Tagliani Triumphs in Toronto
TORONTO, Ontario – Alex Tagliani knew holding off Andrew Ranger on a green-white-checkered finish was going to be tough in the closing laps of the Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto – and the veteran was correct.
Tagliani edged Ranger by just .184 seconds to score the closest win in the history of the race held at Honda Indy Toronto. It was the second win of the season for Tagliani and fourth overall in his career.
Kevin Lacroix followed in third with L.P. Dumoulin and Kerry Micks rounding out the top five.
Ranger started from the E3 Spark Plugs pole and led the field to green before Daniel Morad dove to the inside pushing Ranger and Tagliani almost into the Turn 1 outside wall to take the lead.
Lacroix took advantage of the contact and quickly passed Morad in Turn 3 and remained out front for the first eight laps of the race until Ranger took the lead on Lap 9.
Morad, who was a last-minute replacement for Carlos de Quesada who was unable to compete due to health reasons, qualified third and led five laps.
NASCAR Next driver Gary Klutt finished sixth with Morad, Cayden Lapcevich, Peter Klutt and J.F. Dumoulin completing the top-10.
The race was slowed by just two cautions with Patrick Dussault getting knocked into the wall on Lap 30 to bring out the final caution of the day and set up the two-lap dash to the finish.
Ranger remains the points leader and now holds a 13-point margin over Lapcevich in the standings. Alex Labbe is third.
The Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto will be broadcast on TSN on July 23 at 2:30 p.m. ET and Aug. 5 on RDS at 10 p.m.
The NASCAR Pinty's Series will now head west for its annual doubleheader over a span of five days.
Edmonton International Raceway will host the Edmonton Has New Energy 300 on Saturday, July 23while Wyant Group Raceway in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan will host the Saskatoon 250 on Wednesday, July 27.
Tim Southers
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
NASCAR Pinty's Series-Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto Results
Monday
At Honda Indy Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Lap length: 1.755 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (2) Alex Tagliani, Lachenaie, Que., Chevrolet, 37 laps, 63.146 mph.
2. (1) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Dodge, 37.
3. (4) Kevin Lacroix, Saint-Eustache, Que., Dodge, 37.
4. (7) L.P. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 37.
5. (9) Kerry Micks, Mount Albert, Ont., Ford, 37.
6. (13) Gary Klutt, Halton Hills, Ont., Dodge, 37.
7. (3) Daniel Morad, Toronto, Ont, Dodge, 37.
8. (16) Cayden Lapcevich, Grimsby, Ont., Dodge, 37.
9. (14) Peter Klutt, Halton Hills, Ont., Chevrolet, 37.
10. (8) J.F. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 37.
11. (10) Jason Hathaway, St. Thomas, Ont., Chevrolet, 37.
12. (6) Alex Labbe, Victoriaville, Que., Ford, 37.
13. (17) Matthew Scannell, Rockwood, Ont., Dodge, 37.
14. (23) Bryan Cathcart, Peterborough, Ont., Chevrolet, 37.
15. (20) Jason White, Sun Peaks, B.C., Chevrolet, 37.
16. (22) Josh Collins, Placentia, NL, Ford, 36.
17. (26) Adam Martin, Ayr, Ont., Ford, 36.
18. (24) David Thorndyke, Oshawa, Ont., Chevrolet, 36.
19. (21) Brett Taylor, Calgary, Alta., Dodge, 32.
20. (5) Patrick Dussault, Lorraine, Que., Dodge, 29, off track.
21. (18) Kevin Poitras, Newcastle, Ont., Ford, 29, off track.
22. (15) Robin Buck, Campbellville, Ont., Dodge, 28, steering.
23. (19) John Farrano, Toronto, Ont., Dodge, 11, transmission.
24. (25) Larry Jackson, Oakville, Ont., Dodge, 10, off track.
25. (12) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont., Dodge, 6, off track.
26. (11) Anthony Simone, Aurora, Ont., Dodge, 3, off track.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 1 minute 42 seconds
Margin of Victory: .184 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: A.Ranger (81.091 mph, 77.912 seconds)
Caution Flags: 2 for 8 laps.
Lead Changes: 3 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: K. Lacroix 1-8; A. Ranger 9-19; D. Morad 20-24; A. Tagliani 25-37.
Standings: 1. A. Ranger, 211; 2. C. Lapcevich, 198; 3. A. Labbe, 193; 4. K. Lacroix, 181; 5. A. Tagliani, 175; 6. D. Kennington, 173; 7. G. Klutt, 171; 8. L. Dumoulin, 168; 9. J. Hathaway, 157; 10. L. Jackson, 151.
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