August 8, 2011. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge returned to action in round number eight of the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres. The race presented unique challenges for the team when rain soaked the course prior to the event Sunday afternoon.
In the afternoon practice session the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge was extremely fast and driver pleased with car. “It was really good right from the beginning” said Beauchamp. “But on this track where every little bit helps I thought if we made a gear change it would be helpful” he added.
The change did not serve the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge well and Beauchamp would battle in qualifying to achieve a fifteenth place starting spot. “Because of the gear change it changed the points where I shifted on the track and it just disrupted my rhythm” stated the driver.
For the Sunday race teams were thrown a curveball when a strong rain soaked the track prior to the start. “No one was really sure what to expect” explained the driver. “We were all worried about racing in the wet on such a tight track” he added.
During the race Beauchamp carefully maneuvered the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge and was flirting with the top ten. “There was just so much spray and fog on the inside of the windshield, I wanted to be really sure before making any moves” said the driver.
A late caution period set up a green, white, checkered finish. But a communication issue with the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge would impact their finishing result. “Running under caution there was water everywhere” explained Beauchamp. “I was having a bit of trouble communicating with the spotter but before I had a chance to even address it we were back to green and found out after we were black flagged. It was a pretty tough call with so little time left and not really having a chance to correct the problem” he stated.
Despite the setback Beauchamp still managed to bring the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge to a fourteenth place finish and he is sixth in the overall point standings.
Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge Team will compete in all twelve races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. The next event takes place August 19-20 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec as part of the Nationwide weekend event. Once again this year all events will be broadcast on TSN. Fans should check their local listings for times. For more information about the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team log on to www.beauchampmotorsports.com and www.mopar.ca
Photo Credit: Joe Hamilton
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ron Beauchamp Sr., Beauchamp Motorsports (519) 726-9600
This release prepared by, TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618