Category: Other Series Racing

September 15, 2012. Antigonish, NS – Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team learned their lessons in practice and rebounded to a top five finish on Saturday in the Wilson Equipment 300 at the Riverside International Speedway.

Beauchamp kicked off the weekend feeling good about his #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge, and felt his vehicle was running consistently. The crew mounted new tires on the car prior to a mock qualifying run and oddly, the car didn’t seem nearly as quick. Beauchamp qualified 8^th – not quite as good as he hoped.

“I’ll take the blame for that,” he said after practice. “I think the driver should have driven it a bit harder.”

#60 was strong from the start of the race, quickly moving up to challenge for the top five. The crew chose to take fuel and left side tires during their first pit stops and leaving the ride side tires to free up the car.

They saved the right side tire change for a second stop later in the race and made some further adjustments that propelled the car to great form to finish out the competition.

Beauchamp battled hard in the top five for the remainder of the race behind the wheel of his top-notch vehicle.

“There was some good, hard racing,” Beauchamp said later. “We were bumper-to-bumper with guys and everybody was digging hard. It was a solid night, we’re happy for a top five finish and we can’t wait to get to Kawartha.”

After today’s race, Beauchamp is ranked 5^th overall in the season standings with 389 points. He holds a solid 26-point lead over 6^th place driver L.P. Dumoulin.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team will be back in action this coming Saturday September 22^nd at Kawartha Speedway near Peterborough, ON for the final round of the 2012 season.  To get more information about the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team you can log on to www.beauchampmotorsports.com and www.mopar.ca

September 15, 2012. Following the first ever NASCAR Canadian Tire Series podium finish for Sherwood Park, Alberta’s Noel Dowler, the #5 EMCO Dodge team arrived for round number eleven of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Riverside International Speedway near Antigonish, NS looking to keep the momentum going. The result was another hard fought top ten result for the second year team that also has them in the top ten in the overall championship point’s battle.

Again this past weekend the team worked hard during practice for a comfortable race set up for the #5 EMCO Dodge. While things looked positive during the afternoon session trouble struck during qualifying. “I knew something was wrong almost immediately” said Dowler. “The car just didn’t have any drive”.

Following his qualifying run the #5 EMCO Dodge team discovered a rear axle had broken and quick repairs would be needed. It also meant that Dowler would start the 300 lap event from the back of the pack.

With the problem addressed by the crew, Dowler took the green flag for race and immediately set out to gain ground and found success. Within only a few laps he had smartly moved his way forward and was closing in on the top ten. Again adversity would strike the #5 EMCO Dodge team.

“I just tried a little too hard to make a pass and ended up spinning between turns 1 and 2” said the driver. “We needed to get some track position back and I just tried a move that was a little too aggressive” he added.

Undeterred Dowler again set out to again move the #5 EMCO Dodge toward the front of the field. What hampered the Alberta teenager’s progress were a couple of extended green flag runs. “Having to start at the back really hurt us” he explained. “With those long green flag runs it just made it very hard to get back some of the track position. The car was super-fast all day, and if we had a little better track position we could have had an even better result” he stated.

As it was Dowler worked hard to gain every position possible in the race. The #5 EMCO Dodge team executed scheduled stops for fuel and tires well to keep Noel in the hunt. When the checkered flag dropped to end the race they would claim a ninth place finish, nine positions better than they started.

“It’s another top ten finish which is good” said Dowler. “Unfortunately we had to battle from the back or I think for sure we would have had an even better result” he added.

With another top ten finish at Riverside, Dowler remains in the top ten in the overall point’s battle, just nine points away from ninth place

The 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series wraps up this coming Saturday September 22nd at Kawartha Speedway near Peterborough, ON. The series features 12 events from coast to coast including races during the Edmonton Indy weekend and the NASCAR Nationwide event in Montreal. For more information about Noel Dowler Jr. log onto www.apollomotorsports.ca and follow him on twitter, @noeldowler.

September 15, 2012.  It was a very successful round number eleven of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series for both Martin Roy driver of the #90 Batteries Expert/Veloce/Gamache Truck Centre Dodge and teammateIsabelle Tremblay pilot of the #07 Frank Lyman Design Dodge this past weekend at Riverside International Speedway.  Each driver maximized their skills to claim a top ten finish in the 300 lap feature event on Saturday night.

For Isabelle Tremblay this was only her second oval track race of the 2012 campaign and once again she showed poise and battled hard to earn a solid result.  “I am very happy to score a tenth place result in this event” stated Tremblay.  “The car was very good right from the start and I could battle with the top cars, it really shows the determination and effort of the team.  We also had some wonderful local help from 17 year old Amely Meehan who is a local racer and worked as my spotter.  I also want to thank Scott Allen another Sportsman racer who along with his crew helps us out tremendously this weekend.

Martin Roy was also looking for another solid result to help secure the rookie of the year title for 2012.  Roy would post the fastest lap time during the first practice session and continued to show his strength with a sixth place qualifying result.  For the second consecutive race Roy would also take over the race lead staying out front for a dozen laps.

“We had a very fast race car once again” stated Roy.  “We were very competitive running up front with the leaders, unfortunately we had a little trouble on a pit stop with a wheel nut and that set us back a bit.  But once again the team worked very hard, we were able to run up near the front of the field all night with the leaders and I’m happy to finish in eighth position” he added.

Weekend activities began early for both Isabelle Tremblay and Martin Roy as they visit with local race fans and sponsors for this weekend’s race.  “What a special time we’ve had in Antigonish” said Tremblay.  “We started with a BBQ Friday afternoon at Eastern Auto and also met fans and partners from Tim’s Service Centre and Highland Home Hardware.  We also have to say a big thank you to Lemken and their local dealer Green Diamond Equipment for their great support this weekend.

This was the last race of the 2012 season for Isabelle Tremblay and it was important for her to have a positive result.  “This kind of result is very important and a sign of more to come.  I would like to thank Mario Gosselin, Phillip Matthews, Francis Landreville, Sebastien Berube, Sylvain Dagenais, Jocelyn Dubois, Dany Lapalme, Daniel & Miguel Laliberte, Martin Roy and his family, Sonia, Sabrina and Norman Roy, Annie and Jean-Claude Fortin.  Thank you to all the people who helped me so much, especially Bertrand Godin, Guy Gilain, Daniel Demers, my family and valued sponsors.  To all the fans that gave me energy every day and motivate me to push my limits, thank you so much.

Martin Roy will compete in the final NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race this coming Saturday, September 22^nd at Kawartha Speedway and looks to lock up the rookie of the year prize.  “That has been our goal all season” said Roy.  “Our team is going to give everything we have this week to be ready and then compete very hard next weekend” he added.

The race from Riverside International Speedway will air on TSN on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Noon ET, and on RDS2 on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 10 p.m.

Martin Roy also sits ninth in the overall championship point’s battle, only a single point behind eighth spot.

A reminder to race fans that voting is underway for the NCATS most popular driver and Isabelle Tremblay currently leads the voting.  You can vote once each day by logging onto the NASCAR Home tracks website, hometracks.nascar.com

Photo:  1. Martin Roy in the #90 Batteries Expert/Veloce/Gamache Truck Centre Dodge.  2.  Isabelle Tremblay in the #07 Frank Lyman Design Dodge

September 16, 2012-Antigonish Nova Scotia-The Ed Hakonson Racing/ Team 3 Red race team made the trip east this weekend for the Wilson Equipment 300 at the high banks of Riverside Speedway.

Practice for Jason Hathaway in his #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads  Dodge went very well. They posted a top 4 on the speed charts and was very comfortable with his car.

“The car feels pretty good and we have a great over the wall crew, which is so important at a track like this. This is a favourite track of ours and we should be good for the race.”  Said Hathaway alongside of his crew chief Craig Masters after practice.

Hathaway posted a team high 3^rd place qualifying effort.  The Team was excited about Hathaway’s chances to run well and get the Team program back into its well performing ways.

The race got underway and Hathaway in fine form, in 3^rd, ran consistently fast laps and knocked on the door of second place a number of times.  A quick check of the race machine gauges showed that the engine temperature was rising. He backed off his chase of second place hoping to get some air into the engine and get the temperature down.  Unfortunately that wasn’t enough to cool the engine and Hathaway was forced to retire on lap 77.

Hathaway and his crew were frustrated by their early exit. “This is unbelievable.  It is so hard on the sponsors and their support and crew for all the work that they put in each and every week. Our program has made huge strides this year and our cars are great.  We can win in this series and mechanical issues like this are really hard to take.”

Hathaway is 7^th in driver’s point’s standings.  The team will make their last stop on the 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this weekend at Kawartha Speedway, September 22^nd.

The Wilson Equipment 300 will air on TSN at 12 noon on September 22^nd.  Fans can follow the team on their website www.edhakonsonracing.com , on Twitter @ehrt3r and @jasonhathaway3 . Facebook:www.team3red.com

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Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking and King Brewery.

About Snap-on Tools: Snap-on Tools is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics and equipment solutions for professional users. Product lines include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions used by technicians and professionals at vehicle dealerships and repair centers in the marine, power sports and aviation industries.  Visit www.snapon.com

About Rockstar Energy Drink: “ROCKSTAR is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles – from athletes to rock stars!

About Vortex Brake Pads: Vortex Brake Pads is a proud Canadian company, manufacturing the highest quality aftermarket brake pads for all automotive segments. Vortex products are well researched, proven in on track and off track testing and are produced in a high quality manufacturing environment. For more information visit www.vortexbrakepads.com

September 15, 2012. Antigonish, NS – Scott Steckly returned to the Riverside International Speedway on Saturday with a previous Riverside victory under his belt and a chip on his shoulder about the win that got away last weekend in Barrie.

After a collision with another driver last weekend at the Barrie Speedway that ripped a possible first-place win from his grip, Steckly and his #22 Canadian Tire Dodge headed to Riverside with the knowledge he can win it all in Antigonish. Steckly won on September 17 last year with a textbook race – setting the pace in practice, earning pole position and eventually finishing in the top spot.

This year Steckly showed he was still a contender for a second year and after a good practice, eventually qualified 2^nd.

Once the race kicked off, #22 stayed inside the top five early on, but his Canadian Tire Dodge wasn’t running up to par.

“We added a spring rubber in the left rear and made a wedge adjustment in the right rear,” he explained after the race. “It helped a bit.”

Steckly continued to run near the front of the field, strategizing to wait longer than the rest to refresh his tires. When the crew finally made the decision to pit, they made additional adjustments to try and improve the car.

“I think we went a little too far in the changes when we took the new tires,” #22 said later. “The car just got too tight towards the end.”

Steckly battled to the finish with his tighter vehicle, striving for third place up until the final corners. Unfortunately for #22, he was edged out in the eleventh hour and finished 4^th.

“Not a bad result but not what we’re capable of,” he said.

After Saturday’s race, Steckly holds on to his 4^th place positioning in the overall standings with 433 points, a comfortable 44-point lead over 5^th place driver Ron Beauchamp Jr.

The Wilson Equipment 300 will premiere on TSN at 12 noon ET on Sat. Sept. 22 and on RDS2 at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday Oct. 17.

Saturday Sept. 22 will be the final event of the 12 race 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season at Kawartha Speedway in Peterborough, ON.  For more information please visit kawarthaspeedway.com

22 Racing is supported by the following sponsors:  Canadian Tire, Motomaster Eliminator, Sylvania, Erb Group, Mobil 1 and AW Millwrights.

 

For more information on Scott Steckly & 22 Racing please contact:

Linda Jones

Wide Open Motorsport Solutions

(705) 730-4044

Email: ljones@wideopensolutions.ca

Runs Away With 6th Canadian Tire Series Win This Season

ANTIGONISH, N.S. (Sept. 15, 2012) – D.J. Kennington bounced right back to the cusp of a second NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 championship.

A week after a fuel pump failure took a large chunk of his points lead, the St. Thomas, Ont., driver dominated the Wilson Equipment 300 en route to his sixth win of the season. With the season-finale looming next week at Kawartha Speedway, Kennington looks to put the finishing touches on the 2012 championship to go along with the one he captured in 2010.

“That deal last week was something that we couldn’t do anything about. Nobody did anything wrong. That’s racing,” said the driver of the No. 17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge. “There was no reason to hang our heads. It’s a great race team and we had a great car tonight.”

Kennington was tested throughout the race by J.R. Fitzpatrick as they traded the lead six times and were side-by-side for several laps. However, the Kennington machine was too strong on the long green-flag runs and was able to pull away every time before eventually winning by a margin of 3.453 seconds.

“Sometimes you have to give up something to gain something at the end,” stated Kennington. “That’s what we ended up with today. The car wasn’t as fast as we would have liked out of the gate, but it got better and better the longer we ran. At the end of the race it was awesome and I can’t ask for anything more.”

Kennington’s nearest championship challenger, J.R. Fitzpatrick, who won his third pole position of the season earlier in the day, finished second, but still surrendered ground in the point standings.

“The Equipment Express Chevrolet has been in every race, but we’re still missing the fine tuning on the pit stops. It’s frustrating not to be able to gain that little bit on (Kennington),” Fitzpatrick said. “We’re just not in the same league as the 17 (team) right now.”

Kennington heads into the finale leading Fitzpatrick by 23 and Andrew Ranger by 30.

Mark Dilley, like Kennington was looking to bounce back from mechanical woes at Barrie finished third behind the wheel of his No. 02 Leland/PartSource/BDI Ford despite being involved in a spin on Lap 202.

“All in all it was a pretty good night. The guys got the car better all night, but I called for an adjustment on that last stop and I had adjusted myself and got it all loose,” said Dilley. “Had we gotten it right there at the end we might have had something for (Kennington).”

Defending series champion Scott Steckly finished fourth followed by Ron Beauchamp Jr. in fifth.

Local competitor Donald Chisholm, Jason White, rookie Martin Roy, Noel Dowler and Isabelle Tremblay rounded out the top 10.

It is Kennington’s 17th career win, which includes a win at Riverside in 2010. He led a race-high 188 laps Saturday to Fitzpatrick’s 101. Kennington’s six wins this season equals Ranger’s single-season series record set in 2009 and his 17 victories breaks a tie atop the series’ all-time wins list with Ranger.

The Wilson Equipment 300 will air on TSN on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Noon ET, and on RDS2 on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 10 p.m.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 concludes the season with the Pinty’s 250 presented by Dodge at Kawartha, near Peterborough, Ont., on Saturday, Sept. 22.

 

UNOFFICIAL NASCAR CANDADIAN TIRE SERIES presented by MOBIL 1-Wilson Equipment 300 Results

Saturday
At Riverside International Speedway
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Lap length: 0.333 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (5) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont., Dodge, 300 laps, 62.286 mph.
2. (1) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ont., Chevrolet, 300.
3. (4) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ont., Ford, 300.
4. (2) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Dodge, 300.
5. (8) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ont., Dodge, 300.
6. (9) Donald Chisholm, Antigonish, N.S., Ford, 300.
7. (10) Jason White, Sun Peaks, B.C., Dodge, 300.
8. (6) Martin Roy, Napierville, Que, Dodge, 299.
9. (18) Noel Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alta., Dodge, 298.
10. (14) Isabelle Tremblay, St. Hippolyte, Que., Dodge, 298.
11. (11) L.P. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 297.
12. (7) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Dodge, 295.
13. (12) Larry Jackson, Oakville, Ont., Dodge, 287.
14. (15) Ray Courtemanche Jr., Montreal, Que., Dodge, 249.
15. (16) Mike Scholz, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Chevrolet, 241, suspension.
16. (17) Hugo Vannini, Repentigny, Que., Ford, 88, accident.
17. (3) Jason Hathaway, Dutton, Ont., Dodge, 72, engine.
18. (13) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ont., Ford, 4, electrical.
19. (19) Dave Connelly, Arnprior, Ont., Dodge, 3, suspension.
20. (20) Joey McColm, Ajax, Ont., Dodge, 1, ignition.

Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 36 minutes 14 seconds
Margin of Victory: 3.453 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: J.Fitzpatrick (82.245 mph, 14.576 seconds)
Caution Flags: 6 for 43 laps.
Lead Changes: 8 among 3 drivers.
Lap Leaders: J. Fitzpatrick 1-67; D. Kennington 68-97; J. Fitzpatrick 98; M. Roy 99-109; D. Kennington 110-190; J. Fitzpatrick 191-220; D. Kennington 221; J. Fitzpatrick 222-224; D. Kennington 225-300.
Standings: 1. D. Kennington, 470; 2. J. Fitzpatrick, 447; 3. A. Ranger, 440; 4. S. Steckly, 433; 5. R. Beauchamp,Jr., 389; 6. L. Dumoulin, 363; 7. J. Hathaway, 357; 8. J. White, 345; 9. M. Roy, 344; 10. N. Dowler, 335.

[media-credit name=”Dan Little Jr./OSCAAR” align=”alignright” width=”340″][/media-credit]By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia) – Varney, ON – Brent McLean (#7 Home Building Centre of Bowmanville/Pro FX Signs/RN Manufacturing Chevrolet) capitalized on a last lap mishap involving race leader Gary McLean (#8 McLean Industrial Design Chevrolet) and Davey Terry (#14 Wasteco/Castrol Canada/Brennan Haulage Toyota) to earn his second OSCAAR Modified win and first Rick Woolner Memorial win in the 14^thrunning of the annual 50-lap event at Varney Speedway Motorplex. The modified sophomore from Conn, ON held down the second spot for the entire race from the same starting position before leading the final two laps of a green-white-checkered finish. The win for McLean comes on a night that saw the mercury drop to four degrees centigrade at the conclusion of the feature and stands as the biggest in his young modified career.

“Unfortunately Gary got taken out, but you never know when it’s over. We were going around taking the white flag…she wasn’t over. I’ll take it,” said McLean.

“I never raced with Rick, but I’ve heard a whole lot of stories about him. This means a whole lot to win the biggest race of the year. I can’t even describe (the feeling), because I’m still in the shell shock of winning this race.”

McLean originally jumped out to the lead on lap three past polesitter Ted Patterson (#48 Chevrolet), before surrendering to cousin Gary on lap five.

A caution on lap nine for Patterson who came to a stop at the base of turn three slowed the race for the first of four times.

On the ensuing restart, Gary McLean began the process of growing his lead to the tune of a full straightaway through the course of a 24 lap green flag run. At the half way point, Gary led Brent McLean and Terry across the stripe with Monty Kelly (#96k At a Glance Scree Printing/Kelly Racing Chevrolet) and Brian McLean (#47 Home Building Centre of Bowmanville/McLean Farms Chevrolet) rounding out the top-five.

That lead would be erased on lap 33 for the night’s second restart following a backstretch spin by Patterson, who appeared to be battling an entirely different machine in the feature than in the afternoon heats.

Gary McLean continued to display his power on the restart as he denied Brent McLean any opportunity for the lead. Terry made a strong bid for the second spot after restarting on the bottom, but could not pull even with the youngest McLean. Terry’s disadvantage appeared to be his glowing brake rotors that kept him from carrying all his speed in to the high banked corners.

The field fanned out single file for eight more laps before the third yellow on lap 41. Caution flew after John Harper (#79 Transaxle Parts/Briar Dri-Wall/Grisdale Racing Products Chevrolet) came to a stop in turn three. The race would be red flagged for a short period as paramedics attended to Harper, who complained of abdominal pain.

That red flag would ultimately be the cause of the final caution that came on lap 50. With temperatures so low, the glowing rotors of Terry’s #14 Camry began to cool and crack during the stoppage. On the lap 41 restart, Terry was forced to pull to the infield without any brakes. While Gary McLean continued to lead the field under green, Terry renewed the brakes by re-pumping the pedal. Attempting to return for the final laps, although several laps down, Terry retook the track.

As McLean passed beneath the white flag from the hand of starter Kyle Mackenzie, all looked to be in the clear for the previous 9-time winner of the Rick Woolner event. With only a handful of lapped cars standing between Gary McLean and a clean tenth title, disaster struck.

As Terry entered turn one for the final circuit with McLean on his outside, the brake rotors on the #14 shattered and sent Terry straight in to the left-rear quarter panel of the #8. Just half a lap from victory. McLean would be forced to restart as the last car on the lead lap in fifth for a green-white-checkered finish, while Terry would go off on the hook.

“This was the fastest Wasteco Camry that we’ve had all year. The brakes got overheated…from all the green flag runs we were having. Unfortunately we took out Gary and ruined his chances here at the Memorial. I feel terrible about it. I know what this race means to them and I feel really bad,” explained a clearly emotional Terry.

However, the modified veteran was quick to reassure the OSCAAR rookie contender.

“I guess the #14, he had a mechanical issue and he got up in to us,” said a disappointed Gary McLean. “The likes of Davey Terry, probably one of the top, in my books, up-and-comers in the place. The kid’s going to go and do good things. I knew instantly there was nothing he did wrong, that is wasn’t intentional.”

“I’m upset, but more because the race means so much to us…than what took place.”

The incident handed the lead to Brent McLean for the first time since lap five, who’s biggest challenge would come from teammate and uncle Brian Mclean. Brent would surmount that challenge to earn his first Rick Woolner Memorial win and second OSCAAR Modified win on the inaugural tour.

“It’s unbelievable that this crew puts up with me the driver and gets this car out there all the time. It’s fast,” said McLean. “Two McLeans on the front row is pretty sweet.”

Also benefitting from the late race incident was third place finished Brandon Crumbie (#72 Amsoil/California Dave’s Autobody Chevrolet). Crumbie had been running fifth before the turn one melee. The Beeton, ON driver also moved back to a share of the Rookie Points lead, alongside Terry, which he has not held since August 4.

The OSCAAR Modified teams have little turnaround time as they are back in action in just one week at Sunset International Speedway for their second and final visit of 2012 as part of the Velocity Weekend. Qualifying will take place on Saturday at the high-banked 1/3-mile oval in Innisfil, ON with the 30-lap feature event running Sunday. Full schedule to follow.

OSCAAR Modifieds Agates

Varney Speedway Motorplex – August 15, 2012

Results: 14^th Annual 50-lap Rick Woolner Memorial

1. #7 Brent McLean, 2. #47 Brian McLean, 3. #72 Brandon Crumbie, 4. #8 Gary McLean, 5. #96k Monty Kelly, 6. #31 Josh Gruntz (-1 lap), 7. #51 Adam Adams (-2 laps), 8. #48 Ted Patterson (-3 laps), 9. #14 Davey Terry (DNF – Brakes) (-7 laps), 10. #79 John Harper (DNF – injury) (-9 laps), 11. #1B Brad Pearsall (DNF – Front End) (-49 laps), 12. #22 Rob Fennema (DNS – Steering), 13. #99x Tim Burke (DNS – Engine).

UNOFFICIAL Championship Standings as of August 15, 2012

1. #8 Gary McLean 620 Points; 2. #7 Brent McLean 585; 3. #14 Davey Terry 531; 4. #72 Brandon Crumbie 522; 5. #99x Tim Burke 495; 6. #51 Adam Adams 477; 7. #31 Josh Gruntz 458; 8. #1B Brad Pearsall 436; 9. #47 Brian McLean 429; 10. #48 Ted Patterson 343; 11. #82 Justin Demelo 326; 12. #98 Steve Smith 317; 13. #65 Bill Burrows 314; 14. #79 John Harper 311; 15. #2 Matt Barton 288.; T-16. #19 Dean Scott 247; T-16. #96k Monty Kelly 247; 18. #1 Barry Newman 187; 19. #64b Chris Burrows 157; 20. #96 Larry Mackenzie 123; 21. #22 Rob Fennema 70; 22. #46 Darren Kearnan 68; 23. #63 David Burrows 58; 24. #77x Craig Stevenson 52; 25. #34 Joe Woods 48; 26. #3 Jamie Cox 43.

UNOFFICIAL Rookie-of-the-Year Standings

T-1. #14 Davey Terry 31 Points; T-1. #72 Brandon Crumbie 31; 3. #99x Tim Burke 30; 4. #31 Josh Gruntz 22; 5. #2 Matt Barton 10; 6. #96 Larry Mackenzie 4; 7. #77x Craig Stevenson 3.

SALEM, Indiana (September 17, 2012) – – Days before the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers Fall Classic by Federated Car Care, Tom Hessert III made it very clear that he was going to Salem (Ind.) Speedway this past weekend to win. He did.

 

Hessert, driver of the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet for Ken Schrader Racing recorded a popular win on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tour in the 18^th race of the season. It was Hessert’s second-career win in the series and first since Iowa Speedway in 2010. It also was the Cherry Hill New Jersey native’s first triumph driving for longtime Motorsports icon Ken Schrader, who was on-site to witness the victory.

Bringing their strongest Chevrolet in their KSR fleet, Hessert was confident in the car’s capabilities, especially with the direction and setup orchestrated by crew chief Donnie Richeson.

 

Two practice sessions on Saturday afternoon would allow the ARCA veteran to work with his team to fine-tune their No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet for the highly anticipated 200-lap showdown. Practicing ninth and seventh respectively, Hessert felt that he had a good racecar beneath him. And even though he qualified his automobile 11^th, Hessert still wasn’t fazed, because he felt like heading into the final short track contest of the year, he still had one of the cars to beat.

 

Early on, Hessert played it smart. Knowing Salem’s typical characteristics, he took his time moving through the field, easily climbing into the top-10 within the first five laps of the race. Steadily moving forward, Hessert was stalking the top-five when disaster nearly struck on lap 47.

 

Exiting turn four, two lapped cars made contact and spun immediately blocking the path of the racetrack. The lead pack quickly came upon the incident scene with some making it through and some not. Luckily, Hessert was able to escape major carnage while the cars he was racing around would not be so fortunate.

With one potential disaster avoided, Hessert refocused on the job at hand. When racing resumed, the former NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series pilot had worked his way inside the top-five by lap 77. Twenty laps later, Hessert cleverly crafted his No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet into the runner-up spot trailing leader Frank Kimmel II.

Following a caution shortly after the halfway point, which saw Hessert take on tires and fuel for the final time of the night, he overtook Kimmel II on a lap 123 restart to gain control of the field.

 

Despite an array of cautions in the final 77 laps of the event and even fending off a late charge by Chase Elliott, Hessert was able to extend his lead to nearly three seconds in the closing laps of the event and took the checkered flag first in his 10^thcareer start at the 0.5-mile paved oval.

“I’m really into the history of our sport and hearing all about Salem and all of the guys who raced here, I’m glad I got to be one of the guys to go to Victory Lane here,” Hessert said. “The track just kind of worked out for us. We were all on the right tires at the right time. I knew if we could maintain with whoever was behind us for the first 10 laps (of a run), we could eventually inch away and that’s the way it ultimately worked out for us. Federated’s been our sponsor for the year, so it’s really, really cool.”

 

He added, “I really want to thank Donnie (Richeson), Ken (Schrader) and the entire KSR team for their hard work and belief in me. We’re going to go to DuQuoin next and see if we can’t make it back-to-back wins.”

 

In 15 races this season, Hessert has delivered one win, six top-fives and 10 top 10s and 84 laps led. Unofficially, he occupies ninth in the championship standings despite sitting out three races.

 

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tour is the reschedule Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care. Originally planned for Labor Day, the final dirt track race of the season was shifted to October because of severe weather in the area. The one-day show will take the green flag at 1:00 p.m. local on Sunday, October 14.

 

Exiting Salem, Hessert has 98 career ARCA Racing Series starts. In those outings, he has maneuvered two poles, two wins, 25 top-fives and 53 top-10s.

For more on Tom Hessert III, please visit tomhessert.com.

Hessert has joined the Twitter crave. Follow and connect with him @TomHessert.

Watertown, Conn.—Sept. 16, 2012 — David Gravel and his DDR Motorsports team have put a lot of focus on consistency this year. That was the game plan again this past weekend in the two-night Jim Ford Classic at Fremont Speedway in Ohio. Gravel was fast right out of the box in time trials both nights, as he has become accustomed to this season. The 20-year-old finished on the podium in the opener of the two-night event to continue a recent hot streak. Faced with a trip to the B-main in the weekend finale on Saturday night, Gravel didn’t flinch, racing his way into the A-Feature, where he would eventually finish ninth.

Gravel was seventh-fastest in time trials in the opener of the Jim Ford Classic weekend on Friday, Sept. 14 at Fremont. He lined up fourth in the first 10-lap heat race and finished in that same position to earn a spot in the dash. The native of Watertown, Conn., took the green flag for the six-lap dash in fifth and finished in that same position, which put him on the inside of the third row for the 30-lap main event. He ran among the lead pack for the duration of the 30-lap contest, coming home in third.

“That was a great finish for us on Friday night,” said Gravel. “We’re usually pretty fast at Fremont, and then have some bad luck in the heat race or feature. To put a complete night together and finish on the podium felt pretty good. Qualifying in the right spot and making it in the dash is so big, and we were able to do that on Friday night, which helped a ton.”

The finale at Fremont found Gravel turning the sixth-fastest lap in time trials. He lined up fifth in the third 10-lap heat race and slipped back a couple of spots to finish seventh, which put him in the B-main. He both started and finished third in the B-main, which put him in the Feature on Saturday night.

Gravel took to the grid in the 13th spot and worked his way forward over the course of the 50-lap grind on the tight one-third-mile bullring to finish in the ninth spot. For Gravel, it marked his eighth straight Top-10 finish with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions and 28th overall Top-10 with the series in 2012.

Gravel has made six starts at Fremont Speedway this season, including a pair of 50-lap main events, in which he has finished ninth in both. His third-place finish on Friday, Sept. 14 in the opener of the Jim Ford Classic marked his best showing of the season at the short track in Northern Ohio.

Gravel, who is currently third in the standings with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions, returns to action next weekend with a pair of races with the World of Outlaws. On Friday, Sept. 21, he’ll take to the track at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio, for the opener of the 4 Crown Nationals weekend. He’ll then head to Western Pennsylvania on Saturday, Sept. 22 for the Commonwealth Clash at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver.

“It’s been a while since we’ve raced with the Outlaws, so I’m really looking forward to this coming weekend,” said Gravel. “We’ve been fast at Eldora in time trials all year and have one Top-Five there this year. We have a couple of races left this year at Eldora, and we’ll do everything we can to be up front and in contention for a win. We’ve run strong at Lernerville as well this year, and that’s always a fun track to go to.”

David Gravel and DDR Motorsports would like to thank: J&J Chassis, JRC Transportation, Kistler Engines, Musco Fuels and P&M Transportation for their continued support.

Keep up-to-date with David Gravel and DDR Motorsports by visiting www.DavidGravel89.com. Follow David on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/DavidGravel89g. Like David on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Gravel-Racing/143538695709198.

[media-credit name=”World of Outlaws” align=”alignright” width=”234″][/media-credit]Bloomington, Ind.—Sept. 16, 2012— Kraig Kinser has always been fast at Deer Creek Speedway in Minnesota, but never quite had the best of luck or finishes he was looking for at the high-banked three-eighths-mile. He was able to turn that around on Saturday, Sept. 15, as he recorded the best finish of his career at the always racy track, with a sixth-place performance, wrapping up a two-race weekend for the World of Outlaws in the Upper Midwest aboard the Hendrickcars.com Maxim.

The native of Bloomington, Ind., lined up ninth for the 35-lap FVP Clash at the Creek main event at Deer Creek, which was slowed by a couple of cautions before a single lap was completed. On the first complete restart, Kinser moved up a row, due to the driver ahead of him jumping the initial start. The third-generation driver used a strong start to move up to fourth by the sixth lap. Kinser ran among the top-six for the first half of the race, at one point going three-wide with Kerry Madsen and Chad Kemenah as the trio battled for the fourth spot.

Following a red flag on the eighth circuit, the remainder of the 35-lapper went straight through without any slowdowns or stoppages. Kinser worked his way back into the fifth spot on lap 21, before falling back to sixth on the next go-around. He would run sixth the rest of the way, en route to recording his 39th Top-10 finish of the season.

“It was a very racy track at Deer Creek, and a great show for the fans,” said Kinser. “Toward the end we had that long green flag run and got into traffic and were really mixing it up while battling for fourth. The Hendrickcars.com car was running pretty well and we were able to keep pace with the leaders for most of the race We want to be in the Top-Five, but with some of the bad luck we’ve been having lately, we’ll take a sixth and move on.”

Kinser was third-fastest in time trials of the 28 entrants at Deer Creek. He started the third eight-lap heat from the fourth position and finished in that same spot to earn a spot in the dash. He lined sixth in the dash and ran ninth in that six-lap contest, which put him on the inside of the fifth row for the 35-lap A-Feature.

“We are getting back to where we need to be with our qualifying package,” he shared. “Earlier this year we were near the front almost every night right off the truck and that’s what we are looking to do down the stretch here as well. Qualifying well gives you a lot better chance to make it in the dash, and making it in the dash is pretty important nowadays with how close everyone is.”

The weekend began for Kinser at Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer, Iowa, and the Sixth Annual Arnold Motor Supply Shootout. After getting caught in an accident just past the halfway point of the 30-lap main event, that led to a couple of trips to the work area, Kinser worked his way back to a 15th-place finish. The third-generation driver was 17th in time trials, just missing the heat race inversion by one spot. He lined up fifth in the first eight-lap heat race and finished in that same position, which put him on the outside of the ninth row for the A-Feature.

Kinser returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at Eagle Raceway in Nebraska for an event that was postponed by rain earlier this season. He then heads to the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio on Friday, Sept. 21 for the opener of the 4 Crown Nationals weekend, followed by a visit to Lernerville Speedway in Western Pennsylvania for the Commonwealth Clash on Saturday, Sept. 22. The 2005 winner of the Knoxville Nationals is currently sixth in the World of Outlaws championship standings on the strength of 39 Top-10 finishes.

“We have another busy week this week with a lot of traveling as well,” noted Kinser. “After this week, we’ll be down to just weekend racing and being able to get back to the shop in between races, which always helps. It’s getting down to it now, and our focus is to end the season on a strong note.”

Clay County Fair Speedway & Deer Creek Speedway Results

Date	Time Trials	Heat Start	Heat Finish	Dash Start	Dash Finish	Feature Start	Feature Finish	Points
Sept. 14	17th	5th	5th	N/A	N/A	18th	15th	6th
Sept. 15	3rd	4th	4th	6th	9th	9th	6th	6th

Kraig Kinser By the Numbers: Clay County Fair Speedway & Deer Creek Speedway
0.375- Miles around Clay County Fair Speedway and Deer Creek Speedway
1- Night of racing in the state of Minnesota this season
2- Career Top-10 finishes at Deer Creek; Races at Clay County Fair Speedway in 2012
4- Starts at Deer Creek Speedway
6- Appearances at Clay County Fair Speedway
8.3- Average finish in six career starts at Clay County
9- Average finish in main events with the World of Outlaws this season
9.2- Average starting spot in A-Feature races this season
11.920- Qualifying time at Deer Creek Speedway
12- Average finish in four career starts at Deer Creek
13.523- Lap in time trials at Clay County Fair Speedway
39- Top-10 finishes this season
177- Miles from Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer, Iowa, to Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.
8227- Points earned through Sept. 15

Up Next
Sept. 19: Eagle Raceway, Lincoln, Neb.
Sept. 21: Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, Ohio
Sept. 22: Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, Pa.

Keep up with all the action 
For the latest news on Kraig Kinser, visit the redesigned http://www.kraigkinser.com, and
follow Kraig on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kraigkinser11k and receive live updates from the track each and every race night.

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