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