Category: Other Series PR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 16, 2013) – The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 completes its two-race swing through Western Canada with the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 presented by Bayer CropScience on July 17 at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in Saskatoon, Sask.. Below is a statistical look at the recent performance of selected drivers at ACMS, as well as some other statistical trends:

ACMS Race Setup

·         In four Saskatoon starts, D.J. Kennington has an average starting position of 2.5 and average finishing spot of 1.8 which includes wins in 2010 and 2012.

·         J.R. Fitzpatrick has a top-10 finish in each of his three ACMS starts.

·         Scott Steckly has top-five finishes in three of his four Saskatchewan starts including a win in the 2009 series debut at the track.

·         A Dodge driver has won all four Saskatoon races.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series At Auto Clearing Motor Speedway

·         This is the series’ fifth time to compete in Saskatoon at the .333-mile Auto Clearing Motor Speedway.

·         The race’s television premier is scheduled for Sunday, July 28 at 11 a.m. ET on TSN and Friday, Aug. 16 at 11 p.m. ET on RDS2.

·         The Velocity Prairie Thunder in 2009 was the first NASCAR-sanctioned event in the province of Saskatchewan.

·         The event is the only race on the 2012 schedule that is run on a weekday.

·         Each of the first four series events at Auto Clearing have been before sold out crowds.

·         In the previous four races at the track, there has been an average of 5.0 caution periods for 43.5 laps with earliest coming at Lap 11 in 2011 and the latest at Lap 240 in the 2011 event, as well.

·         • In four races at Saskatoon, the average finishing position for the pole sitter is 2.0 and the average starting position for the race winner is 6.5.

·         There has been an average of 7.75 lead changes in three Canadian Tire Series races at ACMS.

 

Auto Clearing Motor Speedway Data

Race: #6 of 12 (7/17/13)

Track Layout: .333-mile oval

Race Length: 250 laps (83.25 miles)

 

Records

1-Lap Qualifying: J.R. Fitzpatrick, Chevrolet, 14.665 seconds, 81.801 mph, July 25, 2012

250-Lap Race: D.J. Kennington, Dodge, 1 hr., 17 min., 3 sec., 64.828 mph, Aug. 4, 2010

 

Race Winners

D.J. Kennington…………………………… 2

Pete Shepherd III………………………….. 1

Scott Steckly………………………………. 1

 

Pole Winners

D.J. Kennington ………………………….. 2

J.R. Fitzpatrick…………………………….. 1

Don Thomson Jr…………………………… 1

 

Manufacturer Wins

Dodge ………………………………………. 4

 

Laps Led

D.J. Kennington………………………… 336

Don Thomson Jr……………………….. 304

J.R. Fitzpatrick………………………….. 137

 

Selected Driver Information:

Ron Beauchamp Jr. (No. 60 Mopar/Exide/Pennzoil Dodge)

·         Finished seventh a year ago at the Saskatchewan track.

·         Has three top-10 finishes in three starts at ACMS.

·         Scored first top 10 of the season in last start on July 13 at Vernon, B.C.

·         One of four drivers to start all 80 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

Mark Dilley (No. 02 Leland/Beyond Digital Imaging/Dickies Ford)

·         Was the runner-up to D.J. Kennington last season in Saskatoon.

·         Registered a fifth-place finish in the 2011 Saskatchewan event.

·         Has three straight top-10 finishes at ACMS.

·         Has three career Canadian Tire Series wins with the last coming in Sept. 2011 at Barrie (Ont.) Speedway.

 

Noel Dowler (No. 5 EMCO/Praxair/Safety Kleen Dodge)

·         Finished 16th a year ago in the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250.

·         Placed 13th in his track debut in 2011.

·         Posted a third-place finish last season at Barrie (Ontario) Speedway for his first series top five.

 

Louis-Philipe Dumoulin (No. 47 WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare Dodge)

·         Finished seventh a season ago in his only career Saskatoon start.

·         Is the series points leader with a two-point lead on D.J. Kennington.

·         Registered his first Canadian Tire Series victory in the season opener on May 19 on the road course at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

·         Scored his first career pole win last season at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.

·         Was the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Rookie of the Year.

·         Made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut on Aug. 20, 2012 at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

 

J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Equipment Express Chevrolet)

·         Was the third-place finisher last season in the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250.

·         Finished second in 2010 and ninth in 2011 at ACMS.

·         Has registered three straight top 10s at the .333-mile Saskatchewan track.

·         Has led 137 laps at Saskatoon.

·         Seven of his eight career series wins have come on road courses – CTMP (3), Edmonton (2) and Montreal (2); his oval track win came in July 2007 at Motoplex Speedway.

 

Jason Hathaway (No. 3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge)

·         Finished 21st last season at ACMS.

·         Best track finish of fourth came in the 2009 inaugural event.

·         One of four drivers to start all 80 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

Cameron Hayley (No. 28 Cabinets By Hayley Dodge)

·         Recorded a seventh-place finish in his NCATS debut on July 13 at Vernon, B.C.

·         Won NASCAR K&N Pro Series portion of inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach in 2013.

·         Finished second in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut at 15 years of age.

·         Youngest driver to compete in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (15 years 23 days at Montana 8/13/11).

 

D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge)

·         Won last year’s Velocity Prairie Thunder 250; also won the 2010 edition.

·         Finished second in 2011 and third in 2009 at the Saskatchewan track.

·         Has top-five finishes in all four of his Auto Clearing starts.

·         Has led a series-best 336 laps at the Vernon track.

·         Tops the all-time Canadian Tire Series wins list with 18.

·         Won 2010 and 2012 series championships.

·         Scored a single-season series record of seven wins in 2012.

·         One of four drivers to start all 80 NCATS races.

 

Martin Roy (No. 90 Batteries Expert/Gamache Dodge)

·         Finished 10th last season in his only Saskatoon start.

·         Has a top-10 finish in five of last seven series starts dating back to the 2012 season.

·         Won 2012 series Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

 

Ryley Seibert (No. 09 Lake Excavating/Emco Waterworks Dodge)

·         Finished 13th last season in the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250.

·         Registered a 16th-place finish in his track debut in 2011.

·         Leads series Rookie-of-the-Year standings this season.

 

Scott Steckly (No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge)

·         Finished fourth a year ago in Saskatoon.

·         Won the 2009 inaugural event at ACMS.

·         Has led 128 laps on the half-mile tri-oval.

·         His 12 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victories rank third on the all-time list.

·         Won 2008 and 2011 series championships.

·         One of four drivers to start all 80 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

Jason White (No. 21 Bowers & Wilkins Dodge)

·         Finished 20th a year ago at ACMS.

·         Best finish in four starts in Saskatoon was ninth in 2009.

·         Was 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Rookie of the Year.

TORONTO – Scott Dixon is one step closer to claiming the $100,000 SONAX Perfect Finish Award after winning the first race of the Honda Indy Toronto 2 in T.O. on Saturday, July 13.

Dixon, who started fifth in the 85-lap race on the tight 1.7-mile, 11-turn street circuit, overtook race leader Sebastien Bourdais on Lap 78 and held off the four-time CART champion on a Lap 84 single-file restart for the victory. It was Dixon’s 31st victory, tying Bourdais, Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy for seventh on the all-time Indy car list. Franchitti finished third in the race Saturday.

If Dixon sweeps the doubleheader weekend by winning Race No. 2 on Sunday in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, he’ll earn the $100,000 SONAX Perfect Finish bonus. He will start the race from the pole.

Dixon won six days earlier on the wide and fast Pocono Raceway 2.5-mile tri-oval. His last back-to-back victories occurred in 2008 at Edmonton and Kentucky.

Bourdais was 1.7007 seconds back in Toronto in the No. 7 Dragon Racing Chevrolet for his best finish since rejoining Indy car racing in 2011.

Franchitti, who earned the Verizon P1 Award in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, was informed while standing on the podium that he was assessed a 25-second blocking penalty on the final lap that dropped him to 13th.

After the race, INDYCAR officials met with Franchitti and Target Chip Ganassi Racing team members to further review the blocking penalty issued on the final lap. The team presented car data showing steering trace and braking points from the Lap 85 incident with the No. 12 car driven by Will Power. The group also viewed additional video. Upon further review, INDYCAR reinstated Franchitti to his original third-place finishing position.

Helio Castroneves, the championship points front-runner entering the 12th event of the season, increased his lead from 23 points to 39 with a sixth-place finish in the No. 3 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet. His closest pursuer, Ryan Hunter-Reay, finished 18th in the No. 1 DHL Chevrolet. Hunter-Reay encountered a string of problems, including stalling twice leaving his pit box and making contact with the Turn 3 tire barrier on Lap 79.

Andretti Autosport teammate Marco Andretti finished fourth and Tony Kanaan was fifth.

The first standing start in IZOD IndyCar Series history was aborted when the No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing car driven by Josef Newgarden developed an engine sensor malfunction before all the cars were gridded, forcing the implementation of a rolling start. The 24 drivers will try a standing start again in Race 2. Dixon will be joined on the front row by Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Franchitti.

Also on July 13, Jack Hawksworth earned his second victory of the season, winning the Firestone Indy Lights’ Toronto 100 from the pole.

With bonus points attached for the pole and leading the most laps to the victory and championship points front-runner Carlos Munoz placing fourth, Hawksworth slid into title contention through eight of 12 rounds.

Peter Dempsey, the Firestone Freedom 100 winner in the No. 5 Belardi Auto Racing car, overtook the No. 7 Schmidt Peterson with Curb-Agajanian car of Gabby Chaves on Lap 46 for second and finished 14.4 seconds back.

TORONTO, ON, July 10, 2013 – Organizers of the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto are pleased to announce that newly acquired Toronto Maple Leafs players Dave Bolland and David Clarkson will serve as the Grand Marshals for 2inTO, the two INDYCAR races taking place during the event weekend, July 12-14.

 

The local natives of Mimico will perform the standard Grand Marshal duties that include giving the famous “drivers, start your engines” command to start the afternoon races: Bolland on Saturday, July 13 and Clarkson on Sunday, July 14. They will also meet the INDYCAR drivers, tour the INDYCAR paddocks and will participate in the Drivers Parades for each respective race.

 

“We are thrilled to have Dave and David as the grand marshals of our event,” said Charlie Johnstone, President of the Honda Indy Toronto. “The Honda Indy is Toronto’s event, so it’s only fitting for two Toronto-natives and members of Leafs Nation to make the famous call to start the races.”

 

Bolland is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, most recently scoring the winning goal for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins just last month. Scoring in the final minute of the game, he set a new record for the latest Stanley Cup-winning goal scored in regulation time. In 2012, he officially launched the Dave Bolland Foundation to help empower youth from marginalized communities in shaping their futures for success.

 

Clarkson has a strong connection to the event and racing. At the 2012 Honda Indy Toronto, he announced a partnership between his charity, Clarky’s Kids, and the Graham Rahal Foundation, both of which raise funds to help chronically ill children and their families. This year, the Dale Coyne Racing No. 19 piloted by Justin Wilson, 2005 winner on the streets of Toronto, will carry the Clarky’s Corner logo on race day in support of the charity ‘s fundraising efforts. Clarky’s Corner Children’s Charities is an umbrella foundation recently launched in Toronto to allocate funds to numerous initiatives with the goal of improving the lives of kids and their families.

 

Tickets to the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto are available at hondaindy.com/tickets or by phone at 1-877-503-6869.

 

About Honda Indy Toronto

The Honda Indy Toronto, Ontario’s largest annual sporting event, takes place July 12-14 on the streets surrounding Exhibition Place near Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto. For the first time in event history, the 2013 Honda Indy Toronto will feature two INDYCAR races in one weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, for full points and prize money on both days. In addition to world-class racing, the event is a festival of festivals featuring craft beer, food trucks, BMX stunt shows, interactive games and activities, live entertainment, charity events and celebrity appearances. For more information, visit HondaIndy.com.

 

– 30 –

Passing Of The Torch For Seiberts

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 8, 2013) – Passing the torch from father to son is one of the most time-honored and fulfilling experiences there is.

For Trevor and Ryley Seibert that is what the 2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 is about. The bulk of Trevor’s career, that has included a stint in the Firestone Indy Lights series, is in his rearview mirror while 21-year-old Ryley is just embarking on his career that extends beyond the local level.

“I race for the enjoyment of it at this point,” said the elder Seibert. “And to gauge where Ryley is in his development. It’s not necessarily about beating me, but more to see how he reacts to things and matures as a racer.”

While the plan for advancement is not quite as accelerated as Ryley would like, it is one that is pragmatic and based on acquired skills.

 

“He needs to earn his way and learn the business,” Trevor stated. “We’re just not going to move up for the sake of moving up. He’s going to need to prove that he belongs and can handle it. More is accomplished by earning it rather than having it handed to you. So, that’s how we’re looking at it.”

 

“I want to do more and more, but I understand where my (father) is coming from,” Ryley said. “I get impatient, but it’s definitely the best way to go.”

As a series rookie of the year contender, the younger Seibert has been to the top-finishing rookie in three of the four events this season and holds a slim lead over Alex Guenette in the rookie standings. Coming into the season the younger Seibert had five Canadian Tire Series starts under his belt.

 

“I think the progression has been good,” said Ryley. “There’s lots of room for improvement, but there always is.”

 

The Seiberts out of Williams Lake, B.C., get to compete before their home fans this week in the A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300 on Saturday, July 13 at Motoplex Speedway and Event Park in Vernon, B.C. Doing well there has a number of benefits.

 

“Winning in front of friends and family is always special. Bragging rights are pretty fun, too,” said Trevor. “From a business point of view it’s good, as well. Sponsorship can come from some pretty strange places sometimes and local connections are often good for that.”

 

Ryley competes regularly at Motoplex in the local divisions and he would like nothing more than to put on a great show for his rivals there.

 

“It would be huge to have a great run there,” said Ryley.

 

Race: A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300

Place: Motoplex Speedway & Event Park, Vernon, B.C.

Date: Saturday, July 13

Time: 8:15 p.m. PT

TV Schedule: TSN, Sun., July 28, 11 a.m. ET; RDS2, Sat., Aug. 3, 7 p.m. ET

Track Layout: Half-mile tri-oval

2012 Winner: D.J. Kennington

2012 Pole Sitter: Ron Beauchamp Jr.

Event Schedule: Practice 1-1:30 p.m.; Final Practice 2-2:30 p.m.; Qualifying 5:15 p.m.; On-Track Autograph Session 7 p.m.; Driver Introductions 7:50 p.m.

Track Contact: Bob Newcombe, (250) 542-9090, bob@motoplexspeedway.com

Event Twitter Hashtag: #AW300

 

FAST FACTS

The Race: This is the fifth event of the 2013 season for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 and the third of eight oval-track events on the schedule. This is the series’ seventh visit to the track.

 

The Procedure: The starting field is 24 cars, including provisionals. The first 21 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining three spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 300 laps covering 150 miles.

 

The Track: The Motoplex Speedway half-mile banked tri-oval is 55 feet wide on the front and back straights, and 60 feet wide in the turns. Banking in Turns 1 and 2 is 11 degrees, while Turns 3 and 4 are banked at 14 degrees. The facility has seating for 7,500 spectators, including corporate hospitality facilities and VIP suites. The track’s first event took place on August 12, 2000. The track was known as SunValley Speedway through the 2009 season.

 

The Records: The one-lap qualifying record for the Canadian Tire Series at the track is 18.168 seconds (99.075 mph), set by D.J. Kennington on July 31, 2010. The 300-lap race record was established on July 18, 2009 by Andrew Ranger at 1 hour, 52 minutes, 29 seconds for an average speed of 81.612 mph.

 

VERNON NOTES

Favorites: If Motoplex Speedway is not Scott Steckly’s (No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge) favorite track, it should be. In six Canadian Tire Series starts at the track, the two-time series champion has a pair of wins, three second-place finishes and a third-place showing last season.

Long Road: After competing in Mirabel, Quebec on July 7, Canadian Tire Series teams will make the long trip west to British Columbia. The point-to-point trip covers over 2,500 miles across Canada.

 

Long Road, Part II: The 300-lap race on the half-mile tri-oval at Motoplex Speedway is the longest race on the series schedule. The other two 300-lappers on the schedule are at on third-mile tracks in Antigonish, N.S. and Barrie, Ontario.

Still Looking: With a sixth-place finish at Circuit ICAR points leader D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge) is still looking for his first win of the 2013 season. The defending series champion claimed his first Motoplex triumph last year.

 

Western Swing: This season’s swing through Western Canada consists of two races. The Motoplex Speedway event will be followed up by the Saskatoon event on Wednesday, July 17.

 

Brothers In Arms: Brothers Jason and Jim White – both British Columbia residents – will share the track for the first time this season and for competing teams. Jason’s car is prepared by DJK Racing while Jim’s Dodge will come out of the 22 Racing stable.

 

Come On Out: Joining the Canadian Tire Series at the British Columbia half-mile tri-oval will be the A&W Street Stocks. Ticket information for the event can be found at www.motoplexspeedway.com.

 

LAST TIME OUT: Jiffy Lube 100

Still The King: Andrew Ranger continued his road-course dominance in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series by picking up his 14th series career road-racing victory since the series began in 2007. It was his 17th overall series win. Ranger also has nine career triumphs in his home province of Quebec.

More Like It: After a pair of sub-par performances to start the 2013 season by Scott Steckly, the two-time champion has recorded back-to-back second-place finishes to move up to seventh in the point standings.

Dumoulins Double Up: Brothers Jean-Francois (eighth) and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin (third) scored top-10 finishes at Circuit ICAR. It’s the fourth time in the Canadian Tire Series that both Trois-Rivieres, Quebec competitors registered top 10s in the same event.

 

Off And Running: Rookie Alex Guenette experienced a few bumps to the start the season, but the 17-year-old picked up his first series-career top 10 with a 10th-place finish in the Jiffy Lube 100 presented by Snap-on at Circuit ICAR.

NEXT TIME OUT: Velocity Prairie Thunder

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 completes its swing through Western Canada on Wednesday, July 17 with the Velocity Prairie Thunder presented by Bayer Crop Science at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The popular event always draws capacity crowds at the third-mile oval. Last year, D.J. Kennington collected the win en route to his second series championship.

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, July 10, 2013) – INDYCAR has updated procedures for standing starts, which will be implemented at Race 1 of the Toronto and Houston doubleheader weekends.

Highlights of the standing start procedures from 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook include:

 

Countdown – The safety car will lead the formation lap and drivers will follow single-file in starting order.

Formation Lap – During the formation lap, drivers will remain in starting order with no overtaking.  The speed of the formation lap will be set by the safety car.

Grid – At the end of the formation lap, drivers will take their starting positions with the front wheels of the car remaining within its designated orange grid line.

A five-second declaration will be made via radio by the Race Director prior to the start of the light sequence. The starting sequence will begin when the first two rows of red lights on the lighting panel illuminate. The red lights will continue to fill from the bottom of the light panel two rows at a time, for a total of six steps (12 rows).

 

Once the panel is filled with red lights, there will be a delay between .5 and 3 seconds and the panel will switch to all green lights and the race will begin.

 

False Start – A false start shall be declared when a car moves forward or is out of its assigned position before completion of the light sequence. A penalty will be imposed for a false start.

 

Aborted Start – The Race Director can declare an aborted start before the final row of red lights is illuminated on the lighting panel.If the start is aborted, the full-course caution lights will be turned on.

In the event of an aborted start, a rolling start shall be implemented. Any Competitors whose actions result in an aborted start will move to the rear of the field.

Standing starts will be implemented at Race 1 of the Honda Indy Toronto on July 13 and the Shell/Pennzoil Houston Grand Prix on Oct. 5.  Race 2 of the doubleheader weekends will utilize traditional rolling starts.

DOUBLEHEADER FORMAT TO PROVIDE TWICE THE ACTION IN TORONTO

 

Race Notes:

• The Honda Indy Toronto 2 in T.O. doubleheader will be the fifth and sixth IZOD IndyCar Series races on the streets of Exhibition Place. Ryan Hunter-Reay was 2012 race winner.
• Dario Franchitti and Hunter-Reay are the only drivers to win IZOD IndyCar Series race on the streets of Toronto and the championship in the same season. Franchitti won the inaugural IZOD IndyCar Series race in 2009 and again in 2011. Hunter-Reay won in 2012. Seven other drivers have claimed the Indy car championship in the same season they won at Toronto. They are: Bobby Rahal (1986), Al Unser Jr. (1990), Michael Andretti (1991), Alex Zanardi (1998), Cristiano da Matta (2002), Paul Tracy (2003) and Sebastien Bourdais (2004).
• Since 1993, a driver won the 12th race of the season and the championship eight times. Dario Franchitti (2010, Mid-Ohio), Sam Hornish Jr. (2006, Kentucky), Sebastien Bourdais (2005, Australia; 2004, Las Vegas), Cristiano da Matta (2002, Road America), Alex Zanardi (1997, Michigan), Jacques Villeneuve (1995, Cleveland), Al Unser Jr. (1994, New Hampshire).
• Since 1993, a driver won the 13th race of the season and the championship seven times. Scott Dixon (2008 Edmonton), Sebastien Bourdais (2007, Australia), Dan Wheldon (2005, Pikes Peak), Paul Tracy (2003, Mid-Ohio), Sam Hornish Jr. (2001, Texas2), Alex Zanardi (1997, Mid-Ohio), Al Unser Jr. (1994, Vancouver).
• Twenty-three (23) drivers entered in the event have competed in Indy car races at Toronto. Alex Tagliani (12) has the most starts at Toronto among the entered drivers. Tristan Vautier (0) has the fewest.
• Past winners at Toronto entered in this year’s race are: Ryan Hunter-Reay (2012) Dario Franchitti (2011, 2009, 1999), Will Power (2010, 2007), Justin Wilson (2005) and Sebastien Bourdais (2004).
• Drivers who have won poles at Toronto entered in this year’s race are: Dario Franchitti (1997, 1998, 2009, 2012), Will Power (2011), Justin Wilson (2010, 2006), Sebastien Bourdais (2007, 2005, 2004), and Helio Castroneves (2000)
• Chip Ganassi Racing has won four times at Toronto: Michael Andretti (1994), Alex Zanardi (1998) and Dario Franchitti (2009 and 2011.)
• Team Penske has two wins at the track (Paul Tracy 1993 and Will Power 2010). It has six pole positions at the track: Danny Sullivan (1988 and 1990), Emerson Fittipaldi (1993), Helio Castroneves (2000), Gil de Ferran (2001) and Will Power (2011).
• Andretti Autosport is the only other active team to win at Toronto. Team owner Michael Andretti won at Toronto seven times as a driver.

Season to Date:

• Scott Dixon led the first podium sweep for Chip Ganassi Racing when he won the Pocono INDYCAR 400 Fueled by Sunoco. It was his first win of 2013 and the 30^th of his Indy car career.
• Marco Andretti won his second pole position of 2013 at Pocono. It was his fourth career pole position.
• James Hinchcliffe won the Iowa Corn Indy 250. It was his third win of 2013 and the fourth straight win at Iowa for Andretti Autosport. Helio Castroneves won qualifying heat #3 to secure his first pole of the season.
• Ryan Hunter-Reay won Milwaukee IndyFest for the second consecutive year. It was Hunter-Reay’s second win of 2013 and the fourth for Andretti Autosport in 2013.
• Helio Castroneves won his 28th Indy car race in the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway.
• Will Power won his 31st career Indy car pole at Texas.
• Mike Conway and Simon Pagenaud split the winsin the Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit. It was Conway’s second Indy car win and Pagenaud’s first Indy car victory.
• Tony Kanaan won the 97th Indianapolis 500 to record his 16th Indy car victory.
• Ed Carpenter won his first pole position since 2010 at Kentucky when he won the pole for the 97th Indianapolis 500.
• There were a race-record 14 leaders and race-record 68 lead changes at Indianapolis.
• James Hinchcliffe won the Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 with a last-lap, last-turn pass of Takuma Sato. It was his second win of 2013 and the third win in four races for Andretti Autosport.
• Takuma Sato won his first Indy car race in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. He was the 208th driver to win an Indy car race and first Japanese driver to win. It was A.J. Foyt’s first win as a car owner since 2002.
• Dario Franchitti won his 30th career Indy car pole at Long Beach.
• Ryan Hunter-Reay won his 10th Indy car race in the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park from the pole position. It was the second time he had won a race from pole.
• James Hinchcliffe won the season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. It was the first win of his Indy car career. He was the 207th driver to win an Indy car race.
• Will Power won his 30th career Indy car pole at St. Petersburg.
• Tristan Vautier started his first career IZOD IndyCar Series race at St. Petersburg.

 

Milestones & Records:

·         Should Dario Franchitti win the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series championship, he will join A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to win at least five Indy car titles in their career. Franchitti won the title in 2007 and again from 2009-2011. Foyt won seven championships in his career.

·         With their next victory, either Dario Franchitti or Sebastien Bourdais will move into sole possession of seventh place on the all-time wins list. Franchitti and Bourdais are tied with Paul Tracy with 31 wins.

·         Scott Dixon extended his streak of consecutive seasons with a win to nine with his win at Pocono Raceway.

·         Scott Dixon moved into sole possession of 10^th place on the all-time wins list with his win at Pocono Raceway. Dixon won his 30^th race to break a tie with Rick Mears.

·         Helio Castroneves moved into sole possession of 11th place on the all-time victory list with his win at Texas Motor Speedway on June 8. Castroneves won his 29^th race to break a tie with Johnny Rutherford.

·         Helio Castroneves needs two earned poles to reach 40 career poles in his Indy car career after he won the Verizon P1 Award at Iowa Speedway.

·         Will Power recorded the 30th pole of his Indy car career at St. Petersburg and his 31st pole position at Texas.

·         Dario Franchitti recorded the 30th pole of his Indy car career at Long Beach and his 31st pole position at Detroit 1.

·         Scott Dixon needs two earned poles to reach 20 in his Indy car career.

·         With one pole in 2013, Scott Dixon will extend his IZOD IndyCar Series streak to seven consecutive seasons.

·         Scott Dixon’s second-place finish at Barber was the 30th of his Indy car career. It tied Helio Castroneves, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Jr., and Bobby Unser for fifth on the all-time list.

·         Tony Kanaan tied Helio Castroneves for 10^th on the all-time top-five list by recording his his 110th top-five finish at Iowa.

·         Scott Dixon recorded the 100th top-five finish of his Indy car career at Barber Motorsports Park. With his win at Pocono, Dixon broke a tie with Paul Tracy for 12th on the all-time list.

·         Tony Kanaan will attempt to make his 208th consecutive start. Jimmy Vasser holds the all-time record of 211. Scott Dixon with 149 straight starts (Tied with Michel Jourdain for 6^th all-time), Marco Andrettiwith 125 straight starts (15^th all-time) and Ryan Hunter-Reay with 100 straight starts are the only other active drivers with a streak of more than 100 consecutive starts.

 

At-Track Schedule (all times local):

Friday, July 12

10:25 – 11:55 a.m. – IZOD IndyCar Series practice (all cars)

3:10 -4:20 p.m. – Honda Indy Toronto 2 in T.O. Race 1 qualifying for Verizon P1 Award. (Knockout qualifying/Firestone Fast Six)

 

Saturday, July 13

10:50-11:20 a.m. – Honda Indy Toronto 2 in T.O. Race 2 qualifying for Verizon P1 Award. (Two groups/12 minutes each)

3:33 p.m. – Honda Indy Toronto 2 in T.O. Race 1 (85 laps/149.75 miles), NBC Sports Network (Live)

 

Sunday, July 14

10:50 – 11:20 a.m. – IZOD IndyCar Series warmup

3:33 p.m. – Honda Indy Toronto 2 in T.O. Race 2 (85 laps/149.75 miles), NBC Sports Network (Live)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 9, 2013) – The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 kicks off its two-race swing through Western Canada with the A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300 on July 13 at Motoplex Speedway and Event Park in Vernon, B.C. Below is a statistical look at the recent performance of selected drivers in Vernon, as well as some other statistical trends:

 

Motoplex Race Setup

·         The winner of the A&W Cruisin’ The Dub has started on the front row in four of six races. The only exceptions were Andrew Ranger starting seventh in 2009 and D.J. Kennington starting third last season.

·         In six Motoplex Speedway starts, Scott Steckly has two wins and has not finished worse than third.

·         Defending race champion D.J. Kennington has an average finishing position of 3.2 after six career starts.

·         Two of four career poles won by Ron Beauchamp Jr. have come at the British Columbia track and he has four consecutive top-10 finishes.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series At Motoplex Speedway

·         This is the series’ seventh time to compete on the half-mile tri-oval.

·         The race’s television premier is scheduled for Sunday, July 21 at 1:30 p.m. ET on TSN and Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. ET on RDS2.

·         Vernon, B.C., is the westernmost event on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule.

·         The track was known as SunValley Speedway through the 2009 season.

·         At 150 miles, the A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300 is the longest race of the season.

·         Is one of three 300-lap events on the schedule this year joining Barrie (Ont.) Speedway and Riverside International Speedway in Antigonish, N.S.

·         In the previous five races at the track, there has been an average of 7.67 caution periods for 63.83 laps with earliest coming at Lap 3 in 2011 and the latest at Lap 296 in 2009.

·         In four races at Motoplex, the average finishing position for the polesitter is 4.17 and the average starting position for the race winner is 2.67.

·         The Motoplex race has been extended past the 300-lap mark on just two occasions – 2009 and 2010.

·         There has been an average of 11.5 lead changes in six Canadian Tire Series races at Motoplex Speedway.

 

Motoplex Speedway Data

Race: #5 of 12 (7/13/13)

Track Layout: Half-mile tri-oval

Race Length: 300 laps (150 miles)

 

Records

1-Lap Qualifying: D.J. Kennington, Dodge, 18.68 seconds, 99.075 mph, July 31, 2010

300-Lap Race: Andrew Ranger, Ford, 1 hr., 52 min., 29 sec., 81.162 mph, July 18, 2009

 

Race Winners

Scott Steckly ……………………………… 2

J.R. Fitzpatrick…………………………….. 1

D.J. Kennington…………………………… 1

Andrew Ranger…………………………….. 1

Don Thomson Jr. …………………………. 1

 

Pole Winners

Ron Beauchamp Jr. ……………………… 2

Don Thomson Jr. …………………………. 2

D.J. Kennington…………………………… 1

Scott Steckly………………………………. 1

 

Manufacturer Wins

Dodge……………………………………….. 3

Chevrolet……………………………………. 2

Ford………………………………………….. 1

 

Laps Led

D.J. Kennington ……………………….. 481

Scott Steckly……………………………. 461

Andrew Ranger…………………………. 225

Don Thomson Jr. ……………………… 138

J.R. Fitzpatrick………………………….. 135

 

Selected Driver Information:

Ron Beauchamp Jr. (No. 60 Mopar/Exide/Pennzoil Dodge)

·         Finished eighth a year ago at the B.C. track.

·         Has two starts from the pole position at Motoplex – 2009 and 2012.

·         Has top-10 finished in his last four starts on the half-mile tri-oval in Vernon.

·         Has led 113 laps in six Motoplex starts.

·         One of four drivers to start all 79 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

Noel Dowler (No. 5 EMCO/Praxair/Safety Kleen Dodge)

·         Scored a 10th-place finish last season in this event.

·         Recorded a 17th-place finish in his track debut in 2011.

·         Posted a third-place finish last season at Barrie (Ontario) Speedway for his first series top five.

 

Mark Dilley (No. 02 Leland/Beyond Digital Imaging/Dickies Ford)

·         Placed 15th in last year’s Vernon event.

·         Recorded back-to-back top fives in 2010 and 2011 at Motoplex and another in 2008.

·         Has three career Canadian Tire Series wins with the last coming in Sept. 2011 at Barrie (Ont.) Speedway.

 

Louis-Philipe Dumoulin (No. 47 WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare Dodge)

·         Finished ninth a season ago in his only career Vernon start.

·         Registered his first Canadian Tire Series victory in the season opener on May 19 on the road course at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

·         Scored his first career pole win last season at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.

·         Was the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Rookie of the Year.

·         Made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut on Aug. 20, 2012 at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

 

J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Equipment Express Chevrolet)

·         Was the fourth-place finisher last season in the A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300.

·         Won the Canadian Tire Series’ inaugural race in 2007 at the British Columbia half-mile.

·         Has registered three straight top 10s at Motoplex Speedway.

·         Has led 135 laps at the half-mile tri-oval.

·         Seven of his eight career series wins have come on road courses – CTMP (3), Edmonton (2) and Montreal (2); his oval track win came in July 2007 at Motoplex Speedway.

 

Jason Hathaway (No. 3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge)

·         Finished second to D.J. Kennington last season in Vernon for his best track finish.

·         Has top-10 finishes in four of his six Motoplex starts.

·         One of four drivers to start all 79 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

Cameron Hayley (No. 28 Cabinets By Hayley Dodge)

·         Making his Canadian Tire Series debut.

·         Won NASCAR K&N Pro Series portion of inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach in 2013.

·         Finished second in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut at 15 years of age.

·         Youngest driver to compete in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (15 years 23 days at Montana 8/13/11).

 

D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge)

·         Picked up his first career Motoplex win last season.

·         Finished second in the 2010 and 2011 British Columbia events.

·         Has top-five finishes in all six of his Motoplex starts.

·         Has led a series-best 481 laps at the Vernon track.

·         Tops the all-time Canadian Tire Series wins list with 18.

·         Won 2010 and 2012 series championships.

·         Scored a single-season series record of seven wins in 2012.

·         One of four drivers to start all 79 NCATS races.

 

Martin Roy (No. 90 Batteries Expert/Gamache Dodge)

·         Finished sixth last season in his only Vernon start.

·         Has a top-10 finish in five of last six series starts dating back to the 2012 season.

·         Won 2012 series Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

 

Ryley Seibert (No. 09 Lake Excavating/Emco Waterworks Dodge)

·         Finished 18th last season in his Canadian Tire Series debut at the track.

·         Leads series Rookie-of-the-Year standings this season.

 

Scott Steckly (No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge)

·         Finished third a year ago in Vernon; his worst finish in six starts at the track.

·         Picked up the win in the 2010 and 2011 editions of the A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300.

·         Finished second in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 British Columbia events.

·         Has led 461 laps on the half-mile tri-oval.

·         His 11 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victories rank third on the all-time list.

·         Won 2008 and 2011 series championships.

·         One of four drivers to start all 79 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races.

 

Jason White (No. 21 Bowers & Wilkins Dodge)

·         Finished fifth last season at his home track for his first series career top-five finish.

·         Placed seventh in the 2008 Motoplex race.

·         Was 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Rookie of the Year.

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

1. Pocono technical penalty update

2. If You Missed It: INDYCAR Conference Call with Carlos Munoz and Helio Castroneves

3. Teen owner/driver Di Leo aims high:

1. Pocono technical penalty update: There were no technical penalties issued following the IZOD IndyCar Series race at Pocono Raceway on July 7.

2.  If You Missed It: INDYCAR Conference Call with Carlos Munoz and Helio Castroneves: Earlier today, Firestone Indy Lights driver Carlos Munoz and IZOD IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves participated in an INDYCAR Conference Call to discuss the Honda Indy Toronto 2 in T.O. doubleheader and the Firestone Indy Lights Toronto 100 on the streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place this weekend.

AN INTERVIEW WITH CARLOS MUNOZ:

Q. The next race for Firestone Indy Lights is Toronto. You raced there last year. What do you think about the circuit in Toronto and what do you expect from your competitors on Saturday? 

CARLOS MUÑOZ:  It’s a nice circuit. I like it a lot. Last year was my first time. I like it. I was really fast. The car was really good. Qualifying was a little strange because it was raining. Unfortunately I did a mistake on the race and I crashed. But I think I’m more confident this year. I think also the car is stronger. We worked a lot over the winter testing. We will see for sure. All the Schmidt guys will be up front and they raced on the circuit in Star Mazda. They are going to be strong, for sure.

Q. I know that you’re focusing on the Firestone Indy Lights championship. How important is it for you to gain maximum points each weekend to get that championship this year? 

CARLOS MUÑOZ:  It’s real important for me. Especially because this is what America have, the Indy Lights program have, that if you win, you allowed to go after the IndyCar. Firestone, Mazda everyone helps you.

Also I need to have a championship. Also to have a championship also is motivate you for the mind mentally to move up.

For the team, Michael, the whole Andretti team, everybody wants to win this championship in Indy Lights because it’s been a lot of years without winning it. So they really think they have a shot to do it and they want me to win the championship, and focus next year on a full-time season in IndyCar.

AN INTERVIEW WITH HELIO CASTRONEVES:

Q. Helio, talk about your season. You’re the only driver to complete every lap of every race so far, have 10 top-10 finishes in 11 races. Are you happy with the way the season is going so far? 

HELIO CASTRONEVES:  Yes. Whenever you’re leading the championship, when it’s by 1 point or 100 points, it’s always good news. Of course, we still have a long way, eight more races to go, a lot of points in the game. We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing because right now, it’s keeping us up there.

Q. We return to street courses this weekend, have a doubleheader at Toronto. Talk a little bit about the doubleheader format that was started at Detroit and how you prepare yourself to race at Toronto.

HELIO CASTRONEVES:  Since we already had one (doubleheader) in Detroit, the Dual in Detroit, we certainly understand how it works. But because we’ve been through one, we know it’s not going to be the same. I believe people going to re-adjust from one race to another.

The Toronto track is a traditional place, very, very tight. The track is very technical, as well. Plus we’re going to be standing start (for Race 1), so it’s also another trick, something else for us to think about. But in the end of the day, we know what we need to do. Hopefully we put ourselves in good qualifying so we can start at the front.

Q. I know you are in New York for the Turbo premiere. We saw you this morning on The Today Show. How excited are you to show your daughter the movie and be associated with the movie? 

HELIO CASTRONEVES:  It’s great to have Mikaella. Now people can’t make fun of me going to animated movies. Turbo is not only going to make kids happy but adults happy as well.

It’s very interesting, it’s touching everyone. It’s cute. You know, there is a lot of action. We going tonight to the premiere. We’re really excited we have this great opportunity not only for the drivers but it’s special for the IndyCar Series. It’s a great trampoline, let’s put it this way, so people have knowledge what is an open-wheel car, Indy 500 especially.

It’s all good things. I’m really excited to be able to be part of this experience and hopefully people enjoy it.

3. Teen owner/driver Di Leo aims high: Matthew Di Leo doesn’t wish to be the next Paul Tracy, though some of the former CART champion’s attributes are being emulated by the fellow Canadian.

Motivation, intertwined with a solid work ethic and perseverance, already are paying dividends for the Innisfil, Ontario, resident, who’s the lone owner/driver in Firestone Indy Lights. Oh, and he’s only 18 years old.

Di Leo, who graduated from Innisfil Secondary School in late June, will be competing on the Exhibition Place circuit in the No. 56 black and orange MDL Racing Firestone Indy Lights car. He debuted in the series at Long Beach in April after two seasons competing in the USF2000 Championship – a rung on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder program.

Fostering his dream to reach the IZOD IndyCar Series came years earlier in a grandstand watching the Toronto Indy car race unfold.

“My dream has been to be a race car driver. Watching Paul Tracy when I was a kid at Toronto got me so pumped, with the Canadian home crowd cheering him on,” said Di Leo, who began his quest in karting at age 9. “It was a great experience for me and I wanted to be a race car driver and represent Canada in a great way. It’s the same today.

“I’m so excited to be racing in my hometown. Hopefully, I’ll be racing there in IndyCars.”

Ambitious but not lacking counsel, Di Leo knows it will take a modest amount of seasoning before attempting to leap to the IZOD IndyCar Series. He’s already accelerated his career by moving from USF2000 to Firestone Indy Lights, leapfrogging the middle rung on the ladder system, the Pro Mazda Championship. Adding the responsibilities of team ownership was another big step.

Di Leo finished fifth in the USF2000 standings in 2011, with a podium finish in Baltimore. He returned to the series in 2012 with his own team, MDL Racing, and recorded four podiums en route to placing fourth in the championship. Graduating to Firestone Indy Lights has been another form of education.

“My mechanic, Adam Kretschmer, has been such a great influence in that he’s often said anything is possible and if you really put your mind to it you can do anything in racing and in life,” said Di Leo, who debuted with a fifth-place finish on the Long Beach street circuit. “That’s a good attitude to have, and one I’ve reminded myself of often.

“It was a big step – a scary thought in itself — to being a USF2000 team owner to an Indy Lights team owner and driver. Being a driver in Indy Lights is a big step and it’s had its challenges, but I’ve received lots of support from everyone.

“I was confident in my engineer, my mechanics and my parents to make a decision that was best for me so I trusted them and made the leap of faith to Indy Lights. It was almost like I was thrown to the wolves because I didn’t get in much testing or practice time, but I learned a lot at Long Beach.”

He’s participated in on-track testing in the interim, getting comfortable in the 450-horsepower car honing all facets of his race craft and in preparation for the Toronto race weekend. Short term, Di Leo plans a full season in Firestone Indy Lights in 2014. Long term, he dares to dream.

“The Mazda Road to Indy is so great because it literally shows you the steps to get to IndyCar, and everyone associated wants to help you get there with scholarships and prize money and seminars to make your dream become reality.

“So a full season in Indy Lights next year is what I’m hoping for. You have to get your toes wet before jumping into Lake Ontario.”

***

The next IZOD IndyCar Series race is the Honda Indy Toronto on July 13-14 on the streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place. The race will be televised live at 3 p.m. (ET) by NBC Sports Network and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius and XM Channels 211, www.indycar.com and the INDYCAR 13 App for most smartphones and tablets. The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Toronto 100 at 11:30 a.m. on July 13 on the streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place. NBC Sports Network’s coverage of the Pocono 100 from Pocono Raceway will be telecast at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on July 12

One of the most unique racing events on the Ontario racing schedule is just over one month away as anticipation builds for the return of the OSCAAR Super Late Models and OSCAAR Modifieds to Kawartha Speedway, presented by Midas of Orangeville.

On Sunday August 11, both OSCAAR divisions will compete at Kawartha in one of only two events at the Fraserville, Ont. oval in 2013. The Super Late Models will run a regular 50-lap feature event, while the Modifieds will also run 25 laps. Brandon Watson, who won the 2012 edition of the Don Biederman Memorial at Kawartha, will look to make it two wins in a row at his former home track. Gary McLean was the winner in the sole Modified tour event in 2013.

The show will feature the asphalt debut of Brighton Speedway’s dirt Vanderlaan Pro Late Model division. The Saturday night regulars at Brighton will run a 20-lap feature on a complete dirt setup, including dirt racing tires, on the asphalt surface at Kawartha.

In association with Brighton Speedway, a two-day pass will be available for fans to attend Brighton’s regular show Saturday night along with OSCAAR’s Kawartha race on Sunday. Further details regarding pricing will be released in the coming days.

In addition to the on track action, OSCAAR will also host a Show & Shine in partnership with the Syracuse Nationals annual car show and Right Coast Association. The Show & Shine will allow OSCAAR fans to bring their hot-rod to the track and have it on display for a full event.

Any cars participating in the Show & Shine will receive complimentary admission to the day’s racing for both the driver and one passenger. Any additional passengers will be admitted for just $10. Five of the best entries will be selected to go on track for the parade lap prior to the start of the night’s racing action.

The OSCAAR event is the only chance to see grassroots racing at Kawartha in 2013. Racing presented by Midas of Orangeville gets underway at 4:00pm. A full schedule of events and further ticket information will be available in the coming weeks.

The OSCAAR Super Late Model and Modified tour are presented by a number of dedicated sponsors throughout Ontario, including: Knightworks Design, Hoosier Racing Tire, Klotz Synthetics Canada, Race2way.ca, Dave Franks Photos, Dickson Printing, Finishline Fabrication, McColl Racing Enterprises, McGunnegil Engine Performance, Stefko Racing Engines, VP Racing Fuels, OntarioOval.com, RaceTime Radio, Inside Track Motorsport News, Jenco Equipment, Midas of Orangeville, Reinhart Trailer Sales, North Toronto Auctions, and South Shore Services.

By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia)

-30-

WATERTOWN, Conn.—July 7, 2013— David Gravel rode his 900-plus horsepower sprint car into the Old West of Dodge City, Kansas, this past weekend with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series for the Boothill Showdown, and “Got out of Dodge” with an eighth-place finish in the opener of the two-night event. For the driver of the FMR Racing/JRC Transportation/Musco Fuel/Model Craft J&J, it was his first trip to the state-of-the-art three-eighths-mile.

In his debut at Dodge City Raceway Park on Friday, July 5, Gravel finished eighth, in an event that was cut short due to track conditions that led to a multitude of flat tires and caution flag periods in the late going. The native of Watertown, Conn., started 10th and gained a spot on the opening lap. He would move by three-time series champion Sammy Swindell on the third circuit to take the eighth position and would remain there for the duration of the main event. The caution flag waved four times over the last four laps — all for flat tires.

Gravel kicked-off his maiden voyage to Dodge City by recording the 11th-quickest lap in qualifying, earning the pole position for the second eight-lap heat race. The 21-year-old would finish second in the heat to put himself in the dash. He would start ninth in the dash and finished 10th to lineup on the outside of the fifth row for the originally scheduled 30-lap A-Feature.

“We were glad to finish the race, especially with all the tires that people were losing,” Gravel said. “You can’t complain about a top-10 finish on a night like that. Dodge City is definitely a challenging place, with how hot it gets out there and the strong winds that we battled most of the day and night. It’s a tricky surface and you really have to keep after it.”

Gravel ended up 13th on the final night at Dodge City on Saturday, July 6. He lined up 10th and powered his way up to eighth on the opening circuit, before slipping back to ninth. Gravel got a little out of shape on the third go-around and dropped one more position. He was running just outside of the top-10 on the 22nd lap when the only caution flag of the night flew. He would restart 11th and ended up crossing the line 13th at the conclusion of the 30-lapper. Gravel was eighth-fastest in qualifying, which put him on the front row of the second heat race, where he came home second to earn a spot in the dash. He finished 10th in the dash and lined up on the outside of the fifth row for the A-Feature.

“We got ourselves in the dash, which is always one of our biggest goals each night,” he shared. “We were just a little off in the feature and against the Outlaws you cannot be off. You have to have your ‘A-Game’ every night out here. We learned a few things that hopefully will help us later in the season on tracks that size.”

At Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., on Wednesday, July 3, Gravel finished 19th in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series annual appearance at the high-banked, three-eighths-mile, which played host to the largest crowd in the 50-plus year history of the track. Gravel timed in 25th and came from seventh to fifth in the first heat race to earn a spot in the main event.

Gravel is currently eighth in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship standings. He has one victory this season to go along with 18 top-10 finishes, of which five are top-five showings. The native of Watertown, Conn., returns to action this week with the running of the 25th Annual Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic Presented by Racing Optics at Limaland Motorsports Park in Ohio, on July 10, followed by the legendary Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway on July 12–13.

“It’s kind of hard to believe the ‘Month of Money’ is already here,” said Gravel. “We have a ton of races coming up and this is the time of the year you really want to step things up and give yourself a chance each and every night. Our qualifying package has picked up the last few weeks and that will be very important, especially at Eldora (Speedway) and Williams Grove (Speedway) and places like that. This is going to be a busy week, driving back from Dodge City and getting ready for Limaland (Motorsports Park) and Eldora.”

Keep up-to-date with David Gravel and DDR Motorsports by visiting www.DavidGravel89.com. Follow David on Twitter @davidgravel89gand like David on Facebook.