2012-05-21

Doiron leads PASS super late models to White Mountain past PASS Rookies of the Year at the top of early season points

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Media, contact Norm Desjardins - racewithpass@yahoo.com

 

NAPLES ME (5/21) Round two of the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North super late model “Bull Ring Tour” gets the green Saturday May 26th at North Woodstock New Hampshire's White Mountain Motorsports Park and the early season results indicate that a bunch of past PASS North Rookies of the Year are coming of age.

 

Joey Doiron scored his first PASS super late model win in the Beech Ridge season opener and backed that up with a fourth at Star Speedway. That performance matches his two top fives earned in his 2010 and 2011 campaigns and he will look for another to keep his name atop the standings. The 2010 PASS North Rookie of the Year's best White Mountain finish is eighth and he will likely need to better that run this time out, as 2011 Co-Rookie Lonnie Sommerville is hot on his heels, just seven points back. Sommerville shared the 2011 award with Kyle DeSouza, and DeSouza is just ten markers back from Sommerville in third. DJ Shaw won the award in 2008 and he's a past White Mountain Late Model Champion too. Shaw sits fourth, just ahead of Travis Benjamin who's coming off one of his best runs in a long while with a runner-up at Star.

 

The veterans are all on the entry list and they will be tough to beat on the scenic quarter mile. Johnny Clark made a big jump in the standings with his Star Speedway win and Ben Rowe will try to get his season back on track at his favorite speedway. Cassius Clark Mike Rowe, Gary Smith, Andy Shaw, Vermonters John Donahue and Scott Dragon, Quebec's Alex Gingras and Kevin Roberge; the list is long and chock full of the biggest stars in the fastest cars that the Northeast has to offer.

White Mountain regular Dan Colby will make his super late model debut and Matt Matheson, Donnie Whitten, JT Thurlow, Bryan Kruczek and Derek Ramstrom will all attempt to tame the White Mountain high banks.

 

White Mountain Motorsports Park will be kicking off their 2012 weekly racing series with five divisions scheduled. Racing gets underway at 4:00 PM on Saturday May 26.

 

The speedway is located on Route 3 in North Woodstock New Hampshire. For more information please visit www.proallstarsseries.com and www.whitemountainmotorsports.com .

 


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Maine's Chase Making Most Of Role On Pit Road

No. 56 Over-The-Wall Crew Voted Mechanix Wear First Quarter Award Winner

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 21, 2012) — Brian “Hootie” Chase, jackman on the No. 56 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota, has used everything he learned on the New England short tracks to build quite a career in the highest level of NASCAR racing.

 

The York, Maine native, who caught the racing bug in the 1980s when his dad took him to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine, started tinkering with race cars as a teen 22 years ago.

 

“I used to work at a service station pumping gas and after hours we’d build street stocks and hobby stocks in the back,” Chase said. “We started building cars for ‘Lightning’ Lenny Boles at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H. Before we knew it, a lot of guys started asking us to do some work for them in the Busch North Series (now the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East), so we started traveling in that series.”

 

After learning his craft on the northeast short track circuit for a few years, Chase decided to take his skills to the next level.

 

“I packed up everything I owned in the back of my pickup truck and moved to North Carolina in 1996,” recalled Chase. “It took me about two weeks to find a job.”

 

The move south has paid dividends.

 

Chase and his fellow No. 56 over-the-wall crew members have won the first-quarter Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award, which is determined by a vote of each team’s crew chief and given quarterly to the top-performing pit crew in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

 

“The importance of our job nowadays has come full circle since the 90’s,” said Chase, now a 16-year veteran on pit road. “A lot of critiquing goes on these days, and rightfully so, our job is crucial.”

 

The No. 56 crew’s performance during the season’s first-quarter cemented driver Martin Truex Jr.’s          solid start to the 2012 season. Truex Jr. has mounted four top fives, seven top 10s and an average finish of 10.7 through 11 races.

 

“The NAPA KNOW HOW pit crew has done a great job this year,” said Truex Jr. “They’ve been very fast, but most importantly, they’ve been consistent. Anytime I come in on green or yellow flag conditions, I can count on those guys to hold their own and make no mistakes.”

 

In addition to Chase, crew chief Chad Johnston’s over-the-wall pit crew consists of Eric Maycroft (front tire changer), Craig Curione (front tire carrier), Brandon Hopkins (rear tire changer), Adam Mosher (rear tire carrier), and Wes Evans (gas man). Greg Miller is the team’s pit crew coach.

 

Chase, 36, began his career at Diamond Ridge Racing for a two-year stint that had him jacking on Saturdays in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He then moved to Joe Gibbs Racing for four years. In 2001, crew chief Slugger Labbe tabbed Chase to jack the No. 15 car at Dale Earnhardt Inc. After seven seasons at DEI, he made the move to Michael Waltrip Racing four years ago.

 

As the jackman, Chase triggers the start and completion of the pit stop.

 

“With the new fuel system it’s key to make sure you have enough fuel in the car, so I’m watching the gasman these days and relying on my instincts and peripheral vision with the tire changers,” he said.

 

With so much pressure on pit crews today, Chase says it’s nice to be acknowledged for quick, consistent performance on pit road.

 

“It’s a great honor for us and we’re excited to take the award for the first quarter,” Chase said. “Starting the season we set goals for ourselves not to make mistakes, no loose wheels and such. We hired some new guys over the off-season and we’ve come together as a team pretty fast.”

 

Chase says conditioning and hard work is what keeps the No. 56 pit crew operating at a peak level of performance.

 

“Mondays we’ll do light cardio, stretching, running, yoga, and drills,” said Chase, talking about his weekly workout regimen. “We do full pit stop practice and weights on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday we have ‘interleague team’ competition day with the back-up crews followed by more cardio.”

 

The NAPA KNOW HOW pit crew was presented its award prior to Saturday night’s NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Currently, Truex Jr. and the No. 56 team sit sixth in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings.

 

For a complete description and special award standings of national series awards presented via the NASCAR Prize Money & Decal Program, visit www.nascarmedia.com.

 

About the NASCAR Prize Money & Decal Program

The NASCAR Prize Money & Decal Program, commonly referred to as the contingency program, is administered by the NASCAR Automotive Group. The program strives to build strong relationships with high-quality, performance-driven brands that are leaders in their respective categories and award money to NASCAR teams via per-race and year-end postings. Competitors become eligible for awards money by displaying partner decals on the front fender of their race vehicles and, in some instances, use of a sponsor’s product.

 

Contact:

Nick Kelly

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications

 


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Kimmel's Second Runner-Up of 2012 Comes in Team's Backyard

 

For Immediate Release:

Monday, May 21, 2012

 

News & Notes from Menards 200 at Toledo Speedway

 

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - Without question, second-place finisher Frank Kimmel wishes he had won the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care at Toledo Speedway. Still, he enjoyed several positives after Sunday's race.

 

Kimmel's winless streak extended to 68 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards events since September 2008, but his runner-up result was his second in five races for new team ThorSport Racing, which is housed just an hour's drive east of Toledo Speedway in Sandusky, Ohio.

 

"In the big picture, it's a good day for us and the Ansell/Menards car," Kimmel said. "We're really close to Sandusky, where ThorSport is, and we had big contingents out here from Ansell, Menards, and ThorSport. We ran well for them, and that's what we needed to do."

 

Kimmel led 20 laps, bringing his ARCA career record total to 10,354 laps led. He had not led in any of the series' first four races this year. Race winner Chris Buescher passed him just after a restart on Lap 153 and drove off to victory.

 

"Out in the front, (the car) was really good on new tires," Kimmel said. "The thing was fast, but it seemed like the longer the run, the tighter it would get. It just stopped turning a bit, and the same thing happened at Mobile. These guys aren't going to stop; they're going to keep working to figure it out. It ran so well most of the day, and there at the end, we were still the second-best car. Congratulations to Chris and those guys. They did a great job."

 

Hessert's Lead His First in 28 Races: Tom Hessert last led the ARCA Racing Series point standings after the September 6, 2010 race at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds, and is back on top after finishing fifth in the Menards 200.

 

That DuQuoin race, 28 races ago, was followed by an event at none other than Toledo Speedway. Hessert finished eighth, falling out of a tie for the lead with eventual champion Patrick Sheltra. Hessert went on to finish third in the standings that year, just behind Craig Goess.

 

When the standings become official Tuesday, Hessert's latest Toledo performance will have him 15 points clear of Chris Buescher (No. 17 BeavEx/Reliance Tool Ford), 1195-1180.

 

"This was by far not our best race car we've had (at Toledo), but we raced really smart," said Hessert (No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet). "(Crew chief) Donnie Richeson and all the guys did a really good job making adjustments."

 

Incoming points leader Brennan Poole (No. 25 CJ Solar Band Chevrolet) is now third, 20 points behind Hessert. Chad Hackenbracht (No. 58 Tastee Apple Chevrolet) is fourth at -30, and Frank Kimmel (No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota) is in the top five for the first time this season at -45.

 

Ryan Reed (No. 15 JDRF Toyota) is sixth, ahead of Mikey Kile (No. 1 ModSpace Ford), Alex Bowman (No. 22 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Dodge), Matt Lofton (No. 16 Strutmasters.com Chevrolet), and top-10 newcomer Josh Williams (No. 02 Southwest Florida Cable Construction Ford). Williams is 210 points behind Hessert through five races.

 

16 drivers earned a 250-point bonus for entering and competing in each of the series' first five races. Drivers outside the top 10 who earned those points were Larry Barford Jr., Darrell Basham, Nelson Canache, Milka Duno, Spencer Gallagher, and James Hylton.

 

Buescher Wins Aaron's Lap Leader Award: Chris Buescher led 106 of 200 laps in his Menards 200 win to seal the Aaron's Lap Leader Award for the race. Buescher is second in the season-long Lap Leader standings, 99 laps behind Alex Bowman, who led 55 laps from the pole Sunday.

 

Buescher has led 313 of 1006 laps in his four wins over the last five races at Toledo, including 126 in his first Toledo win on May 23, 2010.

 

He spoke after the race about his dominance at the track from 2010-2012, representative of major improvement after finishing 16th and eighth in two Toledo races in 2009.

 

"The first two races, I could not get out of my own way, and it was something I struggled with all year," he said. "We brought a different car back, and this one has really come alive. It's a track that suits the Roulo brothers, and suits me, I guess."

 

Sixty in Sixty: In ARCA's 60 years of competition, exactly 60 drivers have won six or more ARCA Racing Series races, and Chris Buescher's Menards 200 victory made him the latest to join that group. Other drivers with exactly six wins are A. Arnold, Bill Baird, Earl Balmer, Bob Dotter, Ed Hage, Ryan Hemphill, Ralph Latham, Paul Parks, and Mike Wallace.

 

Roulos Win Cometic Crew Chief, Klotz Mechanic Race Awards: Chris Buescher's win after starting third delivered a near-perfect points performance for Gary Roulo in his pursuit of the race's Cometic Crew Chief Award. Roulo earned 390 points (190 for qualifying, 200 for the race) and captured the award for the first time this season. He trails Kevin Reed of CGH Motorsports by 25 points, 1465-1440, in the year-long standings.

 

Likewise, Russell Roulo earned the Klotz Mechanic of the Race honors for the first time in 2012.

 

Enfinger a Hard Charger in ARCA Return: Grant Enfinger (No. 99 Hylant Group Ford) could be forgiven for being a bit rusty in Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell on Saturday afternoon. After all, he had not entered an ARCA event since March 10 at Mobile. Despite qualifying 14th, Enfinger finished third in the Menards 200. His 11-position rise gave him the CGS Imaging Hard Charger of the Race Award, just miles from the award sponsor's headquarters in Maumee, Ohio.

 

"I feel good," Enfinger said after the race. "I'm disappointed we didn't have anything for Buescher and Kimmel there but all these guys worked really, really hard on a last-minute deal that got put together. Hylant Group and Hewes Concrete Polishing, I can't say enough for those guys and everybody that made this happen. There's a lot of people behind the scenes and last year's car with Mike Allgaier helped with this deal, like Kelly Kovski and a lot of the guys from last year. It makes it special."

 

Enfinger hopes to race again soon in the ARCA Racing Series, with sponsorship pending.

 

After Enfinger's race award win, Buster Graham leads Will Kimmel and Clint King in the season-long CGS Imaging Hard Charger Award standings.

 

King Takes Third Top-Five: Still just 16 years old, Clint King (No. 66 Jaclyn North Chevrolet) earned his third top-five in six starts for Venturini Motorsports. He traded positions with Grant Enfinger in the race's late stages, ultimately finishing fourth. He had started 13th.

 

Gaining on a short track was nothing new to King, who started 20th and finished fifth at Mobile in March.

 

"We missed our qualifying trim a little bit, but our race trim was spot on," he said. "We just had to be really patient and work our way through this field. It was such a tight field, but a blast to drive. It was one of the hardest times I've had in ARCA so far.

 

"Big thanks to Grant Enfinger; he's an awesome race car driver. We battled back and forth so many times today, and both of us have clean race cars and didn't take each other out, so he's an awesome driver. I appreciate the opportunity to run with him. (Crew chief) Teddy Brown and Venturini Motorsports, everybody there, did a fantastic job preparing this race car."

 

Bowman Top Rookie for Third Time: Alex Bowman's eighth-place finish made him the highest Toledo Speedway finisher of those competing for Team Messina Rookie Challenge honors. He has won the race award and the accompanying 30 points three times in five events, but trails leader Brennan Poole by 14 points and Ryan Reed by eight in the overall standings.

 

Local, National ARCA Champions Recognized: As part of ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season and the only "home track" race for ARCA's premier tour this season, the pre-race ceremonies at Toledo Speedway included the recognition of 34 past champions and notable personalities from the ARCA Racing Series, ARCA Truck Series, ARCA touring series, and ARCA-owned Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.

 

The drivers recognized were Chris Bailey, Rollie Beale, Bobby Bowsher, Danny Byrd, Randy Cornett, Randy Cronenwett, Michael Dailey, Bill Forney, Jack Franzil, Dave Golembiewski, Chuck Hall, Rick Harrell, Joe Hawes, Pat Haywood, Dick Huston, Jeep Iacobucci, Terry Jones, Frank Kimmel, Rick Knowles, Jerry Makara, Dave Miller, Jeremy Miller, Moose Myers, Jerry Nemire, Brian Norton, Landon Schuster, Dick Simmons, Robbin Slaughter, Scott Stovall, Bob Studt, Brad Turner, Bill Venturini, Roger Vroman, and Paul Wensink.

 

"To me, it's an honor to be out here with guys like Moose Myers and Bill Venturini Sr. and Bobby Bowsher. Those guys are just awesome racers and people I look up to - everybody but Bobby; I hated running against him because he was always so good," Kimmel said with a smile.

 

"It's a pleasure to be out there with them."

 

Bowsher was a central figure in Kimmel's early ARCA history, winning championships in the year of Kimmel's first full season (1992) and first ARCA win (1994).

 

Venezuelan Canache Earns His Best Finish: Nelson Canache (No. 35 Venezuelan Tourism Toyota) earned his first top-20 finish in five races for Venturini Motorsports after finishing 16th. He was the only top-20 driver with a career-best result Sunday.

 

As has become customary this season, Canache was one of two drivers - along with Milka Duno (No. 6 MilkaWay/CanTV Toyota) - from Caracas, the capital and largest city in Venezuela.

 

Venezuela was one of four nations represented in the Menards 200, along with Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The last time four nations were represented in one ARCA race was almost exactly one year ago, on May 22 at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Canadian Andrew Ranger edged Australian George Miedecke in a thrilling finish to a race featuring drivers from five countries.

 

Twenty states were represented.

 

Three Make Debut Starts: In line from 28th through 30th in the finishing order were three drivers making their ARCA Racing Series debuts. Korbin Forrister of Cedartown, Ga. led the group in the No. 68 Tilted Kilt Ford. Following him were Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico's Juan Carlos Blum (No. 18 VMP Nutrition Dodge) and North Canton, Ohio's Ronnie Souders Jr. (No. 94 Power Bore Cylinder Sleeves Chevrolet).

 

Unknown Elko the Next Hurdle: The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will visit Elko Speedway in Minnesota for the first time on Saturday, June 2, in the Akona 200 presented by Federated Car Care. In 60 seasons, the tour has hosted races in 28 states, and Minnesota will be the 29th. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring and live audio coverage from the race, which will begin at 8 p.m. Central.

 

Several drivers provided basic outlooks for the 200-lap, 75-mile race, even if the track remains an unknown for most.

 

"I don't know a whole lot," said Brennan Poole, who finished 22nd in the Menards 200. "I know it's really tiny, and might be a little similar to (a race at Toledo), as far as strategies go. I hear it's got a pretty good surface. It should be fun. It'll be tight, short track racing, with a lot of bumping and running. I'm looking forward to getting up there; I haven't been to Minnesota in a long time."

 

Tom Hessert is trusting his crew chief, Donnie Richeson, for an idea on what the track might be like.

 

"Donnie says it's a little like South Boston (Speedway in Virginia)," he said. "It's always fun going to new tracks. I like short tracks.

 

Mikey Kile overcame a Lap 4 spin and four pit stops to finish sixth for Andy Belmont Racing at Toledo. He, too, is unfamiliar with Elko Speedway.

 

"I've seen pictures of it; that's about the extent of it," Kile said. "It looks fairly smooth, and like a circle track. Turn left. It's one of those deals where (crew chief) Jeff (McClure) has some good stuff for there. We'll go there, turn left, and get a handle on it."

 

Speaking from Sun Drop Winner's Circle at Toledo Speedway, Chris Buescher compared Elko to another track on the ARCA Racing Series schedule.

 

"I know it's a bullring, and I know it's in...Minnesota," he said. "I hear it's something like Berlin, but probably with more bite. We've got a car that we haven't run before, and we're going to try it out there. We're looking forward to it."

 

2012 is the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards' 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The complete 2012 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.

 

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season. This year, the series visited Alabama's Mobile International Speedway for the first time. In June, the first event at Minnesota's Elko Speedway will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

 

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events.

 

CONTACT:

Griffin Hickman, ARCA

 

Don Radebaugh, ARCA

 


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Voluntary Partnership Furthers NASCAR's Position As Sustainability Leader In Sports

NASCAR Signs Memorandum Of Understanding With The Environmental Protection Agency

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 21, 2012) — NASCAR and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that provides a framework to encourage greater environmental awareness and adoption of green products and solutions with NASCAR fans and the entire industry. The MOU is a voluntary partnership around education and awareness. The agreement denotes some core areas NASCAR and the EPA will collaborate on moving forward including the following programs: E3: Economy, Energy and Environment; and Design for the Environment (DfE) labeled consumer and commercial products.

 

The MOU, which can be accessed at http://bit.ly/EPA-NASCAR-mou, will pave the way for other opportunities and areas of focus for EPA and NASCAR such as sourcing more sustainable concessions at NASCAR events, expanding the use of DfE-labeled chemical products, conserving water, and continuing to grow the promotion and practice of all applicable types of recycling. Through E3, NASCAR and the EPA will work together to foster the adoption of green approaches, address sustainability challenges, and seize opportunities. A continuously greener sport – and NASCAR’s supplier network – will have positive economic and environmental impacts that extend far beyond the race track in the communities that NASCAR and the EPA serve.

 

NASCAR, in partnership with industry, environmental and academic groups, will also begin to evaluate the potential for adoption of green products as labeled under the EPA Design for the Environment program as having met rigorous environmental standards. NASCAR Green is also planned to be employed as a platform for enhancing awareness among NASCAR fans and business-to-business partners of the benefits of using DfE-labeled products in our homes, communities and at work. The MOU is based on the spirit of collaboration and does not address regulatory issues. 

 

“This collaboration is a statement of NASCAR’s commitment to green innovation and our role as a leader in sustainability,” said Mike Lynch, NASCAR managing director of green innovation. “This partnership will provide new resources that will allow our industry to create innovative environmental education and awareness platforms while continuing to build on our strong momentum in reducing the environmental impact of our sport.”

 

“Because NASCAR is such a thrilling sport followed by millions of passionate fans and business-to-business partners, it can be a powerful platform to raise environmental awareness, drive the adoption of safer products by more Americans, and accelerate the greening of our economy to protect the planet,” said Jim Jones, EPA’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP). “The EPA and NASCAR partnership attests to the notable inroads that NASCAR has already made into the arena of environmental stewardship – through multiple recycling initiatives for waste and automotive fluids, to greener fuel choices.” 

 

Last month, NASCAR issued a ‘white paper’ detailing the various programs that have made NASCAR a leader in green initiatives across all sports. The data in “The Sports Leader in Sustainability”^ illustrated the steps NASCAR has taken in educating fans, reducing the sport’s environmental impact and validating green technologies – both on and off the track. The report can be accessed at http://bit.ly/green-white-4-19.

 

^ Report not endorsed by the EPA.

 

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America's premier sports. NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages. In the U.S., races are broadcast on FOX, TNT, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2, SPEED and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. NASCAR fans are among the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 100 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two international series. Also part of NASCAR is GRAND-AM Road Racing, known for its competition on road courses with multiple classes of cars. NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races at 100 tracks in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., NASCAR has offices in eight cities across North America. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.nascar.com. Follow NASCAR on www.facebook.com/NASCAR or on Twitter: @NASCAR.

 

Contact:

Jon Schwartz

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications  

 


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Fitzpatrick Opens NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Season With Win

Holds Off Kennington For 7th Career NCATS Victory

 

BOWMANVILLE, Ont. (May 20, 2012) – J.R. Fitzpatrick ended a 20-race winless streak to pick up his first win since July 25, 2010 – and it wasn’t easy as he held off D.J. Kennington in the final turn at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park to win the Vortex Brake Pads 200 in the season-opener for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Sunday in front of an ethusiastic crowd.

For Fitzpatrick, out of Cambridge, Ont., it was his seventh career win in the series and his third at the Bowmanville 2.459-mile road course. On the day, he led a race-high 39 laps behind the wheel of his No. 84 Equipment Express Chevrolet.

 

Despite leading all those laps, he was consistently being hounded by Kennington, Scott Steckly and Andrew Ranger.

“I made some contact with Steckly and I’m sorry about that, but I was going for the win just like he was,” said the 24-year-old. “I was expecting a lot of things, but I was pretty sure (Kennington) would race me clean after the way we raced here last year when he beat me.”

In his mind, Fitzpatrick was game planning around where Steckly, who started the race from the pole and had the fastest car on the track all weekend, was on the track.

After I changed tires I was kind of saving my stuff because I knew that 22 car would be coming and coming fast,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was really insane in those last few laps. We’re happy to get the win today and ride this momentum.”

Even though Kennington finished as the runner-up he was happy with the results.

“I’ll take a top-three finish on a road course anytime,” said the driver of the No. 17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge. “That was really a great race. Who wouldn’t like that one? It was hard-fought battle all day long.”

Steckly, on the other hand, was not as pleased with his finish as he began his quest for a third series title in his No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge.

“We should be happy with a third-place finish, but it’s really not what we were looking for after having the fastest car all weekend,” said the defending series champion. “It was good, hard racing. We just can’t seem to get a win on a road course.”

Two-time winner at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Andrew Ranger finished fourth followed by fellow Quebecer Louis-Philippe Dumoulin in fifth.

Jason Hathaway, Kerry Micks, Jeff Lapcevich, Robin Buck and Peter Klutt completed the top 10.

The race lead changed hands nine times among six drivers including four times between Fitzpatrick and Kennington in the final 10 laps. The field was slowed due to caution just three times for 11 laps.

The Vortex Brake Pads 200 will air on TSN on Sunday, May 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET and Wednesday, June 13 at 10 p.m. ET on RDS2.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series with two road-course events to open the season will be back on the track on June 2-3 for the Lucas Oil Grand Prix at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Que.

 

Contact:

Shon Sbarra

Integrated Marketing Communications

 

NASCAR CANDADIAN TIRE SERIES-UNOFFICIAL Vortex Brake Pads 200 Results

Sunday

At Canadian Tire Motorsports Park

Bowmanville, Ontario

Lap length: 2.459 miles

(Start position in parentheses)

1. (2) JR Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ont., Chevrolet, 51 laps, 74.402 mph.

2. (4) DJ Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont., Dodge, 51.

3. (1) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Dodge, 51.

4. (3) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Dodge, 51.

5. (10) Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 51.

6. (6) Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ont., Dodge, 51.

7. (7) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ont., Ford, 51.

8. (9) Jeff Lapcevich, Grimsby, Ont., Dodge, 51.

9. (11) Robin Buck, Campbellville, Ont., Dodge, 51.

10. (8) Peter Klutt, Halton Hills, Ont., Chevrolet, 51.

11. (5) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ont., Dodge, 51.

12. (13) Jason White, Sun Peaks, B.C., Dodge, 51.

13. (17) Howie Scannell Jr., Milton, Ont., Dodge, 51.

14. (22) Derek White, Kahnawake, Que., Chevrolet, 51.

15. (23) Dave Coursol, St. Jerome, Que., Dodge, 51.

16. (20) Larry Jackson, Oakville, Ont., Dodge, 51.

17. (26) David Thorndyke, Oshawa, Ont., Chevrolet, 50.

18. (16) Martin Roy, Napierville, Que, Dodge, 50.

19. (14) Jarrad Whissell, Calgary, Alta., Ford, 48.

20. (18) Steven Mathews, New Liskeard, Ont., Ford, 43, off track.

21. (19) Isabelle Tremblay, St. Hippolyte, Que., Dodge, 28, rear end.

22. (12) Steve Cote, Ile Bizard, Que, Chevrolet, 24, off track.

23. (27) Hugo Vannini, Repentigny, Que., Ford, 24.

24. (24) Michael Scholz, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Chevrolet, 21.

25. (25) Joey McColm, Ajax, Ont., Dodge, 17, off track.

26. (15) Noel Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alta., Dodge, 14, off track.

27. (21) Ray Courtemanche Jr., Montreal, Que., Dodge, 1, off track.

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 41 minutes 8 seconds

Margin of Victory: .338 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: S.Steckly (105.484 mph, 83.922 seconds)

Caution Flags: 3 for 11 laps.

Lead Changes: 9 among 6 drivers.

Lap Leaders: J. Fitzpatrick 1-15; A. Ranger 16; R. Beauchamp,Jr. 17-20; R. Buck 21-23; J.

Fitzpatrick 24-38; S. Steckly 39; D. Kennington 40-41; J. Fitzpatrick 42-43; D.

Kennington 44; J. Fitzpatrick 45-51.

Standings: 1. J. Fitzpatrick, 48; 2. D. Kennington, 43; 3. S. Steckly, 42; 4. A. Ranger,

41; 5. L. Dumoulin, 39; 6. J. Hathaway, 38; 7. K. Micks, 37; 8. J. Lapcevich, 36; 9. R.

Buck, 36; 10. P. Klutt, 34.

 


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Bartemy tops Airborne Modifieds

For immediate release – Airborne Speedway recap – May 19, 2012

SOUTH PLATTSBURGH – Aaron Bartemy of Champlain bested a robust 28-car field of DIRTcar Modifieds and became the fourth different Modified feature winner in four weeks Saturday at Airborne Speedway.

 

Bartemy used the outside lane to move from sixth to second on a restart after a red flag incident on lap 7 of the 30-lap X-PLO/E-Z Store main event.

 

While the field was lining up after a caution flag three laps later, race leader Dan Brown pitted with engine trouble, putting Bartemy on the point. After a dozen laps of close pursuit from Patrick Dupree and Pat McGrail, Bartemy extended his lead to five car-lengths as the race remained under green.

 

McGrail finished third at runner-up Dupree’s bumper. Maxime Viens was next, just ahead of early leader Roger Labreche. The second half of the top-10 went to Greg Atkins, Leon Gonyo, Todd Stone, Andy Heywood and last week’s winner Pierre Berthiaume. McGrail and Stone are now in a first-place tie atop the point standings.

 

Bartemy was driving the TDI Towing and Repair Facility No. B3. “The guys were up late every night this week,“ Bartemy said. “We didn’t even make the hot lap session because we were still making changes, but here we are in victory lane. I knew Dupree was coming, but all you can do is focus and go as good as you can.”

 

“I had an issue with the right rear and I had my hands full with McGrail,” Dupree said. “I wasn’t going to catch him (Bartemy).”

 

Nick Heywood of Plattsburgh passed Sebastien Fournier on the next to last lap to claim his third Sportsman Modified win. Fournier broke a front end part negotiating then fourth turn on the way to the checkered flag and never made it to the finish line. Travis Bruno earned runner-up honors. Lonne Rivers finished third.

 

Tylor Terry of Morrisonville got the better of Andy Bordeau in the closing laps of the Renegade feature and posted his first win of the season. Bordeau had a career-best second place finish. Kevin Boutin of Fairfax, VT caught Rob Favreau at the wire for third.

 

Josh LeClaire of Plattsburgh was the Busch Mini Modified winner. LeClaire drove away from a six-car wreck that brought out the red flag on the third try at completing the first lap of the 15-lap event. Jayson Criss of Plattsburgh led laps 4-12 and finished second. Point leader Erick Sayles was third.

 

Airborne Speedway Event Summary – May 19, 2012
X-Plo E-Z Store Night

Ernie’s Discount Tools Modifieds
Feature (30 laps): 1. Aaron Bartemy Champlain, NY 2. Patrick Dupree 3. Pat McGrail 4. Maxime Viens 5. Roger Labreche  6. Greg Atkins 7. Leon Gonyo  8. Todd Stone 9. Andy Heywood 10. Pierre Berthiaume 11.Chris Cayea 12.Mike Wells 13.Matt Woodruff  14.Mikhail Lebreche 15.Jason Durgan 16.Vince Quenneville 17.Alain Fournier 18.Andy Powell 19. Dan Brown  20.Kris Vernold 21.Michael Viens 22.Todd Ormsby 23.Andy Lindeman 24.Craig Reyell 25. Mike Reyell 26.Adam Bartemy 27. Jessey Mueller 28.Richard Tisseur.  Heat winners: Roger Labreche, Aaron Bartemy, Todd Ormsby.

 

Contact: Tom Herzig

 


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Isabelle Tremblay aux portes du Top 10 en NASCAR Canadian Tire

 

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE - POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE

 

 

Week-end prometteur malgré un accrochage...

 

 

Bowmanville (Ontario), le 20 mai 2012.- La pilote québécoise Isabelle Tremblay disputait ce week-end la première épreuve de la saison 2012 dans la série NASCAR Canadian Tire, sur le circuit de Mosport en Ontario. Une piste réputée très difficile où Isabelle a démontré les progrès effectués depuis sa saison recrue l'an passé puisqu'elle s'est longtemps battue dans le "Top 10", avant d'être victime d'un accrochage.

 

 

 

« Le bilan de ce week-end me donne des émotions partagées. D'un côté, je suis vraiment heureuse de voir les progrès effectués depuis la saison passée, je suis beaucoup plus à l'aise avec ma voiture, en mesure de la comprendre et adapter mon pilotage pour être compétitive sur la piste » explique Isabelle. Elle ajoute : « d'un autre côté, c'est évident que quand on est victime d'un accrochage et forcée de rentrer aux puits alors qu'on est dans le "Top 10" d'une course réunissant près de trente pilote très expérimentés, et pour certains de grands professionnels comme Andrew Ranger et d'autres, c'est évidemment crève-coeur ».

 

La fin de semaine d'Isabelle Tremblay aux commandes de la Dodge No.07 portant les couleurs de Frank Lyman Design avait débuté de la meilleure des manières, lors des deux sessions d'essais libres samedi matin : « je roulais avec des vieux pneus afin de nous roder pour le reste du week-end et j'étais en contrôle. Sur un circuit comme le Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (la nouvelle appellation de Mosport), c'est essentiel car c'est une piste dangereuse, très rapide » déclare Isabelle. Malheureusement, la qualification s'est moins bien passé pour la pilote québécoise, qui a du se contenter du dix-neuvième chrono.

 

                  

 

Dès le début de la course, Isabelle Tremblay se mit à gagner des positions. « Grâce à la collaboration de toute l'équipe de Martin Roy, et notamment les conseils de Mario Gosselin (pilote et préparateur de véhicules pour différentes séries NASCAR aux États-Unis), ma voiture était très bien réglée, j'avais confiance » confie Isabelle. Classée dixième au tiers de l'épreuve, puis huitième à la mi-course, elle se trouvait onzième au vingt-huitième des cinquante-et-un tours de course lorsqu'elle fut heurtée par le pilote ontarien Steve Matthews, dont la voiture était hors contrôle car une ligne de freins avait lâché. « Il a frappé ma voiture au niveau de la roue arrière, un bras de suspension a cassé, c'était l'abandon » explique Isabelle, qui conclut : « j'ai vraiment hâte à la prochaine course, le 3 juin au Circuit ICAR à Mirabel. La chimie avec les membres de l'équipe est là, ce sont des gens calmes, qui maîtrisent bien la préparation des voitures, ils savent où ils s'en vont. Présentement, le budget ne me permet que de faire quatre des douze épreuves de la saison, mais si du budget supplémentaire pouvait être trouvé, nos ambitions seraient encore plus élevées ».

 

De son côté, Martin Roy était également en piste dans cette épreuve inaugurale de NASCAR Canadian Tire. Qualifié seizième, il a croisé le fil d'arrivée en dix-huitième position aux commandes de sa Dodge Veloce/Gamache Truck Centre. « J'étais en passe de réaliser un bon résultat lorsque j'ai perdu les freins en fin de course. La situation était telle que je suis même sorti un peu de piste à un moment donné. heureusement, je suis parvenu à rallier l'arrivée, pas à la place espérée au début mais ma voiture est très bonne, j'ai vraiment confiance que de bons résultats sont possibles à très court terme » a indiqué Martin, qui est en lice pour le titre de recrue de l'année dans la série NASCAR Canadian Tire.

 

Rencontre avec le public samedi 26 mai !

 

Avant de prendre part au Grand Prix ICAR de Mirabel les 2 et 3 juin prochains, Isabelle Tremblay et Martin Roy donnent rendez-vous à tous les fans de sport automobile au magasin Canadian Tire de St-Jérôme le samedi 26 mai. Ils seront sur place entre 10 et 11 heures pour signer des autographes et échanger avec le public sur leur vie de pilotes dans le monde du NASCAR.

 

Pour plus d'information sur Isabelle Tremblay et ses activités en sport automobile, consultez dès maintenant le site www.isaracingteam.com

 

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Mathieu Audette triomphe à Mosport !

 

Communiqué de presse                                                    Pour diffusion immédiate

 

 

Deux courses, deux victoires…

 

 

 

Bowmanville (Ontario), le 20 mai 2012.– Le pilote québécois Mathieu Audette a débuté de la plus belle des manières la saison 2012 de Championnat canadien Touring Car. Engagé ce week-end en Ontario aux commandes de son Acura RSX Portes Dimensions/Novatech, il a récolté la pole position aux qualifications avant de décrocher la victoire lors des deux courses au programme. C'est donc un triomphe complet pour l'équipe Audette Racing.

 

Meilleur temps des qualifications, Mathieu Audette n'a jamais laissé personne le devancer lors des deux courses au programme, l'emportant les deux fois avec près de cinq secondes d'avance sur son plus proche rival. A priori, ce furent donc des victoires faciles mais Mathieu tient à souligner les efforts de toute l'équipe Audette Racing pour arriver à ce résultat : « tous les membres de notre équipe ont travaillé fort, nous sommes sans doute arrivés mieux préparés à ce premier programme double de l'année que d'autres, mais ce ne furent pas des victoires faciles pour autant, surtout la seconde épreuve ce dimanche alors que j'avais la pression de Sasha Anis durant la première moitié de la course. C'est dans le trafic des pilotes à qui nous prenions un tour que j'ai pu consolider mon avance car j'ai pu me faufiler plus rapidement que lui et assurer ainsi ma position en tête » explique Mathieu.

 

Pour l'équipe Audette Racing, ces deux victoires apportent la preuve de la compétitivité attendue par Mathieu et son équipe : « tout a très bien fonctionné, je suis très satisfait d'avoir dominé de la sorte la fin de semaine. Que dire de plus ? Les gens heureux n'ont pas d'histoire dit-on, ça fait du bien au moral de connaître une fin de semaine parfaite comme celle-ci !» a confié le pilote de Ste-Anne-des-Lacs.

 

Mathieu Audette sera de retour à la compétition début juillet, pour le programme double au Circuit Mont-Tremblant. D'ici là, c'est son jeune frère Rémy qui va prendre les commandes de l'Acura RSX Portes Dimensions/Novatech pour les deux prochaines épreuves, sur le Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve de Montréal (courses en soutien du Grand Prix du Canada F1 les 8 et 9 juin) puis au Circuit ICAR de Mirabel (23-24 juin).

 

 

« Ce qui est amusant c'est que suite à ces deux victoires à Mosport, les gens viennent me voir en me demandant si cela ne met pas trop de pression sur les épaules de mon frère pour Montréal. Que ce soit bien clair, il débute dans la série mais il a été champion de F2000 aux États-Unis et de Formule 1600 au Canada, je ne suis pas inquiet qu'il va savoir comment se débrouiller et bien faire lors des prochaines épreuves » explique Mathieu Audette. « Il n'aura pas de pression particulière, c'est juste le fun pour lui de savoir qu'il aura une bonne voiture à sa disposition » conclue Mathieu Audette.

 

L’équipe Audette Racing dispute cette saison l'intégralité du Championnat canadien Touring Car, avec comme pilotes Mathieu et Rémy Audette qui roulent en alternance. L'équipe bénéficie de l’appui de Portes Dimensions, Novatech, Les Extrusions du Nord, Verre Select, Jeld Wen, OPM, Amusements Spectaculaire, Les Moulures PFJV, Evotech, Milette Portes, Gulf, Mec-Inov et Omnitech.

 

Pour plus d’information : Audette Racing,  www.audetteracing.com

(514) 758-1212 (pour rejoindre Mathieu)   -   (514) 758-3737 (pour rejoindre Rémy)

 

 

                   

 

Calendrier 2012 du Championnat canadien Touring Car

 

Date               Lieu                                                   Province       Pilote inscrit            Classement

 

19+20 mai     Mosport Park                                   Ontario          Mathieu Audette      1er + 1er

08+09 juin     Montréal, Circuit G.Villeneuve     Québec         Rémy Audette

23+24 juin     Complexe ICAR à Mirabel            Québec         Rémy Audette

07+08 juillet  Circuit Mont-Tremblant                  Québec         Mathieu Audette

21+22 juillet  Mosport Park                                   Ontario          Rémy Audette

04+05 août   Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières        Québec         Mathieu Audette

17 août          Montréal, Circuit G.Villeneuve     Québec         Mathieu Audette

01+02 sept.   Calabogie Motorsports Park         Ontario          Rémy Audette

 

 

Photo jointe à ce communiqué :

 

Mathieu Audette, lauréat à Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsports Park) aux commandes de l'Acura RSX de l'équipe Audette Racing.

 

 

Photo libre de droits pour utilisation média uniquement, avec mention obligatoire de l’auteur (haute résolution disponible sur demande) : © Tom McGory/Pole-Position Magazine.

 

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