Wednesday, August 17, 2005

KOSISKI, HANSEN GAIN ON SPIEKER AS THEY CHASE TITLE IN DIVISION II OF NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 16, 2005) – It appears the race for the championship in Division II of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series will go down to the wire, as Joe Kosiski and Mike Hansen slowly close in on points leader Chris Spieker with five weeks remaining before the NASCAR season concludes on Sept. 18.

Kosiski closed to within 50 points of the leader this week, while Hansen edged to within 78 points of the top spot – as they chase the division title and its $25,000 bonus.

Spieker of Massena, Iowa, accumulated a big points lead early this year – competing at his home track of Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa, on Saturdays and I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Neb., on Sundays. NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Divisional point standings are calculated using each driver’s best results from any races held at tracks within their division. Adams County Speedway and I-80 Speedway are both in Division II – meaning drivers can race at both tracks and accumulate points towards the title.

Spieker leads Division II with 1,072 points. Although Adams County Speedway cancelled their event this past weekend, Spieker was able to add to his points total with a fourth-place finish at I-80 Speedway on Sunday.

Kosiski, a former NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion from Omaha, Neb., finished second in that event. He trails Spieker with 1,022 points.

Hansen was not as fortunate, however. Problems left the Alton, Iowa, driver with a 19th-place finish at Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D. Nevertheless, he is third in the division point standings with 994 points.

Making a strong run from fourth in the standings is Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., with 942 points. He charged from 18th on the grid to score his fourth win of the year at Grandview Speedway, in Bechtelsville, Pa., on Saturday.

Eric Richardson of Bakersfield, Calif., is fifth in Division II with 822 points.

Completing the top 10 of the standings are Gerry Bergeron of Candiac, Quebec; John Moore of Granite Bay, Calif.; Travis Sharpe of North, S.C.; Stacey Gerken of LaGrange, Ohio; and Robert Barker of Boerne, Texas.

Under NASCAR’s new point’s format for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, a driver’s best 16 finishes are counted towards the divisional title. If a driver races more than 16 times, their poorer finishes are not counted in the NDWS point standings.

This Week’s Division II Leaders …
(Driver, Home Track, Points)

1. Chris Spieker, Adams County Speedway (Corning, Iowa), 1,072
2. Joe Kosiski, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, Neb.), 1,022
3. Mike Hansen, Park Jefferson Speedway (Jefferson, S.D.), 994
4. Jeff Strunk, Grandview Speedway (Bechtelsville, Pa.), 942
5. Eric Richardson, Mesa Marin Raceway (Bakersfield, Calif.), 822
6. Gerry Bergeron, Autodrome St. Eustache (St. Eustache, Quebec, Canada), 802
7. John Moore, Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, Calif.), 788
8. Travis Sharpe, Concord Motorsport Park (Concord, N.C.), 758
9. Stacey Gerken, Lorain Speedway (Amherst, Ohio), 740
10. Robert Barker, San Antonio Speedway (San Antonio, Tex.) 688
11. Jamey Lee, Myrtle Beach Speedway (Myrtle Beach, S.C.), 654
12. Jeremy Lapainis, Edmonton International Raceway (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), 634
13. Pete Vanderwyst, Delaware Speedway (Delaware, Ontario, Canada), 628
14. Scott Bonney, Lee USA Speedway (Lee, N.H.), 628
15. Dennis Pelphrey, Watsonville Speedway (Watsonville, Calif.), 616
16. Mark Bliss, Holland International Speedway (Holland, N.Y.), 550
17. Bill Hebing Jr., Spencer Speedway (Williamson, N.Y.), 534
18. Alan Pyszora, Shasta Raceway Park (Anderson, Calif.), 488

For More Information, Contact:
Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 681-4173 or jdavidson@nascar.com

Round Four: New Skyview Drags track next stop in PMRA Tour

“This track is as smooth as glass”

By Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations

August 15, 2005, Cayuga, ON - The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.promodifiedracing.com is looking forward to racing at Skyview Drags Saturday, August 20, the fourth stop in this year’s PMRA series.

Located near Binghamton, NY, at Tioga Center, the Skyview Drags event will be the second half of the series’ New York tour with the Pro Modifieds running at Lancaster Motorsports Park the night before.

The Skyview Drags eighth-mile track was built only last year, and those who have raced on it are pleased with the surface of the IHRA-sanctioned strip.

“This track is as smooth as glass,” said PMRA competitor Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, NY. “It’s extremely smooth and none of the guys should have problems getting down this track nice and straight.”

The Grainy Brothers and their Beretta will be one of several PMRA teams from the Empire State to race at Skyview Drags. Other New Yorkers include Mark Mitchell of East Otto, Joe Lilienthal of Kenmore, and Medina’s Mike Stawicki.

PMRA teams from Ontario who will be at Skyview Drags include Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Dave Earhart of Strathroy, Kasey Janzen of Niagara Falls and Welland’s Larry Sinke.

Qualifying is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, with eliminations at 8:30 p.m. for the quickest four teams. The Chicago-style shootout and finals are to take place at 10:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
PMRA Registration and Parking 12:00 noon
Technical Inspection 3:00 p.m.
PMRA Qualifying - Optional 4:00 p.m.
PMRA Qualifying 6:00 p.m.
PMRA Qualifying 7:15 p.m.
PMRA Eliminations - Four Quickest Teams 8:30 p.m.
Chicago Style Shootout - Final (Qualifier #5 & #6) 10:00 p.m.
PMRA Final 10:00 p.m.

Skyview is located on Highway 17C halfway between Elmira and Binghamton, NY, just north of the Pennsylvania border.

For information about Skyview Drags call 1.607.687.9392 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at http://www.skyviewdrags.com/.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

WAR AMPS PARTICIPATE IN THE ALSTAR MOTORCYCLE CHARITY RIDE “RIDE WITH US TOUR”

WAR AMPS KEY TAGS AT WORK IN ONTARIO!

Keith Hepburn, Red Knights Ontario Chapter 3

SHALLOW LAKE, ON, August 20, 2005 B The War Amps, a leader in the field of child safety, is hosting an important safety display today at 8:00 a.m. at the meet and greet breakfast and registration at Shouldice Designer Stone located on RR 2 in Shallow Lake, to highlight the CHAMP and PLAYSAFE/DRIVESAFE Programs today.

Rob Larman, Director of its PLAYSAFE/DRIVESAFE Program who lost a leg at age 14 after friends dared him to jump a train, will be hosting the display, and making the 213 km trek joining the convoy of classic and vintage cars, rigs, haulers and motorcycles, leaving Shallow Lake at 10:00 a.m. and arriving at the Barrie Speedway at 2:00 p.m. “The Alstar Motorcycle Charity Ride is a wonderful opportunity that will increase public awareness in many communities throughout the Georgian Bay Region and send the message loud and clear to DRIVESAFE,” said Larman.

This ride is in honour of Mitzi, aged 21, and her father, Brent Hepburn, who both lost their left leg in 2003 in a motorcycle accident. They had such positive experiences with The War Amps that the idea of a charity ride with all proceeds being donated to the Association was conceived. This is the first “Ride With Us Tour” and they hope to make it an annual event. They will be presenting a cheque to Rob Larman at the Barrie Speedway.

Parade floats, displays and presentations are part of The War Amps national safety campaign which includes documentaries featuring the stories of Champs who lost limbs in accidents, a safety CD-ROM and public service messages. The War Amps receives no government grants and its programs are made possible through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service.

For more information, use E-ZEE ACCESS: call toll-free 1-800-250-3030, fax toll-free at 1-800-219-8988, or visit www.waramps.ca.

Wickens wins in Denver: Cameron Motorsports’ Robert Wickens collects second FBMW win of the year

By Russ Bond Agency (www.russbondagency.com)

DENVER, COLORADO Cameron Motorsports’ Robert Wickens won his second Formula BMW race of the year on Saturday in Denver Colorado. “It was a hard fought race, and I’m glad to get the win,” Wickens said after the win.

Wickens, who qualified third for the Saturday race and the pole for Sunday’s race, made a good start on Saturday, and tried to pass for second in the early laps. “I had a bit of contact that bent my left front suspension. I had my steering wheel on a 15-degree angle while going in a straight line, so I knew I had a problem,” Wickens said of the early laps.

If that wasn’t enough, another competitor drove over Wickens left rear suspension a little later, making his car even worse. “I just saw him fly over the back of my car, so now I had both the left front, and the left rear damaged.”

Even with the damaged car, Wickens was able to knock the gap down to the leader, when there was a full course yellow that put him at the back of the leader’s car for the restart. “I got him on the restart,” Wickens said, “Then I just put my head down and drove as fast as I could.” That speed was good enough for Wickens to collect his second win of the year.

If Saturday wasn’t enough of an adventure, Wickens lined up on the pole for Sunday’s race, hoping for a little easier time. “I came to a stop, and put the clutch in,” Wickens said. “And the car leaped forward about three inches. I was still in my start box, but because the car moved once I came to a stop, I was given a stop and go penalty.”

Wickens stopped to serve the penalty on lap two and came out 9 seconds behind 19th place. With a good car and some spirited driving Wickens was able to salvage a fifth place in the final tally. “That was a lot of work,” Wickens said. “Team Apex Racing USA gave me a great car, and I needed it to fight my way back. I really want to finish this year strong, and try to bring a championship to Cameron Motorsports, MMG Financial and all those who have helped us this year.”

With the win and the fifth, Wickens is now in third place in the championship, just 11 points out of the lead, and he currently sits second in the Rookie of the Year chase, just three points behind.

F1: Rubens goes to BAR (From TSN)

Barrichello joins BAR-Honda in 2006

By TSN.ca Staff

BAR-Honda have confirmed that Rubens Barrichello will join the Brackley-based squad in 2006.

The Brazilian, who has been strongly tipped to join the team following Ferrari's decision to hire Felipe Massa next year, has agreed to a 'multi-year deal', according to the team.

'I am very excited to confirm that I will be joining BAR-Honda in 2006. I wish to thank everyone at Ferrari for six fantastic years,' said Barrichello. 'I have won many races with them and I am proud to have helped the team, to date, to win five Constructors' World Championships. However my target remains winning the Drivers' title and to achieve that I felt that I needed a renewed motivation.'

BAR-Honda boss Nick Fry called the addition of Barrichello an 'exciting milestone' in the team's history.

'Rubens is not only an excellent driver, but he has the experience of building a race and Championship winning team and these skills are very important as we work to take BAR-Honda to the next level,' said Fry."

... more at the link above...

Monday, August 15, 2005

Bessette : exciting race rewarded with 4th place

By Michel Poirier-Defoy, Équipe Bessette Racing

Denver Grand Prix, Colorado, August 14 : Antoine Bessette drove his #3 Unik Auto Design car to fourth place in the Grand Prix of Denver Toyota Atlantic round and climbed back in fourth place in the season standings, only two points away from third place. His final position does not indicate the kind of race he had and how deserving it was for him to complete this race. After he got out of his car, Antoine was very happy with this result.

“This race was so filled with action it has to be one of the best I drove in my career, claimed the Polestar driver who started in 6th place. In the first turn, I was hit by Katherine (Legge) my teammate and I thought my day was over. I realized my car was running well by I was way down in 8 or 9th place. So I got to work and reeled in a few cars before I got to the leaders. I passed (Alan) Sciuto for fourth and was after (Charles) Zwolsman. My car was faster and we passed one another four times on the same lap, until I was too slow out of a corner and Sciuto passed me again when we ran into some backmarkers. I finally earned fourth when Tonis (Kasemets) spun on the last lap. It was so exciting to race with those guys. In on of those laps, I got the second best time of the day.”

6th in qualifying
AB had his share of trouble getting in a decent time in qualifying. “Friday, my car had a lot of understeer and working around the concrete patches in the corners was not easy. With the traffic on the track and some slow cars, I felt sixth place was the best I could get out of my car.

On the second qualification, Saturday, the track was damp and the times were too slow. We tried new tires at the end of the session, but the asphalt was too cold. Then, Kasemets spun in front of me and that was the end of the session.”

Next round in Road America next weekend
The Toyota Atlantic series will move north to Wisconsin for the next round of the championship next weekend at Road America, a track Antoine Bessette longs to race. He is now fourth in the season standings with 224 points, two points from third spot. He is the only Canadian to enter the 12-race series of the 2005 Toyota Atlantic championship. He will drive the #3 Unik Auto Design car from Polestar Racing Group.

You may visit Antoine Bessette's web site at http://www.bessetteracing.com/ and the series at http://www.toyotaatlantic.com/.

OSCAAR LOSES A DEAR FRIEND: Chris Dawson

From OSCAAR:

We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Chris Dawson. Chris, a loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on Sunday August 14th while in hospital.

Known by everyone as the “Voice of OSCAAR”, Chris possessed a natural talent behind the microphone. Being at the racetrack was like being at home for Chris Dawson, as he was most at ease when he was in front of an audience, calling a race.

Full of pride and passion for super late model racing, Chris could entertain and inform his audience like no other. He made announcing seem effortless, while bringing life and excitement to each and every OSCAAR event. With a unique style and flare all his own, Chris created nicknames for some of OSCAAR’s favourites that will always be remembered. Rob Clarke became known as “Magic Shoes”, and Mike Bricknell was “The Nuclear Banana”, while Stu Robinson Jr. was named “White Lightning”.

OSCAAR has lost a truly talented announcer and a genuine friend. Chris was a welcome face in the OSCAAR pits as he continually showed a true and sincere concern for everyone involved in the series. Chris’s commitment and dedication to OSCAAR will always be remembered. Racing was his life and Outlaw Super Late Models were his greatest passion!

OSCAAR is very proud and fortunate to have had Chris Dawson as the “Voice of OSCAAR”. We shall remember him fondly, and all who knew him will truly miss him.

Everyone in OSCAAR wishes to express our most sincere sympathies to Kathy, Chris’s wife and the entire Dawson family.

Funeral arrangements have not been finalized. We will advise at a later date.

(Photo by Betty Everingham)

Sunday, August 14, 2005

CASCAR POWERWATER SERIES: Dion Verhoeven wins at Barrie Speedway

BARRIE, ON – Dion Verhoeven won Saturday night’s CASCAR PowerWater Sportsman Series race at Barrie Speedway. The driver of the McRobert Fuels Pontiac started third in the field of 23 for the fourth PowerWater Series race of the season and passed Brad Graham with five laps to go in the race.

Graham, the defending champion of CASCAR’s Sportsman Series, started on the pole for the 100-lap event and looked as though he was going to lead the entire race until contact between he and Verhoeven knocked him out of contention and down to a 10th-place finish. Graham’s pole-winning qualifying effort of 14.366 seconds broke the overall CASCAR qualifying record at Barrie, which was set by Super Series driver Kerry Micks in early July.

Second-place at Barrie went to multi-time PowerWater Series champ Steve Robblee, of Dorchester, ON. London, ON racer Mike Alguire took the final podium position in his Pontiac.

The next outing for the PowerWater Sportsman Series takes place on Saturday, August 20 at Peterborough Speedway.

CASCAR POWERWATER SPORTSMAN SERIES
RESULTS: POWERWATER 100, presented by CARQUEST
Race #4// August 13, 2005 // Barrie Speedway // Barrie, ON // 100 Laps

FIN. ST. # DRIVER (HOMETOWN) SPONSOR / MAKE LAPS
1 3 77 Dion Verhoeven (Kerwood, ON) McRobert Fuels Pontiac Grand Prix 100
2 6 28 Steve Robblee (Dorchester, ON) Grogan / McRobert Propane Ford Taurus 100
3 8 32 Mike Alguire (London, ON) Pontiac Grand Prix 100
4 9 81 Shawn McGlynn (Kitchener, ON) McGlynn Ford / Awesome Racewear / Ultimate Garage Ford Taurus 100
5 15 38 Ken Grubb (Walkerton, ON Munday's Mobile Service / Andy’s Country Repairs Ford Taurus 100
6 12 80 Sean Dupuis (Windsor, ON) One Stop Auto Pontiac Grand Prix 100
7 2 97 Mike Gold (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) Compass Imaging Group Dodge 100
8 10 00 Steve Munro (Carp, ON) Chevrolet Monte Carlo 100
9 18 67 Scott Mitchell (St. Catharines, ON) V&G Auto / Martindale Dental Chevrolet Monte Carlo 100
10 1 6 Brad Graham (Glencoe, ON) HB Material Handling / Lakeview Performance Dodge 100
11 17 02 Scott O’Connor (Delaware, ON) Delaware Pump & Parts / J.J. Mann Motors Chevrolet M.C. 100
12 19 48 Doug Cathcart (Richmond, ON) Cathcart Mechanical Performance Pontiac Grand Prix 99
13 16 45 Bob Merrifield (Belle River, ON) Team Remax Preferred Realty Windsor Dodge 99
14 13 66 Josh Wood (London, ON) Pontiac Grand Prix 99
15 4 95 Ron Lethbridge (Barrie, ON) R The Fuel Genie Dodge 97
16 20 12 Mark Patrick (Delaware ON) Delaware Pump & Parts / J.J. Mann Motors Chevrolet M.C. 95
17 22 36 Alan Lebert (Stony Point, ON) R Al's Yardworks Pontiac Grand Prix 94
18 21 39 Kevin D'Amore (LaSalle, ON) Integration Action for Inclusion Dodge 90
19 5 11 Cole Weber (New Hamburg, ON) R Haffner Motors Dodge 86
20 7 09 Kent Nuhn (Williamsford, ON) R Pontiac Grand Prix 78
21 23 93 Joe Gillard (Ailsa Craig, ON) R Dodge 49
22 14 91 Josh Fantin (Amherstburg, ON) R Vitella Plumbing / Durabond Dodge 8
23 11 53 Todd Musker (Kanata, ON) R Hot Wheels Ford Taurus 1

R after the hometown denotes Rookie contender.

TIME OF RACE: 50 minutes and 3.911 seconds // MARGIN OF VICTORY: 0.248 seconds // CAUTIONS: 7 for a total of 24 Laps // LAP LEADERS: #5 Brad Graham (1-94) and #77 Dion Verhoeven (95-100).

Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 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 Super Series: CAYUGA RAINED OUT

Today's scheduled CASCAR Super Series race at Cayuga Speedway has been called due to the weather.

The race has been rescheduled to Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8 p.m.

ALSTAR: Peterborough Summary & Results

Chris Morrow earns his first career ALSTAR Late Model Series win in the Pennzoil 75 at Peterborough Speedway

PETERBOROUGH, ON – Chris Morrow made his first-ever trip to the Shouldice ALSTAR Series’ victory lane on Saturday night at Peterborough Speedway. The sophomore ALSTAR racer started sixth in the field of 24 at the 1/3-mile, high-banked oval.
Morrow passed polesitter and early race leader Richard Holmes on lap 9 of the Pennzoil 75 and led the rest of the 75-lap race. But it wasn’t an easy win for the Minesing, ON resident. Morrow’s #11 Morrow Electric / Edenvale Flying Club Chevy was chased throughout the second-half of the race by Steve Tiemersma of Newmarket, ON.
“We’ve had a lot of opportunities to win races,” said Morrow, who is in his second year of ALSTAR racing. “There’s nothing worse than looking in your mirror and seeing Steve Tiemersma on your bumper for the whole race. But he raced us clean and we’re really happy to win one of these things.”
Tiemersma, who won the ALSTAR series race at Delaware Speedway earlier in the season, was all over Morrow in his Aurora Automotive / Pennzoil Pontiac and challenged for the lead on several occasions, but never managed to complete the pass.
A mad scramble with just two laps to go spelled trouble for Tiemersma, however, as defending ALSTAR Series champ Robbie Thompson and Rob MacDonnell were able to get past him. Thompson took the checkered flag in second place, but was later disqualified from the final results after trouble in tech lane. The post-race change meant that MacDonnell was awarded second-place in the Pennzoil 75 and Steve Tiemersma was scored in third after his strong run.
In earlier ALSTAR heat race action at Peterborough Speedway, checkered flags went to: Jeff Cassidy, Alan Inglis, Steve Tiemersma, Derrick Tiemersma, Mike Almand and Jim Molenhuis.
The next Shouldice Designer Stone ALSTAR Late Model Series race takes place on Saturday, August 20 at Barrie Speedway.
As part of the lead-up to the race at Barrie, many fans and supporters of the ALSTAR Series will be taking part in the first annual ALSTAR Charity Ride, with the proceeds donated to the War Amps. The ride will begin early on Saturday at Shouldice Designer Stone in Shallow Lake and will make its way to Barrie Speedway, in the afternoon, for Round #11 of the Shouldice ALSTAR Series. More information about the ride is available at www.alstarseries.com.

Shouldice ALSTAR Late Model Series
RESULTS: Race #10 of 12 // Peterborough Speedway // Peterborough, ON // Aug. 13, ‘05 // 75 Laps


FIN. ST. # DRIVER (HOMETOWN) SPONSOR / MAKE LAPS
1 6 11 Chris Morrow (Minesing, ON) Morrow Electric / Edenvale Flying Club Chevrolet 75
2 12 72 Rob MacDonnell (Allenford, ON) MacDonnell Fuels / Siegrist Trucking Chevrolet 75
3 8 67 Steve Tiemersma (Newmarket, ON) Aurora Automotive / Pennzoil 10 Min. Oil Change Pontiac 75
4 4 69 Alan Inglis (Mississauga, ON) National Moving & Storage Dodge 75
5 16 38 Kirk Hooker (Chatham, ON) Country View Golf Course / McColl’s / Golf Trends Chevrolet 75
6 15 53 Kyle Donaldson (Queensville, ON) R Custom Engines / Downtown Rug & Flooring Ford 75
7 24 76 Tyler Williams (Chesley, ON) B&L Farm Services / Hank’s Auto Wreckers Ford 75
8 13 82 Jason Shaw (Guelph, ON) Spira Fire Protection / Del Metals Ford 75
9 11 98 Michael Almand (Alton, ON) Alliston Transmission / Finish Line Graphics Chevrolet 75
10 9 57 Brett Murray (Minesing, ON) Videoflicks / Cardwell Signs Ford 75
11 14 22 Glenn Watson (Barrie, ON) Racing Radios / Rival Office Solutions / Top Shops Chevrolet 75
12 2 30 Jim Molenhuis (Churchill, ON) R.E.V. Mobile Audio / Performance Chevrolet 75
13 21 55 Thane Woodside (Toronto, ON) R Melitta Chevrolet 74
14 7 4 Craig Zurbrigg (Listowel, ON) Benshaw Motor Controls / Trinity Village Health Care Ford 74
15 10 93 Tim Cole (Courtice, ON) Oshawa Office Equipment / Kwik Signs Chevrolet 74
16 22 3 Ken Naves (Sauble Beach, ON) Tim-Br Mart / Golden Eagle Cottages Chevrolet 74
17 1 42 Richard Holmes (Hillsburgh, ON) Gormac Roofing / Astro Automotive Ford 73
18 20 81 Bryan Mercer (Mt. Hope, ON) Sine’s Flooring Chevrolet 73
19 17 7 Derrick Tiemersma (Newmarket, ON) Wayfreight / Gates / Wix Chevrolet 72
20 3 75 Jeff Cassidy (Cambridge, ON) Highway Sterling – Western Star Ford 72
21 5 8 Paul Gresel (Sauble, ON) R Sauble Fall’s Tent & Trailer Park / H&H Patio Encl. Chevrolet 71
22 23 23 Steve Thompson (Drayton, ON) Conway Furniture / Priebe Engineering Chevrolet 5
23 19 9 Robbie Thompson (Southampton, ON) Shear Metal Products / Logel’s Dodge DQ
24 18 1 Dan Delisle (LaSalle, ON) R www.KFC.ca / Charter House Printing / Morton Industrial Chevrolet DQ

R after the hometown denotes Rookie contender.
TIME OF RACE: 1 hour and 12 minutes // CAUTIONS: 10 // LAP LEADERS: #42 Richard Holmes (1-8), #11 Chris Morrow (9-75) // HEAT WINS: #75 Jeff Cassidy, #69 Alan Inglis, #67 Steve Tiemersma, #7 Derrick Tiemersma, #98 Mike Almand, #30 Jim Molenhuis // MOST LAPS LED: #11 Chris Morrow // SPIRA HARD CHARGER AWARD: #38 Kirk Hooker // INSIDE TRACK MYSTERY POSITION AWARD: #23 Steve Thompson // CRC TOP 5: #11 Chris Morrow, #72 Rob MacDonnell, #67 Steve Tiemersma, #69 Alan Inglis, #38 Kirk Hooker // 69 AUTO WHEEL AWARD: #98 Mike Almand // HOOSIER TIRE AWARD: #38 Kirk Hooker

Contact ALSTAR at (519) 371-7588 or visit www.alstarseries.com
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

Friday, August 12, 2005

CANCELLATION OF EVENTS FOR THE MOLSON INDY MONTREAL

Courtesy simplyfast.ca

Thursday August 11, 2005 - We are saddened to have to announce the cancellation of Hankook Touring and Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup events scheduled for August 26, 27 and 28 which were to run on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve during the Montreal Molson Indy. Round 5 of the Hankook Touring Championship and Round 6 of the Excellence Chrysler Formula 1600 Cup will instead be run on the Sanair road circuit Saturday September 10th.

Contrary to some rumours, both series won’t run because of a lack of available track time, this after stealing the show in 2004. Meeting with Autocourse during the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix, the Molson Indy organizers confirmed Champ Car did not agree to reduce time allotted to the Trans-Am series, Pace Cars lapping sessions and Champ Car two-seater demonstrations despite several requests in the last couple of weeks.

However, we were pleased to learn Mr. Normand Legault, Molson Indy Montreal President, was impressed by the quality of the cars and of the show offered by both the Touring Hankook and Excellence Chrysler drivers in Trois-Rivieres, and hopes to play host to both series on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in 2006.

About the Hankook Quebec ChampionshipThe Championship is proud of its prestigious partners : Hankook Tires, Excellence Chrysler, Motul, Cogismaq, Trac Racing Depot, G-nius Communication, Optik Design, Lettrage Provan and RDS Motorisé. For more information on the Quebec Championship, full results and high-resolution pictures, please visit www.autocourse.ca , or contact Dominic St-Jean by phone at (514) 382-8777 or by email at dominic@autocourse.ca.

G-nius Communication - http://www.g-nius.ca

ESS: Black Rock Speedway this weekend

By Alain Forcier, Team Bergeron

The action is back again this weekend for the 'Annual Earl Halaquist Memorial' at Black Rock Speedway, Dundee NY.

This race will regroup the 'Empire Super Sprints' and 'Patriot Sprint Group' associations, so there will be a lot of drivers who will try to qualify for the 24 spots available on the starting of the A-Main event and Alain Bergeron plans to be a part of it.

With the successes of the last weeks of the driver of Saint Pie QC, all Quebec racing fans will follow that race with great interest.

Also let us note that given the fact that this weekend, the NASCAR Nextel Cup series will be at Watkins Glen, not far from Black Rock Speedway, it is frequent to see drivers of this famous series walking in the pit area and greeting their colleagues, drivers of Sprint Car.

Thanks for your support!

RCR and Tracy Decide Not to Run at MIS

Courtesy Richard Childress Racing

WELCOME, N.C. (Aug. 12, 2005) -- After two days of successful testing at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Paul Tracy have decided that not enough time remains before the Aug. 20 GFS Marketplace 400 at MIS to prepare for Tracy’s first entry in a NASCAR event.

“I’m very impressed with Paul’s ability in a race car, whether it’s a Cup car or a Champ Car, but it was just too short a time to put the right program together,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. “Paul’s a champion and he had a very good test but we want to do this right and be fully prepared to give him a maximum effort.”

Childress hopes to race Tracy again later this year.

“I have the greatest respect for the guys that drive Cup cars week-in and week-out,” said Tracy. “It takes a lot of preparation to be ready for a highly competitive event like the NEXTEL Cup Series and we just didn’t have the time to do the job right. I want to thank Richard for giving me this opportunity and the crew guys at the test for all of their effort. My primary goal this year is the pursuit of the Bridgestone/Ford Champ Car World Series Championship.”

OHSWEKEN RAINED OUT

Unfortunately due to heavy rains on early Friday morning the racing card at the Ohsweken Speedway has been cancelled for Friday August 12th.

A saturated pit area was the main culprit however with so much rain falling and more scheduled to be on its way there was no choice but to cancel.

There has been no word as of yet on the fate of the Southern Ontario Sprints event scheduled to be run. Up next at Ohsweken, Speedway Variety Proudly Presents the Mini Stock Ladies Race, Street Stock Mechanics race plus a regular card of racing.

For more information visit http://www.ohswekenspeedway.com

- Ohsweken Insider

DAYTONA AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT BOOSTS DUEL IN THE DIRT BONUSES TO MORE THAN $3,000: CHALLENGE NOW TO MERRITTVILLE HOOSIER STOCKS AND BRIGHTON PRO STOCKS

By Jim Irvine

Thorold, Ontario … “It all started with some bantering back and forth with two of my employees – both who are stock car racing enthusiasts,” says Joe Dennison, President of Daytona Automotive Equipment in Brighton Ontario.

“Next thing I knew I had the cheque book out and ‘Daytona Duel in the Dirt’ was a reality,” explains Dennison, “ it seemed almost natural that the only way to solve the dispute between my two guys – Terry and Dave - as to which track had the best drivers was a team challenge between the two tracks – Merrittville and Brighton Speedways.

Terry Kaiser is the Niagara area representative for Daytona Automotive Equipment while Dave Culford – who races a car at Brighton, is a Daytona Service Advisor.

The end result is a 100 lap challenge race for the Daytona Champions Flag between the best Hoosier Stock drivers from Merrittville Speedway and Pro Stock drivers from Brighton Speedway. The 100 laps will be split between 50 lap events at Merrittville Saturday September 10th after the opener at Brighton Sunday September 4th.

“Originally, I was thinking that if we sponsored this event it might put the bantering to rest,” says Dennison, “but I can see that one of the guys is going to want a rematch about five minutes after the Champions Flag is presented.”

“Merrittville Speedway is the oldest and best 3/8th’s mile dirt tracks in Canada, regularly attracting some of the finest racers from Southern Ontario and the eastern US … Dave,” boasts Kaiser.

“Hold on to your hat Terry,” Culford steps in,” you aren’t a real driver until you have won a Pro Stock feature at Brighton Speedway.”

“I think we have the edge,” informs Erica Bicknell, General Manager of Merrittville Speedway, “we have great drivers and the fans in Southern Ontario to cheer them on.” As Bicknell completes her words, Mark Rinaldi, owner of Brighton Speedway responds that he has found the perfect spot at his facility to hoist the Daytona Champions Flag for the coming year.

Daytona Automotive Equipment has posted a $1000 Team Challenge Fund that will be awarded to the winning Merrittville Hoosier Stock or Brighton Pro Stock Team. All of the Merrittville Speedway Driver points will be added up as will all of the Brighton Driver points for the two races. The team with the most total points will win the $1000.00. To be included in a team’s total - a driver must have attempted to qualify for both events.

Daytona Automotive Equipment is also providing a Champions Flag that will fly at the winning Speedway the following season.

Daytona Automotive Equipment – with Head Offices and a warehouse facility in
Brighton Ontario – manufactures a line of automotive lifts, tire changers, wheel balancers and auto body frame machines for the automotive service and repair industry.

Daytona Automotive Equipment is distributed across North America. For further information call 1-866-219-9991 or visit www.daytonaproducts.com.

In addition to the $1,000 Daytona cash award, more than $2,000 will be awarded to the top 10 drivers in the two race series in a Point Fund donated by Environmental Remediation Contractor D.L. Services and Lawns We Do – two Brighton Speedway area companies.

The two race event has to be the most lucrative event for grass roots racers in Ontario and all of Canada. If a driver was to win each 50 lap $1000 to win event – with the bonus money the winners share would reach over $3,000.

“The corporate support for this event has just been phenomenal and it keeps getting bigger,” relates Merrittville co-owner Nancy Bicknell, adding “ last year some of Hoosier Stock Drivers went to Brighton and did well and Mark and I have been working on this challenge since then.”

Merrittville Speedway’s Duel in the Dirt portion September 10th is part of a 3 day Season Finale that features Friday Night and Sunday Afternoon action. The Rose Webber Memorial presented by J&S Heating attracts top Mod Lite and Dwarf Car teams from across Canada and the US for Friday and Saturday’s events while a 100 lap Enduro and Demo Derby close out the weekend Sunday – a presentation of Konzelmann Estates Winery.

Free Camping is available for the entire weekend.

Merrittville Speedway is located just south of St. Catharines in Thorold Ontario. For further information call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvi l lespeedway.com.

Brighton Speedway event info - call 613-475-1102 or visit www.brightonspeedway.com

TRIPLE ON DECK FOR SOD THIS WEEKEND

By Ken Pelkie, Sprints On Dirt, Holt, MI

After nearly two weeks off, the Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt series presented by Total Seal swings back into action with three events this weekend.

First up will be the return to the Shiawassee County Fair on Thursday night, August 11th to do battle on the quarter mile. Last season, the Ohio Outlaw J.R. Stewart captured the inaugural event at this unique facility that only hosts one race per year. Gates are to open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30. Racing is scheduled to begin at 7:00 sharp with the show to be completed by dusk.

Then the series moves on to Mt. Pleasant for round two on the weekend. Last year, defending SOD Champion, Dustin Daggett took the victory in the first appearance at the quarter mile since 1993.

Round three at Merritt Speedway will mark the final stop on the weekend. When SOD last visited Merritt on July 23, Len Robison collected his first career SOD feature over Rookie, Louie Carufel.

Current Point Leader, Tim Norman holds a slim 28 point lead over Ben Rutan while Gregg Dalman, Kyle Patrick and Louie Carufel are all within 87 points of the leader.

Be sure to check back often on the official website of SOD at http://www.sprintsondirt.com/ for all the news and results as the “Winged Warriors with an Attitude” continue on their 2005 Tour.

Double the Fun! Two 100-Lap Pro Stock Races Saturday Night, Tucker Going for $10,000

By Gord Curran, General Manager

August 10th, 2005, Fredericton, NB – NBIS continues to catch up on some early season weather challenges with two 100-lap CARQUEST Pro Stock events slated for Saturday night starting at 7pm. The Coast Tire “Best of the Best” Pro Stock 100, originally slated to run on July 1st, and the scheduled Cobra Lubricants “Best of the Best” Pro Stock 100 are on tap. All eyes will be on Shawn Tucker who can take home $10,000 if he can win both races. There will also be points racing in the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman and Coast Tire Street Stock Divisions.

The Coast Tire “Best of the Best” 100 was originally scheduled for July 1st, but a mid-race rain shower following completion of the heats and dashes forced the feature to this coming weekend. The race will start promptly at 7pm before the regularly scheduled events. Following completion of the Coast Tire “Best of the Best” 100, NBIS will start qualifying for the Cobra Lubricants “Best of the Best” 100 in addition to the heats and dashes for the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman and Coast Tire Street Stocks.

The “Best of the Best” Pro Stock Series is a mini-series featuring three 100-lap events. For each event, position points are awarded towards the overall mini-series championship. However, position points awarded during the “Best of the Best” are not added to the season long CARQUEST Pro Stock Division Points Championship. Instead, each driver who runs a “Best of the Best” event receives 30 points towards the overall point’s championship (show up points).

All the attention will be on Shawn Tucker as he attempts to take home a $10,000 bonus for sweeping the all three “Best of the Best” events. Tucker won the CARQUEST “Best of the Best” Pro Stock 100 completed on July 1st with a late lap pass on Glenn Rasmussen and is considered a top contender each time he hits the track. No driver has ever won the bonus although defending CARQUEST Pro Stock Division Champion Dave O’Blenis came the closest three years ago when he took the first two races and was in contention during the third race before getting involved in an incident that took him out of the race.

Even if Tucker fails in his attempt to capture all three, he is still in line for some nice prize money if he can win the overall three-race series. Leon Lirette from the Capital City Roofing contributed $500 to the overall champion of the “Best of the Best”, the second year that Lirette has added prize money to the series. The overall winner also receives four (4) new Hoosier racing slicks from NBIS. Glen Livet’s Brad Mann won the “Best of the Best” series last season although he was tied with Kirk Thibeau after three races – Mann was given the edge because he won the first event. Mann is a three-time CARQUEST Pro Stock Division Champion while Thibeau was the winner of the inaugural Irving Oil 250 in 2001.

Although they are not the highlight of the evening, the Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman and Coast Tire Street Stocks should provide some outstanding entertainment as the points races in both divisions are heating up. For complete points standings, please go to www.nbisonline.com/standings.

If you or your company would like to sponsor an event, contribute a contingency award, or put up additional prize money, please contact the speedway office at (506) 455-4231 or send an e-mail to info@nbisonline.com.

Should the weather not cooperate, the rain date is Sunday at 2pm. Fans and drivers should call 506-454-RACE (7223) for updates.

PMRA competitors to meet in New York at Lancaster

Presented by: G-Force Race Cars, Jan-Cen Racing Engines and Oddy's Racing Inc.

Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations

August 11, 2005, Cayuga, ON - The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.promodifiedracing.com is set to compete Friday, August 19 at New York State’s Lancaster Motorsports Park, a popular eighth-mile facility just north of Buffalo in Clarence, New York.

Many of the New York-based PMRA competitors consider Lancaster their home track, and have raced there many times, including Kenmore, NY’s Joe Lilienthal, who took a popular victory at Luskville Dragway in the previous PMRA meet.

The driver of the popular Jeep-bodied Pro Modified considers Lancaster his favorite place to race, and said he plans “to kick some butt” during the Friday-night show.

Other New Yorkers scheduled to compete include North Tonawanda’s Grainy Brothers, Mark Mitchell of East Otto in his wild-looking “Rude Stude” Pro Mod, and Medina’s Mike Stawicki with his Camaro.

The New Yorkers will face some heavy competition from Southern Ontario at Lancaster, including Smokin’ Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls in his Avenger, Bruce Boland of Hamilton and his Corvette, Dave Earhart of Strathroy in his sleek black Camaro, Mark Nielsen from Brantford and his Camaro and Kasey Janzen of Niagara Falls, who provides the fans with some great burnouts in his Chevy Lumina.

“We’re going to have a good show at Lancaster,” said Janzen. “All the guys are familiar with the track, and know how to get down this strip. We’re going to give the Lancaster fans a good time.”

Joining the PMRA Pro Modifieds at Lancaster Motorsports Park will be the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series. The popular grass-roots drag series which features competitors from Ontario and New York, was formed in 1996, and continues to grow each season. The participants, known for their awesome wheelies, are fan favorites wherever they appear.

“A lot of our guys raced at Lancaster many years ago, including myself,” said Can-Am official F.J. Smith. “We’re all looking forward to returning and having a good time.”

MacLeod looking to retain momentum at Cayuga

“I have watched many superstars at Cayuga over the years and I’ve always said it is one of my favorite race tracks.”

By Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Public Relations

August 10, 2005, Innisfil, ON – Running the Central Merchant Services Ford Taurus, 32 year-old MacLeod Racing team driver Tara MacLeod from Innisfil, Ontario, is focusing on a good finish at Cayuga Speedway this Sunday.

“I’ve never had much of a chance to race at Cayuga, but a good finish there would be very important to the Central Merchant Services Team”, said Tara MacLeod. “Every week we are getting closer to securing the PowerWater Rookie of the Year Championship and with four races to go in the season every week is important.”

MacLeod currently leads the PowerWater CASCAR Super Series Rookie of the year standings, and is 13th in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.

“Cayuga has always been an icon in Canadian Motorsports,” added MacLeod. “I have watched many Super Stars at Cayuga over the years and I’ve always said it is one of my favorite race tracks.”

The CASCAR Super Series race will take place Sunday, August 14 at Cayuga Speedway located in Nelles Corners, Ontario on the 5/8th-mile oval.

For information about Cayuga Speedway tickets and camping, call the Cayuga Speedway Hotline at 1.905.768.1177 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at http://www.cayuga2000speedway.com/.

PHOTO: Kasey Kahne & Mark Dilley at the NASCAR SpeedPark at Vaughan Mills last night



Thanks to Joe Hamilton for the use of this photo!

NASCAR: Tracy won't race at Michigan... from TSN.CA

Tracy won't race NASCAR at Michigan next week

Paul Tracy will have the weekend off next week after all.

Two days of testing at Michigan earlier this week was not enough to convince NASCAR owner Richard Childress that Tracy is ready to make his Nextel Cup debut at the high speed oval in next weekend's GFS Marketplace 400.

The team has yet to say what the reason is behind the decision.

By all appearances Tracy gave a good account of himself during a two-day test at the Michigan oval, a track where the former Champ Car champion still holds the open-wheel qualifying record with a top speed of 234.949 mph set in July 2000.

"He adapted to the race car really fast, he adapted well to the way we do things as a group," Bobbie Leslie, special projects crew chief with RCR, said of Tracy's test. "He's really impressed all of us."

Tracy admitted that the test was also an opportunity to see if NASCAR was the next logical step in his racing career.

"I've done about all I can do and accomplished everything I wanted to in Champ Car," he said Tuesday. "When this opportunity comes around to get in with a good car, it's really what keeps you motivated.

"I need to try something different to keep my motivation high. Whether it's making a change, which is big in your whole lifestyle, or sticking with what I have now."

SHOULDICE ALSTAR: Peterborough Schedule

SHOULDICE STONE ALSTAR SERIES

NEXT RACE: Round #10

Peterborough Speedway
Saturday, August 13

Pit Gate Opens at: 1:00pm

Practice: 2:00 till 4:15

Drivers Meeting: 5:00

Crew Chief Meeting: 5:15pm

Racing at 6pm

Autograph Session: 8:30

Feature ALSTAR Race - 8

CASCAR Super Series: Cayuga Preview

CASCAR heads to Cayuga 2000 Speedway on Sunday for the ninth event of the ’05 Super Series schedule

LONDON, ON – The CASCAR Super Series makes its lone appearance of the season at Cayuga 2000 Speedway on Sunday afternoon for a 200-lap race at the 5/8-mile oval. Because of its size and speed, Cayuga has long been a highly anticipated destination for CASCAR’s racers and fans.
Heading to Cayuga, Don Thomson Jr. leads the Super Series points chase as he continues his quest for a fifth-consecutive CASCAR National championship. The Home Hardware Chevy driver is coming off a runner-up finish in the Mosport Speedway 200 last Saturday night, where DJ Kennington charged around him with just a few turns to go, en route to the win.

Immediately after the race, Thomson was upset to see the victory slip away so close to the checkered flag. But it didn’t take long for the veteran racer to refocus on the big picture. “We have eight races down and four to go. We’d like to get another win in the column, and that’s why I’m a little frustrated with what happened [at Mosport], especially when you lead so many laps and not to seal the deal. But it was another good points night for us and we’ll head to Cayuga right where we want to be.”

And while Don Thomson is pleased with his position in the overall points, DJ Kennington is looking for his fourth CASCAR Super Series feature event win in a row, at Cayuga. “Our good run started at Toronto [where he started on the pole] and it’s just gone from there. We’ve had a strong car every race all season, but the difference lately is that the little things that were biting us, aren’t biting us anymore. I can’t describe how good this run feels; it’s just amazing.”

The Castrol Dodge driver is starting to display a level of confidence that indicates he believes he can challenge Thomson and points runner-up Peter Gibbons for the title over the final third of the schedule. “We’re concentrating on our Super Series program right now and that has made a big difference. We still have a long way to go to catch Donnie, but we’re climbing and that’s what we have to continue to do.”

Time trials for Sunday’s Super Series race at Cayuga are scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. The green flag is set to fly at 2:30 p.m. A Thunder Car feature race will follow the Super Series event.

CAYUGA NOTEBOOK: In 2004, the Super Series visited Cayuga 2000 Speedway on two occasions. In the first, on June 6, Peter Gibbons led the final 30 laps of the PowerWater 200 after starting third in the 32-car field. Dave Whitlock won the second Cayuga race last summer (on July 4), after a pit miscue thwarted Gibbons’ chances for a Cayuga sweep. Last year’s top rookie, Pete Shepherd, started on the pole in that race and went on to finish fifth.

CASCAR ON TV: The Sun Valley 300 CASCAR Super Series race from Sun Valley Speedway in BC’s Okanagan Valley will air on SPORTSNET on Saturday, August 13 at 3 p.m. For information regarding initial airings and replays of Super Series races on SPORTSNET, please check your local listings or visit http://www.cascar.ca/schedule/tv_schedule.html.

POWERWATER SPORTSMAN SERIES: The CASCAR PowerWater Sportsman Series returns to action this Saturday night at Barrie Speedway. The event will be the fourth of six on the 2005 PowerWater schedule and the second of the season at Barrie Speedway. The tour last visited the 3/8-mile oval on July 2 when hometown driver and rookie competitor Ron Lethbridge led all 100 laps of the PowerWater 100 en route to his first series win.

SCHEDULES:

CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Cayuga 2000 Speedway 200
Nelles Corners (Hamilton), Ontario // Event #9 of 12
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2005
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CASCAR Super Series Practice Session
12:30 p.m. CASCAR Time Trials
2:20 p.m. CASCAR Driver Introductions
2:30 p.m. START: Cayuga 2000 Speedway 200


POWERWATER SERIES: PowerWater Series 100, presented by CARQUEST
Barrie, Ontario // Event # 4 of 6
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2005
4:00 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Practice Session #1
5:00 p.m. CASCAR Super Series Practice Session #2
7:45 p.m. CASCAR Time Trials
9:45 p.m. Super Series Driver Autograph Session
10:10 p.m. START: POWER WATER SERIES 100, presented by CARQUEST

SUPER SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 8 events. As of August 9, 2005: 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (1582 pts.); 2. #1 Peter Gibbons (1493); 3. #17 DJ Kennington (1474); 4. #9 Mark Dilley (1443); 5. 39 Dave Whitlock (1412); 6. #02 Kerry Micks (1405); 7. #19 Brad Graham (1401); 8. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (1390); 9. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (1382); 10. #88 Dave Jacombs (1296); 11. #22 Scott Steckly (1260); 12. #10 Doug Brown (1238); 13. #37 Tara MacLeod ® (1216); 14. #11 Ron VanEs (1206); 15. #3 Stu Robinson Jr. (1168).

WESTERN SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 6 events. As of August 9, 2005: 1. #35 Kevin Dowler (1309 pts.); 2. #30 Derek Polack (1238); 3. #79 Wade Lee (1212); 4. #36 Jim White (1159); 5. #6 Todd Nichol (1119); 6. #21 Jason White ® (1116); 7. #26 Shaun Polack (1092); 8. #69 Randy Kozek ® (924); 9. #14 James Van Domselaar (876); 10. #87 James Ward (828); 11. #31 Sean Maltman (676); 12. #68 Shane Charlton (562); 13. #15 Mike Browne (542); 14. #96 Norman Hunger ® (512); 15. #27 Mark Derks (288)

POWERWATER SPORTSMAN SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Top 15 after 3 events. As of August 9, 2005: 1. #77 Dion Verhoeven (250); 2. #95 R Ron Lethbridge (244); 3. #28 Steve Robblee (242); 4. #00 Steve Munro (239); 5. #32 Mike Alguire (237); 6. #6 Brad Graham (232); 7. #97 R Michael Gold (224); 8. #80 Mike Hryniuk (218); 9. #38 Ken Grubb (211); 10. #11 R Cole Weber (200); 11. #66 R Josh Wood (199); 12. #91 Dean Fantin (192); 13. #81 Shawn McGlynn (184); 14. #39 Kevin D'Amore (184); 15. #45 Bob Merrifield (183)

® Denotes Rookie of the Year Competitor.

Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 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

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Engine Woes Sideline Ryan Litt

By Tommy Goudge

August 10, 2005 - It was an up and down night for Lyons, Ontario racer Ryan Litt on Friday night at the Dixie Motor Speedway near Birch Run, Michigan. The day began at the shop where the team thrashed to finish getting the car back together after the wreck two weeks ago at Baer Field Speedway. Once at the track for the night’s event, sanctioned by the AVSS, the new set of wings from Velocity Wings worked so well that all the team’s previous setup notes proved to be obsolete. The #07 BRR Media BS&B Radiator Beast/Claxton Sprint Car was not handling very well, which resulted in a time trial lap of only 22nd fastest.

The car was somewhat improved in the heat race, but midway through the race, some of the supports on the big top wing came loose, causing it to flip upwards and ruin the handling of the car. After rectifying that situation, it was on to the B Main in which Ryan continued to fight the ill-handling car and missed transferring to the A Main by one position.

At this point it appeared the team’s luck had changed for the better as Mike Astrauskas scratched from the feature event, meaning Ryan could tag on to the back of the field as the first alternate. The team quickly made changes to the car’s suspension and chassis setup and sent the #07 back out onto the high banked 4/10’s mile oval. Starting in the 21st and dead last position on the grid, the car responded well to the changes and Ryan quickly made his way up to the 13th position by the seventh lap and looked to be turning his night around. Unfortunately it was not to be as the 18 year old noticed oil coming from the engine compartment and quickly pulled off the track before further damage was done, and was credited with a 20th place finish.

Ryan and the team pulled the engine out after the race and have sent it away to be freshened in the hopes of being ready in time for the 46th annual Joe James/Pat O’Connor Classic USAC National Sprint Car event at the Salem Speedway in southern Indiana this Saturday night. The high banked 0.555 mile oval has played host to some of the biggest names in all of auto racing over the years, and Ryan and the team are very excited about competing at the legendary speedway. Joining the sprint cars on the card will be the USAC National Midgets. Warm-ups will begin at 4:30 on Saturday night, August 13. Following that event will most likely be a weekend off before heading to the Kawartha Speedway near Peterborough, Ontario on August 26 for a home race of sorts. For more information, schedules, news and photos, please visit www.RyanLitt.com.

TONIGHT: MARK DILLEY AND KASEY KAHNE TO COMPARE NUMBER 9 DODGE CHARGERS AT NASCAR SPEEDPARK

TORONTO, ON – Kasey Kahne, driver of the # 9 Dodge Charger in NASCAR Nextel Cup, and Mark Dilley, driver of the # 9 Dodge Charger in the CASCAR Super Series, will be comparing notes on their respective Dodge Charger race cars at NASCAR SpeedPark in Vaughan Mills tonight (Thursday August 11th).

NASCAR SpeedPark has invited Kahne to their exciting facility to sign autographs and partake in some races against fans on one of the facilities many go kart tracks. Kahne will be at the facility from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and will be joined by Dilley at the same time. Fans must have a wristband to get an autograph. They are available at NASCAR SpeedPark on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 10:00 am on Thursday August 11th.

Dilley will have his # 9 Dodge Charger on display at the event, and Dilley and Kahne are slated to go at it on the track as well; in slightly less powerful Dodge Charger replica go karts. The appearance of the NASCAR Nextel Cup and CASCAR Super Series stars together is reflective of the current stock car racing landscape in Canada, where NASCAR and CASCAR entered into a marketing and management partnership late in 2004.

Dilley currently sits fourth in the CASCAR Super Series Championship and is coming off a fourth place finish at Mosport Speedway last weekend, while Kahne currently sits 21st in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings and is coming off a second place finish at the 400 at The Brickyard this past Sunday.

A great time is in store for NASCAR and CASCAR fans alike, so come on by NASCAR SpeedPark in Vaughan Mills this Thursday August 11th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please visit www.NASCARSpeedPark.com for Wristband Policy or call 905-669-7370 for more information.

DriveLine Radio’s Super Human Show and Shine is on!


Got a gorgeous car, truck or motorcycle that begs to be shown off? Then join Johnny B and Rob Forte for DriveLine Radio’s First Annual Super Human Show and Shine! on Sunday September 11th from 11 am to 4pm at The Legendary Salty Dawg Saloon in Kleinburg, Ontario.

We’re asking for nothing to display your beautiful ride. Just drop us a line with your name, make and model of vehicle and we’ll save you a spot in the Dawg’s parking lot. We will be selling commemorative t-shirts for $20 each with proceeds going to juvenile diabetes research. So your support would be greatly appreciated.

Added bonuses include an outdoor BBQ, music, vintage autos, track bikes and a special salute to our armed forces, firefighters and police.

So hurry, space is limited! For more info or to grab a spot for your ride contact John Bordignon at johnny-b@sympatico.ca or 1-888-844-2665 x58.

DriveLine Radio’s First Annual Super Human Show and Shine for Juvenile Diabetes. Sunday September 11, 2005 from 11am to 4pm. The Legendary Salty Dawg Saloon - 9732 Highway 27 (just south of Major Mackenzie Drive) Kleinburg, Ontario - 905-893-2158.

Brought to you by The Cool Beer Brewing Company, Fat Cock Jeans Limited, NewsTalk 610 CKTB and The Legendary Salty Dawg Saloon.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Jim Lapcevich taking the Tim Hortons - EMCEA Transport Fastline Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo Team to Cayuga

By Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Public Relations

August 10, 2005, Hamilton, ON – Jim Lapcevich, driver of the number 25 Tim Hortons - EMCEA Transport Fastline Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo, always looks forward to competing at Cayuga Speedway.

“Cayuga Speedway is home for Team Fastline, we have raced there for years and we have many sponsors, family and friends there,” said Lapcevich. “Fastline has a long history of racing at Cayuga and it is going to be really important to do well there.”

Since 1966, Cayuga Speedway has been synonymous with the best in racing, and is regarded by fans, racers and sponsors alike as Canada’s premier racing facility. Cayuga Speedway, Canada’s “Crown Jewel”, has always been at the forefront of Canadian championship stock car racing. Originally a dirt track, the 5/8ths-mile oval facility was paved in 1968.

Over the years, Cayuga Speedway’s “Special Event” presentations, there have been a host of internationally famous competitors to take on the locals, including Bobby Allison, Davey Allison, Donnie Allison, Buddy Baker, Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott, Alan Kulwicki, Sterling Marlin, Mark Martin, Tim Richmond, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip. Some of the “locals'' learned well, honing their driving talents and becoming famous in their own right. Names like Hall-of-Famers Junior Hanley, Earl Ross, and Don Biederman refined their talents at the Cayuga oval with some fine racing, and then headed south of the border.

The CASCAR Super Series race will take place Sunday, August 14 on the 5/8th-mile oval at Cayuga Speedway, located at Nelles Corners, Ontario.

For information about Cayuga Speedway tickets and camping, call the Cayuga Speedway Hotline at 1.905.768.1177 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at http://www.cayuga2000speedway.com/

Jim Lapcevich will be a guest on CH Morning Live in Hamilton on Friday, August 12th at 8:40 a.m.

CASCAR ON TV: The Sun Valley Motor Speedway 300 airs on Saturday, August 13th at 3:00 p.m. EST on SPORTSNET.

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

Micks and PowerWater Ford heading to Cayuga: "Hoping for better showing than recent Mosport DNF."

Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Public Relations

August 9, 2005, Mt. Albert, ON - Driving the PowerWater Micks Motorsports 2005 Ford Taurus, Kerry Micks finished a disappointing 19th in the CASCAR Super Series in Bowmanville, Ontario on Saturday in the Mosport Speedway 200.

“We had a motor go south on us about 40 laps into the race Saturday night. It’s really unfortunate, but there are some things that we just can’t control,” explained Micks. “There will be a brand new engine in the car for this weekend and we will test it at Mosport this week, just to be sure everything is OK.”

DJ Kennington won the Mosport Speedway 200 event followed by Don Thomson Jr. and Ron Beauchamp Jr.

“We always run well at Cayuga, the PowerWater Ford finished second there twice last year and we knocked off two thirds the year before that,” added Micks. “If all things remain equal and we have any luck at all we should be in great shape at Cayuga.”

Micks, with three wins this season in the PowerWater Micks Motorsports Ford, sits in sixth position in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series Points Championship.

The CASCAR Super Series race will take place Sunday, August 14 at Cayuga Speedway located in Nelles Corners, Ontario on the 5/8th-mile oval.

For more information about Cayuga Speedway tickets and camping, call the Cayuga Speedway Hotline at 1.905.768.1177 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit http://www.cayuga2000speedway.com/

CASCAR ON TV: The Sun Valley Motor Speedway 300 airs on Saturday, August 13th at 3:00 p.m. EST on SPORTSNET.

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

STELLAR CAST ASSEMBLED FOR ATLANTIC CAT 250

By Joan Roué, Scotia Speedworld

HALIFAX, NS (2005 August 9) - A stellar cast of champions and race winners is expected to compete this Saturday at Scotia Speedworld in the sixth annual edition of The Atlantic CAT 250. All tolled there are 10 series championships represented among five drivers and one veteran racer that has earned the title of "the greatest driver in the 56-year history of Oxford Plains Speedway" in Maine: Mike Rowe.

Rowe (Turner, Maine) put the exclamation point on the title July 31 with his third victory in the prestigious, and often elusive, Oxford 250, also the 54-year-olds 150th trip to victory lane at the famed facility. The momentum gained from the Oxford win combined with Rowe being the most recent winner of a Pro All Stars Series (PASS) event at Scotia Speedworld (June 25) would place him as a favourite contender for this Saturday's race at Scotia Speedworld.

But there are numerous others that will have something to say about who takes the checkered flag and the $6,000 (U.S.) winners share of the $40,000 purse for The Atlantic CAT 250.

Former pro stock series champions from both sides of the international border Johnny Clark (Hallowell, Maine), John Flemming (Halifax, NS), Dave Gorveatt (Charlottetown, PEI), Ben Rowe (Turner, Maine) and Wayne Smith (Halifax, NS) all have scored wins at Scotia Speedworld and are hungry for another - especially considering the newly added honour of having their name engraved on the Scott Fraser Memorial Cup.

Top racers from PASS and the top touring series in the Maritimes, the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour, as well as a smattering of independent racers will be represented at the event. The expected entry list follows...

Car # Driver Hometown SERIES-PTS
0 Shawn Turple Enfield, NS PST-3rd place
6 George Koszkulics New Glasgow, NS n/a
8 Cassius Clark Farmington, ME PASS-4th
9 Stephen Brown Williamswood, NS PST-18th
11 Marty Prevost Fall River, NS n/a
15 Scott Alexander Dartmouth, NS n/a
17 Travis Benjamin Morrill, ME PASS-7th
23 Lonnie Sommerville Saint John, NB n/a
24 Mike Rowe Turner, ME PASS-3rd
28 Matt Eaton Little Deer Isle, ME PASS-11th
44 Wayne Smith Halifax, NS PST-2nd
47 Corey Williams Boothbay, ME PASS-8th
53 Alan Wilson Hebron, ME PASS-5th
54 Johnny Clark Hallowell, ME PASS-2nd
67 Gordie Ryan Wellington, NS PST-7th
72 Stacey Clements Five Island Lake, NS PST-11th
77 Dave Gorveatt Charlottetown, PEI n/a
83 Donnie Whitten Biddeford, ME PASS-6th
84 Scott Mulkern Falmouth, ME PASS-13th
88 Chris Hughes N. Winsloe, PEI PST-21st
89 Donald Chisholm Antigonish, NS n/a
97 John Flemming Halifax, NS n/a
99 Phillip Barkhouse, Jr. Sackville, NS PST-8th
0 Ben Rowe Turner, ME PASS-1st
2 Mike MacKenzie Dartmouth, NS PST-14th
8 Donnie Lashua Canaan, NH PASS-9th

Expected Entry List Subject To Change Without Notice

The Atlantic CAT 250 is round 12 of 18 en route to the 2005 PASS championship. Two-time PASS champ Ben Rowe leads the pack after 11 events by just two points over Johnny Clark (2160 vs 2158). Mike Rowe follows in third a mere 12 markers behind Clark. With as many as 220 points awarded the winner of each event, and only two points separating each finishing position, The Atlantic CAT 250 could be pivotal in deciding the 05 series champ. The complete PASS point standings and more information about PASS can be found online at http://www.proallstarsseries.com/.

Former Atlantic CAT 250 winners include John Flemming (2000), Louie Mechalides (2001), Ben Rowe (2002 and 2003), and Johnny Clark (2004).

The Atlantic CAT 250 is the culmination of a busy Speedweekend 2005 at Scotia Speedworld. Activities kick off Friday at 5 p.m. with the Lockhart Big Rig Show'N'Shine in the main parking lot. All truckers are welcome to participate and those that show their rigs will receive complementary tickets to Friday nights show at Scotia Speedworld, compliments of Lockhart Truck Center.

Feed Nova Scotia will also be on hand and those that make a cash or non-perishable donation will get a chance to be the honourary Grand Marshall for The Lockhart Truck Center 100, giving the "Start Your Engines" command and waving the green flag.

Racing action begins Friday at 7 and will feature two rounds of qualifying for The Atlantic CAT 250 (time trials and heat races), championship points racing for Budweiser Weekly Racing Miller Tire BFGoodrich Thunder and Lightning Cars. The C&R Auto Supply Sportsman division will see qualifying heat races set the starting grid for The Lockhart Truck Center 100 - also round 4 of 5 in the Sportsman Super Series.

For the first time ever, sportsman racers will receive a $10 bonus per sponsored lap led in The Lockhart Truck Center 100. A limited number of laps remain available to be sponsored. Call 444-0703 to reserve your lap today.

On Saturday a special Pepsi Pre-Race Show will kick things off at 5 p.m. featuring the music of popular local entertainer Paul Eisan and Tribute, an autograph session and the Atlantic CAT Equipment Parade.

Racing action begins at 6 p.m. The format includes championship points racing in two Budweiser Weekly Racing divisions, the RV Contacts Legends and the Nova Automotive Hobby Stock. Then the sixth edition of what has become the most prestigious stcok car race in the Maritimes: The Atlantic CAT 250.

Once the racing stops, the party starts with the new for 2005 Atlantic CAT 250 Tailgate Party featuring Paul Eisan and Tribute.

A detailed Speedweekend 2005 event format can be found online at http://www.scotiaspeedworld.ca/.

Special two-day grandstand admission tickets are just $35 for adults and $6 for youth aged 8 to 15. Friday only tickets are $15 for adults and $2 for youth aged 8 to 15. Saturday only tickets are $30 for adults and $5 for youth (8 to 15). Children 7 and under are admitted free both nights. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Pit admission is $45 for a two-day ticket, $20 for Friday only and $35 for Saturday only. Pit admission is restricted to those 16 and older. Pit tickets are not available in advance.

HST is included in all admission prices.

The grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Vinland Auto Slalom, Aug. 13, 14/Summer party

Please note the change of date for the Auto Slalom - Aug. 13 and 14 at Bell Island. That's Saturday and Sunday. Supplemental regulations are now available at www.vinland.ca.

(That's what I get for leaving the calendar on July - but it was hard to cover that little Ferrari!)

Vinland Motorsport Club is also hosting a club BBQ Aug. 27. Please send a reply e-mail for more information - we're trying to gauge possible attendance, so let us know if you're bringing your navigator, pit crew - or, you know, a spouse.

For more information, visit www.vinland.ca.

Ken Simmons
Communications director
Vinland Motorsport Club
www.vinland.ca

Whitlock fast but bent by Mosport oval results: “This could be my most frustrating season ever”

Courtesy Don Brooks

Bowmanville, ON, August 06 2005 - After qualifying third fastest for the Mosport 200 at this fast, half-mile oval, Dave Whitlock did what he does so well by quickly moving his #39 Avenue Motor Works / NMT Dodge Charger towards the front of the field.

“We got to 2nd pretty quickly and stayed there for the early part of the race” said Whitlock. Mark (team mate Dilley) who started 4th was also fast and he took over 2nd until the first caution. The two Whitlock Dodges pitted, and Dave elected to take two rear tires, knowing that would take longer and that he would give up some track position. But he felt the advantage would come back to him later in the race.

Restarting in 7th, Whitlock steadily worked his way to the front. Mark had taken the lead for 13 laps but was passed by Don Thomson Jr. on lap 124. With 20 to go, and Thomson too far away to catch, Dave passed Mark for 2nd. But the team mates unfortunately touched, sending the Whitlock Dodge into a spin. Now forced to the rear, he pitted for another fresh rear tire and when the green flew again with 13 to go, he was on a mission, moving from 13th to 8th. But apparently, as the checker flag flew, Doug Brown wanted his 8th spot back bad enough to use contact to make it happen. Tempers flared after Brown’s post-race punt to the #39, and crews seemed to disagree on the facts. Both sides of Whitlock’s Dodge were trashed.

“I know that I gave him a little tap after the flag to tell him I didn’t appreciate the way he took me out for position, but what he did after that was just ridiculous” said 3-time Champion Whitlock. “I don’t know how these guys think that doing things like that will really help out their future. It’s just a shame the way that night turned out. If Mark and I had not caused that caution, we likely could have held off DJ and been both on the podium again. Instead, Mark’s 4th and I’m 9th. ”

On TV: Event #6, the MOPAR 300 from Calgary AB – EAST: WED 10 @2:30PM EST; FRIDAY 12 @12:30PM EST / WEST: MONDAY AUG 8 @1:00PM EST; THURS 11 @1:30PM MT / PACIFIC: THURS 11 @12:30PM PST
Next CASCAR Super Series race: August 14 at Cayuga 2000 Speedway.

CASCAR SUPER SERIES POINTS after 8 events; as of August 06 2005 (UNOFFICIAL TOP 15 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (1582 pts.); 2. #1 Peter Gibbons (1493); 3. #17 DJ Kennington (1474); 4. #9 Mark Dilley (1443); 5. 39 Dave Whitlock (1412); 6. #02 Kerry Micks (1405); 7. #19 Brad Graham (1401); 8. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick (1390); 9. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (1382); 10. #88 Dave Jacombs (1296); 11. #22 Scott Steckly (1260); 12. #10 Doug Brown (1238); 13. #37 Tara MacLeod ® (1216); 14. #11 Ron VanEs (1206); 15. #3 Stu Robinson Jr. (1168). ® Denotes Rookie of the Year.

For more information about the schedule and CASCAR see www.cascar.ca

For more about the team and sponsors see www.whitlockmotorsports.com

Contact: Don Brooks, 519-243-2031, don@whitlockmotorsports.com

Dilley finishes fourth at Mosport Speedway: Exide Dodge Charger driver was second for much of the event

Courtesy Don Brooks

BARRIE, ON – On Saturday night at Mosport Speedway, CASCAR Super Series veteran Mark Dilley bounced back from a tough western swing with a fourth-place finish in the Mosport Speedway 200.

With the result, the Exide / Dodge / PowerWater / Mobil 1 / Dodge Charger driver climbed from fifth to fourth in the overall point standings with four events remaining on the schedule.

The Barrie, ON racer started on the outside of the second row in the field of 20 at the half-mile Mosport oval, and climbed to second-place on lap 22 when he passed his Whitlock Motorsports teammate Dave Whitlock.

From there, Dilley tailed race-leader and polesitter Don Thomson until the majority of the leaders pitted for right-side tires just past the halfway point of the event. The #9 Exide Dodge Charger won the race off pit road thanks to a superb effort by the #9 team. The excellent stop allowed Dilley to re-emerge in front of Thomson, in third place, behind two drivers who stayed out on the track.

Dilley passed both of those racers by lap 110 and was the leader of the race until Thomson retook the top spot on lap 124. With 15 laps to go in the 200-lap affair, Whitlock was on Dilley’s bumper and appeared to have the quicker car. Dilley’s plan was to allow his long-time teammate to move safely into the runner-up spot, in order to have a shot at the win.

Unfortunately, the pair made contact on the entry to turn 1, resulting in a yellow flag that send Whitlock to the end of the lead lap. Following the race, Dilley regretted the contact, but said he’d done all he could to let Dave safely around him.

“Dave thought he was ‘clear’, and I did everything I could to get out of his way,” said Dilley, after the race. “I just couldn’t go any lower; I was in the grass. I feel bad about what happened.

“Dave and I have been great teammates for years and we both know that neither one of us would do anything to take the other one out. But it was just one of those deals. Dave was on the outside and he was faster than me; there’s no doubt about it. We always let each other go if the other one has a better car in a given situation. Dave let me go earlier in the race and I was trying to return the favour when we got together. I wasn’t racing him, that’s for sure.”

Aside from the frustration caused by the contact with Whitlock, Dilley was pleased with his Mosport outing. “It was a good run. We had Exide on the hood for the race and we put on a good show for them and came out of it with a fourth-place finish. On the restarts, we were really fast for the first 10 laps but then we’d fade a bit. Donnie [Thomson] was the opposite, and his car would get going and check out after 10 laps. We had a great pit stop and beat everyone off pit road. The guys at Whitlock Motorsports did a great job of addressing the problems we had with the tires out west, so I’m happy about that, too.”

LOOKING AHEAD:
The next CASCAR Super Series race on the schedule for the Dodge / PowerWater / Mobil 1 / Exide / Dodge Charger team is this weekend’s stop at Cayuga 2000 Speedway, south of Hamilton, ON. Sunday’s (Aug. 14) race at the 5/8-mile speedway is Race #9 on the ’05 schedule.

“I like racing at Cayuga,” said Dilley. “We’ve never had a whole lot of luck there, but it’s fun to race on the big track and we’ll give it our best.”

RACE NOTES:
Dodge driver DJ Kennington passed Don Thomson with two laps to go in Saturday night’s Mosport Speedway 200 to win his third CASCAR Super Series feature race in the row. Thomson held for second place at the checkered flag, ahead of Dodge Charger driver Ron Beauchamp Jr.

For more information about the #9 team and its sponsors: http://www.whitlockmotorsports.com/

For more information about CASCAR, including complete race results, reports, point standings, event schedules and upcoming broadcast times for Super Series races on SPORTSNET, see http://www.cascar.ca/

Help Wanted: Writers for Peterborough and Sauble Speedways

Do you regularly attend events at Peterborough Speedway or Sauble Speedway? Do you enjoy writing? Would you like to be published in Inside Track?

If so, I could use your help. We're looking for volunteer contributors from these speedways, so that we're able to run more than just results and photos.

All we require is about 200 words and an agate result following each race event. If you're a regular reader of Inside Track, you know what we're looking for. By helping out, you would be doing the racers at your favourite track a big favour.

If you're interested in helping out, please send me an e-mail. And if you attend events at other tracks that aren't currently being covered as well as some others - and you're willing and able to help out - I'd like to hear from you, too.

Thank you,
Greg MacPherson, Inside Track.

AUTOPHILE: News

Autophile CarBooks (located in Toronto on Eglinton Ave. E., just west of Laird Drive) has two new books this week:

Porsche Prototype Era // By Bill Oursler (David Bull Publishing)

and

Baja 1000, history of the famous desert classic (David Bull Publishing)

Plus, coming soon in 1/18th diecast from CMC: Maserati 250F. This item will be in limited supply when they arrive, so reserve yours now.

SOS: Humberstone

SOS Insider,

Humberstone Speedway Announcement: It has been no secret that the Southern Ontario Sprints (SOS) and the Humberstone Speedway have been working together to try and secure an extra race date for the 2005 season. We are disappointed to announce that we have been unable to put something together for an additional 2005 date.

The Good news is that we are looking forward to working closer with Humberstone in 2006 with hopes of building on our successful 2005 appearance. The success enjoyed by the Humberstone team in 2005 has been one of the most pleasant stories of the 2005 racing season. The SOS certainly wants to play a greater part of the speedway’s continued success in 2006.

Pete Turford (President // Southern Ontario Sprints)

Tuesday, August 9, 2005

NASCAR Truck race in Calgary?

Heard this rumour a while back, regarding a possible event run in conjunction with the Stampede. Jayski has this piece, which was included in an article by Mike Mulhern in the Winston Salem Journal....

NASCAR officials are reported to be studying the possibility of scheduling a Truck tour race at a proposed new track in Calgary, Alberta, as part of their new Canadian strategy. And NASCAR executives have stepped up public-relations operations in Toronto, bringing in top Cup drivers such as Jimmie Johnson and Bobby Labonte in recent weeks to promote NASCAR's entry into the Canadian market. One possibility is a Truck race on Toronto's temporary street course.

CASCAR: Sun Valley 300 TV Broadcast times

Hey gang, you could put a big happy smile on Joel Robinson's face by watching the Sun Valley 300 CASCAR Super Series race when it airs starting this Saturday (August 13) at 3:00 p.m. on SPORTSNET.

Subsequest replays will air:

EAST MONDAY AUG 15 @ 1:00PM EST
THURS 18 @ 2:00PM EST

ONTARIO WED 17 @ 3:00PM EST
FRIDAY 19 @ 2:00PM EST

WEST MONDAY 15 @ 1:00PM MST
FRIDAY 19 @ 2:00PM MST

PACIFIC SUNDAY 13 @ 12:00AM PST
THURS 18 @ 1:00PM PST

MIKE HANSEN GAINS GROUND ON LEADERS IN DIVISION II OF NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES

By Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 9, 2005) – Fueled by a win on his home track, Mike Hansen gained ground this week on the leaders in Division II of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.

The win was Hansen’s third victory of the season in the NASCAR Modified class at Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D. The Alton, Iowa, driver closed to within 110 points of the lead – while remaining third in the point standings for the division.

Chris Spieker, of Massena, Iowa, remains atop the standings for the 15th consecutive week. He has 1,070 points – after finishing fifth on his home track of Adams County Speedway on Saturday and taking home a runner-up finish at I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Neb., on Sunday.

Joe Kosiski of Omaha, Neb., continues to shadow Spieker in the standings – trailing by 72 markers with 998 points. The former national champion was credited with a 22nd-place finish at I-80 Speedway on Sunday, after dropping out of competition with mechanical trouble.

Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., retained fourth in the standings this week with 872 points, after finishing fifth at Grandview Speedway on Saturday. Moving back into the top five of the division standings is Eric Richardson of Bakersfield, Calif., with 822 points. Richardson won the second of twin 40-lap feature races for the Late Model class at Mesa Marin Raceway on Saturday.

Rounding out the top 10 of the standings are Jonathan Bouvrette of St. Therese, Quebec; Travis Sharpe of North, S.C.; Pete Anderson Jr., of Stockton, Calif.; Stacey Gerken of LaGrange, Ohio; and Robert Barker of Boerne, Texas.

Under NASCAR’s new points format for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, a driver’s best 16 finishes are counted towards the divisional title. If a driver races more than 16 times, their poorer finishes are not counted in the NDWS point standings.

This Week’s Division II Leaders (Driver, Home Track, Points)

1. Chris Spieker, Adams County Speedway (Corning, Iowa), 1,070
2. Joe Kosiski, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, Neb.), 998
3. Mike Hansen, Park Jefferson Speedway (Jefferson, S.D.), 960
4. Jeff Strunk, Grandview Speedway (Bechtelsville, Pa.), 872
5. Eric Richardson, Mesa Marin Raceway (Bakersfield, Calif.), 822
6. Jonathan Bouvrette, Autodrome St. Eustache (St. Eustache, Quebec), 770
7. Travis Sharpe, Concord Motorsport Park (Concord, N.C.), 750
8. Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, Calif.), 740
9. Stacey Gerken, Lorain Speedway (South Amherst, Ohio), 690
10. Robert Barker, San Antonio Speedway (San Antonio, Tex.), 688
11. Scott Bonney, Lee USA Speedway (Lee, N.H.), 628
12. Jeremy Lapainis, Edmonton International Raceway (Edmonton, Alberta), 600
13. Jamey Lee, Myrtle Beach Speedway (Myrtle Beach, S.C.), 594
14. Bill Hebing Jr., Spencer Speedway (Williamson, N.Y.), 534
15. Scott Lindsay, Delaware Speedway (Delaware, Ontario), 526
16. Dennis Pelphrey, Watsonville Speedway (Watsonville, Calif.), 520
17. Mark Bliss, Holland International Speedway (Holland, N.Y.), 500
18. Alan Pyszora, Shasta Raceway Park (Anderson, Calif.), 488

SOSCAAR Outlaw Late Model series : Sun setting on Fletcher’s title hopes?

By Scott Fletcher

Milton, On. - Team JNE Consulting headed into Sunset Speedway Saturday night hoping to start to claw back some points they lost at Sauble Speedway two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the team is left trailing the lead by 137 after posting a third place finish.

How John got there though may be the real story of the night, after winning one qualifying race and placing second in the other the #61 JNE consulting car started forth on the grid behind the eventual second place finisher #70. At the drop of the green flag John settled into second running right on, the bumper of the leader until a lap eleven restart when Rob Clarke was able to get by both John and the leader. John would run in third for the next six laps when the next caution flew and this is where the excitement begins, “I’m coming in” came over the radio to the crew.

This was curious to the crew and fans as it appeared to everyone that the #61 car had no problems. After pitting for right side tires and heading back onto the track restarting at the back of the field in sixteenth position John carved his way back into the top ten in a mere few laps. The capacity crew at Sunset Speedway where witnessing a driving clinic from the JNE Consulting car and with seven laps to go was back to the rear bumper of the second place finisher but still did not have enough to get by.

Congratulations to Rob Clarke and his crew, on there second win of the year as they did have the best car this night. The jammed packed crowd saw a very entertaining event and a close finish. As John walked around his mark free racer during podium presentations, he had this to say, “We did not come hear to drive around in third, we pitted to adjust the car and came back to race our way to third with a car that could win”.

The team’s next action off the track comes Wednesday August 10 at Simcoe Shores Golf and Country Club in support of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – London Chapter. Then they of to the second race of the year at Mosport Speedway August 20th, get there early as witnessed at most events this year for the OSCAAR, fans are coming in record numbers.

SOS DRIVERS TAKE ON KNOXVILLE

Courtesy SOS Online

The top two drivers in the 2005 10th Anniversary Season Tour standings spent this past week at the Knoxville Speedway for the Knoxville 360 Nationals and the Brodix Tournament of Champions. Both Adam West and Glenn Styres made the trip to Iowa to compete in the annual 360 events. Congratulations to both on a successful trip and thanks for doing us all proud!

For a complete list of their results visit http://www.southernontariosprints.com

MORE INFOINAUGURAL LOCKHART BIG RIG SHOW'N'SHINE SET FOR FRIDAY

By Joan Roue, Scotia Speedworld

HALIFAX, NS (2005 August 8) - The inaugural Lockhart Big Rig Show'N'Shine is set for this Friday at Scotia Speedworld as part of the pre-race festivities for The Lockhart Truck Center 100, which is round four of five in the 2005 Sportsman Super Series for the C&R Auto Supply Sportsman division.

"We thought this would be unique and a neat way to let truckers show their rigs up close to people that normally just see them rolling down the highway," said David Lockhart, Dealer Principal of Lockhart Truck Center. "They do similar shows in other places but as far as we know this is the first of its kind in this area."

All truckers are invited to participate and those that do show their trucks between 5 and 7 p.m. will receive admission tickets to Friday nights show at Scotia Speedworld, complements of Lockhart Truck Center. Parking for the Show'N'Shine will commence at 3 p.m. in the main parking lot, directed by attendants.

Just before 7 p.m. the truckers will be lined up and paraded around the race track, kicking off the on track portion of The Lockhart Truck Center 100.

Besides the Big Rig Show'N'Shine, fans that bring a cash or non-perishable food donation for Feed Nova Scotia on Friday will have the chance to be the Grand Marshall for The Lockhart Truck Center 100, giving the start engines command and waving the green flag to start the race.

Truckers that wish to pre-register for the Lockhart Big Rig Show'N'Shine can do so by calling Marilyn at (902) 468-5900.

Qualifying heat races will set the starting grid for The Lockhart Truck Center 100 and the show will also feature racing action with the Miller Tire BFGoodrich Thunder & Lightning Cars and two rounds of qualifying (time trials and heat races) for the pro stock racers competing in Saturday's Atlantic CAT 250.

Once the racing stops Saturday night the party starts with The Atlantic CAT 250 Victory Lane Tailgate Party, featuring the music of popular local musician Paul Eisan and Triumph.

Special two-day grandstand admission tickets are just $35 for adults and $6 for youth aged 8 to 15. Friday only tickets are $15 for adults and $2 for youth aged 8 to 15. Saturday only tickets are $30 for adults and $5 for youth (8 to 15). Children 7 and under are admitted free both nights. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Pit admission is $45 for a two-day ticket, $20 for Friday only and $35 for Saturday only. Pit admission is restricted to those 16 and older.

HST is included in all admission prices.

Advance grandstand tickets are now available at the following locations: DARTMOUTH - Forbes Chev Olds; Parts For Trucks; Amber Contracting; CARQUEST Auto Parts. HALIFAX - CARQUEST Auto Parts; Oland Cold Beer Store. BEDFORD - Rocky Lake Quarry. MOUNT UNIACKE - RV Contacts.