STONEY CREEK, ON – The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series held its first-ever race, on Saturday night at Cayuga Speedway Park. And even though he was involved in a crash that relegated him to 20th-place in the final results, Stoney Creek, Ontario racer Ron Van Es demonstrated that he will be a driver to watch all season.
After recording the second-fastest time during the combined afternoon practice sessions, Van Es put his Star Van Systems / Ingersoll Rand / Marshall’s Truck & Trailer Repair Chevrolet Monte on the inside of the second row for the start of the 200-lap race around the 5/8-mile Cayuga oval.
From the drop of the green flag, Van Es was quickly into second-place and within a few laps had reeled in race-leader and five-time Canadian national stock car champion Don Thomson Jr. Lap 17 saw Van Es drop to the inside of Thomson and take the lead. The youngster ran comfortably at the front of the pack for 10 laps, until a caution flag slowed the field.
Van Es was outmaneuvered by the wily veteran Thomson during the ensuing restart, but ran in the top 6 for almost the entire first half of the race. But on lap 98, disaster struck when Van Es ploughed into the spinning car of Kerry Micks (who had tangled with Mark Dilley) as Van Es attempted to avoid the melee by cutting low into the infield grass. The #11 Chevy sustained heavy damage to the right-front, ending Van Es’ hopes for a top finish.
As disappointing as it was to see his strong run come to an end due to an accident triggered by others, Van Es took it all in stride, while taking heart in his accomplishments during practice, qualifying and the first portion of the race. Van Es credits his newfound success to a change in his engine program during the off-season.
“It was very encouraging to be second fastest in practice and qualify third for the race,” said Van Es, after the race. “Our crew chief Alex Nagy has always given me a good handling car, but we kind of let him down with the complete package. This year, switching to Peter Gibbons’ motors, I think we have the final piece of the puzzle to allow us to compete in the top 10.”
In a day filled with several highlights, Van Es was most excited about passing Don Thomson Jr. for the lead. “When I was able to close up on his bumper and I realized I could take the lead because our car was handling a lot better than his at that point in the race, I went for it and was able to make the pass stick.”
Van Es continued, “I got out front of him and just started to try and conserve brakes and tires. I stretched it out for a couple of laps, but then a caution came out. On the restart, Donnie used a veteran move on me. I’d never restarted in the lead before, so I learned a lesson from him that I can use the next time.”
And while frustrated by the lap 98 crash that cut short his day, Van Es was glad to demonstrate what he can do behind the wheel of a racecar. “To be able to do so well in qualifying and early in the race, it felt really good for myself and my crew. They’ve been with us for a couple of tough years, so to see the smiles on their faces really made me feel good.”
Ron Van Es would like to recognize the support of his crew and crew chief Alex Nagy, as well as that of Ron’s father, Andy Van Es. The team is also proud to be associated with Star Van Systems and Ingersoll Rand, and offers its gratitude to Marshall’s Truck & Trailer Repair who were on the #11 car for the Cayuga race. Van Es Racing is looking for additional marketing partners for their NASCAR Canadian Tire Series program.
The next event for the Star Van Systems / Ingersoll Rand Chevrolet Monte Carlo team is on Father’s Day (June 17) at the legendary Mosport International Raceway road course.
CAYUGA RACE SUMMARY: Don Thomson Jr. won the inaugural NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race, at Cayuga Speedway. The Chevy driver took the lead from Ron Beauchamp Jr. on lap 187 of the 200-lap chase and came home in front of Mark Dilley and Peter Gibbons. Former Champ Car open-wheel racer Andrew Ranger was fourth in his NASCAR debut. A total of 23 drivers and teams participated in the race, which was slowed 18 times for a total of 84 caution laps and included 17 lead changes.
Prepared by Inside Track Communications. For more information about Van Es Racing, contact Jolene Convery at Van Es Racing at (800) 263-4884. For more information about the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, visit www.nascar.ca
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