Canadians Come to NASCAR Watkins Glen Races

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Converging on the 2.46-mile road course at Watkins Glen on its traditional August state of New York weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is assembling for the Sunday's Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen race. Held in conjunction with the preparations of the Sprint Cup Series is the NASCAR Nationwide Series as well as the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car tour.

With the many NASCAR regulars assembled within the unfamiliar confides of a road course, the services of road racing professionals are called in as participants in the two major NASCAR organizations. For three Canadian drivers, their proficiency in handling twists and turns have earned them a call for various stock car race teams. Watkins Glen, Ron Fellows, Andrew Ranger and JR Fitzpatrick will battle in one or both NASCAR events as "Road Race Ringers".


Ron Fellows

NASCAR Sprint Cup: #36 TBR Chevrolet Impala
NASCAR Nationwide: #7 Canadian Tire Chevrolet Impala

Possessing a winning record in competition at the Watkins Glen course, accomplished Canadian driver Ron Fellows has again been a sought-after wheelman. Winning 6 NASCAR-sanctioned road course races, 5 of Fellows' victories were earned on the Watkins Glen track in either the Nationwide or truck series. Reteaming with JR Motorsports for the 2011 Nationwide Series season road courses, the driver/ownership pairing 4th season together comes with sponsorship from Canadian retail giant Canadian Tire covering the Chevy Impala.   
Ron Fellows will be making what is expected to be his only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series appearance in Watkins Glen, New York. For the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen, Fellows will be driving the Tommy Baldwin Racing #36 Chevrolet Impala for the second year in a row. In last year's event, Ron Fellows and the #36 car team retired just past the halfway point suffering suspension breakage. Fellows has finished in the runner-up position twice (2000 and 2004) at Watkins Glen in the 90-lap NASCAR Sprint Cup Series contest.


Andrew Ranger

NASCAR Sprint Cup: #32 Bully Hills Vineyards Ford Fusion
NASCAR Nationwide Series: #53 Bollegraaf/Lobo USA Dodge Challenger

Competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event in the #53 Waste Management Dodge, the Watkins Glen weekend will also see the debut of French-Canadian driver Andrew Ranger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. To drive the #32 Ford for Frank Stoddard Racing, Ranger will be wearing Bully Hill Vineyards sponsorship. As a race team backer, Bully Hill Vineyards is a motorsport mainstay that was ridden to Watkins Glen's victory lane in previous years by Canadian Ron Fellows.

A former open wheel driver, Andrew Ranger has been fighting to earn respect as a stock car racing star. A resident of Roxton Pond, Quebec, Ranger's stock car presence is becoming best expressed on road courses. Winning multiple times on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (including the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto stock car event), other series Andrew Ranger have added as a conquest to his career were the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West divisions as well as the ARCA Racing Series with a May win at New Jersey Motorsport Park. Ranger's best finish in the NASCAR Nationwide Series is a 3rd at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve event in 2009.


JR Fitzpatrick

NASCAR Nationwide Series: #67 Go Canada Racing Ford Mustang

A talented stock car racing star from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, JR Fitzpatrick has demonstrated his skill on multiple occasions on ovals. Yet, Fitzpatrick is still regarded as a road race ringer on the basis of his Canadian stock car racing experience. On the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series tour, road and street course play a much heavier role in the championship with 5 of 12 races for the 2011 season.

For 2011, JR Fitzpatrick has been able to make more NASCAR Nationwide Series runs after teaming up with the newly-formed #67 Go Canada Racing organization. This season, Fitzpatrick's best effort with the freshman Go Canada Racing team was a 10th place result at Road America.

Racing for a third year at Watkins Glen, JR Fitzpatrick's previous two events in NASCAR Nationwide Series resulted in a 11th and a 18th place finish.

Bowles Outpaces Ranger for Streets of Toronto 100 Pole

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

Running on the same schedule along with temporary race course as high-speed open wheel and exotic sports cars for the 2011 Honda Indy Toronto, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series provides a distinct presence. While the V-8 powered, fiberglass-bodied stock cars appeared quite unusual careening through the streets of Toronto, the show provided last year by these cars as well as their respective drivers brought a high amount of bumping and banging for track position.

For the 2011 race, Friday track activities for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series kicked off with a calamity-filled just past noon time. Throughout the session, several drivers including Mark Dilley and Kerry Micks suffered teething problems with their race cars. While one incident of contact saw the #17 Dodge of defending series champion DJ Kennington around in the infamous turn 3 hairpin, a more damaging hit involved the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' leading rookie of the year contender. The #15 Ford of Steve Matthews spun on the entry to turn 9 hitting the tire wall. Resulting in rear damage with impact to the track barrier, the damage with more greatly affected when another vehicle slammed into the reversing Matthews. Unable to stop in time, the second vehicle crashed hard mangling his stock car's front end.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

When qualifying Prevailing most convincing in the Friday midday practice session was the defending winner on the streets of Toronto. The #27 Dodge of Andrew Ranger lapped the 1.764-mile street course in 13 minute, 16.336 seconds. Half a second faster than the second place in the session, the young Canadian road racing ace gained the higher hand over the #11 car of Jason Bowles and Scott Steckly.

During the afternoon, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams were busy to repair damaged machines as they prepared for a later qualfying for the Streets of Toronto 100. A transmission was replaced on the #9 Dodge of Mark Dilley's and of course the rear crash damage on Steve Matthews' car was quickly remedied.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

By the time qualifying commenced, 30 of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season-high 33-car entry list competed for top time. Divided into two qualifying groups, it was the latter group that contained the fierce battle for the Streets of Toronto 100 pole. Andrew Ranger, Jason Bowles and Scott Steckly stormed onto the temporary road course set for a three-way duel.

Posting top time first, Andrew Ranger's #27 Dodge practically attacked the circuit driven on the edge of control. Ranger skill would prove difficult to overcome in the early stage of the session until the #11 Fuel Doctor car of Jason Bowles knocked the #27 from the top of the grid. Containing the faster of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series stock cars that practiced earlier, another threat for the Streets of Toronto 100 pole could have been the ICAR winner Robin Buck. Driving the #66 Quaker State/Durabody Dodge, Buck was overaggressive in his attempt at a top qualifying time ended as the car slid sideways into the tire barrier.

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/XSL Speed Reporter

With a fastest time of 1 minute, 15.260 seconds, Jason Bowles will start the Streets of Toronto 100. Reigning victor of the race Andrew Ranger starts alongside Bowles on the front row. Last season, those two drivers fought the final laps at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in August. As Bowles led into the final corners of that Napa 100, Ranger wrestled his way to the 2010 race victory. The first race the combatants met this season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the past sets up an interesting precursor to what can be seen on the start of Saturday's Streets of Toronto 100 event.

Behind the Bowles/Ranger front row, Scott Steckly, Kerry Micks and Don Thomson Jr round out the top-5 for the Streets of Toronto 100 Saturday. Other notables starting the road race includes DJ Kennington starting 6th, Robin Buck 7th, JR Fitzpatrick in 9th, Steve Matthews in 17th spot, and Jason Hathaway starting 22nd.

Canadians Invaded Road America Nationwide Race

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images

Several Canadian racers were called upon by stock car teams as a weapon of choice for the challenges of road racing competition. Having been on display in various forms of open wheel racing and sports cars, racers in Canada have an aptitude to turning left as well as right in motorsport competition. For the 2011 Bucyrus 200 at Road America, there are four drivers driving a maple leaf flag. Two of those Canadian motorsport representatives who threw an NASCAR Nationwide Series stock car around for the Saturday afternoon event were young, feisty drivers wanting to prove themselves for a full-time ride in the United States. The other two are experienced hands who have successfully demonstrated their talents to a world stage. Together, Ron Fellows, Jacques Villeneuve, JR Fitzpatrick and Andrew Ranger belted themselves into stock cars as part of a 42-car field at Road America.

After an extended Bucyrus 200 event, the Canadian contingent posted one of the best combined efforts for a non-American group of drivers competing on the NASCAR circuit. All four drivers (two from the province of Quebec and two from Ontario) collected a top-10 finishing position with and for their respective teams.


Ron Fellows

One of Canada's greatest chances of victory on the 4.048-mile circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin will be driving in his traditional road racing role with the JR Motorsports racing team. Driving the #7 Chevrolet, 51 year-old Ron Fellows rejoins the race organization for the fourth year in a row on the NASCAR Nationwide Series raod course events. One of the most successful Canadian drivers to compete in NASCAR with multiple victories in the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Out of 6 total victories in NASCAR, the highlight was winning the Canadian NASCAR Nationwide series round at Circuit Gilles Villeneve.


Finishing second at the Road America track in Elkhart Lake, the driver of the #7 Chevrolet expressed considerable eagerness in competing for the Bucyrus 200. "Road America is one of my favorite road courses. It's long and fast, and great for racers. And the setting, in amongst lots of trees and rolling hills, is typical of a few great tracks built in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Watkins Glen (International) and Mosport (International Raceway) come to mind as similar tracks." Fellows' appreciation of great road courses was demonstrated in early June near Bowmanville, Ontario. Ron Fellows is part of an ownership group that is purchasing the historic Canadian Mosport complex.


Road America Result:

Requiring a ruling from NASCAR, Ron Fellows once again netted a runner-up spot. After the leader under caution ran out of fuel on track, Fellows' #7 AER Chevy appeared to be the new first place runner. Ruled in making an illegal yellow flag pass on the #32 Dollar General car of Reed Sorenson, Ron Fellows was repositioned in second place. Fellows in post-race expressed firm disagreement with the NASCAR ruling claiming that the #32 Chevrolet ran out of fuel.

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images

Jacques Villeneuve

Winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1995 along with the overall CART title, second generation Canadian motorsport pilot Jacques Villeneuve biggest moment of glory was being crowned the 1997 Formula 1 World champion. In recent years, Jacques Villeneuve has been attempting to break through on the NASCAR circuit. Making a debut in the NASCAR truck series in 2007, Villeneuve appeared Sprint Cup series-bound for the 2008 season until prospective funding did not come through for Bill Davis Racing. Hitting a dead end of that deal, Villeneuve remained hungry for opportunities to drive in stock car competitions. Driving a handful of events in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the French-Canadian driver was able to win rides in Nationwide series road races. Driving for Braun Racing for the last two seasons, Jacques Villeneuve returned to Road America in 2011 behind the wheel of the #22 Dodge of Penske Racing.

Villeneuve "I was fighting for the win in last year's race so I have some unfinished business at this event, for sure."


Road America Result:

Rebounding from trouble, Jacques Villeneuve placed the Discount Tire #22 Dodge into a 3rd place finish after 57 laps. At one point of the race, the French-Canadian driver was thrilling the crowd at Elkhart Lake by battling between his former Formula 3 rival Max Papis.

Unfortunately for Villeneuve, his podium finish resulted with many NASCAR fans and other drivers citing the 1997 Formula 1 Drivers Championship using less than kind opinions. Maybe or maybe not warranted based on the fact the #22 Dodge Challenger initiated an accident wrecking two front-runners including the #33 Chevy driven by Papis. Happening as the field took the first green-white checker restart attempt, the #22 Dodge dived to the right on the race track creating a three-wide scenario. Initially running on the pit lane exit lane, Villeneuve's right tires would clip the infield grass sending his car into the #11 Toyota of Brian Scott. In post-race, Villeneuve said he knew there was going to be trouble when his #22 Dodge touched the infield grass. Villeneuve said he didn't want to be in the position and made it clear it was not an intentional incident. Nonetheless, criticism following the chaotic NASCAR Nationwide series race would be squarely pointed at Jacques Villeneuve.


Andrew Ranger

One of the many young racing talents who attempted to break into open wheel racing, Andrew Ranger succeeded in this goal very early in his career. Finishing 4th in the 2004 Atlantic Series along with netting a rookie of the year title, Ranger was hired to a full-time Champ car ride in 2005. The Roxton Pond, Quebec native's two series in Champ car resulted with sub-par performances which was highlighted by a 2nd place in the Monterrey road course event in his rookie year. After 2006, the instability of the open wheel racing in North America as well as his less than glorious time in Champ Car caused Andrew Ranger to rethink a still young racing career.

Taking part in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Ranger would claim 2007 and 2009 championship titles. A terror on road course, the driver eventually adapted to short ovals to dominate. Last season, receiving notice from American teams, Andrew Ranger would go on to win NASCAR K&N Series events as well as a more recent ARCA race at New Jersey Motorsport Park.


Road America Result:

The 24 year-old Andrew Ranger drove the #53 Waste Management Dodge for owner Robert Torriere. Ranger's best NASCAR Nationwide Series finish heading into Road America was 3rd in the 2009 race at Montreal. Andrew Ranger could not top that effort in Elkhart Lake but did record a second-career top-10 result in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Starting 21st, the #53 car weaved to a solid 6th place.


JR Fitzpatrick

The 2006 champion of the CASCAR Superseries (the precursor to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series) at just the age of 18, JR Fitzpatrick was brought on a fast track to NASCAR success which took him to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Driving first for TRG Motorsports, the driver was recruited by Kevin Harvick Incorporated (KHI) for select events. Scoring a best finish at Daytona International Speedway with 4th, funding cuts to KHI had JR Fitzpatrick returning to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series full-time in 2010. Almost taking the title, 2011 brought Fitzpatrick a new opportunity with a new NASCAR Nationwide team. Go Canada Racing was set up to run select events for the year with plans to run the full schedule in 2012.

Determined to be recognized as a Canadian stock car star, Fitzpatrick has resorted to strategy drivers like Kyle Busch utilize for success. Getting the most possible seat time in stock car competition, a most aggressive 2011 racing season for JR Fitzpatrick includes competing in the United States as well as back in Canada.

Road America Result:

A 3rd start of the year for the #67 Go Canada Racing Ford Mustang, the Road America race could have went very badly for the team early. JR Fitzpatrick needed to take evasive action around the spinning #6 Ford of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Avoiding contact, Fitzpatrick continued to drive a clean race and was eventually rewarded as lead competition was whittled away in the late laps. Finishing 10th at the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Elkhart Lake on Saturday, JR Fitzpatrick jetted back to Canada in order to contend for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event on the 2.54 mile road course at Mosport International Raceway.

Andrew Ranger Rolls to Win at Trois Rivieres

Photo Credit: Matthew Murnaghan/ NASCAR

Clinching his second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship last season, the young Andrew Ranger heard the call of the richer stock car racing scene of the United States. Spliting his time stock car racing between the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the NASCAR K&N Racing Series for 2010, Ranger's open wheel road racing background came in extremely handy south of the 49th parallel taking victories at Infineon Raceway and Lime Rock Park. Returning as reigning champion to Canada when running a handful of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races with a #27 Dodge, the Roxton Pond, Quebec native had already accomplished a flag-to-flag victory on the Honda Indy Weekend race. By doing so, Andrew Ranger completed an unreached feat of becoming the first driver to win in the both the NASCAR K&N East and West series as well as the Canadian Tire Series in a single year.
The 8th race of the 13 date 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season, Trois Rivieres' GP3R 100 transpires on the oldest running temporary street course race in Canada. With history dating back to 1967, the 1.53 mile track played host to a Canadian whos-who of racing including Gilles Villeneuve, Alex Tagliani and Ron Fellows. Like the Toronto street course, the stock cars would be involved in a practically draining but brief 42-lap event.

Andrew Ranger returns just as the stock car racing tour concluded a two-race Western Canadian oval track stint. Apart from Ranger's appearance, the most concentrated focus has been on the tight 2010 championship fight between DJ Kennington and JR Ftzpatrick. After the Edmonton road race, the #84 Schick Hydro Chevrolet driven by Fitzpatrick held the lead in the points standings but Kennington has since launched himself into the points lead driving the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge. Qualifying 2nd, Fitzpatrick was positioned to make some serious gains on Kennington back on the road courses. In that same qualifying session, Ranger took his 3rd pole piloting the  #27 Jacobs Racing team's limited season.

Well-positioned at the beginning of the GP3R 100 on Circuit de Trois Rivieres, Andrew Ranger's attempt at a second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victory for 2010 was hindered from the start.  Seeing opportunity immediately on lap 2, JR Fitzpatrick dived on Ranger through turn 6 allowing the #84 Chevy to grab the lead. Caught off-guard by the early race pass, Andrew Ranger slipped into the barrier. While suffering only minor damage along the drive side his #27 Dodge, Ranger lost a multitude of positions. By lap 6, Andrew Ranger was resuming the event in 6th place but was out of touch with the lead pack consisting of Fitzpatrick and the #02 Ford of Kerry Micks. The Ford/Chevrolet battle was fought valiantly at the front with leading 26 laps between the Micks and Fitzpatrick. By lap 13, the Dodge of Andrew Ranger continued his recovery emerging to 4th place chasing down Jason Hathaway seeded in 3rd place.

A caution for the stopped #77 vehicle of Isabelle Temblay allowed the teams to regroup on lap 16. With three yellow flags slowing the GP3R 100, the timing for each stop set up some priceless moments for the NSACAR Canadian Tire Series stars a golden opportunity to improve their position. Once the green flag flew following the first caution, Ranger successfully bypassed Hathaway's #3 Dodge for third.

Winding up at the halfway point, the race course challenged the mechanics of certain stock cars. Former Montreal Canadians hockey player Patrice Brisebois and Antony Simone were early race retirements. Also requiring extended service, the #4 Chevrolet of Don Thomson Jr. fell more than 12 laps off the lead. Thomson Jr. has been weathering an extremely tough 2010 season where the Home Hardware Chevrolet seems plagued with troubles.

JR Fitzpatrick led GP3R 100 event when caution fell for the second time for debris. The lap 28 restart would become the single definingmoment for the Trois Rivieres NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race. Three-wide between Fitzpatrick, Micks and Ranger, the fight prevailed in the favour of Andrew Ranger making a full recovery from his early race misadventure. Ranger's retaking of the lead position survived a the 3rd and final caution. Kerry Micks' Ford took second away from Fiztpatrick's Chevrolet.

Finishing 3rd, JR Fitzpatrick's race did not go the way the 2006 CASCAR Super Series champion would has preferred. Souring the podium effort was the knowledge that 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series title leader DJ Kennington finished one position behind Fitzpatrick's #84 car. However, gaining 15 points on Kennington, Fitzpatrick has closed the gap by a single point.

Finishing 3rd through 10th, Jeff Lapcevich, Scott Steckly, J.F. Dumoulin, Jason Hathaway, Peter Klutt and Mark Dilley crossed the Trois Rivieres finish line.



Next on the schedule for the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is the Dickies 200 at the Mosport Speedway oval this saturday.

Fitzpatrick Flies to Mosport Win for NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

Photo Credit: Matthew Manor/NASCAR

Since NASCAR installed themselves within the Canadian stock car racing landscape when they acquired CASCAR in 2007, differences remain apparent when racing amongst the True North Strong and Free. The most obvious eccentricity within the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is the compilation of road courses. Out of 13 NASCAR Canadian Tires series races in the 2010 schedule, 5 occur on road or street course. Following the opening round at Deleware Speedway where DJ Kennington drew first blood on the 2010 season, the stock car series find themselves racing on the Mosport road course for the second race on the schedule, the Vortex Brake Pads 200.

Providing a large 26-car field, the starting grid was topped by 2-time and reigning NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Andrew Ranger making one of what will be a few visits back to Canada (Ranger is now racing within the NASCAR K&N East Series). Taking pole with a red #27 Dodge, Ranger showed little rust taking an early lead before a quick caution brought the field together again. Having started alongside Andrew Ranger for the Vortex Brake Pads 200 was the #84 Schick Hydro Chevrolet of JR Fitzpatrick. Following a 2nd place finish at Deleware where Fitzpatrick overcame an early spin-out, the young Cambridge native plans a stronger set of race laps early will allow him a one position improvement on the race results. Thanks to the early caution which wrapping up on lap 5, JR Fitzpatrick would motor around Ranger on the restart to take the race lead.



Photo Credit: Matthew Manor/NASCAR

A tamer race than the yellow-flag laden season opening event, the Mosport road course saw only two cautions. The second fell on lap 18 when Jarrad Whissell's #44 Ford met a wall. After several cars made pit stops including JR Fitzpatrick, the Mosport race was reset with American driver Jason Bowles leading Pierre Bourque. Driving the #11 Triad Racing Technologies Dodge driven by John Gaunt, the Ontario, California driver Bowles put on an incredible show rising from an 11th place starting spot to be a race front-runner. While JR Fitzpatrick's Chevrolet would find a way around Bowles' Dodge on lap 28, the #11 would remain near the front settling for a stunning 3rd place finish.

Leading the final 22 laps, JR Fitzpatrick crossed the line first in front of Andrew Ranger for the Vortex Brake Pads 200 victory. A hard battle for 6th place became the biggest spectacle coming to the start/finish line as #17 Castro Edge Dodge of DJ Kennington held off a valiant charge from Jeff Lapcevich's Tim Hortons Chevrolet. Rounding out the top-5 for the second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race of 2010 was Scott Steckly and Kerry Micks.

After two races, JR Fitzpatrick has been able to combine a win and 2nd place finish to take the series points lead ahead of DJ Kennington. Next for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is a return to ovals as the circuit visits Quebec's Autodrome St Eustache on July 3.

Reigning NASCAR Canadian Tire Champ Ranger to Run K&N Series in 2010

Photo Credit: Matthew Murnaghan/NASCAR

For the balance of 2010, Canadian stock car driver Andrew Ranger will be packing his bags South to go racing in the East division of NASCAR's K&N Pro Series. Announced Friday April 23rd, Ranger will pilot the #35 Chevrolet for NDS Motorsports. Having competed in the Toyota All-Star Showdown at California's Irvindale Speedway on January 31th this year, Andrew Ranger announced that his venture South will be extended through the remaining 8 races on the 2010 K&N Pro Series East season.

Winning the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series points title two of the past three years (2007 and 2009) tallying 9 career victories on the tour, 23-year old Roxton Pond, Quebec native Andrew Ranger has earned superstar status as a stock car driver in Canada. In 2006, Ranger chose after two seasons in the unstable Champ Car World Series to transition from agile but fragile open wheel cars to the heavier more contact-oriented sport of stock car racing. Beyond front-running efforts in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series which resulted in 9 wins, At least 2 NASCAR Nationwide Series teams trusted the young Canadian to drive a vehicle in the second-highest echelon. Last year on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve NASCAR Nationwide race in Montreal, Ranger led the race for 10 laps inside the #11 Toyota before delivering the car to a stunning 3rd place finish. Despite his podium performance, that was the only race Andrew Ranger was offered to run in the Nationwide Series for 2009.

With plans to run the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East division, Ranger hasn't ruled out possibilities to run a limited Canadian Tire Series schedule for 2010. However, a quick review comparing series calendars leaves few opportunities for Ranger to compete in his home country to race this year. With many NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events running on the same race weekends as the K&N Pro Series East races, the best chances of seeing the reigning Canadian division champion could perhaps come on the road courses. Free weekends from the K&N Pro Series includes the June 13 at Mosport International Raceway, the streets of Toronto July 17th and the Edmonton City Center Airport race on July 25th. The September 11th round on the Barrie Speedway oval is also available. Interesting to keep in mind, one conflict date for Andrew Ranger occurs on the major NASCAR weekend on Montreal in late August. Scheduled to race at Gresham Motorsports Park on August 28th, it seems unlikely that Canadian Ranger will elect to miss this opportunity to shine on home soil; particularly after the show he provided in the #11 car in last season.

Ranger's first race in the #35 Chevrolet for NDS Motorsports will come at Iowa Speedway on May 23rd.

Andrew Ranger is 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion

For the second time in his three season career in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Roxton Pond, Quebec's Andrew Ranger is named the tour's points champion by winning the Komatsu 300 at Riverside International Speedway. Him and his #27 Walmart Ford Fusion took the lead from Jeff Lapcevich at lap 252 cruising to the checkered flag. Taking maximum points with the top position, Ranger clinches the 2009 crown as one race remains to be run at Kawartha Speedway on September 26th.

Andrew Ranger had previously taken the 2007 championship in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series through a title chase based largely on consistent top 5 race finishes. For 2009, benefiting from a gaining knowledge base around stock car racing as well as some very fast #27 Ford Fusions prepared by crew chief Billy Burns has given Ranger, has allowed him to win the championship with flat-out dominance. With 6 wins on the season, balanced with 3 each on ovals and road courses, Andrew Ranger has also finished in the top 10 in every event for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series for the year.

A possible window into Andrew Ranger's future, as well as gaining recognition in the Canadian series, some year has also been highlighted by a 3rd place finish in the Nascar Nationwide series in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

JR Fitzpatrick wins big NASCAR Canadian Tire Series big at Montreal

The 2.7 mile Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is playing host to their biggest race weekend for 2009 as Formula 1 race took a one-year hiatus (A 2010 return is all but set).

On Sunday, just before the big league racers of the NASCAR Nationwide Series the nationally-based NASCAR Canadian Tire Series warms up the road course. In this one visit to Montreal on the Canadian racing calendar, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams and drivers get a chance to display their skills in front of up to year-topping 60,000 racing fans. On top of that, Canadian Tire series drivers are ideally positioned to show their talent while teams of the headlining NASCAR Nationwide event made be scouting for 2010 drivers.

Taking pole for the second race in a row, Alex Tagliani took pole for the NAPA Autopro 100 as the green fell just before noon Sunday. When the green dropped on the field, the pace was slowed by a lap 1 caution for Kent Nuhn's #18 Chevrolet. Four cautions total would fall in the 23 lap event with the most dramatic being a roll over crash invloving Don Thomson Jr and 2008 Canadian Tire series champion Scott Steckly. The incident, which also resulted with a red flag, started on a late race Green-White-Checkered restart when the Steckly and Thomson (running 5th and 6th at the time) ended up in the guard rails with Scott Steckly's #22 Dodge ending on its roof. Both drivers were physically fine but left without top finishes at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Dominating his presence in the lead of the NAPA Autopro 100 JR Fitzpatrick (making a rare appearance in conjunction with his Nationwide series run for Kevin Harvick Incorporated) grabbed the lead from Kerry Micks on lap 9 and would never let go. Andrew Ranger fought hard to pass the #17 Dodge of DJ Kennington for second followed pass by Kerry Micks. A noted appearance by NHL player Patrice Brisebois resulted with a 12th place run for the dual athlete. In another heartbreaking race for Alex Tagliani, another pole in the #81 Chevrolet ended with a mechanical failure relegating him to a 27th place finish in a very full field of 34 cars.

The ABC telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200 deserves applauds for showing highlights during their broadcast throughout Canada and the United States. For Canadian race fans of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series who didn't witness this exciting race firsthand or caught the brief ABC highlights, you'll have to wait nearly two week for September 12th when TSN will air a time-compressed version of the race.

Andrew Ranger trails the path at Trois Rivieres GP3R 100

Representing 1 of 4 stops for the NASCAR Canadian Tire series 13-race championship contested on road or street circuit, the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres (advertised as GP3R) is a historic Quebec street race event known for showcasing the best of Canadian racing talent. A fixture event amongst open wheel ladder series such as the Atlantic and Formula series schedule, the narrow 1.53 mile circuit hosts the star-studded field of Canadian racing stars. Including NASCAR Canadian Tire series regulars Andrew Ranger, 2008 champion Scott Steckly, and 5-time CASCAR champ Don Thomson Jr., the GP3R field added two prominent French-Canadian road ringers. Alex Tagliani would prove strong for the weekend in the #03 Canadian Tire Chevrolet while the second Quebec born race talent would be no other than Jacques Villeneuve. 1995 Indy 500 and former Formula 1 world champion, Villeneuve returns to a circuit which helped allow his as well as his father Giles Villeneuve's race career to florish. During Saturday qualifying, Tagliani took pole over the #17 Dodge of DJ Kennington and the Ford of Andrew Ranger in setting the field for the Sunday afternoon event.

As the green flag dropped on the 100 mile race of the GP3R, a two-car collision occurred immediately between JF Dumoulin and long-time CASCAR competitor and road race profesional Robin Buck drawing the first caution before lap 1. Officials discounted the first start and allowed Alex Tagliani to take the field to green for a second time as race drag-raced DJ Kennington into the tight first turn preserving his lead position. Tagliani would end up leading many of the race's laps. Just a few race positions behind, Jacques Villeneuve held station in fifth place. With a second caution drawn for the halted Scott Steckly Dodge at lap 14, Alex Tagliani, Andrew Ranger, the #95 of Anthony Simone, DJ Kennington and Jacques Villeneuve was the running order when the race resumed at lap 20. Four laps later, the lead would change as the #27 car of Ranger made a brave move on the than dominate Chevrolet of Tagliani. However, this pass for the lead might have been helped by a race-ending engine problem which gripped Alex Tagliani's #03 car on lap 28. As Tagliani's car failure proved to be the most significant move at top of the leaderboard for the GP3R 100, residence deeper in the field were drivers providing near endless entertainment for the Quebec crowd. Mechanical problems also plagued the field as Scott Steckly, Mark Dilley, and Patrice Brisebois would retire in the latter stages of the race. The final caution on lap 39 was brought out following Jason Hathaway's impact on the track.

With a three-lap shutout to settle the winner, series sophomore Anthony Simone applied heavy pressure to the experienced Ranger. Holding off the #95 car, a challenged Andrew Ranger takes green at the GP3R 100 with DJ Kennington 3rd and Jacques Villeneuve coming home 4th.

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.

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.

Scott Steckly wins Crown Jewel 200 at Cayuga

Scott Steckly fought much as last season for his first NASCAR Canadian Tire Series win, finally obtaining it at the season ending race at Kawartha Speedway. 8 months since that last event, this past Saturday's race at Cayuga International Speedway allowed him to extend a two-race winning streak. Proving that he was not a one-race wonder, Steckly took his #22 Dodge to victory as a hard-charging Kerry Micks challenged through the closing laps. Micks, who had plotted to use a late race pitstop for tires as a key to the trophy, finshed 2nd respectively. Ron Beauchamp Jr., Mark Dilley, and Peter Gibbons rounded out the top five.

On the other hand, 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Andrew Ranger has yet to find his competitive form in this season opener. He finished two laps down in 17th position in the Tide/Walmart Ford Fusion. Other notable competitors wishing to forget this first race of the 2008 season include Alex Tagliani and DJ Kennington. Open-wheel immigrant Alex Tagliani, driving a second Jacomb's Racing Tide/Walmart Ford stalled out on Saturday night with electrical problems, competing 151 of the 200 laps and finish 21th. While DJ Kennington had gained several races of experience already this season racing in the Nationwide Series, an engine problem to the #17 Castrol Dodge ended his race after only 17 laps, amounting in a 23rd(last) place position.

With the season started, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams only have one week to turn around their race vehicles for another Saturday show at Autodrome St. Eustache for a 250-lap affair. St. Eustache race, having been a mainstay to the late years in the CASCAR schedule, returns 2008 under the Canadian Tire Series moniker.

NASCAR, the Canadian way starts this Saturday!

Following a trend that has gripped NASCAR's premier division of Sprint Cup, Andrew Ranger made the most of the slim pickings left in North American open wheeling. In his only full season in full-bodied car racing, he had become an intimidating presence as a road course expert as well as a fearless oval racer. Entering as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' reigning champion, the 21 year old French-Canadian is also part of another movement which may soon strengthen our presence in the top tier touring divisions of stock racing down south. Previous year's champion JR Fitzpatrick, a second generation to father John Fitzpatrick, returns in the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet. At the age of 20, JR Fitzpatrick won twice last season and appears prepared to take back the championship trophy. If not, JR Fitzpatrick's teammate 5-time champ Don Thomson Jr and his #4 Home Hardware Chevrolet may also be within striking distance of another memorable season.

While Patrick Carpentier is currently striding for improvement in this NASCAR Sprint Cup ride with Gilliet/Evernham, past Players Champ Car Racing teammate Alex Tagliani was spotted testing Ranger's Canadian Tire Series car (though, this past weekend, Tag was present at Laguna Seca's Mazda raceway coaching drivers in the Atlantic Series). Also a busy Canadian driver below the 49th, series points runner-up DJ Kennington has been making inroads to the big time in NASCAR with several good runs wheeling a Nationwide series vehicle. DJ be flying back north to drive his staple Castro Dodge Avenger again to the delight of spectators and the discontent of competitors.

While the youth crowd will become a major factor for this season, longtime Canadian stock car racing mainstay of Dave Whitlock. A three-time points winner dating back through the series' original Sanctioning body of CASCAR, Dave Whitlock's return to the #39 Dickies Dodge Avenger. Two-time winner last season Kerry Micks will continue add to his series-leading record of starts fighting in the #02 Beyond Digital Ford Fusion. Another long-time series supporter Peter Gibbons seems ready to campaign at least some races without a Chevy for the first time in a decade for Canadian Stock Car Racing. Inside Track spies caught Gibbons testing a Ford Fusion bodied racer at Mosport. Some honourable mentions for the upcoming season belongs to longtime competitor Mark Dilley and Scott Steckly, a first-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series winner after the season finale race at Kawartha Speedway.

Predicting winning teams for the 2008 Nascar Canadian Tire Series may prove very difficult considering the young champions from the past two seasons. With 13 races consisting of road courses and ovals, we can at least assume the eastern and western parts of Canada will rumble as 20-plus hungry stock car drivers compete in nearly-identical fiberglass bodied race cars.

The green flag drops on second season of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series launches this Saturday (May 24rd) at the super competitive oval of Cayuga International Speedway.