CASCAR: Edmonton - Results - Griddly Headz 100

Jeff Lapcevich wins the Griddly Headz 100 CASCAR race at the Grand Prix of Edmonton

EDMONTON, AB – Jeff Lapcevich ended an almost two-year CASCAR Super Series winless drought on Saturday afternoon in the Griddly Headz 100 at the Grand Prix of Edmonton. The Caistor Centre, Ontario resident started fourth in the 38-car field and never looked back after coming out on top of an early-race battle with polesitter J.R. Fitzpatrick.

It was the sixth Super Series win of Lapcevich’s career. The Tim Hortons / EMCEA Transport Chevy last visited victory lane following the Vancouver Indy, on July 24, 2004. Kerry Micks, who won the Father’s Day CASCAR race at Mosport Raceway, finished second in his Cdn. Detailing Services Ford Taurus, ahead of CASCAR newcomer Kenny Habul (Hot Wheels Chevy), who recorded his first-ever Super Series podium finish.

Points leader J.R. Fitzpatrick of Ayr, Ontario started on the pole for the 32-lap race around the 14-turn road course, after dominating practice and qualifying in his Milwaukee Tools Chevy. His Fitzpatrick Motorsports teammate Don Thomson Jr. started alongside of him, in the Home Hardware Chevy, but had a tire go down early in the race, forcing him to the pits for new rubber. The five-time and defending Super Series champion recovered to fifth at the end of the Griddly Headz 100.

The early action featured back-and-forth racing between Fitzpatrick and Lapcevich. After swapping the lead a few times following the race’s lone full-course caution, Fitzpatrick experienced electrical problems and fell off the pace, to 14th at the finish. At the checkered flag, Lapcevich cruised home almost 15 seconds ahead of Micks, despite never having raced on the Edmonton circuit before.

“After we got past J.R. [Fitzpatrick] that second time, it was pretty uneventful,” said Lapcevich, following the race. “My biggest concern was making sure that we had a few cars between us and Kerry [Micks] in case there were any late restarts. I was behind him for that restart at Mosport when he got by [Peter] Gibbons and I didn’t want to take any chance of that happening to me today.”

Lapcevich credited his A.P Engine for putting him into contention in Edmonton. “We had trouble at Mosport and we found out later that we had an ignition problem that we weren’t aware of for a while. We fixed that and we were more than competitive in Edmonton.” Lapcevich continued, “I don’t know what the crowd was today, but I spoke with people who said it was the biggest we’ve ever raced in front of. I did several ‘donuts’ during my victory lap and there were a lot of people who hung around to enjoy them.”

Fourth-place went to CASCAR’s ‘Ironman’ DJ Kennington in the Castrol Dodge Charger, ahead of Don Thomson. Dodge Charger racers Ron Beauchamp (MOPAR), Mark Dilley (Dodge) and Dave Whitlock (NTN Bower / Headz Gamez) came home sixth through eighth, respectively, while Peter Gibbons (Cdn. Tire Chevy) and Jim Lapcevich (EMCEA / Tim Hortons Chevy) rounded out the top 10 finishers.

In addition to being a CASCAR Super Series race, the Griddly Headz 100 was also a CASCAR Flo~Pro.com Western Series points race. EMCO Taurus driver Kevin Dowler’s 17th-place overall result was the best of the Western regulars, which earned the Sherwood Park, AB racer top points toward his goal of earning a record-extending sixth Western Series championship.

After a pair of events in western Canada, the CASCAR Super Series returns to the east and will make its next appearance on the streets of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec on Aug. 4-6 for the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres.

CASCAR ON TV: For information regarding initial airings and replays of CASCAR Super Series races on SPORTSNET, please check your local listings or visit http://www.cascar.ca/schedule/tv_schedule.html.

POINT STANDINGS: CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Unofficial After 5 Events (Top 15): 1. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (907 pts.); 2. #02 Kerry Micks (902); 3. #22 Scott Steckly (889); 4. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (877); 5. #17 DJ Kennington (860); 6. #39 Dave Whitlock (852); 7. #19 Brad Graham (849); 8. #10 Doug Brown (837); 9. #9 Mark Dilley (819); 10. #1 Peter Gibbons (816); 11. #25 Jim Lapcevich (809); 12. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (801); 13. #3 Jason Hathaway (772); 14. #14 John Fitzpatrick (752); 15. #11 Ron VanEs (702)


CASCAR Super Series
RESULTS: Griddly Headz 100
Round #5 // July 22, 2006 // Grand Prix of Edmonton
Edmonton, Alberta // City Centre Airport // 14-turn road course

FIN. ST. # DRIVER (HOMETOWN) SPONSOR(S) / MAKE LAPS
1 4 23 Jeff Lapcevich (Caistor Centre, ON) Tim Hortons / EMCEA Transport Chevrolet Monte Carlo 32
2 5 02 Kerry Micks (Mt. Albert, ON) Cdn. Detailing Services Ford Taurus 32
3 8 75 Kenny Habul (Etobicoke, ON) Hot Wheels / Variety Village Chevrolet Monte Carlo 32
4 3 17 DJ Kennington (St. Thomas, ON) Castrol / N.P.P. Dodge Charger 32
5 2 4 Don Thomson Jr. (Hamilton, ON) Home Hardware Chevrolet Monte Carlo 32
6 13 60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (Windsor, ON) MOPAR / Mobil1 / Exide / Chrysler Jeep Dodge Svc. Dodge Charger 32
7 10 9 Mark Dilley (Barrie, ON) Dodge / Mobil 1 / Exide / Leland / Avenue M.W. / CRS Dodge Charger 32
8 9 39 Dave Whitlock (Wyoming, ON) NTN Bower / Headz Gamez Inc. / NMT Dodge Charger 32
9 16 1 Peter Gibbons (Stouffville, ON) Canadian Tire / Monroe Brakes Chevrolet Monte Carlo 32
10 17 25 Jim Lapcevich (Hamilton, ON) EMCEA Transport / Tim Hortons Chevrolet Monte Carlo 32
11 15 19 Brad Graham (Glencoe, ON) Challenger Motor Freight / Logel’s Dodge Charger 32
12 7 22 Scott Steckly (Milverton, ON) ERB / AW Millwrights Dodge Charger 32
13 11 8 Marc Miller (Holland, MI) Carhartt Dodge Charger 32
14 1 84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (Ayr, ON) Milwaukee Tools Chevrolet Monte Carlo 32
15 19 10 Doug Brown (Brantford, ON) NAPA / AUTOPRO Chevrolet Monte Carlo 32
16 23 3 Jason Hathaway (Appin, ON) ® Snap-On Tools / Arctic Cat / Super 8 Dodge Charger 32
17 6 35 Kevin Dowler (Sherwood Park, AB) EMCO Ford Taurus 31
18 25 09 Kent Nuhn (Williamsford, ON) ® Nuhn Motorsports Pontiac Grand Prix 31
19 20 30 Derek Polack (Stony Plain, AB) Bulldog Protective Coatings Chevrolet Monte Carlo 31
20 24 36 Jim White (Kamloops, BC) MOPAR / Kamloops Dodge Charger 31
21 21 2 Carl Harr (St. Albert, AB) Zimmer / Wheaton GMC / GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo 31
22 29 44 James Van Domselaar (Ft. Sask., AB) South Fort Chevrolet Monte Carlo 31
23 27 14 John Fitzpatrick (Ayr, ON) Latta Cranes Chevrolet Monte Carlo 31
24 36 5 Fred Whiteman (Edmonton, AB) KPSA & Associates Chevrolet Monte Carlo 31
25 28 29 Pierre Bourque (Ottawa, ON) ® Pollara Public Affairs / Full Metal Minerals / Driving.ca Dodge Charger 31
26 34 86 Shawn Press (Calgary, AB) Crestview Homes / All Weather Windows Dodge Charger 31
27 26 6 Todd Nichol (St. Albert, AB) Pennzoil / Rocky Mountain Sales / SEM Chevrolet Monte Carlo 30
28 35 26 Shaun Polack (Stony Plain, AB) Thompson Brothers Chevrolet Monte Carlo 30
29 30 42 Lyle Paulson (Enderby, BC) ® New Era Promotion Pontiac Grand Prix 29
30 22 71 Daryl Harr (St. Albert, AB) Westworld Computers / GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo 27
31 32 41 Fred Del Pero (Edmonton, AB) Castrol Ford Taurus 24
32 14 79 Wade Lee (Calgary, AB) Sun Valley Speedway Chevrolet Monte Carlo 22
33 12 88 Robin Buck (Campbellville, ON) Lou's BBQ / CPS Flooring Ford Taurus 16
34 31 87 James Ward (Maple Ridge, BC) Lordco Racing Ford Taurus 15
35 18 11 Ron VanEs (Smithville, ON) Star Van Systems Chevrolet Monte Carlo 13
36 37 21 Jason White (Sun Peaks, BC) Zimmer / Wheaton GMC Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1
37 38 24 Scott Dennis (Edmonton, AB) ® Antrim Construction Fluid Life Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1
38 33 59 Brad Musart (Lac La Biche, AB) OK Ford Sales Ford Taurus DNS
® after the hometown denotes Rookie contender.

POLESITTER: #8 J.R. Fitzpatrick (1 minute and 22.582 seconds) // TIME OF RACE: 52 minutes and 5.655 seconds // MARGIN OF VICTORY: 14.699 seconds // CAUTIONS: 1 for a total of 7 laps // LAP LEADERS: #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (1-10), #23 Jeff Lapcevich (11-32) // GOODYEAR BELTS & HOSES FASTEST LAP: #23 Jeff Lapcevich (1 minute and 24.710 seconds)

Contact CASCAR’s Toronto Office at (416) 531-4714 or visit www.cascar.ca
Prepared by Inside Track Communications.

CASCAR: Saturday Qualifying Session

EDMONTON, AB - J.R. Fitzpatrick posted the fastest time of the Saturday morning qualifying session for the CASCAR competitors at the Grand Prix of Edmonton to earn the pole position for Saturday afternoon's Griddly Headz 100. His Fitzpatrick Motorsports teammate Don Thomson Jr. was second quickest and will start on the outside of the front row.

In all, 40 drivers posted qualifying times during the Friday and Saturday sessions.

COMBINED QUALIFYING TIMES (TOP 10)
1. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick / 1:22.582
2. #4 Don Thomson Jr. / 1:23.101
3. #17 DJ Kennington / 1:23.800
4. #23 Jeff Lapcevich / 1:23.860
5. #02 Kerry Micks / 1:23.893
6. #35 Kevin Dowler / 1:24.233
7. #22 Scott Steckly / 1:24.262
8. #75 Kenny Habul / 1:24.361
9. #39 Dave Whitlock / 1:24.502
10. #9 Mark Dilley / 1:24.549

NOTEWORTHY: #1 Peter Gibbons blew a motor in the Saturday morning session...

CASCAR: Friday Qualifying Session - Edmonton

EDMONTON, AB - J.R. Fitzpatrick posted the fastest lap of the Friday afternoon qualifying session, in advance of Saturday's Griddly Headz 100 CASCAR Super Series race at the Edmonton City Centre Airport.

The #84 Milwaukee Tools Chevy driver lapped the 14-turn road course in a time of 1 minute and 24.732 seconds. Kenny Habul was second-fastest, with a lap of 1:25.527 around the 3.175 km circuit. Former Western Series champ Wade Lee was the quickest Western regular, in 11th. Reigning Western Series champion Kevin Dowler recovered from his earlier engine woes to qualify 16th.

A second qualifying session for the CASCAR competitors will take place on Saturday morning during the Grand Prix of Edmonton race weekend. The starting grid for the Griddly Headz 100 will be finalized after that session.

TOP 10: 1. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick, 2. #75 Kenny Habul, 3. #02 Kerry Micks, 4. #4 Don Thomson Jr., 5. #17 DJ Kennington, 6. #9 Mark Dilley, 7. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr., 8. #1 Peter Gibbons, 9. #23 Jeff Lapcevich, 10. #8 Marc Miller

Thanks to Joel Robinson for the update.

CASCAR: Edmonton Griddly Headz 100 - Practice #1

EDMONTON, AB – Joel Robinson just called in with an update from the first CASCAR practice session for the Griddly Headz 100 at the Grand Prix of Edmonton. There is another practice session at 11:45 a.m. (Western time), followed by the first qualifying session (4:30 p.m. Western time).

Super Series points leader J.R. Fitzpatrick turned in the fastest lap with a time of 1:25.850. Five-time Western Series champ Kevin Dowler broke a motor during the session, while the fastest Western Series regular of the 30 racers who took to the track was Daryl Harr, of St. Albert, AB (in 15th).

The top 10 were: 1. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick; 2. #75 Kenny Habul; 3. #23 Jeff Lapcevich; 4. #4 Don Thomson Jr.; 5. #1 Peter Gibbons; 6. #9 Mark Dilley; 7. #17 DJ Kennington; 8. #22 Scott Steckly; 9. #8 Marc Miller; 10. #02 Kerry Micks

CASCAR: Graham wins at Sun Valley

For more information contact CASCAR’s Toronto office at (416) 531-4714
For immediate release / July 16, 2006

VERNON, BC – Brad Graham won the Castrol 300 CASCAR Super Series race at Sun Valley Speedway on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, the Challenger / Logel’s Dodge Charger driver became the third first-time Super Series winner in four races in 2006.

Heading into the final laps of the 300-lap race at the Vernon, BC half-mile tri-oval, Graham was in a familiar and somewhat uncomfortable position. Graham had taken the lead from points leader J.R. Fitzpatrick on lap 296 and found himself in the lead with veteran racer DJ Kennington hot on his heels.

In 2005, in this race, Kennington passed Graham with just three laps to go, thereby denying the Glencoe, ON racer his first trip to victory lane on CASCAR’s top circuit. This time, however, Graham would not be denied. At the finish, the former Sportsman Series champ beat Kennington’s Castrol Dodge Charger across the finish line by 0.647 seconds to earn his first-ever Super Series win.

“I knew it was DJ [Kennington] behind me again,” said Graham, after the race. “It wasn’t going to happen to me twice. This track kind of owed me one. It feels pretty awesome to win, for me and my whole family, who have been supportive of me doing this for the past 20 years. I’d also like to thank my five-year sponsor Challenger Motor Freight and John Logel, who came on last year. We’ve built a top-notch team together.”

Graham also discussed how he got the #19 Dodge into position to win. “We had a great car all day, running in second and third for most of the race. But we got pinned in our pit stall when we made our stop and ended up at the back of the lead lap cars. We fought back from there and drove around J.R. [Fitzpatrick] with five to go.”
With the victory, Graham became the fourth different winner in as many races in 2006. Scott Steckly, Kerry Micks and J.R. Fitzpatrick have also collected single checkered flags so far this season.

J.R. Fitzpatrick (Milwaukee Tools Chevy) finished third in the Castrol 300, in front of Steckly (ERB Dodge Charger) and Kerry Micks (Canadian Detailing Services Ford Taurus).

In addition to being a CASCAR Super Series race, the Castrol 300 was also a full-points race for the Flo~Pro.com Western Series. Former Western champion Daryl Harr brought his Westworld Chevy home in 14th-place to record the top finish by the Flo~Pro.com tour regulars. The next CASCAR Super Series / Flo~Pro.com Western Series takes place next weekend in Edmonton, Alberta, during the Grand Prix of Edmonton ChampCar race weekend.

QUALIFYING: Time Trials and Qualifying Sprint Races were held on Saturday at Sun Valley to set the starting grid for Sunday’s Castrol 300. Don Thomson Jr. posted the fastest lap during time trials (18.459 seconds) to set a new Super Series record at the Vernon, BC track and secure the pole position for Sunday’s race. Kerry Micks was second quickest, to lock himself into the second starting spot for the feature event.
In the Twin 100 Sprint Races, Don Thomson dominated the first heat, leading the final 98 laps en route to the checkered flag. J.R. Fitzpatrick and Scott Steckly were second and third, respectively. In the second 100, Kerry Micks earned the victory, coming home in front of Peter Gibbons (Canadian Tire Chevy) and Brad Graham.

CASCAR ON TV: For information regarding initial airings and replays of CASCAR Super Series races on SPORTSNET, please check your local listings or visit http://www.cascar.ca/schedule/tv_schedule.html.

POINT STANDINGS: CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Unofficial after 4 events (top 15): 1. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (776 pts.); 2. #22 Scott Steckly (761); 3. #02 Kerry Micks (745); 4. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (731); 5. #39 Dave Whitlock (716); 6. #10 Doug Brown (715); 6. #19 Brad Graham (715); 8. #17 DJ Kennington (707); 9. #1 Peter Gibbons (682); 10. #9 Mark Dilley (681); 11. #25 Jim Lapcevich (677); 12. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (661); 13. #3 Jason Hathaway (652); 14. #14 John Fitzpatrick (632); 15. #11 Ron VanEs (606)

CASCAR Super Series
RESULTS: Castrol 300 // Round #4 // July 16, 2006 // Sun Valley Speedway
Vernon, British Columbia // 300 Laps // 1/2-mile, banked tri-oval

FIN. ST. # DRIVER (HOMETOWN) SPONSOR(S) / MAKE LAPS
1 6 19 Brad Graham (Glencoe, ON) Challenger Motor Freight / Logel’s Dodge Charger 300
2 17 17 DJ Kennington (St. Thomas, ON) Castrol Dodge Charger 300
3 3 84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (Ayr, ON) Milwaukee Tools Chevrolet Monte Carlo 300
4 5 22 Scott Steckly (Milverton, ON) ERB / AW Millwrights Dodge Charger 300
5 2 02 Kerry Micks (Mt. Albert, ON) Cdn. Detailing Services Ford Taurus 300
6 4 1 Peter Gibbons (Stouffville, ON) Canadian Tire / Monroe Brakes Chevrolet Monte Carlo 300
7 15 39 Dave Whitlock (Wyoming, ON) NTN Bower / NMT Dodge Charger 300
8 21 25 Jim Lapcevich (Hamilton, ON) EMCEA Transport / Tim Hortons Chevrolet Monte Carlo 300
9 1 4 Don Thomson Jr. (Hamilton, ON) Home Hardware Chevrolet Monte Carlo 300
10 7 9 Mark Dilley (Barrie, ON) Dodge / Mobil 1 / Exide / Leland / Avenue M.W. / CRS Dodge Charger 300
11 12 10 Doug Brown (Brantford, ON) NAPA / AUTOPRO Chevrolet Monte Carlo 300
12 18 11 Ron VanEs (Smithville, ON) Star Van Systems Chevrolet Monte Carlo 300
13 8 3 Jason Hathaway (Appin, ON) ® Snap-On Tools / Arctic Cat / Super 8 Dodge Charger 299
14 23 71 Daryl Harr (St. Albert, AB) Westworld Computers / GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo 299
15 24 2 Carl Harr (St. Albert, AB) Zimmer / Wheaton GMC / GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo 298
16 9 36 Jim White (Kamloops, BC) MOPAR / Kamloops Dodge Charger 297
17 19 14 John Fitzpatrick (Ayr, ON) Latta Cranes Chevrolet Monte Carlo 297
18 13 6 Todd Nichol (St. Albert, AB) Pennzoil / Rocky Mountain Sales / SEM Chevrolet Monte Carlo 296
19 16 30 Derek Polack (Stony Plain, AB) Bulldog Protective Coatings Chevrolet Monte Carlo 295
20 26 76 Dale Biesick (Lake Country, BC) Lake Country Mobile Services Dodge Charger 294
21 27 26 Shaun Polack (Stony Plain, AB) Thompson Brothers Chevrolet Monte Carlo 292
22 34 09 Kent Nuhn (Williamsford, ON) ® Nuhn Motorsports Pontiac Grand Prix 290
23 28 96 Norm Hunger (Delta, BC) Skyshot Media Pontiac Grand Prix 288
24 11 79 Wade Lee (Calgary, AB) Sun Valley Speedway Chevrolet Monte Carlo 276
25 32 24 Scott Dennis (Edmonton, AB) ® Antrim Construction Fluid Life Chevrolet Monte Carlo 274
26 22 21 Jason White (Sun Peaks, BC) Zimmer / Wheaton GMC Chevrolet Monte Carlo 269
27 31 86 Shawn Press (Calgary, AB) Crestview Homes / All Weather Windows Dodge Charger 266
28 14 60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (Windsor, ON) MOPAR / Mobil1 / Exide / Chrysler Jeep Dodge Svc. Dodge Charger 262
29 20 88 Dave Jacombs (Mt. Hope, ON) Lou's BBQ / CPS Flooring Ford Taurus 261
30 10 35 Kevin Dowler (Sherwood Park, AB) EMCO Ford Taurus 258
31 37 27 Mark Derks (Calgary, AB) The Derks Corporation Chevrolet Monte Carlo 218
32 35 42 Lyle Paulson (Enderby, BC) ® New Era Promotion Pontiac Grand Prix 177
33 25 87 James Ward (Maple Ridge, BC) Lordco Racing Ford Taurus 109
34 30 44 Randy Kozek (Kelowna, BC) Ford Taurus 98
35 29 55 Marty White (Kamloops, BC) Mack Daddy’s Night Club Chevrolet Monte Carlo DNS
36 33 31 Sean Maltman (Vernon, BC) Close Call / Dunbar Automotive Chevrolet Monte Carlo DNS
37 36 48 Chris Dennis (Edmonton, AB) ® Antrim Construction / Fluid Life Corporation Pontiac Grand Prix DNS

® after the hometown denotes Rookie contender.
POLESITTER: #4 Don Thomson Jr. (18.459 seconds * New Record) // TIME OF RACE: 2 hours, 24 minutes and 56 seconds // MARGIN OF VICTORY: 0.647 seconds // CAUTIONS: 11 for a total of 84 laps // LAP LEADERS: #4 Don Thomson Jr. (1-9), #02 Kerry Micks (10-163), #14 John Fitzpatrick (164-169), #17 DJ Kennington (170-179), #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (180-295), #19 Brad Graham (296-300) // GOODYEAR BELTS & HOSES FASTEST LAP: #02 Kerry Micks (18.921 seconds)

Contact CASCAR’s Toronto Office at (416) 531-4714 or visit www.cascar.ca
Prepared by Inside Track Communications. // Contact: Greg MacPherson (416) 561-2320 (cell).
Comments regarding additions to – or deletions from – this mailing list should be sent to: greg@insidetracknews.com

CASCAR SS: Vernon - Sun Valley Speedway - quick results

Brad Graham passed J.R. Fitzpatrick with five to go to win his first-ever CASCAR Super Series race. DJ Kennington finished second, ahead of Fitzpatrick. Scott Steckly and Kerry Micks rounded out the top five.

... more to come.

CASCAR: Castrol 300 updates

From Joel Robinson, at Sun Valley Speedway, in Vernon, BC:

Running orders....

• LAP 245 (of 300) There have been eight cautions so far. Ron Beauchamp Jr. just went out with a broken axel. J.R. Fitzpatrick is leading, followed closely by Kerry Micks, DJ Kennington, Peter Gibbons and Brad Graham. Don Thomson is very loose, but on the lead lap. There are 13 cars still on the lead lap. Kevin Dowler is one of them and is on the top Western Series regular in the field. Ron Van Es is also having a good run.
• LAP 130 .... Kerry Micks, Brad Graham, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Mark Dilley, Scott Steckly
• and from earlier..... LAP 50.... Kerry Micks, Don Thomson Jr., Brad Graham, Jason Hathaway, Scott Steckly, Wade Lee, Mark Dilley, Dave Whitlock

CASCAR: Sun Valley Twin 100s

VERNON, BC - In the first Twin 100 qualifying sprint race on Saturday night at Sun Valley Speedway, five-time CASCAR Super Series National champion Don Thomson (Home Hardware Chevy) dominated the field, coming home in front of his Fitzpatrick Motorsports teammate J.R. Fitzpatrick (Milwaukee Tools Chevy) and Scott Steckly (ERB Dodge Charger).

In the second 100, Kerry Micks (Micks Motorsports Ford) took the checkered flag, ahead of Peter Gibbons (Canadian Tire Chevy) and Brad Graham (Challenger / Logel's Dodge Charger).

According to Joel Robinson, who called with this update (thanks!), rookie Jason Hathaway was strong in the Snap-On Dodge Charger. Western Series regular Todd Nichol ended up in the wall near the end of his race, crushing his front clip, while the Harrs (Carl and Daryl) both experienced trouble.

The Castrol 300 takes place this afternoon at the half-mile Sun Valley Speedway tri-oval.

CASCAR: Sun Valley Qualifying

VERNON, BC - Don Thomson Jr. set a new CASCAR Super Series time trial
qualifying record at Sun Valley Speedway on Saturday evening when he lapped
the half-mile tri-oval in 18.459 seconds to secure the pole for Sunday
afternoon's Castrol 300.

Kerry Micks was second fastest, with a lap of 18.521, and will start on the
outside of the front row. The remainder of the starting field will be
determined later this evening in the Twin 100 qualifying sprint races.
Derek Polack of Stony Plain, AB was the fastest of the Flo~Pro.com Western
Series drivers during time trials, posting the eighth-fastest lap. A total
of 37 cars are on hand for the race.

Thanks to Joel Robinson for the update!

CASCAR: Sun Valley practice update

Joel Robinson will be calling from Sun Valley Speedway with updates from this weekend's CASCAR Super Series / Flo~Pro.com Western Series Castrol 300 race.

He just phoned to say that in the first practice session, Don Thomson Jr. was quickest, ahead of DJ Kennington, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Scott Steckly and Daryl Harr.

According to Joel, this past week, DJ Kennington drove his Castrol Dodge Charger out to BC in advance of this weekend's race at Sun Valley (in Vernon, BC). He then flew back to Ontario so that he wouldn't miss the Friday night show at Delaware Speedway. After finishing fourth, he jumped back on a plane to BC where he's getting ready for the Castrol 300 at Sun Valley. Talk about dedication!

I'll post more updates from Joel as they arrive. And don't forget to check the CASCAR website for dates and times when the CASCAR broadcasts will appear on SPORTSNET.

CASCAR: Western swing set to begin at Sun Valley Speedway

TORONTO, ON – This weekend, the CASCAR Super Series will make its second-ever appearance at Sun Valley Speedway. Canada’s top stock car series will be the centerpiece of a busy weekend of racing action at the scenic half-mile tri-oval, located in Vernon, British Columbia.

In addition to Sunday afternoon’s 300-lap feature race, the schedule will also include a pair of 100-lap qualifying sprint races on Saturday evening. The race at Sun Valley race is the first of two CASCAR ‘crossover events,’ to be held on consecutive weekends in western Canada. The second takes place the following weekend at the Grand Prix of Edmonton.

As well as being full CASCAR Super Series National Championship points events, these special crossover races are also CASCAR Flo~Pro.com Western Series full points events. The ‘race within a race’ format adds extra drama, as the Western Series competitors will do battle against the top National drivers, and each other, at the same time.

Heading to Sun Valley, Milwaukee Tools Chevy driver J.R. Fitzpatrick leads the CASCAR Super Series points for the first time in his career. The Ayr, ON resident is riding high after winning his first-ever CASCAR feature race, two weekends ago, in the MOPAR Canada Day 300 at Barrie Speedway. Fitzpatrick will undoubtedly have a good feeling about Sun Valley, too, as he earned a checkered flag there during his 100-lap qualifying sprint race in 2005.

Another driver hoping to recapture the magic from last summer is Castrol Dodge Charger driver DJ Kennington. The St. Thomas, ON racer caught fire during CASCAR’s western swing with victories at Sun Valley Speedway in his 100-lap sprint race, as well as in the 300-lap feature race. Those wins came on the heels of his checkered flag performance at Calgary’s Race City Speedway, a week earlier. Kennington’s western tear launched him into contention for the championship in 2005, and set the stage for his stunning late-season charge to third in the points.

And while drivers like Fitzpatrick and Kennington have enjoyed success at the Vernon, BC facility, they can’t hold a candle to five-time Western Series champion Kevin Dowler, driver of the EMCO Taurus. The Sherwood Park, AB racer has earned numerous victories at Sun Valley Speedway, most recently on June 10 of this year. Dowler finished ninth in last year’s CASCAR Super Series results at Sun Valley, while collecting maximum points for being the top finishing Flo~Pro.com Western Series in the field.

“We love racing at Sun Valley,” said Dowler, who is currently leading the Western Series points chase, in what he has declared to be his final season behind the wheel. “I think we’re about seven for 10 in terms of feature wins in races we’ve participated in there. We won our last race there (in June), and at the end of last season, we collected our fifth CASCAR Western Series championship at Sun Valley. So it’s safe to say that we feel good about heading there again.”

CASCAR time trials will take place starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, to be followed by the Twin 100 Qualifying Sprint Races at 7 p.m. and a full slate of local feature races at 8:45 p.m. Sunday’s 300-lap feature race at Sun Valley Speedway will take the green flag at 2 p.m.

PIT STOP DEMONSTRATIONS: In advance of this weekend’s racing activities at Sun Valley Speedway, a series of pit stop demonstrations are being held at various locations in the region. The first takes place Thursday afternoon (July 13 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) at Zimmer Wheaton Pontiac Buick in Kamloops, BC. On Friday, the demonstrations will take place at Interior Truck & Trailer in Kelowna, BC (from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.), and in the parking lot adjacent to Watkin Motors in Vernon, BC (from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

SCHEDULE: SUN VALLEY SPEEDWAY (Vernon, British Columbia)
CASCAR Super Series

SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2006
5:00 p.m. Spectator Gates Open
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Time Trials
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Twin 100 Qualifying Sprint Races
8:45 p.m. Sun Valley Speedway Home Division Feature Races

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2006
12:30 p.m. Spectator Gates Open
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Driver Autograph Session
1: 30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies & Driver Introductions
2:00 p.m. START: CASCAR SUPER SERIES 300 LAP FEATURE RACE

CASCAR ON TV: Catch the MOPAR Canada Day 300 presented by the Dodge Dealers of Ontario from Barrie Speedway on Saturday, July 15 on SPORTSNET. For information regarding initial airings and replays of Super Series races, please check your local listings or visit http://www.cascar.ca/schedule/tv_schedule.html.

POINT STANDINGS: CASCAR SUPER SERIES: After 3 Events (Top 15): 1. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (542 pts.); 2. #22 Scott Steckly (534); 3. #10 Doug Brown (513); 4. #02 Kerry Micks (506); 4. #39 Dave Whitlock (506); 6. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (505); 7. #17 DJ Kennington (480); 8. #19 Brad Graham (477); 9. #9 Mark Dilley (475); 10. #25 Jim Lapcevich (473); 11. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (470); 12. #1 Peter Gibbons (464); 13. #3 Jason Hathaway (452); 14. #14 John Fitzpatrick (439); 15. #93 Joe Goncalves (414)

POINT STANDINGS: CASCAR FLO~PRO.COM WESTERN SERIES: After 2 Events (Top 15): 1. #35 Kevin Dowler (325); 2. #36 Jim White (320); 3. #71 Daryl Harr (307); 4. #30 Derek Polack (301); 5. #6 Todd Nichol (290); 6. #87 James Ward (278); 7. #21 Jason White (275); 8. #2 Carl Harr (268); 9. #26 Shawn Polack (264); 10. #79 Wade Lee (262); 11. #96 Norm Hunger (254); 12. #48 Chris Dennis (252); 12. #42 Lyle Paulson (252); 13. #24 Scott Dennis (247); 14. #11 Marty White (244); 14. #86 Shawn Press (244); 14. #76 Dale Biesick (244); 14. #31 Shawn Maltman (244)

POINT STANDINGS: CASCAR SPORTSMAN SERIES: After 2 Events: 1. #77 Dion VerHoeven (165); 2. #32 Mike Alguire (164); 3. #00 Steve Munro (154); 4. #81 Shawn McGlynn (150); 5. #11 Cole Weber (147); 6. #95 Ron Lethbridge (140); 7. #20 Dave DiDiero (136); 8. #67 Scott Mitchell (136); 9. #82 Dave Connelly (136); 10. #48 R Doug Cathcart (135); 11. #36 Alan Lebert (133); 12. #07 R Joey McColm (127); 13. #66 Josh Wood (64)

- Prepared by Inside Track Communications

CASCAR SS: Sprint races

Don Thomson Jr. started on the outside of the front row in the first 50-lapper at Barrie Speedway on Saturday night and jumped past polesitter Mark Dilley on the way into turn 1...and never looked back on his way to the checkered flag.

Dilley finished second, ahead of Peter Gibbons, Brad Graham, Kerry Micks, Dave Whitlock, Dave Jacombs, Kent Nuhn, Jason Hathaway, John Fitzpatrick and Joey McColm.

The skies opened up prior to the start of the 2nd 50-lapper, ending the action for the night.

UPDATED: The starting field for Sunday's MOPAR Canada Day 300 will be based on the time trial results.

SCHEDULE:

BARRIE SPEEDWAY // SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2006

MOPAR CANADA DAY 300 presented by the Dodge Dealers of Ontario

8:00 a.m.: Pit Gates Open

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.: Sportsman Tech

9:00 a.m.: Super Series drivers' meeting

11:00 - 11:30 a.m.: Super Series practice (All Cars)

11:30 - noon: Sportsman Practice

11:30 - 1:30 p.m.: Super Series Tech

12:30 p.m.: Sportsman Time Trials

1:00 p.m.: MOPAR 100 CASCAR Sportsman Series Feature

2:00 p.m.: Super Series Driver Autograph Session

3:00 p.m.: Driver Introduction Ceremonies

3:30 p.m.: START: MOPAR CANADA DAY 300 PRESENTED BY THE DODGE DEALERS OF ONTARIO