ARCA OK Tire Sportsman Series Race 2 - Thunder Mountain Raceway

 IAN GRAHAM

The ARCA OK Tire sportsman series visited Thunder Mountain Raceway in Williams Lake for the second race of the season. After a week of rain, the weather cooperated and fourteen perfectly prepared sportsman cars revved up for the challenge.

Another very tight field qualified within one half of a second. Coming off a win in Vernon, Ian Graham set the fast time early on, holding off nearly every competitor with a 15.899 until past ARCA champion Mark Berriau qualified at a 15.850 setting a new track record.

Heat races set off with Bobby Mear holding off Darren Swaan and the 47 car of Trevor Adelman to win the B heat.

A heat action was fast and furious as Lee Thomas took the field to green. The tightly packed group chased and tested Thomas. The 1 car of Matt Stephenson and 52 of Garnet Grimard putting the pressure on. Nose to tail they chase hard, but Thomas was able to hold on for the win.

With the track lights shining and the sun setting the ARCA OK Tire sportsman cars gave the three wide salute to the fans. After a tight double up Trevor Adelman and Dave Oslen brought the field to the green. Olsen with a hard charge down the outside managed to take the lead for lap 1, but to no avail as the 99 of Cornett-Ching and the 38 of Thomas touch and bump out of corner four, sending Thomas hard into the front stretch wall, bring out a red flag to allow the heavily damaged Chevrolet to be towed from the track. Back to green, the field tight and Olsen is able to hold the lead.  Olsen starts to stretch out as the battle tightens behind him. Racing hard, Cornett-Ching contacts the 22 of Chris Babcock, spinning both in turn two. As the field runs through the wreck, both cars are bent and twisted. The 99 towed, and the 22 in the pits for repairs. Green again with Oslen holding the point. The 89 of Swaan has a hard pressuring group behind him. The 56 of Steve Lengert looks inside, buts holds off. Laps pass and Lengert looks again. He puts the 56 inside of Swaan off of turn four. The two touch sending Swaan spinning, the 52 of Grimard doges a bullet, takes some damage, but keeps the car off of the wall. Lengert stuck in the infield waits for a tow. The 89 to the pits for service. A restart and the battle resumes. Olsen holds the lead. Berriau, Seibert, and Graham are racing hard to catch the Olsen car. Berriau suddenly heads to the pits with the Left rear tire and axel trying to leave the car. Contact between the 47 and 74 car of Dan Ursel slows the filed briefly while they get sorted out. The epic battle begins with intermittent cautions tightening the field. Every restart brings a battle for a top three spot between Seibert, Olsen and Graham. They swap the top positions each restart. Graham makes a run on the high side and lap after lap Olsen and Graham battle. Seibert lies in the wait. Lap after lap the three show incredible patients and skill. A wiggle in turn two sends Olsen up the track Graham and Siebert pounce. Olsen with the save of the night keeps the car off of the wall and holds third. A late race caution sets up the green, white, Chequered. Graham brings the field to green and the battle continues. Nose to tail they cross the line, Graham number one, Seibert Two, and Olsen Third. Bob Mear grabs 4^th and Dan Ursel survives to complete the top five. Six is Swaan, seven Stephenson, eighth is Adelman. Ninth Grimard. Chris Babcock and crew thrashed the 22 car back together and collected the number ten spot. Berriau out to complete the last laps holds for eleventh. Twelve Lengert, thirteen Cornett-Ching, and Thomas in fourteen. The Championship battle is just shaping up. The next race is Prince George on June 18. See you there. 

 . Pics Doug Waller – ARCA Announcer

 RYLEY SEIBERT

DAVE OLSON

SO YOU THINK YOUR FAST

For 2011 PGARA Speedway if proud to present the Anything goes track record. $1000 cash prize for the fastest lap around the track. Bolt a sprint car wing on your wescar, put 10 inch slicks on your mini stock, add nos to your street stock. Got an old modified in the back yard? Throw a big block in it and come out for our no rules, anything goes track record. Also there is a street legal class as well, Corvettes, Lamborghinis, Vipers, come on out and set the record for King of the Hill and win $1000. There are 4 events this season, the fastest 1 lap of the year in each division will win $1000  cash. Entry fee for each event is $20 for the street legal and $50 for non street legal. You get 1 warm up lap and 2 timed laps each session, 2 sessions per event.

ASA PRESIDENT TO VERNON



 ASA PRESIDENT DENNIS HUTH TO MEET AND GREET DRIVERS AT ASA VERNON



Williams Lake Pro-Mini Invitational

 Submitted by Terri Willison 

Thunder Mountain, Williams Lake, B.C.

Heartland Toyota Pro-Mini Stock Invitational Results

1st    #41 Aaron Willison

2nd   #51 Billy Beasley

3rd   #25 Tim Roberts

Fast-Time  #41 Aaron Willison with a new track record!!

Saturday Night Racing

Submitted by Terry Guest

Photos by Fernando Pereira

Saturday night at Saratoga Speedway marked the first appearance of the I.M.C.A Modifieds, Dwarf Cars, and the Motorcycles this season.

Sunny conditions made for some great racing in the Modified division, with fast time going to #53 Kevin Noble who set a time of 15.797. The first dash of the season for the Modifieds went to #8 Brad Purdy, who travelled from Port McNeill to come race. The first of 2 heats saw Purdy take an early lead and hold for the first heat. The reverse heat saw rookie driver #32 Dano Bryant battle with Purdy for the whole race, but Bryant would eventually take the win. The 15 lap main saw Purdy lead for 9 laps until mechanical issues caused him to withdrawal from the race, giving the lead and eventual win to #53 Kevin Noble. 2^nd went to Bryant, and 3^rd to Purdy.

 #68 Bruce Moran dominated the Motorcycle class on Saturday. Moran set fast time on the night with a time of 23.362. Since Moran was so much faster than the rest of the field, he started on the top of the hill for the dash, bottom of the hill for the heat, and on the backstretch for main. Moran proved his dominance, managing to win every race on the night despite of his huge disadvantage. The other two bikes; #1 Manno, and #2 Andre both swapped finishing 2^nd and 3^rd all night.

 11 Dwarf cars filled the pits on Saturday. Local driver #11 Mike Meeres set fast time of 15.826. The B dash went to #9 Tyler Peters, and the A to Meeres. The first of 2 heats saw #24 Jim Pridge get out to an early lead and hold it for the 10 lap heat. The reverse heat saw #95 Jeremy Stevens, who took a year off last year, take the lead on lap 3 and never look back. 9 cars took to the track for the 20 lap main; Pridge took the lead on lap 2 and spread his lead so far that no one could catch him, eventually taking the win. Stevens would finish 2^nd, with 3^rd going to #8 Mike Schott

            Are largest field of 33 Hornet cars took to the track on Saturday. Fast time went to #01 Kevin Lawrenuk who set a time of 18.218. The D dash went #40 Dave Erdman, C to #66 Justin Mchale, B to #23 Marlin Gait, and the A to #33 Tristin Gait. The D heat saw Erdman take the lead on the final lap and hold on for the win. The C heat was dominated by #59 Ted Dimitrov, who held on for the win. The B heat saw #09 Cameron Phillips work his way from the very back to take the win. The A heat saw #08 Daryn Cahill take the lead on lap 7 and battle his way to the win. The 25 lap B feature saw #91 Carl Behan lead for 5 laps until Erdman took away the lead on the front stretch and eventually taking the win. 2^nd went to Behan and 3^rd to #17 Brad Dimitrov. The 35 lap A feature saw 4 lead changes; #22 Jennifer Lawrenuk led for the first 6 laps until #99 Chris Perkins took away the lead. Perkins lead was short-lived due to #08 Daryn Cahill taking away the lead on lap 8. Daryn led up until lap 23 when his brother Daryl Cahill took the lead and never looked back. 2^nd went to #01 Kevin Lawrenuk, and 3^rd to Daryn Cahill.

            Extra laps…Next week marks the 2^nd appearance of the Bomber cars; accompanied by the Crash to Pass cars, Hornets, and Roadrunners. June 25 will be our first showing of the Wilroc Sprint and the Wilroc Lites. The following weekend; July 2, is our first ever “Eve of destruction” which includes the jet dragster car, a huge limo jump, and fireworks. I.M.C.A Modifieds, Dwarf cars and Bomber Cars will complete the racing card for the night. Make sure to mark your calendars for those special race nights.

SMOKE EM’

Submitted by Gord Craig, NPP

DEVON, AB – A record crowd was on hand for the 7th annual Show ‘n’ Shine and Burnout Competition at the River of Hope Church in Devon, Alberta Friday night (May 27^th).  “The bleachers were full about a half hour before the event even started,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig who was guest MC, “it was standing room only in the end.”  A crowd of just over 1,000 took in this year’s burnout competition.  “It took about an hour and a half to get through this years field of burnout competitors.  There certainly was a lot of rubber burned tonight.”  

This is the 5th consecutive year that the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series has been involved in the kick-off event to the annual Devon Days weekend festival.  “It’s the most talked about event leading up to Devon Days,” adds Craig, “it’s pretty hard to ignore.”  The event was not just about tire smoke.  Prior to the burnout competition more than four dozen hot rods, classic cars, trucks and motorcycles were judged in the Show ‘n’ Shine. 

The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series is proud to be involved in numerous community events throughout the year.  Next scheduled race action for the NPP Late Model Series is Saturday, June 4th at Edmonton’s Castrol Raceway. 

INDY 500-DAN IS THE MAN

 

NASCAR SUNDAY

Evergreen Speedway May 27^th Official Results:

Big West Series Race #1: 1-Shane Harding; 2-Daniel Moore; 3-Naima Lang; 4-Andy Sole; 5-Kelly Mann; 6-Tom Moriarity; 7-Michael Prudnick; 8-Doni Wanat; 9-Travis Blackwood; 10-Timothy Minister; 11-Tom Hughs; 12-Tommy Rasmussen; 13-Jeff Knight; 14-Tim McDougald

Fisher, Madonia, Roberts and Hibma Win Carroll Classic!

Alger, WA – 5/29/11  by Kelly Hart

Memorial Day Weekend racing at Skagit Speedway featured the John Carroll Classic. On Saturday night Eric Fisher lead all 25 laps of the 410 main event for the win. It was Devin Madonia taking over the lead from Danielle Huson after 16 laps into the race for the 360 Sprint win. Derek Roberts made it two in a row for the Sportsman Sprint win and Greg Hibma came out of retirement for the Outlaw Hornet win in Freddie Vela's car.

After a three week layoff the competitors in the 410 Sprint division were ready to scream around the Skagit Speedway 3/10^th mile clay oval. Travis Jacobson started off the evening with fast time of 11.425 seconds. The heat race winners were Kevin Smith and Josh DeWitt. The 25-lap feature took a few tries to get started but clearly Eric Fisher had a handle on the field. A lap one yellow cost Jacobson his front end and Alec Covert clipped Jacobson sending the #27 car flipping into the front straightaway. Neither car could continue. On the next start, Jesse Whitney spun in turn two bringing out the second caution and sending the defending 410 champion to the back of the pack. Fisher nailed the restart pulling away from Barry Martinez, Colton Heath and Chad Hillier. Martinez retired with motor woes bringing out the yellow on the sixth lap. Enter Josh DeWitt the first week winner to the fray. The most entertaining racing was behind Fisher as Hillier, Heath and DeWitt all battled back and forth for second through fourth. A late race red on lap 21 for a flipping Steve Parker closed the field. That red was followed by another red flag  but Fisher was good on the restart and pulled away for the win followed by DeWitt, Hillier and Heath. The Wells Wheels Hard Charger award went to New Zealand racer Jason Scott who passed 7 cars.

Jacobson pulled off the rare double of fast time in two sprint car divisions in one night with an 11.771 clocking in the Budweiser 360 Sprints. Jacobson was the only car in the 11 second bracket for the class. Heat race victories went to Kelsey Carpenter and Rod Perkins. The main event featured some heated battles for position all around the race track. Eric Thibert spun on the first lap and Danny Kirkpatrick spun on the second lap. On the lap 2 restart the field saw the back of Danielle Huson’s tail tank as she launched off to a half lap lead before hitting traffic on the 14^th lap. Devin Madonia who has led the majority of main event laps run at Skagit Speedway this season was stalking Huson and found a slight opening in traffic to slip by for the lead. Madonia took over the lead on lap 17 and was not challenged. Meanwhile Jacobson had found his rhythm and was moving in on Huson for second. The two would dice in and out of traffic and at the checkered flag is was Madonia, Huson and Jacobson the top 3. Mack Brown was the Weld Wheels Hard Charger with 8 positions gained.

In the Cook Road Sportsman Sprints the “Flying Fireman” Derek Roberts won his second straight 20-lap feature. Roberts led all 20 laps for the win. On the 8^th lap of the main Victoria Cantu made contact with another car and flipped hard on the back stretch. Parker slipped past Rob Schroder for second with 5 laps to go.  Cale Brooke, Cory Swatzina and James Bundy won the three heat races. Justin Youngquist was the Weld Wheels Hard Charger passing 6 cars for a 4^th place finish in the main.

One of the best races in Outlaw Hornet history at ASA member track Skagit Speedway took place with Greg Hibma pulling past Tom Warner by the front bumper at the finish line, leading the last 5 feet of the final lap for the win. Four lead changes saw Wade Swatzina give way to Rick Young on the second lap. Tom Warner passing Young on lap 6 and Hibma crossing the line first at the checkered flag. Throw in Tyler Ketchum and a hard charging Jon Gunderson and there were 6 legitimate contenders for the win all within 100 feet at the finish. The race saw many 3-wide passes with the leaders slicing and dicing there way through the 20 car field for the win. The O’Reillys Auto Parts Hard Charger was Gunderson who picked off 13 positions. Hibma and Warner were the heat race winners.

Skagit Speedway welcomed two drivers in brand new 410 Sprint cars as Jason Scott and Danielle Anderson from New Zealand were both in attendance. These two drivers arrived early in the week and assembled two cars from scratch at the XXX Raceco World Headquarters a few miles from the track. Scott finished 6^th in the main and Anderson was 9^th their first time at Skagit Speedway. These are the first of 4 drivers due from New Zealand to race at Dirt Cup June 16^th through 18^th.

RESULTS 5/28/11

410 Sprints

Fast time: Travis Jacobson 11.425

Heat 1: Josh DeWitt, Eric Fisher, Jacobson, Chad Hillier, Otto Jorgenson

Heat 2: Kevin Smith, Jesse Whitney, Barry Martinez, Colton Heath, Steve Parker

Main: Eric Fisher, DeWitt, Hillier, Heath, Smith, Jason Scott, Kelleigh Johnson, Danielle Anderson, Whitney, Parker, Martinez, Jacobson, Alec Covert

360 Sprints

Fast time: Travis Jacobson 11.771

Heat 1: Kelsey Carpenter, Jacobson, Danielle Huson, Randy Price, Jonathan Jorgenson

Heat 2: Rod Perkins, Alan Munn, Devin Madonia, Danny Kirkpatrick, Bud Ashe

Main: Devin Madonia, Huson, Jacobson, Price, Mack Brown, Perkins, Munn, Jorgenson, Ashe, Kirkpatrick, Eric Thibert, Carpenter, Jeff Dunlap

Sportsman Sprints

Heat 1: Cale Brook, Rob Schroder, Steve Parker, Dave Mead, Paul Burdick

Heat 2: Cory Swatzina, Derek Roberts, Clayton Sibley, Justin Youngquist, Curtis Clark

Heat 3: James Bundy, Ben Gunderson, Michael Hodel, Bill Rude, Victoria Cantu

Main: Derek Roberts, Parker, Schroder, Youngquist, Brooke, Hodel, Rude, Bundy, Burdick, Sibley, Clark, Geoff Needham, Gunderson, Glenn Reinstra, Swatzina, Cantu, Mead, Ashley Lewellen

Outlaw Hornets

Heat 1: Greg Hibma, Ken Higby, Wade Swatzina, Tyler Ketchum, Jon Gunderson

Heat 2: Tom Warner, Howard Vos, Rick Young, Matt Powers, Stacey Sims

Main: Greg Hibma, Warner, Swatzina, Young, Ketchum, Gunderson, Matt Ploeg, Higby, Powers, Jon Edwards, JR Schuh, Sims, Adam Nelson, Tina Thibert, Clint Meins, Vos, Jesse Swint, Cliff Ballenger, Eric Thibert, TJ Campbell

GRAHAM TWO FOR TWO-ARCA

Official results for ARCA OK Tire Thunder Mountain:

• Ian Graham
• Riley  Seibert
• Dave Olson

Fireworks At Western Speedway

By Ken Keating

Western Speedway played host to the Demo Cars, Demo Trucks, Figure 8s, and the Bombers sponsored by islandcarbuyers.com this evening and the show produced fireworks from start to finish. Tonight's program consisted of Trophy Dashes, Heat races, and Feature events for the racers plus a parade of children, big and small, dressed as princesses and pirates.

Approximately seventy-five people participated in the Princess and Pirates night with a parade along the frontstretch and to Victory Square for a group photograph led by Bern Bruce and Jen Homewood with costumes from Victoria Costumes. What a great job by a very nervous, young, Cassidy Steen as she performed the National Anthem in front of a rather large crowd. She was an instant hit as she wore a Vancouver Canucks Kesler jersey (They are gunning for the Stanley Cup) as she got the evening underway.

Cam Wilkinson got the fireworks going when he used an inside move on the last corner and passed Sean Welch and snatched the win in the Figure 8 Trophy Dash. Dennis Stewart was the winner in the Bomber Dash, Kevin Knight took the Demo Truck Dash, and Kenny Baker won the Demo Car Trophy Dash. Mike Ryce and Dennis Stewart won Bomber Heat races, Greg Sagmoen was victorious in the Demo Car Heat race, Kevin Knight returned to Victory Square with a Demo Truck Heat race win, and Sean Welch and Blaine Duperreault won the Heat races in the Figure 8 Series. Mike Ryce and Dennis Stewart picked up Bomber Heat race trophies, Greg Sagmoen won the Demo Car Heat race, Kevin Knight won the Demo Truck Heat, while Sean Welch and Blaine Duppereault picked up wins in the Figure 8 Heats.

Fourteen cars lined up for the Feature event in the Figure 8 class led by Jeff Foley and forty laps to decide a winner. This event saw some very hard hits throughout. Rory Smith gained the lead after just four laps and had his hands full trying to hold off several drivers including Cam Wilkinson, Richard Carey, Rhett Szevics, and Kail Beck. On lap twenty-four the red flag came out halting the race as emergency crews had to check out Garrett Dougan after a very hard broadside hit. He went to the infield under his own power and seemed to be OK. On the restart, Smith got away again followed closely by Beck and Kyle Rozik. When the dust settled it was Smith taking the win with Beck second and Rozik third. Smith will need some body work done on his car after the many dents and scratches left on his #16 car.

Cody Laughran and Daniel David led a field of sixteen cars to the green flag for fifty laps of racing in the Bomber Series. David led the first two laps until he was passed by Mike Ryce while Dennis Stewart, Brandon Steen, Giles Cyr driving the #06 car, and Heath Cooper were trying to make their way forward. Stewart passed Ryce on lap nine while Cooper made his move into the second spot one lap later. Steen started to make his presents felt on lap twelve taking over the fourth spot and making a bumper to bumper train with Stewart, Cooper, and Cyr. On lap eighteen Cooper took over the lead dropping Stewart back to second and just three laps later, Steen was ushered to the pits for a lap under twenty seconds leaving the fourth spot now to Jamie Morgan. Cooper began to open a good distance between himself and Stewart until his car dropped way off the pace on lap thirty-four surrendering the lead back to Stewart. On lap fourty-four Cyr grabbed the lead, a lead he would only hold for two laps. Stewart, trying for the clean sweep, went back to the lead on lap forty-six and held off Cyr, Morgan, Aaron Camron, and James Buchanan for the win. This marked the first Feature event win ever for Stewart in ten years of racing and he marked it well with the clean sweep. BJ Veld and Buchanan took part in this race with the new look six cylinder Demo Cars that will compete sometime this season as more cars become available.

Mark Keeler, driving the #17 Truck led five drivers to the green flag for twelve laps of racing in the Demo Truck Feature event. He grabbed the lead on the first lap followed by Bruce Knight in second for the first four laps. George Haywood, the only driver not a member of the Scotthorne "team" moved up to run second on lap five. On lap nine, he reeled in the leader and took him out and went into the lead. He held on for the win followed by Kevin Knight and Keeler who held on for the second and third spot respectively. The crowd was defineately on the side of the "underdog" until he said; Go Bruins" in the Stanley Cup finals against the Vancouver Canucks. He also thanked the other "team" drivers as they played no favorites and they would take each other out rather than gang up on him.

 

Jake Matthews had the pole for the start of the Demo Car Feature event but Troy Tarbuck got the lead before lap one was complete. Joe Liberatore moved into the second spot until he got taken out by Greg Sagmoen on lap six. Joe was able to keep going in the right direction and only lost one position. Tarbuck spun several drivers around but carried on for the win followed by Sagmoen, who tried hard to get the leader, and Liberatore in third at the chequered flag. The evening came to a close after a two car roll over contest won by Dakota Hansen and a great fireworks display much to the delight of the big crowd. The next event, at Western Speedway, will be the return of the Late Model Series, I.M.S. 4 Mini Stocks, and the Island DWARF Cars on June 4th.

KENNINGTON OPENS YEAR WITH TOP FIVE IN THE CASTROL DODGE

By Todd Lewis & TL Sports & Entertainment

Photo Credit: Sue Chisholm

May 29, 2011 - DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team began their defense of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Championship this past weekend at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario.  Kennington had a typically fast car but got tagged by other drivers on two separate occasions but still managed to bring home a top five finish.

The #17 Castrol Edge Dodge was near the top of the time sheets all during afternoon practice and Kennington would claim the fourth starting spot.  “All the guys did a great job preparing the car and we were good right away” said Kennington.  “We were able to try a couple of changes during practice and see how they might work during the race” he added.

As the 200 lap feature event began Kennington took the initial laps cautiously and settle into a comfortable pace.  The #17 Castrol Edge Dodge got stronger as the race proceeded to the quarter mark and Kennington would take his first race lead of the season on lap 47 an claim the bonus points for leading a lap.  “Everything was going according to plan early on” said the driver.  “We got out front to get some bonus points and didn’t want to do anything too aggressive that early so I gave up the lead to a faster car” he explained.

After a green flag run of more than 100 laps the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge finally was able to stop for fuel and tires and once all stops cycled through Kennington found himself near the front of the field and late in the race was in position to claim if not the win then a top result.  “Things got pretty aggressive at the end” said Kennington.  “We got bumped by the #7 car and that set us back a bit” he stated.

As a result of losing several positions from the first incident, Kennington found himself back in more traffic and was again the victim.  “That first knock put us back in tighter traffic and I got hit again, this time by the #19 car said Kennington. 

The second bump while frustrating only fueled Kennington to push in the final few laps to gain as many positions back as he could.  The #17 Castrol Edge Dodge would cross the finish line and claim a fifth place finish, a great accomplishment with so few laps remaining to make up spots.  “We didn’t have the fastest car tonight and that’s why I let the #22 go earlier” stated Kennington.  “It’s unfortunate we got bumped around a bit, but we did finish fifth which is one place better than we did last year at this race, and we lead some laps for bonus points.  All in all things worked out okay” he summarized.

DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team return to action this coming weekend, June 4 & 5 at Circuit ICAR near Montreal, Quebec.  Once again this year fans will be able to watch all twelve races on TSN.  Check local listings for times. 

ISABELLE TREMBLAY CHARGES HARD IN OPENER

By Todd Lewis & TL Sports & Entertainment

Photo Credit: Sue Chisholm

May 29, 2011 - Isabelle Tremblay competed in the opening round of the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this past weekend at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario in the #07 ADF Diesel/Group Beton Brunet Ford. The busy racer from St. Hippolyte, Quebec had her hands full with the 2,800 pound stock car on the half mile speedway, but made an impressive season debut.

Tremblay’s first ever laps on the Mosport Speedway were during the afternoon practice session and after only a few laps she glanced off the wall.  “I had a little trouble with my foot work and the pedals” she explained.  “The pedals were so close together that I was on the brake and clutch and the car got away from me” she added.  The team quickly made repairs to the #07 ADF Diesel/Group Beton Brunet Ford to give Tremblay as many laps as possible. 

As the green flag waved for the 200 lap event Tremblay’s plan was to proceed cautiously in the #07 ADF Diesel/Group Beton Brunet Ford and learn as much as possible.  “We did not have the opportunity to test here prior to the season” said the driver.  “I just wanted to get comfortable and improve throughout the race” she added.

Through the first half of the race Tremblay had her hands full with a loose handling #07 ADF Diesel/Group Beton Brunet Ford.  During her pit stop for fuel and tires the team discovered the reason for the difficulty.  “I had a flat right rear tire” said Tremblay.  “Once we made our pit stop and changed tires the car was much better” she added.

With the improved handling car Tremblay’s performance improved noticeably in the second half of the race.  “Dave Jacombs did a good job helping me on the radio with the traffic and our times were getting better and better.  When we got to the late stages of the race my lap times were only 4/10ths slower than the leaders and I’m very pleased with the progress we made” stated Tremblay.

Isabelle Tremblay would take the checkered flag in the #07 ADF Diesel/Group Beton Brunet Ford and claim a fourteenth place finish in the first event of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season.  “I’m happy we finished the race and our team learned a lot tonight” said Tremblay.  “Thank you to my team for all their help.  I’m looking forward to the next race at Circuit ICAR to keep improving our performance” she stated. 

This will be a very busy weekend for Isabelle Tremblay who will also compete in race two of the ANCA Sportsman Series at the Autodrome St. Eustache on Saturday June 4^th.  On Sunday June 5^th look for the NASCAR display at Canadian Tire St. Jerome and come meet Isabelle Tremblay between 11AM and 11:45AM and get her autograph.

  

During the 2011 racing season Isabelle Tremblay will compete in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the ANCA Sportsman Series at the Autodrome St. Eustache and the F1600 Series.  This kind of large-scale racing program schedule would not be possible without the impressive support of many partners for which Isabelle is extremely grateful.  Isabelle Tremblay’s ANCA Sportsman Series efforts are backed by Insulation Ippersiel, Canadian Tire St. Jerome, La Pizzeria Etc and DB Imaging.  The NASCAR Canadian Tire series program is made possible with support from Group Beton Brunet and ADF Diesel.  Her Formula 1600 Tour receives backing from Furniture World Salotti.

FAST BUT FRUSTRATING NIGHT FOR JASON WHITE

By by Todd Lewis & TL Sports & Entertainment

Photo Credit:  Sue Chisholm

May 29, 2011 - (Toronto, ON)  Sun Peaks, British Columbia racer Jason White open the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season in the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger this past weekend at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario.  White had a fast race car but due to a mechanical issue wasn’t rewarded with the finish he expected.

During the afternoon practice session on the tricky half mile oval White worked with the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger team to improve the performance of the car.  “We weren’t quite as fast during the practice as I’d hope” stated White.  “I got a little tip from another driver about braking heading into the corners and it really helped me, it definitely made a difference in qualifying” he added.

White would start the 200 lap event from the eleventh position and quickly noticed he had a good race car.  “The #21 A & W Dodge Challenger felt really fast” said an excited Jason White.  “I wasn’t pushing the car at all and had no problem keeping up with the pace the leaders were setting” he added.

Fortunes quickly turned however for the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger team as smoke was spotted from underneath the car.  Acting quickly White headed for pit road and the attention of the crew.  “It took the team a few laps to determine exactly what the problem was but it was a loose oil line fitting” explained White.

The #21 A & W Dodge Challenger Crew made repairs as quickly as possible and returned Jason to the battle.  “The car was just as good as it was prior to the oil line problem” said White.  “We were a bunch of laps down so I was very considerate of getting out of the way of the leaders, but I kept showing them the A & W hood of the car to let them know how fast we were and they’ll be seeing a lot of it this year” he stated.

White would take the checkered flag in the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger and claim fifteenth position.  “It’s frustrating to know how good the car was a little thing set us back, but the silver lining is that we have got a great race car and really good race team and I can’t wait to get this car back out on the track in a couple weeks” said White.

Jason White and the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger team will return to action this weekend, June 4 & 5 at Circuit ICAR near Montreal, Quebec.  “We had some very good tests on road courses during the pre season so we’re all excited to get settled into our second home in Quebec, the “aloft” Montreal airport hotel, and to race on this new track” said White.   

STEVE MATHEWS TURNS HEADS AT MOSPORT

By Todd Lewis & TL Sports & Entertainment

Photo Credit:  Sue Chisholm

May 29, 2011 - The 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire season opener took place this past weekend at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario. The driver that drew plenty of attention was New Liskeard, Ontario’s Steve Mathews. The #15 Mathews Motorsports Ford was fast right from the start of practice and Mathews continues to impress every time he takes to the race track.

The #15 Mathews Motorsports Ford was the car everyone was chasing during practice and Mathews showed great speed and maturity. He ran plenty of laps to get comfortable in the seat but didn’t abuse the car. “It felt so good to get behind the wheel of the car for the first time this season” said Mathews. “I just knew we’d run well and couldn’t wait to get started.

Mathews backed up his notable practice speeds by qualifying the #15 Mathews Motorsports Ford third for the 200 lap feature event. Mathews wouldn’t remain in third position for very long. Right after an early caution period the race was restarted and Mathews powered his way to the front of the field and took over the race lead on lap eleven.

Maintaining a comfortable pace Mathews had no difficulty staying at the front of the field. “I wasn’t pushing the car at all” said Mathews. “I was setting the pace and it felt great to get out and lead some laps early on” he added.

During a long green flag run and the #15 Mathews Motorsports Ford would relinquish the lead and the half mile track that batters brakes would also hamper Mathews. “Because we went green for over 100 laps the brakes were heating up and I just didn’t have a chance to get them cooled down” explained the driver. “That put us back a bit in traffic and it got a little messy after that” he added.

Instead of being out front and in control of circumstances, Mathews and the #15 Mathews Motorsports Ford was back in the field and would become tangled with another competitor. The contact would knock the alignment of the front end out and eliminate any chance of Mathews regaining the lead.

Steve Mathews would continue to fight for every position the rest of the way. #15 Mathews Motorsports Ford would finish the race in tenth position. “It’s a bit frustrating and I’m not in the best of moods right now talking about it” said Mathews after the race. “But I guess to be fastest in practice, qualify third and lead a lot of laps is positive. I know we’ll be just as strong at the next oval race at Delaware, I run really well at that track. First though we’re going to race at Circuit ICAR. Our team built a new road course car this winter and we’re looking forward to that event” he stated.

RON BEAUCHAMP SCORES TOP TEN AT MOSPORT

By TL Sports & Entertainment

Photo Credit:  Sue Chisholm

May 29, 2011 - Ron Beauchamp Jr and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team began the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire series this past weekend at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario.  Sporting the sleek new Dodge Challenger body on their race car the team battled for 200 grueling laps and claimed a top-ten finish to open the racing year.

Beauchamp and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team struggled a bit during the afternoon practice session and they worked hard to improve the cars performance.  “We were surprised the car wasn’t quite as good as it was during the testing session here” explained Beauchamp.  “We tried some different things prior to qualifying hoping it would improve” he added.

Beauchamp would qualify the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge tenth and begin the race from the outside of row five.  Early on the changes appeared to be helping the car.  “The car felt good at the beginning of the run but then it started to tighten up” said Beauchamp.  “We had that long green flag run of more than 100 laps and that hurt us” he explained.

When a caution period allowed the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team to make a pit stop for fuel and tires the team again adjusted the car looking for better performance.  “The changes helped a little bit” said Beauchamp.  “But again the longer the race stayed green the car would tighten up, if we had some shorter runs it would have helped us” he added.

Beauchamp would continue to push the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge to the checkered flag and claim a ninth place finish in the race.  “We really thought our car should have finished higher” said the driver.  “But it got a little wild near the end of the race with guys pushing, we came out of here with a top-ten and now we’ll make some adjustments and be better as the season moves on” he added.

Harry And The Band

Ron Pestana (right), Bill Bentley (left) and the Pit Crew with Harry Gant at the
Racer's Reunion Concert in North Carolina

ARCA OK TIRE LINE UP

Steckly Takes Season Opener At Mosport

Scott Steckly celebrates his win in the Dickies 200 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season opener at Mosport Speedway. Matthew Manor/NASCAR

 

  By Kevin W. Green

May 28, 2011 - 7:34pm

 

Bowmanville, Ont. Canada - Scott Steckly rebounded from problems during a pit stop to win the Dickies 200 at Mosport Speedway on Saturday night, as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series kicked off its 2011 season.

The 2008 series champion from Milverton, Ont., had dominated much of the 200-lap event on the half-mile banked oval, but lost the lead during a pit stop when an air gun jammed as a crew member was changing the right rear tire on his No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge.

Steckly's fast pace earlier in the race, which left only five cars on the lead lap by just past the midway point, served to minimize his setback. He restarted fifth and quickly began his charge to the front. He caught Pete Shepherd III by Lap 153 and moved by for the lead a few laps later. Steckly held on through two restarts in the last 10 laps to take the win, the ninth of his career.

Shepherd edged Don Thomson Jr., for second; with fourth going to Brad Graham and defending series champion DJ Kenninton fifth. Jason Hathaway, JR Fitzpatrick, Jeff Lapcevich, Ron Beauchamp Jr., and series rookie Steven Mathews completed the top 10.

Fitzpatrick had led the initial laps, after winning his seventh career series pole in qualifying. Mathews charged out front and set the pace, but Kennington later slipped by as they battled through lapped traffic. Steckly, who had started second on the grid, chased down Kennington and moved by for the lead on Lap 56. He maintained the lead until everyone made their pit stops during a caution on Lap 123. After the pit stop issue, he charged his way back to the front and retook the top spot on Lap 157.

The Dickies 200 will be televised on TSN on Saturday, June 4, at 1 p.m. ET

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be back in action next weekend when the circuit makes its inaugural visit to Circuit ICAR, the modern motorsports facility north of Montreal. Indianapolis 500 polesitter Alex Tagliani is entered in the event.

NASCAR SATURDAY

  David Reutimann 

  | Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

 

Rain Forces Cancellation Of Rainier Beer 100 Montana Raceway Park

By Montana Raceway Park

KALISPELL, Mont. (May 28, 2011) - Heavy rains in the Flathead Valley have inundated Montana Raceway Park with the forecast calling for continued showers on Saturday, track officials and ownership have canceled this weekend’s racing schedule.

 

Tickets purchased for the May 28 race will be honored at the track’s next scheduled event.

Montana Raceway Park’s season continues on June 4 with NOS Energy Drinks Night at the Races featuring the CHS Legends Series, Lucas Oil Super Stocks, MRP Compacts and Wanna Race Bandoleros.

$1,500 To Win ASA Vernon

The ASA Advance Testing Tour is offering a nice payday for the June 4th race at Vernon's Motoplex Speedway: 1st - $1,500, 2nd - $1,000, 3rd - $750, 5th - $500, 4th - $400

Abenroth and Handlos Beat Mother Nature at Deming Speedway

By Kaleb Hart

 

Two of the four scheduled features were completed on Les Schwab night at Deming Speedway before Mother Nature roared to life, bringing a torrential downpour that would end the evening’s festivities prematurely.

 

Zach Handlos made his Deming Speedway debut a memorable one as he won the rain shortened A Feature. Handlos led all 17 laps of the main under pressure from Kyle Mitchell. Mitchell had a shot at Handlos late, but made contact late, spinning his car to a stop. The yellow flag was enough to cause a stoppage of the race, as the surface was lost at that point.

 

Isaac Abenroth led all 15 laps of the Kasey Kahne Junior Sprint main event to take home his 4^th main event win of the year. Eli Schmidt was second and Lynden Lebedinski was third.

 

Kasey Kahne Junior Sprints

Heat 1 – JJ Thomas, Isaac Abenroth, Ashton Dial, Jesse Schlotfeldt, Sawyer Sorgenfrei, Ashleigh Johnson

Heat 2 – Lynden Lebedinski, Darius Walker, Jake Helsel, Dale Booth Jr, Tyson Lemley, Eli Schmidt

Main – Isaac Abenroth, Schmidt, Lebedinski, Sorgenfrei, Helsel, Johnson, Walker, Lemley, Schlotfeldt, Thomas, Dial, Booth Jr

Lap Leaders – Abenroth 1-15

Hard Charger – Eli Schmidt

 

600 Restricted

Heat 1 – Derrick Moss, Rachel Westmoreland, Brandee Wood, Jacob Brown, Robie Price

Heat 2 – Austin Sheridan, Nate Vaughn, Kyle Mitchell, Hannah Lindquist

Heat 3 – Tristin Thomas, Zach Handlos, Alden Ostrom, Dylan Resch

Main – Zach Handlos, Wood, Moss, Thomas, Sheridan, Vaughn, Westmoreland, Lindquist, Resch, Ostrom, Brown, Mitchell, Price

Lap Leaders – Handlos 1-17

Hard Charger – Derrick Moss

 

1200s

Heat 1 – Brock Lemley, Ryan Cully, Aaron Fell, Steven Hendrickson, Tyson Cross, Eric Turner, Jason Bloodgood

Heat 2 – Brandon Benson, Clennon Holloway, Duane Mackey, Jared Gunderson, Frosty Metcalfe, Zach Keefe

Main – Cancelled - Weather

 

Speedmart Hoosier 600 Open

Heat 1 –Steven Hendrickson, Dale Schmidt, Shaun Holtorf, Jason Bloodgood

Heat 2 – Kelly Mauck, Brock Lemley, Alex Gauthier, Jerrod Saddler, Tanner Reid

Heat 3 – Hayden Schmidt, Derek Torkelson, Dougie James, Spud Allen

Heat 4 – Dustin O’Brien, Cam Smith, JR Thomas, Brandon Turner

Main – Cancelled - Weather

Morton Seeking Second Kalispell Toyota Late Model Series Victory Of The Season

By Reed T. Tobol

Montana Raceway Park Media Relations

KALISPELL, Mont. (May 27, 2011) - Despite a cool wet week in northwest Montana, racetrack officials have spent countless hours preparing, and are in high hopes that Mother Nature will cooperate by allowing the Reiner Beer Late Model 100 to happen this Saturday night at Montana Raceway Park.

With a full field of Kalispell Toyota Super Late Models scheduled to take the green flag, there is no doubt defending 2010 champion Bodie Morton will now have his hands full in his Carlson Law Office Chevrolet.  Just two weeks ago in the season opener, Morton came out of the shop very fast and clinched his first victory of the 2011 season.  This weekend, Morton will look to extend to three main event wins in a row, dating back to last season.

In the May 14 opener, Morton had a strong start of the race battling Mark Owens for the lead up until the first caution.  After the restart, Morton laid off the throttle temporarily while Spokane Wash., driver Dave Garber and Owens fought for the number one spot.  It wasn’t until the last fifty laps that Morton regained the lead and kept it to the checked flag. 

With high confidence the veteran driver will join the field this weekend with great team and fan support looking to put himself back into victory lane.

“Our team comes into each season looking to win at least one race a year, Morton told the media in victory lane on May 14. “Now we’re just going to see if we can make it two for 2011 when we come out here on May 28.”

Along with the Late Models, the Pabst Blue Ribbon Hobby Stocks, Flathead Beacon Hornets, Wanna Race Bandoleros and MRP Compacts will be in action.

Though the Compacts have yet to debut in 2011, each of the other three classes have turned laps in previous weekends. 

Young Bryce Denney picked up a victory in the Bandolero division while Tyler Volkman kicked his season off right in the Hornets.

Josh Davis and won his first Hobby Stock main event this season, but had his back bumper full of Brandon Martel.

The Compact drivers will see their first laps of the year this weekend.  Ernie Cahala, Fran Rehn and Tim Davis are just a few drivers returning in the division. 

To avoid the long lines at the gate, fans have the availability to purchase tickets in advance online by going to montanaracewaypark.com.  Also online, fans and drivers can print out a full schedule of events for the entire 2011 season and view the latest point standings, photos and much more.  For any additional questions, contact a racetrack representative during regular business hours at 257-RACE (7223). Don’t forget to add Montana Raceway Park to your Facebook fan page.  Qualifying starts at 6 pm, with the first green flag set to drop at 7:05 pm.

Looking past this weekend, the next race is scheduled for Saturday, June 4.  NOS Energy Drinks presents Night at the Races, featuring the CHS Legends, Lukas Oil Super Stocks, Wanna Race Bandoleros and Compacts.