Montréal, Québec (May 28, 2007) - Richard Durivage's maiden start in the 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Presented by Sirius Satellite Radio, Saturday night's Dodge Dealers 200 at Cayuga Speedway Park, Ontario, may have ended 50-laps shy of the checkered but taking the green flag earlier in the evening marked a small victory for the Québec-based outfit.
A week before the opening round of the 12-race series, Trident Racing's #18 Chevrolet Monte-Carlo looked like it might have to sit out the season-opener as team boss Richard Durivage was faced with the challenge of sourcing a new crew-chief. Showcasing the same determination he displays in business and behind the wheel of a race car, the 38-year-old from Montreal endured a busy seven days to ensure he wouldn't miss out on a historical evening for Canadian stock car racing.
With a complete pit crew successfully assembled by the week's end, Durivage headed to the 5/8-mile oval track situated just outside Hagersville, Ontario for Saturday's first ever NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event. Given the drama of the week before, Durivage was satisfied to have made the grid and would start the 200-lap race from 23rd with pole going to D.J. Kennington in the #45 Dodge entry, his lap time of 20.785s (108.251mph) edging out last season's final CASCAR Champion, J.R. Fitzpatrick for the Bud Pole Award.
In the race itself a top-ten finish was looking good, Durivage comfortably remaining on the lead-lap, before an electrical short-out in the #18's radio control box resulted in NASCAR black-flagging the Québec racer on lap 150. With no line of communication between driver and spotter, Durivage was forced to retire on safety grounds, the team opening the season with a 17th place classified finish.
Five-time CASCAR Champion Don Thomson Jr. collected the first win of the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series era, the Ayr, Ontario native beating Mark Dilley to the checkered by 0.126 seconds in a race that boasted sixteen lead changes amongst eight drivers.
"Well we've kicked the season off pretty much where we left it last year at Cayuga," reflected Durivage. "We're seventeenth in the points which considering what we had to go through to get here in the past week isn't too bad. I think a top-ten finish was on the cards but it wasn't to be. Overall I think we put on a good show for the fans, everything was very professional looking and it was a great race. I can't wait to go to Mosport now!"
From Stuart Morrison Public Relations
Monday, May 28, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Coca-Cola 600: Photo Gallery by Dave Franks
The top three finishers in tonight's Coca-Cola 600 were: Casey Mears, J.J. Yeley and Kyle Petty. If the race was a horserace, you could purchase all the gold in Fort Knox if you nailed the trifecta for this one.
Thanks to Dave Franks who just called from the Media Room at Lowe's to say that he uploaded some shots for your viewing pleasure.
I get no respect... I tell ya.... I win the Indy 500 and all they can talk about is my wife
Dario Franchitti won the Indy 500 today.The headlines on stories reporting the news say, "Judd's hubby Franchitti wins Indy 500".
It's probably only fitting that the mainstream media found a way to write about a woman in their post-Indy 500 stories, given the inordinate amount of space it dedicated to also-rans Patrick, Fisher and Duno prior to the race.
What does it say about a series / event that the only way it can garner attention is to play off the celebrity of the athletes' wives and the novelty participants?
NCATS content during the Coca-Cola 600 broadcast on TSN
There was a segment during a CC600 caution in which TSN did a 2-minute feature on NASCAR Canadian Tire Series driver Brad Graham, promoting the driver and the series. Nice.Then a commercial came on selling tickets for the Grand Prix of Edmonton. The first three-quarters of it was about the NCATS series being there. At then end... as an afterthought... it mentioned that the ChampCars will be there, too.
NCATS: Cayuga Photo Gallery #2
Here are some more shots from the inaugural NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race, held Saturday night at Cayuga Raceway Park.
In one of them, you can see the smile on Andrew Ranger's face, following his fourth-place run. Andrew had a blast in the race and is 100% convinced that he made the right move by changing his career path to stock cars. Everyone is hoping he does well because his participation in the series benefits everyone. His excellent attitude is another reason that people are pulling for him. As I left the track at 11:30, the last person I saw was Ranger - still smiling - helping to put away chairs at his team's hospitality area behind the main grandstand.
The combination of the new NASCAR sanction and Ranger's presence contributed to the biggest media turnout at Cayuga since the NASCAR Canada Day Shootout several years ago.
In one of them, you can see the smile on Andrew Ranger's face, following his fourth-place run. Andrew had a blast in the race and is 100% convinced that he made the right move by changing his career path to stock cars. Everyone is hoping he does well because his participation in the series benefits everyone. His excellent attitude is another reason that people are pulling for him. As I left the track at 11:30, the last person I saw was Ranger - still smiling - helping to put away chairs at his team's hospitality area behind the main grandstand.
The combination of the new NASCAR sanction and Ranger's presence contributed to the biggest media turnout at Cayuga since the NASCAR Canada Day Shootout several years ago.
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.
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
Saturday, May 26, 2007
NCATS: Don Thomson wins the inaugural NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race
HAMILTON, ON - Don Thomson won the season opening Dodge Dealers 200 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at Cayuga Speedway on Saturday night. Mark Dilley finished second, ahead of Peter Gibbons.
The race featured 17 lead changes among 8 drivers and was slowed 18 times for a total of 84 laps. There were 23 cars in the field. Andrew Ranger made his second appearance in Canada's top stock car series and came home an impressive fourth.
I'll post more photos and news on Sunday.
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