Monday, June 30, 2008

Nascar Canadian Tire Series TV race fix: A&W 300 on TSN

Following this past weekend's Nascar Canadian Tire Series A&W 300 race at Barrie Speedway, TSN will be airing a one-hour recap of the short track action this 2:30PM eastern time this sunday afternoon(July 6).

For your local listings, please Click here

Monday, June 23, 2008

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series TV race Fix: Dickies 200 presented by Lucas Oil on TSN

The Mosport road course is will be airing on TSN at 12-noon Eastern Time Sunday (May 29th). As usual, this broadcast of the Dickies 200 presented by Lucas Oil will be a one-hour recap of the race that was run on June 15th as a Father's Day Doubleheader Weekend.

To check local listings, please click here

Sunday, June 15, 2008

JR Fitzpatrick wins Dickies 200 at Mosport with a little rain dance

Starting as scheduled, Scott Steckly in his Tow Truck in a Cox/Erb Group Dodge Avenger took the field to the green flag for the Dickies 200 presented by Lucas Oil. Steckly's lead lap would be short-lived as front row starting companion Kerry Micks motored by Steckly, ceasing the top spot through the first corner on lap 2. After Micks led for half a dozen laps, Peter Gibbons overhauled the fellow Ford with his newly bodied Canadian Tire Ford Fusion. Gibbons would on to dominate much of the race, giving up the lead through only a green flag pit stop run.

The climax of the race occurred on lap 44 when rain clouds shadowed Mosport. (Admittedly, All-Canadian Racing News miscalled the weather based on weather forecasts made earlier Sunday morning). As the track surface was being moisten by precipitation, Ron Beauchamp Jr. fell victim to a wet Mosport race course and his dry weather racing slick tires. By Lap 48, weathering elements contributed to Beauchamp Jr. losing his #60 Mopar Dodge Avenger, ending by beached in the first corner gravel trap. It was then that NASCAR officials flew the yellow caution flag, allowing teams to come into the pit for rain tires with only 9 laps to go to the finish. While much as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series field opted to make a pit stop, Peter Gibbons' team stood idle as the #1 Ford remained on a dampening 2.4 mile track.

Underestimating the advantages of wearing grooved rubber, even as the race restarted with just two laps remaining, Gibbons chances of winning were now literally washed away as DJ Kennington (who had just returned from running a Nationwide race in Kentucky the previous night) and JR Fitzpatrick would led a surefooted group of stock cars around a now hydroplaning #1 Canadian Tire/Mobil Super Ford. Dj Kennington's #17 Castrol Dodge and JR Fitzpatrick's #84 Chevrolet were duel committedly through the dicey final laps with a brave hearted JR Fitzpatrick.

His first win in the Canadian Tire Series since Edmonton nearly a year ago, Fitzpatrick's victory at Mosport was monumented to his father and team owner John Fitzpatrick. A second place final result by DJ Kennington was also consider an astonishing feat. Since DJ Kennington was racing on Kentucky requiring Kenny Forth to qualified the #17 Castrol Dodge on Saturday meaning, by NASCAR rules, Kennington needed to start the Dickies 200 presented by Lucas Oil in the back. Other drivers finishing Fitzpatrick's teammate Don Thomson Jr. in 3rd, Alex Tagliani and Andrew Ranger are 5th and 6th while pole sitter Scott Steckly ended up 4th in the day. Steckly also secures the points lead for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series heading to the Barrie Speedway in two weeks time.

Scott Steckly takes Mosport Road Course Pole for Sunday

In a surprise performance at the 2.4 mile Mosport road course, Scott Steckly piloted his Tow Truck in a Box/Erb Group Dodge Avenger around the 10-turn circuit for the pole. Steckly's time of 85.375 seconds was nearly 8/10 seconds faster than the fellow front row starter Kerry Micks. JR Fitzpatrick qualified third spot with a Peter Gibbons using his newly-acquired Ford power to place him forth.

Following the two session qualifying layout, it was stunning how oval-track bred drivers were so effectively able to use their acquinted skills with stock cars to out-power the road racing specialists on Saturday. In the Jacombs Racing Ford stable, the road racing ace duo of Andrew Ranger and Alex Tagliani qualified 5th and 10th respectively. Another road course specialist Robin Buck will be forced to start the Dickies 200 presented by Lucas Oil at the back. Engine problems on his Active Green and Ross Ford prevented Buck from matching up his third place run in practice.

Following near flawless conditions for qualifying yesterday, rae fans as well as NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams will be relieved that weather fears have now been calmed with no significant fears of precipatition for today's race.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Dickies 200 presented by Lucas Oil is set for a 1:30PM start today (June 15th).

Saturday, June 14, 2008

2008 Preview: NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Dickies 200 presented by Lucas Oil at Mosport road course

Mosport International Raceway resides within the threads of Canadian auto racing as the ultimate palace of motoring greatness. Amongst being Canada's fixture for Formula One for many years and the long standing sports car battles, Sir Stering Moss, Bruce McLaren, Jackie Stewart, and Jody Scheckter are winners of various historic races at the 2.4 mile road course located in a scenic part an hour outside of Toronto. When the stock cars of the CASCAR Super Series started racing at the track, the fish out of water syndrome of clumsy stock cars and mostly oval track racers have long provided an amusing race for fans. Last year, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series continued the tradition as Andrew Ranger slug out between him and JR Fitzpatrick in this famed road course event.

With road courses offering some of the best chances to mount a 2008 defence of his championship title, Andrew Ranger will be a favoured contender again based on his acquired road course mastery through smaller formula cars and the Champ car series. Not to be overlooked is the last year's Mosport second place finisher JR Fitzpatrick who showed considerable strength in road racing competition. In the 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire series, Fitzpatrick record on in four races was one win and two top 10 finishes. Also hot on the trail of these young guns are the experienced pros of Fastline Motorsports driven by Jim and Jeff Lapcevich. Piloting Tim Horton-sponsored Chevrolets numbered 23 and 25, they always bring out their A game for road courses (or should I say, apex game).

Wild cards include Alex Tagliani running his 1st full season with Jacombs Racing. With equal equipment to teammate Ranger, he could be a major threat at race's end. Also appearing on the entry list, specifically for the first road course race of the season, is past Mosport winner Robin Buck and auto journalist/racer Pierre Bourque. Both drivers plan to overcome their limited schedules with their well-crafted road racing abilities to challenge through the 51-lap affair.

The 2008 Dickies 200 presented by Lucas Oil will also be the competitive debut of Peter Gibbons steering a Ford Fusion after a decade long commitment to being Chevrolet's vanguard for Canadian stock car racing. While Gibbons had planned to run a Ford for the road course races this season, maybe with Mosport's close proximity to the Oshawa General Motors truck plant which has just been slated for closure, the political climate of workers and union leaders may take some solace from the longtime GM racer making a partial exodus from the badge.

The weather reports almost mirror the postponed St Eustache race attempted late last month. Forecasts are favourable for Saturday afternoon qualifying, however, Sunday reflects a 40% chance of precipitation which may work into contention with the 1:30PM start time of the main event. With a little optimism, it's more than likely that we as fans of Canadian's premier stock car series can look forward to fiberglass-scrapping action we are accustomed to in the first of four NASCAR Canadian Tire Series match ups.

Again, qualifying is set for Saturday afternoon through two time trial groups for the 30 cars planned to race in the 51 laps or 200 kilometers of Mosport on Sunday afternoon. Also joining the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is the Grand-Am KONI Challenge series, Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires, the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge, and the Skip Barber BF Goodrich National presented by Mazda for what is a speed-filled Father's Day Doubleheader Weekend package at Mosport.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Petty Enterprises family team welcomes Boston Ventures to their table

The past few years have been particularly tough for the once indomitable Petty Enterprises. Started by Lee Petty in 1949, the team known as Petty Enterprises today was keenly featured with Lee Petty's 3 championships and 54 feature wins in the Grand National series (since recognized as the Sprint Cup series). While also creating a legend status for himself, Lee Petty would bring his son, Richard Petty into NASCAR through Petty Enterprises. In the 1960s and 1970s, NASCAR was still trying to draw stock car racing out of the shifty jalopy races. The #43 car driven by Richard Petty provided a solid, devoted star needed for the sport. The King won all but 2 of his 200 NASCAR victories driving for his family-owned operation.

This week, Petty Enterprises held a press conference to announce that the family team will now have management partner from outside the family bloodline. Boston Ventures, a private equity company with over 30 years of investing up to 2.4 billion in businesses, has joined Petty Enterprises as a part owner (the exact size is of their investment wasn't disclosed). Richard Petty and son Kyle Petty were present with Boston Ventures representative Andrew C. Davis as well as NASCAR's Brian France addressed the media as a nearly 60-year era of solely Petty family rule ends. As Kyle and Richard now step into other active roles, Petty Enterprises new CEO David Zucker indicates in his words that "My plans are to work with Richard and the Petty management team to build the business, and to leverage Boston Venture’s expertise in areas like marketing relationships and financial management." Hardly the talk of a green roots racing teams in the King's most competitive era, these words do reflect the current climate of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. Richard Petty was quoted in USA TODAY saying "People bring in billion dollar companies to sponsor their race car, then they go out and get engineers and do all this kind of stuff. That's the reason we were looking for a partner so that we can join in with that crowd and go forward with the technology and outside help that they've already got:".

With no sponsors lined up for next season as yet, this partnership does succeed in bringing some much-needed stability to Petty Enterprises. Earlier this year, driver of the #45 Dodge Kyle Petty had voiced dissatisfaction for the operation. While having an active role in team management since rejoining Petty Enterprises in 1997, Kyle Petty said he could consider looking to drive for other teams. Reaching out as a TV personality for TNT and his very noble work building as well as overseeing the Victory Junction Camp, Kyle Petty might have been seeking an escape from the management role at Petty Enterprises. Also, driver of the #43 Dodge Bobby Labonte made reassuring news at the press conference by announcing that him and Petty Enterprises have reached a contract extension through to 2012.

While the new partnership might bring a tear to the eye of many NASCAR purists will believe that history has taken a right turn into a left hand corner, the Petty Enterprises name may soon be worn by front running race cars again. Many longtime fans surely miss owners Bud Moore and Junie Donlavey being drawn out of a sport where the new NASCAR Cup series superteams now fill the speedway garage lanes. This deal between Petty and Boston Venture should maintain threads between NASCAR's humble past and the multi-billion dollar sporting event the series had evolved to today.

Monday, June 9, 2008

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series TV race fix: National Kodak 250 on TSN

Catch the National Kodak 250 for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at St Eustache, Quebec on TSN June 15th 12-noon Eastern time(This Sunday). This is a one-hour recap broadcast of the May 31 race.

To check local listings, please click here

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Brad Keselowski finds the winning rhythm at Nashville for Nationwide first win

Almost two years ago, Brad Keselowski was without a full-time ride in any major NASCAR series, last running a full schedule in 2005 for his family-owned owned Craftsman truck team. While his future looked uncertain through acquiring a few limited rides, one of those rides was made available at Memphis Motorsports Park when Ted Musgrave drew a one-race suspension from NASCAR in the previous race. For that race, Brad Keselowski became attracted a choir of praise, having qualified on the pole and for staying in contention to win until an unfortunate late-race accident. Keselowski's effort did net him a victory, in the form of JR Motorsports signing him to the #88 Navy Chevrolet in the than-Busch Series. Last night (June 7th) at Nashville superspeedway at the Federated Auto Parts 300 presented by Dollar General, Brad Keselowski career is now reached a high note, winning the event after several close encounters with victory lane.

The Saturday night affair known as the Federated Auto Parts 300 was led to green by rookie phenom Joey Logano. He solidly dominated the field for the first 64 laps until a early pit stop problem dropped Logano's Toyota down to 10th leaving pit road. Brad Keselowski took the lead by defying his crew chief Tony Eury Sr. orders. In hindsight, Keselowski's strategy not only gave him first spot, but allowed him to stay in front of some chaotic racing.

One incident claimed Joey Logano as contact from Greg Biffle ruined chances at a top finish in his second outing. Finishing 31th, it's likely that sixth-place finish last week at Dover might be worth celebrating, even though Joey Logano didn't feel very festive following that first race. Included in the Nashville altercation was Kyle Busch who ended his race 3 laps down in 20th place on the same day he wrecked his Sprint Cup series Toyota in Pocono. Kyle Busch's racing marathon weekend has the young lion looking for a strong third leg in the Pocono 500.

The #25 Ford Fusion driven by Bobby Hamilton Jr. was another car that had a rough outing. After brushing contact between him and JR Motorsports rookie Landon Cassill, the collision caused Hamilton Jr.'s right side tire to puncture leading his car into the wall. Following the incident, reacting on both the contact with Cassill and JR Motorsports radio chatter, an angry Hamilton confronted Cassill's crew chief briefly.

In the final stages of the Federated Auto Parts 300, a restart with 8 laps remaining had leader David Reutimann attacked by both Keselowski and Clint Bowyer, resulting in Bowyer taking the lead, winkling some sheet metal in the process. A hard-charging Brad Keselowski choosing an inside move on a Bowyer's slightly damaged #2 BB&T Chevrolet with 5 laps remaining. Brad Keselowski, aided with Hendrick engine power in his #88 Navy Chevrolet, didn't look back as he want to victory lane claiming the special Nashville trophy, a custom Gibson guitar.

Leaving Nashville, two major trends were broken for this stand alone Nationwide event. As Cup series regulars long asserted themselves as a dominating force in any Nationwide race, Nashville's results featured 6 of the top 10 car driven by drivers not running full-time in the top series, including race winner Keselowski. As well, the triumph of JR Motorsport's Chevrolet put an end to the Toyota Camry's 8-race winning streak which started following the first Nashville race.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

NASCAR's newest youngest hot shoe Joey Logano 1st pole in only 2nd race at Nashville

In only his second race of competition in the Nationwide series for Joe Gibbs Racing, 18-year old Joey Logano grabbed his first pole, continuing to prove in just a short time period that he is worthy of the hype. Driving the #20 JGR Toyota, Logano registered a 30 second flat run around Nashville Superspeedway, averaging a 159.944 mile per hour speed over the concrete track. JR Motorsports Brad Keselowski clocked in second with Mike Bliss, Clint Bowyer, and marathon racer Kyle Busch rounding out the top five in quialifying. Other notable drivers in the Federated Auto Parts 300 Nationwide race are reigning Nationwide champ Carl Edwards in 7th, Steve Wallace in 11th, and Greg Biffle in 15th.

Conversely, Brain Keselowski, Brett Rowe, and Ryan Hackett are going to have a shortened race weekend after missing the mark in qualifying.

The Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway is planned for a 6:30PM(7:30PM Eastern time) start tonight.

The Kyle Busch Racing Marathon Weekend hits a snag

Having made the bold move to take on the three major NASCAR events at three different tracks, 2008 stock racing stand out Kyle Busch is unquestionably driven by a competitive desire limited to only time itself. Lucky for him, he's been the fastest thing in NASCAR succeeding in rising Toyota to a victory lane threat everywhere. The first of three races, Kyle Busch started his trio of races last night(Friday June 6) at Texas Motor Speedway on the 400 Kilometer Craftsman truck series event. Overcoming significant time tuning his Billy Ballew #51 Toyota Tundra to the Kyle's liking, he finished second while challenging race winner Ron Hornaday Jr in the closing laps. Having also qualified his Sprint Cup #18 M&M's Toyota in 10th place at Pocono for Sunday's 500-mile affair, the first day of the marathon had went favourably. Starting with the morning session of practice for the Pocono 500, Kyle Busch's race weekend is taking a major hit.

After catching a notorious patch on turn 3 surface of the triangular race track, Busch's primary Toyota Camry race car is now reduced to a heavily-damaged pile of sheet metal. Before that time, Kyle Busch and crew chief Steve Addington were toiling with a tight race car. Kyle spoke after the crash to nascar.com saying "It's no big deal. These guys will dig in and we'll have a good car [Sunday] afternoon for the race". The results of this incident are mixed. While the #18 JGR team were fortunate to have a Saturday afternoon practice for shake down a backup car, Kyle Busch will need to start the Pocono 500 in the rear, relinquishing his 10th place starting spot.

In addition to his day two racing efforts in Pocono, Pennsylvania, Kyle Busch promptly left for the Nashville Superspeedway Nationwide race. Through Wille Allen had been with the Braun Racing #32 Toyota for Friday practice, Kyle Busch plans to qualify and race the car later tonight(7:30 Eastern time).

DJ Kennington back in the #81 Dodge in the Nationwide Series

With a week off from the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, DJ Kennington has jumped back into his MacDonald Motorsports-owned Dodge Charger for a race at Nashville Superspeedway. Sponsored by Mahindra Tractors and NPPL, the Federated Auto Parts 300 is planned for Saturday night(June 7th) starting at 7:30PM. DJ Kennington's #81 Dodge sits 30th of 46 cars in Friday afternoon practice while Kevin Harvick Racing driver Cale Gale posted the fastest speed in the #33 Camping World Chevrolet. Qualifying will take place at 3PM Eastern time for the race to start later in the evening.

Harvick has no intentions in running the Nationwide race this week. However, on driver who is planning to make the event is Kyle Busch. In part of a weekend which will see him racing Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Craftsman trucks, Kyle plans to compete a total 1,058 miles between three different race tracks. 2007 Truck series rookie of the year Willie Allen practiced the #32 Dollar General Toyota Kyle intends to race Saturday night. As well, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, and David Ragan for planning to double their fun for the weekend by running the Nationwide event before their Sunday afternoon Sprint Cup Pocono 500.

Coverage starts in ESPN2 at 7PM Eastern for United States viewers or simulcasted on TSN for Canadian fans. For those without access to cable or satellite television, NASCAR provides the Nationwide Series' Federated Auto Parts 300 available for free via NASCAR Video Broadband live.

DJ Kennington back in the #81 Dodge in the Nationwide Series

With a week off from the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, DJ Kennington has jumped back into his MacDonald Motorsports-owned Dodge Charger for a race at Nashville Superspeedway. Sponsored by Mahindra Tractors and NPPL, the Federated Auto Parts 300 is planned for Saturday night(June 7th) starting at 7:30PM. DJ Kennington's #81 Dodge sits 30th of 46 cars in Friday afternoon practice while Kevin Harvick Racing driver Cale Gale posted the fastest speed in the #33 Camping World Chevrolet. Qualifying will take place at 3PM Eastern time for the race to start later in the evening.

Harvick has no intentions in running the Nationwide race this week. However, on driver who is planning to make the event is Kyle Busch. In part of a weekend which will see him racing Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Craftsman trucks, Kyle plans to compete a total 1,058 miles between three different race tracks. 2007 Truck series rookie of the year Willie Allen practiced the #32 Dollar General Toyota Kyle intends to race Saturday night. As well, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, and David Ragan for planning to double their fun for the weekend by running the Nationwide event before their Sunday afternoon Sprint Cup Pocono 500.

Coverage starts in ESPN2 at 7PM Eastern for United States viewers or simulcasted on TSN for Canadian fans. For those without access to cable or satellite television, NASCAR provides the Nationwide Series' Federated Auto Parts 300 available for free via NASCAR Video Broadband live.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race weekend at St Eustache was a wash out!

'Rain, rain, go away, at least come back after the race!' Perhaps similar chanting was heard throughout the weekend inside the St Eustache paddock area for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race. For the second time this weekend, the second event of Canada's premier stock car racing league will be delayed. This time, NASCAR and the short track of St Eustache, Quebec has been forced by weather to relinquish the #2 race of the season to the Mosport road course race for June 14th. According to the Autodrome St Eustache's website and http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=1283, July 5th is tentatively scheduled as substituting for the activities on this weekend's rain out.

The rain postponement of the National Kodak 250 came with extreme opposition from a hardworking crew at Autodrome St Eustache. As rain stopped falling later Sunday morning, track officials succeeded in drying the 4/10 paved oval for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series cars only practice section. Jason Hathaway in his #3 Dodge Avenger clocked the fastest time with Alex Tagliani(committed to running his first full-time for Jacobs Racing as teammate to Andrew Ranger) and Cayuga winner Scott Steckly behind him. However, the rain returning following this track section rendered the National Kodak 250 cancelled for the weekend.