Second consecutive podium finish for Alex Tagliani in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series
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2019-08-21
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Hometown Late Models Shine on Peterborough Speedway’s Hot August Night
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Summer Toonie/Fan Appreciation Nights – presented by Pepsi – are well-known for packing-in the crowds at Peterborough Speedway. Throw a 50 lap Late Model feature into the mix; along with the local Bone Stock, Renegade Truck and Super Stock divisions and the travelling Ontario Pro Challenge teams and you get a great evening of family motorsports entertainment for just a $2.00 admission ticket. Saturday, August 17th the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road pulled out all the stops for a thrilling night of racing excitement.
Each year, the weekly divisions get the chance to run extra distance feature events and the Late Models took their turn in the spotlight as Tim Batty and Mark Gordon brought the pack to the line. Gordon jumped out to an early lead, with Batty fighting back on the bottom before Jeff Walt moved into the 2nd spot. Slower traffic became an issue with just over a handful of laps complete, with last week's winner and defending track champion Dan McHattie slipping into 3rd with 16 laps on the board. The race's only yellow flag waved for a lap 19 issue on the backstretch. McHattie took 2nd on the restart and was leading just a few laps later. With as much as a half track advantage, the hometown favourite took control of the field while Dave Morgan and Jeff Walt fought over 2nd and 3rd in his rear view mirror. At the checkered flag, the #71 machine had logged another win. Gordon was 4th, with Tim Batty 5th.
Alex McGibbon and Paul Boundy brought the Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Truck field from the staging area for their 20 lap feature tilt. McGibbon used the inside line to perfection, taking the lead but Brad Lavalle was pushing hard for a turn at the front. The pair bumped a couple of times, but Lavalle couldn't muscle his way into the lead. McGibbon protected the bottom groove all the way and didn't even give-up the lead while working through lapped traffic. The caution-free feature came to an end with the entire field slipping and sliding around the track after a truck hit the first turn wall with just a lap remaining. Officials called the race complete at 19 of the 20 laps. McGibbon celebrated in victory lane while hooked to the tow truck. Lavalle, Boundy, Stacy Switzer and Jeff Dolley were credited with the next 4 positions.
With teams looking for every possible advantage in the point standings, front row starters Paul Boundy and Marlie Owen paced the KOD Disposal Super Stock starting grid to the Great Canadian RV green flag. Owen showed her strength early, taking the lead from the outside line but her position at the front was short-lived as Tim Burke took over the top spot with just 3 laps on the board. Tyler Betts – taking another turn in Howie Crowe's #28 – was pressing for the runner-up spot, but Owen held-off the charge. With Burke running away with things out in front, Owen, Betts and Mark Gordon were involved in a 3 car fight for 2nd. That's the way the caution-free Super Stock feature finished, with Boundy taking the 5th spot.
Kyle Novis and Isaiah Switzer showed the way as the Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock field came to the line. The initial green flag was brief, as a multi-car wreck on the backstretch brought things to a halt and eliminated 4 of the original starters. Steve Finnegan took the lead on the restart, with a 3 car breakaway back to Sean Kennedy who was running 4th. Defending track champion Ryan Oosterholt was looking for the second spot as the pack caught the tail-end of the field at about the three-quarter mark. After a rocky start, things went from green to checkered without another slowdown. Finnegan earned the win, over Oosterholt, Novis, Kennedy and Kris Khan.
The Ontario Pro Challenge Series ran a pair of 'A' main events. Tim Norris picked-up the win in the opening round, over Bryan Stevanus, Michael Norris, Peter Hattin and Adam Tyo. In the second feature, it was Tim Norris, Stevanus, Michael Norris, Tyo and Hattin.
Qualifying events for the Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Trucks went to Bill O'Hara, Terri-Anne Whittern, Brad Lavalle and Alex McGibbon. Tyler Betts scored a pair of KOD Disposal Super Stock heat wins, with the others going to Marlie Owen and Mark Gordon. The 6 Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock preliminary rounds were shared by Corey Strawn, Kyle Hope, Isaiah Switzer, Kris Khan, Ryan Oosterholt and Sean Kennedy. Late Model heats were won by Dan McHattie, Tim Batty, Mark Gordon and Jeff Walt.
All finishing positions are unofficial and subject to scoring review and post race safety and technical inspection.
Bullring bullet points: A strong Summer Toonie Night crowd meant a solid 50/50 payoff of nearly $795.00 to Peterborough's Lori Bond-Smith…Former Late Model feature winner Bryan Mercer and his family were in the stands, as was Brian Goudge, a past track announcer – who went by the name "Motor Mouth" – at Brockville and Capital City Speedways…Phil Jessup joined the Late Model field in his #44 car. Dave Morgan made his second straight start in the family-owned #10 Late Model, filling-in for his son Jack who was in a fishing tournament…Dan McHattie slowed to a stop on the infield pit lane, after losing a crank pulley during the 2nd Late Model inversion qualifier. He borrowed one from another competitor to make the main event starting grid. McHattie gave the winner's trophy to Bobby Cousineau and his family to say thanks for their generosity.
The Hot August Nights Racing Series at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval continues Saturday, August 24th with the Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock, Jiffy Lube Mini Stock, KOD Disposal Super Stock and Late Model divisions; plus double feature events for the Trailers Plus Ontario Legends Series, with Kid's Barrel Races as the intermission attraction. Pits open at 2:30, with general admission grandstand gates unlocked at 5:00 and racing at 6:00.
Get the latest track news and information anytime from www.peterboroughspeedway.com or the track's Facebook and Twitter social media platforms. Need instant motorsports gratification? Search for Peterborough Speedway wherever you find your apps and take Central Ontario's favourite place to race with you on your Smartphone 24/7/365.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Defending track champion Dan McHattie (#71) scored the checkered flag in the 50 lap Late Model feature event – Saturday, August 17th – at Peterborough Speedway.
Prepared by Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
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College Athletes Selected to Join NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program
Top-Performing Athletes to Train with Rev Racing Beginning in September; Will Look to Join More than 50 Program Graduates Now Working in NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 20, 2019) – Following the thorough evaluation of athletes from universities across the country, NASCAR and Rev Racing have chosen seven participants to join the 2019-20 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program.
The former collegiate athletes were selected based on a fitness assessment held in May at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. The assessment tested their agility, strength and flexibility, followed by the participants learning the different crew member positions during a pit stop simulation.
Those selected will relocate to Charlotte, N.C. for a six-month pit crew training program led by Phil Horton, Rev Racing's director of athletic performance. They will train to become tire changers, carriers and jackmen, with hopes of one day earning a spot on a national series race team.
NASCAR Drive for Diversity provides opportunities for women and minorities to pursue career opportunities in NASCAR on pit crews, in the driver's seat through the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program and off the track through the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program.
"We are inspired by the level of athletes we're seeing enter the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program," said Jusan Hamilton, Director, Racing Operations and Event Management, NASCAR. "With a wider range of colleges and universities partnering with NASCAR and Rev Racing on this program, the talent pool continues to expand and so does the pathway for each of the new members to achieve success with top race teams."
Dalanda Ouendeno is among this year's NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program participants. Ouendeno was a standout defender on the University of Miami women's soccer team before trying out for a pit crew development role with Rev Racing.
Virginia natives Hadji Gaylord and Raynard Revels will also join the 2019-20 class after competing together as teammates on Norfolk State University's football team.
"We look forward to welcoming this year's class to NASCAR's most comprehensive pit crew training and development program," said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing. "We couldn't be prouder of the journey both our pit crew development program and graduates have taken from its inception. With the expansion of our recruiting efforts across the country, the talent level rises, and our program continues to evolve and create more opportunities for advancement at a higher level."
In July 2019, NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program graduates Rojelio Ramirez, Omar Grimaldo and current program member Michael Hayden celebrated their first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win when driver Justin Haley took the checkered flag at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
Through the years, the program has developed pit crew athletes who work on teams every race weekend. Since its inception, more than 100 athletes have participated in the program and more than 65 graduates have worked in the sport on the national level. More than 50 graduates are currently pitting on a national level and more than 30 are competing in the sport's top series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
The 2019-20 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program participants include:
Name | Hometown | University | Primary Sport |
Hadji Gaylord | Norfolk, Va. | Norfolk State University | Football (Defensive End) |
Robin Loza | Charlotte, N.C. | Central Piedmont Community College | Football (Wide Receiver) |
Maurice McKinnon | Charlotte, N.C. | Guilford College | Football (Wide Receiver) |
Dalanda Ouendeno | Paris, France | University of Miami | Soccer (Defender) |
Mequel Phillips | Chester, Va. | Virginia State University | Football (Linebacker) |
Raynard Revels | Richmond, Va. | Norfolk State University | Football (Linebacker) |
Alvin Wilson | Lexington, Miss. | Alcorn State University | Football (Linebacker) |
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About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series™), three regional series, one local grassroots series, three international series and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat ('NASCAR').
About Rev Racing
Headquartered in Concord, N.C., Rev Racing, owned by Max Siegel, operates the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, which is the industry's leading developmental program for ethnic minorities and women drivers and pit crew members. For more information about Rev Racing visit http://revracing.net or follow on Twitter @RevRacin.
Contact:
Pete Stuart
NASCAR Communications
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As the 2019 Regular Season at Peterborough Speedway Winds Down…
As the 2019 Regular Season at Peterborough Speedway Winds Down…
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
It seems like this year's schedule at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval got underway just a couple of weeks ago, but with only 2 shows remaining in the regular season, teams in Peterborough Speedway's Saturday night classes will be pulling-out all the stops to gain any possible advantage in the championship fight.
Central Ontario's favourite short track racing destination comes back to life Saturday, August 24th with the hometown Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock, Jiffy Lube Mini Stock, KOD Disposal Super Stock and Late Model divisions; plus double features for the Trailers Plus Ontario Legends Series and Kid's Barrel Races as the intermission attraction. Pit gates open at 2:30, with the general admission grandstands unlocked at 5:00 and racing at 6:00.
Everywhere you look, there are tight point battles as action heads gets closer to the Saturday, August 31st Championship Clash. Unofficially, there is less than a 50 point margin between Corey Strawn, Chris Tubman and Sean Kennedy in the Bone Stock title fight. Ironically, Strawn – who leads the standings – has yet to win a main event. On the subject of wins, Tim Burke's checkered flag last weekend has turned the Super Stock battle into a real dog-fight between himself, Mark Gordon, Howie Crowe and Marlie Owen. Former Bone Stock champion Jeremy Kelly looks to be the heir apparent to the 2019 Mini Stock crown, but rivals Nolan Gould and Ember Junkin – an early season feature winner – could have something to say about the outcome.
With a win in the recent 50 lap feature Cavan, Ontario's Dan McHattie looks to have all but clinched another Late Model championship, while the #26 Renegade Truck – shared by drivers Brad Lavalle and Nicholas Ledson – is the front runner in the pick-up parade. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says it's a good time to be a fan at Peterborough Speedway.
"Our teams are always committed to giving our supporters the best show possible, but the championship battles will kick the level of excitement up a notch," Josiasse said. "Every lap and just a single position in the running order could make a big difference."
Head to www.peterboroughspeedway.com or the track's Facebook and Twitter social media platforms for the latest news and complete schedule and point standing updates. Search for Peterborough Speedway wherever you find your smartphone apps and you'll be able to keep in touch with everything going on at the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road whenever you want.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
He's yet to win a main event, but Corey Strawn (#77) is the lead dog in a 3 car fight with Chris Tubman and Sean Kennedy for Peterborough Speedway's 2019 Bone Stock track championship.
Prepared by Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
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2019-08-19
DIRTcar 358 Series Back in Action at Airborne
DIRTcar |
DIRTcar 358 Series Back in Action at Airborne Posted: 18 Aug 2019 06:44 AM PDT The Highly-Anticipated Return of the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series to Plattsburgh Airborne Speedway Comes Tuesday, August 20PLATTSBURGH, NY – August 17 – The best DIRTcar 358 Modified drivers in the Northeast will descend on the Northern New York town of Plattsburgh, NY this coming Tuesday, August 20. The $4,000-to-win 100-lap Feature is presented by Leary Restoration. The tale of the tape so far in 2019 has been the outstanding duel between Mat Williamson and Erick Rudolph. So far Williamson has a leg up on Rudolph in the standings but it's only by thirty-five points. Williamson will need to be near perfect to hold on to that lead as Rudolph is red hot in both his 358 Modified and Big Block Modified. Rudolph outdueled Williamson in the last Series race at Utica-Rome Speedway. Neither driver has been finished out of the top five but Williamson's three wins gives him the edge in the standings. Plattsburgh Airborne Speedway's very own Mike Mahaney rides in third place and has had this race circled on his calendar since it was announced. The No. 35 Huttig machine has been at the front in Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship action all season long. Can he use home-field advantage to advance on the No. 6 and No. 25R at the top of the standings? Newly minted Hall of Famer Danny Johnson has had an impressive showing so far in 358 Modified Series action in his red No. 83x. The Doctor rides in fourth place going into the 100-lapper in Plattsburgh. Dave Marcuccilli has found success in the 358 Series and currently sits in fifth place. For years Marcucuccilli has dominated in the DIRTcar Sportsman ranks but in 2019 he's proven his ability to take his 358 to the front. Corey Wheeler, Kyle Dingwall, Jordan McCreadie, Ronnie Davis III, and Lance Willix have made all Series race so far in 2019 and they fill out the rest of the top ten. One exception is Tim Fuller, who won the first Series race of the season. Fuller has made four starts but was sidelined for one due to an ankle injury. He's in seventh. Current Plattsburgh point leader Steve Bernier will be out to defend the home turf, along with Chris Raabe, Danny Gagne, Jessey Meuller, and others. Drivers from Quebec, the North Country, and Central New York are expected to make this year's tour stop at Plattsburgh one to remember. Also on the card are the DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds for some Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship action. Fans and competitors should note that Wednesday, August 21 has been set up as a rain date. Be sure to follow along on Twitter @DIRTcarNE for race day updates. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Top 10
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Jason Hathaway sort indemne d’une fin de course chaotique et gagne au Riverside International Speedway
Jason Hathaway sort indemne d'une fin de course chaotique et gagne au Riverside International Speedway
Lorsque Jason Hathaway est revenu pour participer à toutes les rondes en série NASCAR Pinty's, il n'avait qu'un objectif en tête : gagner.
Hathaway a atteint son but de façon spectaculaire aujourd'hui, remportant le Bumper to Bumper 300 au Riverside International Speedway dans une fin de course en prolongation palpitante.
Pour la troisième année consécutive, Kevin Lacroix disposait de la voiture à battre. Il a dominé la course, menant 195 tours et semblait presque imbattable. Malgré une avance importante à la mi-course, Hathaway et D.J. Kennington se sont rapprochés de lui tour après tour en fin de course.
Deux neutralisations dans les derniers tours furent l'occasion de relances intenses au possible, Lacroix poussant la Chevrolet Kubota Canada/Choko No. 3 de Hathaway à la dernière relance pour les deux derniers tours de piste de la course.
Le pilote d'Appin, en Ontario, a remis le coup à Lacroix au dernier tour, envoyant la voiture de Lacroix au contact avec celle d'Andrew Ranger.
Hathaway a pu compléter ce dernier tour et remporter sa 10e victoire en carrière, et sa première depuis la finale de la saison 2016 au Kawartha Speedway.
"C'était vraiment dingue. Je n'étais même pas sûr que nous allions prendre la tête, la voiture de Kevin était vraiment bonne, a dit Hathaway. "C'était une bataille, Lacroix m'a frappé ;a l'arrière et je lui ai rendu la pareille au virage suivant. Je m'attendais au choc, et lui aussi j'en suis sûr. C'est un bon moment pour obtenir cette victoire, poursuit Hathaway. "Ed Hakonson, le propriétaire de la voiture et mon beau-père, fête ses 70 ans, et je devais lui faire plaisir."
D.J. Kennington a mené 20 tours et a réussi à se faufiler à travers le gâchis du dernier tour pour terminer deuxième. Le double champion avait déjà remporté deux victoires à Riverside et était en position pour une troisième jusqu'à ce qu'il du céder la tête de la course à Hathaway au 289e des 300 tours prévus. L'équipe Castrol Edge n°17 a fêté son deuxième podium en cinq courses.
"Les relances étaient vraiment folles – partir de la file extérieure faisait perdre des positions, alors tout le monde se rabattait vers la file intérieure, plus ou moins violemment ", a dit Kennington. "Notre équipe marche de mieux en mieux à chaque course. Nous frappons à la porte et on sera dans le cercle des vainqueurs avant la fin de la saison, j'en suis sûr."
Le dernier fracas de tours a permis à Alex Tagliani de se mériter un podium-surprise, en troisième position. L'équipe Rona/EpiPen s'est retrouvée coincée dans le peloton lors de la dernière relance. Le contact entre Lacroix et Hathaway a permis à Tagliani de se faufiler et de ramener son numéro 18 relativement propre à la maison pour son troisième podium de la saison.
La course du LP Dumoulin a été pour le moins mouvementée. Après avoir souffert d'un problème mécanique juste avant la pause de la mi-temps, Dumoulin s'est défendu pour une quatrième place, après avoir remonté le peloton de l'arrière deux fois dans la course, doublant onze fois des pilotes rapides ce faisant. Alex Labbe, qui a également souffert de problèmes mécaniques, a complété le top cinq.
Lacroix et Ranger, les meneurs dans la course au titre, ont terminé respectivement sixième et septième. L'avance de Ranger est réduite à 11 points.
Mark Dilley, Donald Chisholm et Marc-Antoine Camirand ont complété le top dix.
Le Bumper to Bumper 300 sera diffusé sur TSN le samedi 24 août à 13 h 30 et RDS2 le vendredi 13 septembre à 22 h 30.
La série NASCAR Pinty's Series sera de retour le dimanche 25 août pour le TOTAL Quartz 200 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
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Jason Hathaway Survives Chaotic Overtime Finish for Riverside Win
Jason Hathaway Survives Chaotic Overtime Finish for Riverside Win
When Jason Hathaway returned to the NASCAR Pinty's Series full-time, he had one goal in mind – win.
Hathaway accomplished his goal in dramatic fashion, winning the Bumper to Bumper 300 at Riverside International Speedway in a thrilling overtime finish.
For the third year in a row, Kevin Lacroix had the car to beat. He dominated the race, leading 195 laps and appearing all but untouchable. Despite the sizeable lead, Hathaway and D.J Kennington closed in lap after lap.
A pair of late race cautions set up a thrilling pair of restarts. Hathaway's No.3 Kubota Canada/Choko Chevrolet was given the 'chrome horn' by Lacroix once the green flag dropped for the two-lap overtime shootout.
The Appin, Ontario driver repaid the favour in the exact same corner, this time on the white flag lap. The contact sent Lacroix up the track and into the side of Andrew Ranger.
Hathaway held on for his 10th career win and first since the 2016 season finale at Kawartha Speedway.
"That was really crazy. I wasn't even sure we were going to get the lead, Kevin was really good," said Hathaway. "It was a battle, Lacroix got into the back of me in turn three and four and I paid him back in one and two. I was expecting it and I'm sure he was expecting it too."
"It's a good way to get a win," continued Hathaway. "Ed Hakonson's 70th birthday; car owner and father-in-law, so I gotta keep him happy."
D.J Kennington led 20 laps and managed to sneak through the last lap wreck for a runner-up finish. The two-time champion had two prior wins at Riverside and was in position for a third until losing the lead Hathaway on Lap 289. The No.17 Castrol Edge team would celebrate their second podium in five races.
"The restarts were really crazy. One way to sum it up, it sucks if you were on the outside, you just couldn't get a run," said Kennington. "We're looking better every week, we're knocking on the door and we'll get back to Victory Lane by the end of this season, I'm sure."
The last lap fracas enabled Alex Tagliani to score a surprise podium finish, in third. The Rona/EpiPen team found themselves stuck in the pack during the final restart. The contact between Lacroix and Hathaway enabled Tagliani to sneak through and bring his relatively clean No.18 home for his third podium of the season.
LP Dumoulin's race was eventful to say the least. After suffering a mechanical problem just before the halftime break, Dumoulin fought back for a fourth-place finish. Alex Labbe, who also suffered mechanical issues, rounded out the top five.
Championship contenders Lacroix and Ranger were sixth and seventh, respectively. Ranger's points lead drops to 11 points heading into next week's race.
Mark Dilley, pole sitter Donald Chisholm and Marc-Antoine Camirand rounded out the top ten.
The Bumper to Bumper 300 will air on TSN on Saturday, August 24 at 1:30 p.m. and RDS2 on Friday, September 13 at 10:30 p.m.
The NASCAR Pinty's Series will be back Sunday, August 25 for the TOTAL Quartz 200 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
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2019-08-16
Pinty’s Series Competition Continues to Rise
Pinty's Series Competition Continues to Rise
For the past 13 years, the NASCAR Pinty's Series has showcased the best drivers that Canada has to offer.
With driver backgrounds ranging from the glitz and glamour of open-wheel cars to the grit and ruggedness of local short track drivers, the diversity and strength of drivers now is better than it ever has been.
As drivers come and drivers go, one thing remains the same - once you race against the strong Pinty's competition, the itch never goes away.
EHR Team Orange driver Jason Hathaway is a prime example of that. The Stouffville, Ontario driver left full time competition at the end of the 2016 season. He ran part time in 2017 and shifted to a team management role in 2018 with driver Cole Powell. One thing remained during his time off, his passion for the NASCAR Pinty's Series.
"I personally think the Pinty's series puts on one of the best racing shows around," Hathaway said. "I would say there's a lot more quality (than other series), so it's really good. We always put on a great show for the fans. They always love it, everybody keeps coming back."
One of Hathaway's favourite things is the fact that even after a two-year absence the level of competition has continued to rise.
"There's a big difference in competition in the fields, much tighter I would say between the top eight and 12 cars. There's no real advantage anywhere," Hathaway added. "It all comes down to driver and setup. There used to be a little bit of engine advantage, or maybe even car advantage but mostly everybody's got new cars or new equipment and everything else.
"Nobody has a real leg up on anyone."
Alex Labbe, the 2017 series champion, also took some time away from the series, spending 2018 competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season with DGM Racing. Labbe scored a best finish of ninth at Mid-Ohio, and has spent the first half of 2019 transitioning back to full-time Pinty's competition where he replaced Adam Martin at Jacombs Racings.
Even though his absence was only for one season, Labbe has noticed how stiff the competition has become.
"There's a lot of good teams, obviously everybody is working hard on their programs," Labbe said. "The cars are better and better. When you see all the different winners this year, obviously Andrew and Kevin have really solid season, but there are always contenders that are really close. It's a lot of fun to race with them."
Labbe's Xfinity Series experience has helped him grow as a driver. It's also given him the first-hand perspective of racing in one of NASCAR's national series.
"I think both series get tougher and tougher every year obviously and it's as tough as it ever has been here, so it's a lot of fun," Labbe said. "I mean the top five, top seven every race, we're fighting hard and it's good competition."
NEWS AND NOTES
Riverside Welcomes NASCAR
Riverside International Speedway is one of the only three tracks that has hosted races since the NASCAR Pinty's Series' inaugural season in 2007. It is also the only oval on the list.
In its first 12 races, Riverside has produced some intense racing and major championship implications. Each of the past four series champions have won this race (Scott Steckly in 2015, Cayden Lapcevich in '16, Labbe in '17 and L.P. Dumoulin last year). In fact, eight of the 12 races have been won by the eventual champion.
Andrew Ranger currently holds a 14 point lead over Kevin Lacroix and is looking to extend that streak. In nine career races in Antigonish, Ranger has one win, five top fives and six top 10s. The win, coincidentally, came in 2009, Ranger's second championship season.
Time running out for championship contenders
With only five races remaining in the 2019 season, opportunities are slowly closing for championship contenders. While Kevin Lacroix is only 14 points behind points leader Andrew Ranger, only two other drivers are with 60 points of the championship lead.
L.P. Dumoulin sits third, 20 points out of the lead with Alex Tagliani fourth, 37 points back. Fifth-place D.J. Kennington is currently 63 points behind Ranger. While not an insurmountable lead, Kennington – and all drivers behind him – would need to go on a major run, and get some assistance from those ahead of them.
Lacroix and Tagliani are each winless in three career starts at the track.
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22 Racing Head to Riverside International Speedway in Nova Scotia for Event Nine in NASCAR Pinty’s Series
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