stock car racer Todd Stone is in a familiar position entering Friday's Rutland Herald Mid-Season Championships at Devil's Bowl Speedway: Out front. The Middlebury, VT driver dominated the Bond Auto Parts Modified division in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action last season and though he holds the lead again this summer, his climb to the top hasn't been as easy as it was a year ago.

In contrast to 2013 – when Stone won 10 of 17 races and only four other drivers carried the checkered flag during the season – parity has been the name of the game this year with seven different winners in the first 10 events.  Stone's 33-point lead on Leon Gonyo is far from safe with double points on the line at the Rutland Herald Mid-Season Championships; the main event pays a whopping 100 points for the victory, setting the stage for a potentially huge momentum shift.  Joey Roberts, Vince Quenneville, Jr., and Ron Proctor are also well within striking distance of Stone's lead.

The Late Model division is enjoying an ultra-close title fight as Josh Masterson of Bristol, VT leads young Emily Packard by just a single point with veteran driver Jamie Fisher only nine markers back.  Each has seen victory lane this season, as has Robert Bryant, Jr. in fourth place.  It's the same story in the intermediate Renegade division, as 16 year-old Stephen Donahue of Graniteville, VT has an advantage of just one point on former champion Robert Gordon.  Fast-improving rookie Scott FitzGerald of West Rutland, VT runs third.

Sophomore driver Chuck Bradford of Addison, VT won his third event of the season in the Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock division last Friday, but hasn't been able to shake defending champion Jake Noble yet; Bradford's 27-point lead gives him little room to relax.  The Mini Stocks have also seen great parity with seven winners in nine races.  The open-wheel SK Light division returns for its fifth event on Friday, where Scott MacMichael of Newbury, NH holds a 10-point edge on Bruce Jaycox and 12 points on Norm Forest.

The double-points Rutland Herald Mid-Season Championships features not only all five racing divisions, but also the annual driver autograph session during intermission. Regular general admission on Friday, July 18 is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (age 62+), and free for children age 12 and under.  The "Fans First" program will grant free admission to residents of Rutland and West Rutland, VT who present valid identification.  Gates will open at 5:00 p.m., with racing at 7:00 p.m.

Devil's Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT four miles north of Exit 2 on U.S. Route 4.  For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or visitwww.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.  Devil's Bowl Speedway is on Facebook atfacebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and on Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.

 

OFFICIAL STANDINGS – Devil's Bowl Speedway, West Haven, VT

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series

Entering Rutland Herald Mid-Season Championships – Friday, July 11, 2014

 

Bond Auto Parts Modified

Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown-Points-(Wins)

(# - denotes rookie)

1.    (1X) Todd Stone, Middlebury, VT – 522 pts. (3 wins)

2.    (4) Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY – 489 pts. (1 win)

3.    (50X) Joey Roberts, Fletcher, VT – 481 pts. (1 win)

4.    (78) Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT – 465 pts. (1 win)

5.    (27) Ron Proctor, Charlton, NY – 457 pts.

6.    (17) Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, NY – 435 pts. (1 win)

7.    (20X) Jamie LaFountain, Plattsburgh, NY – 430 pts.

8.    (19) Jessey Mueller, Olmstedville, NY – 346 pts. (2 wins)

9.    (61S) Johnny Scarborough, Bomoseen, VT – 337 pts. (1 win)

10.  (25) # Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT – 330 pts.

 

Late Model

Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown-Points-(Wins)

 (# - denotes rookie)

1.    (11X) Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT – 302 pts. (2 wins)

2.    (9ME) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT – 301 pts. (1 win)

3.    (18) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT – 293 pts. (1 win)

4.    (3RB) Robert Bryant, Jr., Brooklyn, CT – 251 pts. (1 win)

5.    (20) Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY – 217 pts.

6.    (27) Chris Bergeron, Claremont, NH – 215 pts.

7.    (2NH) Norm Andrews, Northfield, VT – 194 pts.

8.    (19) # Dan St. Hilare, Shelburne, VT – 183 pts.

9.    (26) Seth Bridge, Mendon, VT – 159 pts.

10.  (4NY) Brandon Atkins, AuSable Forks, NY – 136 pts.

 

Renegade

Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown-Points-(Wins)

 (# - denotes rookie)

1.    (26) Stephen Donahue, Graniteville, VT – 300 pts. (2 wins)

2.    (H20) Robert Gordon, Milton, VT – 299 pts. (3 wins)

3.    (5) # Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT – 226 pts.

4.    (22) Randy Howard, Georgia, VT – 225 pts.

5.    (2) Tony Putzier, Jericho, VT – 195 pts.

 

Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock

Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown-Points-(Wins)

 (# - denotes rookie)

1.    (18) Chuck Bradford, Addison, VT – 450 pts. (3 wins)

2.    (8) Jake Noble, Benson, VT – 423 pts. (1 win)

3.    (51) John McCarron, Rensselaer, NY – 404 pts. (1 win)

4.    (11) Mike Whalen, Jr., Plattsburgh, NY – 393 pts. (1 win)

5.    (5) Bobby LaVair, Saranac Lake, NY – 371 pts. (1 win)

 

SK Light

Pos.-(Car No.)-Driver-Hometown-Points-(Wins)

 (# - denotes rookie)

1.    (7NH) Scott MacMichael, Newbury, NH – 203 pts. (2 wins)

2.    (56) Bruce Jaycox, Hartland, VT – 193 pts. (1 win)

3.    (7) Norm Forest, Lebanon, NH – 191 pts.

4.    (15) # T.J. Bleau, Troy, NH – 93 pts.

5.    (5) Todd Patnode, Richmond, NH – 55 pts. (1 win)

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Contact: Justin St. Louis                                                                                                                                                      Phone: (802) 355-3282

Email: devilsbowlspeedway@gmail.com


------------------------------------------------------------
 
Devil's Bowl Speedway


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Eddie MacDonald Enters ACT International 300

Eddie MacDonald Enters ACT International 300

ATTACHED PHOTO: MacDonald.jpg – Eddie MacDonald of Rowley, MA has filed an entry for the 2014 ACT International 300 at Airborne Speedway this Sunday, July 20. (Photo by Leif Tillotson)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             ACT-071414-43

Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) announced today that Eddie MacDonald, from Rowley, MA has entered the International 300 stock car race to be held at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY on Sunday, July 20.

The race will pay $25,000 to win, plus lap money. The total posted purse and awards is nearly $100,000 for the summer's biggest ACT event. The race has entries from ACT Late Model teams from every state in New England, New York, and Quebec.

MacDonald won the season opener at the Lee USA Speedway in April, has won three of the five Bond Auto Invitational events held to date at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September, and has been a top contender on the NASCAR K&N Series for many years. Last year he finished third in the inaugural ACT International event.

"We have had this race on our 'to-do list' of events all season. We like the fast half mile at Airborne, and the competition is always great to race with at the ACT events we try to get to, when time permits. I guess I would say the format of three segments is interesting and challenging, but in some ways, having a chance to make some adjustments between segments can work to a team's advantage," said MacDonald.

The race is run under the same format as the famous Thunder Road Milk Bowl - three segments - a point is given for positions earned in each segment, win three segments and receive 3 points. That would win the overall race for the winner's share of a $25,000 first place pay-off. The excitement comes when you have the final two segments inverted with the low point teams starting at the rear of those segments.

"Fans can really get involved in the process of this one-day race. Just like other sports, this format gives the fans a chance to score, along with the teams. I guess what I have always liked about the "Milk Bowl" format of three segments with each successive segment inverted, is generally there are three or four teams all starting out back in the final 75-lap segment. Fans can watch some pretty exciting racing when the best of the day are racing for $25,000 from the rear of the field in the final run for the dough," said Tom Curley, President of ACT.

Advanced sale tickets for the event are available now from the ACT office. Sunday reserved seat tickets are just $35, adult general admission is $25 and kids (ages 6 to 12) are just $5. Saturday, July 19's Black Cat Hell Drivers Thrill Show tickets are just $10 for adults, $3 for kids (ages 6 to 12) and $20 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids).

For more info contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com or visitwww.acttour.com.

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Western Swing Continues With Velocity Prairie Thunder 250


For Immediate Release

 

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series News & Notes: Saskatoon

·         Western Swing Continues With Velocity Prairie Thunder 250

·         Star-Studded Field For Marquee Saskatchewan Event

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 14, 2014) – One of Saskatchewan's biggest annual sporting events will be even bigger in 2014 when the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 heads to Auto Clearing Motor Speedway for the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 on Wednesday in Saskatoon.

 

This year's event will see all three champions in Canadian Tire Series history take to the third-mile Saskatoon oval. Two-time Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 winner Scott Steckly is a three-time titlist while D.J. Kennington and Andrew Ranger have earned two crowns apiece. Kennington is also a two-time winner at ACMS, but Ranger will be looking for his first win there after emerging triumphant in each of the two previous races this year.

 

If having every champion in series history wasn't enough, there will be plenty of other worthy contenders for the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 trophy. Jason Hathaway has won three of the last five Canadian Tire Series oval races and season co-points leader J.R. Fitzpatrick is a threat every time out. Additionally, Canadian open-wheel racing standout Alex Tagliani will make his first ACMS appearance to add to the event's star power.

 

All told, the winners of 80-percent of the 91 all-time Canadian Tire Series races will be in Saskatoon on Wednesday.

 

The Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 will be the second half of the Canadian Tire Series' annual western swing. This year's jaunt began at Alberta's Edmonton International Raceway last Friday. A second event in six days is now on tap with the series' lone trip to Saskatchewan this season.

 

RACE:  Velocity Prairie Thunder 250

PLACE:  Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, Saskatoon, Sask.

DATE:  Wednesday, July 16

TIME:  7:30 p.m. MT

BROADCAST:  TSN - Sat., July 26, 3 p.m.; RDS2 - Sun., Aug. 3, 5 p.m.

TRACK LAYOUT:  .333-mile banked asphalt oval

2013 POLESITTER:  J.R. Fitzpatrick

2013 WINNER:  Scott Steckly

EVENT SCHEDULE:  Practice 1-1:30 p.m., Final Practice 2-2:30 p.m., Qualifying 5:15 p.m., Driver Autograph Session 6 p.m.

TRACK CONTACT:  Herm Hordal, 306-956-3225, info@autoclearingmotorspeedway.ca

TRACK TWITTER:  @ACMS_Racing

EVENT TWITTER HASHTAG:  #VPT250

NASCAR CONTACT:  Jason Christley, 386-547-2469, jchristley@nascar.com, Twitter: @jay_christley

If photographs or graphics are needed for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, please contact Jason Cunningham at 704-201-6658 or jcunningham@nascar.com.

 

Fast Facts:

The Race:  The sixth annual Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 will be the fifth of 11 events on the 2014 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 schedule, and the lone trip to Saskatchewan and Auto Clearing Motor Speedway.

 

The Procedure:  The maximum starting field is 24 cars, including provisionals. The first 21 cars will have secured starting positions through two-lap time trials while the remaining three spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race is scheduled for 250 laps (83.25 miles).

 

The Track:  Auto Clearing Motor Speedway is a .333-mile oval with graduated banking. Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association Ltd. originated from the Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Club that was formed in 1954. Racing in Saskatoon began at the 8th Street Racing Oval. In 1970, as a result of city expansion, stock-car racing moved to the current Prairieland Exhibition at Bridge City Raceway. In 1999, the City of Saskatoon expanded once again which paved the way for a new track, Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, to be built. Construction of the new track began in April 2005.

 

Pole Winners:  The first five Saskatoon races have produced three different pole winners. J.R. Fitzpatrick and D.J. Kennington have two apiece while Don Thompson Jr. scored the inaugural event pole in 2009. Fitzpatrick set the track qualifying record at 14.665 seconds (81.801 mph) in 2012.

 

Race Winners:  Kennington and Scott Steckly lead the way with two wins apiece while Pete Shepherd III also has a victory. Steckly won the inaugural race and reached ACMS Victory Lane again last year.

 

Saskatoon Race Notes:

Ranger's Records: With his 19th career race win last week at Edmonton International Raceway, and his 14th career pole the week before that at Circuit ICAR, Andrew Ranger is tied for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 all-time lead in both categories. Ranger now shares the victories record with new teammate D.J. Kennington and the poles mark is split with J.R. Fitzpatrick, who was the top qualifier last year at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway.

 

Fitzpatrick, Dumoulin Also Tied at the Top:  The 2014 season is now more than one-third complete and the competition is so close that there's actually a tie between Fitzpatrick and L.P. Dumoulin atop the championship standings. Both drivers have 162 tallies, 12 ahead of Ranger in third. It's only 18 points back to Jason Hathaway in fifth, with D.J. Kennington sitting fourth.

 

Steckly Looks to Defend ACMS Win:  Defending Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 winner Scott Steckly could use another victory this week at Auto Clearing to bolster his series championship defense. The three-time titlist has faced adversity through for races this season, but is hanging in there in sixth place in the standings, 30 points back of the leaders. A DNF in the season opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park had Steckly in an early hole but he followed with a pair of top fives. Last week at Edmonton he was two laps down at one point and rallied to an eighth-place finish.

 

Halfway Through Four-Race Grouping:  The Canadian Tire series embarked on an aggressive bundle of four events in a 21-day span starting with Circuit ICAR on July 6. The second date came last Friday, July 11 at Edmonton and up next week be Wednesday's Velocity Prairie Thunder 250. The busy stretch will conclude on July 26 at Autodrome St. Eustache.

 

Last Time Out:  Edmonton

The fourth race of the 2014 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 was contested on July 11 at Edmonton International Raceway in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Here are some highlights from the Alberta Has Energy 300:

  • Andrew Ranger took the checkered flag for the second week in a row, and a record-tying 19th time overall. It was his first oval track win since 2009, the same year he last posted back-to-back victories.
  • A two-time road course winner, L.P. Dumoulin recorded his best finish in 21 career oval races with a runner-up effort.
  • Prior to the race Alex Tagliani earned his first career oval track pole, and fifth overall. He led a career-high 268 laps before a late-race accident.
  • It was the first race in series history at the Wetaskiwin oval.

 

Next Time Out:  St. Eustache

Following the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 will head back east for the National 250 on July 26 at Quebec's Autodrome St. Eustache. It will mark the sixth all-time appearance for the Canadian Tire Series at the .4-mile oval. Scott Steckly is the defending winner of the race.




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NASCAR K&N Pro Series East News & Notes: Columbus


For Immediate Release

 

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East News & Notes: Columbus

Suárez Returns To Scene Of First Series Victory

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 14, 2014) – The 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season has been one of mixed results for Daniel Suárez.

 

The Monterrey, Mexico, native began the season the same way he ended 2013, hot. His wins in the first two events of 2014 marked his sixth and seventh top-three finishes in nine NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races dating back to last year.  In Suárez's subsequent eight events, the driver has recorded two top fives and four top 10s, but has also registered four DNFs. He hopes a trip to Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway is what he needs to get back on the right track for the remainder of the season.

 

He entered this event weekend in 2013 in a similar state, a first half with mixed results. Through his first seven races, Suárez had one top five and three top 10s, and two races outside of the top 20. Once the race started, however, all his early season struggles seemed to disappear. Suárez took the lead on lap 66 and led the final 88 laps for his first career K&N Pro Series East victory.

 

Over his next six events, Suárez scored four top-three finishes and five top 10s, propelling him to third in the final championship points standings, the highest finish for a Mexican-born driver and Drive for Diversity program participant.

 

Suárez is looking for the same kind of post-Columbus turn around this season. In three career starts at the .333-mile oval, the 22-year-old has a win and two top fives, with an average finish of 3.7. He and teammate Ryan Gifford are the only drivers currently entered for the event with more than three starts at the track.

 

RACE:  JEGS 150 Presented By SteveGermain.com

PLACE:  Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway

DATE:  Saturday, July 19

TIME:  8:45 p.m. ET

TV SCHEDULE: FOX Sports 1, July 27, 10 a.m. ET

TRACK LAYOUT:  .333-mile slightly-banked asphalt oval

2013 POLESITTER:  Dylan Kwasniewski

2013 WINNER:  Daniel Suárez

EVENT SCHEDULE:  Practice 1-1:45 p.m., Final Practice 2:15-3 p.m., Qualifying 6 p.m., Driver Autograph Session 8 p.m.

TRACK CONTACT:  Jeff Nuckles, 614-491-1047, jnuckles@yahoo.com

TRACK TWITTER:  @COLUMBUSPEEDWAY

EVENT TWITTER HASHTAG:  #JEGS150

NASCAR CONTACT:  John Tejeda, 386-310-6044, jtejeda@nascar.com, @onthegoJT

 

Fast Facts:

The Race:  The Columbus 150 will be the 11th of 16 races on the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule. It will mark the fourth year in a row the series has visited Columbus Motor Speedway and the lone trip to the state of Ohio.

The Procedure:  The starting field is 28 cars, including provisionals. The first 24 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 150 laps (50 miles).

The Track:  A charter member of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, Columbus is a .333-mile asphalt oval that began as a motorcycle racing track in 1946 and first played host to stock cars in 1950.

Race Winners:   Darrell Wallace Jr. was victorious in the K&N Pro Series East's first trip to Columbus in 2011 and Cale Conley found Victory Lane there in 2012. Last year, Rev Racing returned to the winner's circle at Columbus when Daniel Suárez captured his first series checkered flag.

Pole Winners:  Max Gresham was the inaugural pole winner at Columbus and established the qualifying record at 14.176 seconds (84.565 mph). Ben Kennedy captured his first career K&N Pro Series East pole in 2012 at Columbus while Dylan Kwasniewski was the pole winner last year.

COLUMBUS RACE NOTES:

Little Looks To Keep Momentum Going: Jesse Little, son of former K&N Pro Series West champion Chad Little, won his first series race the last time out in the Granite State 100. The NASCAR Next driver and 2013 K&N Pro East Sunoco Rookie of the Year was making his 33rd K&N Pro start. Little's previous best finish in 33 K&N Pro starts was runner-up in the K&N Pro West race at Phoenix International Raceway in 2013.

Rhodes Hopes To Bounce Back: Points leader Ben Rhodes recorded his worst finish of the 2014 K&N Pro Series East season, a 22nd place effort in the Granite State 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 11. The 17-year-old NASCAR Next driver will head to Columbus for the first time, looking to rebound and increase his 66-point lead over Gray Gaulding in the championship standings.

Track Experience: Eleven of the 22 drivers currently entered in the JEGS 150 presented bySteveGermain.com will be making their first series start at Columbus Motor Speedway this Saturday. Only Daniel Suárez and Ryan Gifford have participated in all three of the series' previous visits to the .333-mile oval, with fellow Rev Racing driver Sergio Peña the only other driver with two or more starts at the track.

NASCAR Next Karting Event: Prior to the JEGS 150 presented by SteveGermain.com at Columbus, nine K&N Pro Series drivers will compete in the NASCAR Next vs. Media Karting Challengeon July 16 at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, N.C. The fun event will be the one of the many outings for the group as part of the 2014-15 NASCAR Next driver lineup. NASCAR Next is an industry initiative to help spotlight NASCAR's rising stars. The nine K&N Pro Series representatives in the group are Cole Custer, Gray Gaulding, Ryan Gifford, Austin Hill, Jesse Little, Dylan Lupton, Brandon McReynolds, Ben Rhodes and Kenzie Ruston. Six of those drivers will compete in Saturday's JEGS 150 presented bySteveGermain.com.

HOME TRACKS: Hill Paces Buckeye State
Donnie 'Zero' Hill captured his fifth NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late model feature of 2014 Saturday at Columbus Motor Speedway. Starting fifth, Hill avoided a first lap shunt that eliminated fast qualifier Chad Pendleton, and powered around early leader Bill Browning to claim victory in the evening's main event. Hill currently leads the Whelen All-American Series points battle in the state of Ohio, and is one point ahead of Pendleton in the National Standings, 296-295.

LAST TIME OUT: New Hampshire
The 10th event of the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season took place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 11 in Loudon, New Hampshire. Here are some highlights of the Granite State 100:
• Jesse Little earned his first career series victory, avoiding an accident that took out the race leaders in the closing laps of the event. 
• Eddie MacDonald crossed the line in second place for his fifth top five and 14th top 10 in 26 starts at the track. 
• Jay Beasley matched his career-best finish with a fourth-place effort.

NEXT TIME OUT: Iowa
Following the JEGS 150 presented by SteveGermain.com at Columbus Motor Speedway, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will return to action on Friday, Aug. 1 with the Autolite Iridium XP 150 combination race with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Iowa Speedway. This will be the second of two such events at the .875-mile oval in Newton, Iowa this season. East driver Ben Rhodes won the first Iowa combo race this year while Cole Custer won this August race a year ago.


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 15.7.14 0 comments

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