NCATS: Cayuga report

HAGERSVILLE, Ontario (May 26, 2007) – Don Thomson, Jr. collected one of the biggest wins in Canadian stock car racing history in the Dodge Dealers 200 at Cayuga Speedway Park. The event was the first ever for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio.

Thomson, Jr., out of Ayr, Ontario, was determined to win this race. "I wanted to win this race ever since it was announced," he said. The event came down to a green-white-checker finish and the winner was able to hold off a hard charging Mark Dilley by 0.126 seconds at the finish line.

Bud Pole Winner D.J. Kennington led the first lap but was off the pace before turn one as a result of a broken rear trailing arm. It would not be the night's only lead change.There were 16 lead changes among 8 drivers with Thomson, Jr. leading the most laps with 77.

Peter Gibbons finished third followed by series newcomer Andrew Ranger. Derek Lynch crossed the line in fifth place. John Gaunt, Jason Hathaway, Joey McColm, Kent Nuhn and Kerry Micks rounded out the top 10.

The NASCAR Canadian Tires Series is back in action next on June 16 and 17 on the roadcourse of Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario.


NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES-Dodge Dealers 200 UNOFFICIAL Results
Saturday
At Cayuga Speedway Park
Hagersville, ON
Lap length: 0.625 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (4) Don Thomson, Jr., Ayr, Ontario, Chevrolet, 200 laps, 54.381 mph, $5,050.
2. (7) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $3,140.
3. (12) Peter Gibbons, Stouffville, Ontario, Chevrolet, 200, $2,640.
4. (11) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Quebec, Ford, 200, $1,825.
5. (13) Derek Lynch, Warksworth, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $1,625.
6. (18) John Gaunt, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $1,580.
7. (19) Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $1,540.
8. (16) Joey McColm, Ajax, Ontario, Dodge, 200, $1,500.
9. (20) Kent Nuhn, Williamsford, Ontario, Pontiac, 200, $1,460.
10. (9) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ontario, Ford, 195, fuel pump, $1,420.
11. (10) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ontario, Dodge, 194, accident, $1,175.
12. (5) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ontario, Dodge, 194, accident, $1,140.
13. (2) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ontario, Chevrolet, 191, steering, $1,100.
14. (8) Doug Brown, Brantford, Ontario, Dodge, 188, accident, $1,075.
15. (14) Jim Lapcevich, Grimsby, Ontario, Chevrolet, 187, suspension, $1,055.
16. (17) Brad Graham, Glencoe, Ontario, Dodge, 185, $1,035.
17. (23) Richard Durivage, Jr, St. Eustache, Quebec, Chevrolet, 150, electrical, $1,015.
18. (15) Jeff Lapcevich, Caistor Centre, Ontario, Chevrolet, 148, accident, $995.
19. (21) Bob Merrifield, Belle River, Ontario, Dodge, 142, suspension, $975.
20. (3) Ron Van Es, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Chevrolet, 135, suspension, $930.
21. (6) Dave Whitlock, Petrolia, Ontario, Dodge, 90, motor, $915.
22. (22) Bryan Cathcart, Peterborough, Ontario, Chevrolet, 65, fuel pump, $890.
23. (1) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ontario, Dodge, 45, handling, $2,375.

Race Statistics
Time of Race: 2 hours 17 minutes 55 seconds
Margin of Victory: .126 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: D.Kennington (108.251 mph, 20.785 seconds)
Caution Flags: 18 for 85 laps.
Lead Changes: 16 among 8 drivers.

Lap Leaders: D.Kennington 1; D.Thomson,Jr. 2-16; R.Van Es 17-26; D.Thomson,Jr. 27-45;
M.Dilley 46-98; K.Micks 99; M.Dilley 100-105; D.Brown 106-111; J.Hathaway 112; D.Brown
113-121; D.Thomson,Jr. 122-145; R.Beauchamp,Jr. 146-160; D.Thomson,Jr. 161-164;
R.Beauchamp,Jr. 165-181; D.Thomson,Jr. 182-183; R.Beauchamp,Jr. 184-186; D.Thomson,Jr.
187-200.

Standings: 1. D.Thomson,Jr., 190; 2. M.Dilley, 175; 3. P.Gibbons, 165; 4. A.Ranger, 160;
5. D.Lynch, 155; 6. J.Hathaway, 151; 7. J.Gaunt, 150; 8. J.McColm, 142; 9. K.Micks, 139;
10. K.Nuhn, 138.

From NASCAR / photo by ITMN