JAMES RIVER, NS (September 12, 2007) - Riverside International Speedway is the site of Saturday's Atlantic Dodge Dealer's 300, round 11 of 12 for the 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio. The series is the elite stock car touring circuit in Canada, the only truly national series, and the only series in Canada sanctioned by the most popular motorsports brand in the world: NASCAR.Antigonish's Donald Chisholm is the lone local racer entered in the event, and he is counting the minutes until the track opens the pit gate Saturday morning at 6:30. Chisholm's Nova Construction race team will field a brand new car for this event. The car will be No. 98 and sponsored by Nova Construction and Pioneer Coal.
"We had it (the car) out last week," said Chisholm. "It felt really good. I liked it, but we really have nothing to compare it with since the series hasn't been here before and the cars are so different from a late model. We're just as anxious as everyone else about Saturday. Getting through tech is probably our biggest concern. We can't afford to waste any time in there; we need to get on the track to see where we fit compared to the others."
Featuring competitors from all across Canada and from all racing genres, the series racers are eager to get to the famed high banks at Riverside with an equal amount of trepidation and anticipation. While the facilities fabulous reputation precedes it, there are just two one-hour practice sessions Saturday afternoon to determine set-ups for the evening race.
Chisholm probably has more laps on the "new" Riverside International Speedway than any other driver in the Maritimes, but doesn't really see that as a huge advantage in this event.
"There are so many unknown factors compared to what we're used to it's tough to imagine we'd have an advantage," said Chisholm. "The cars are completely different, the tech process is very detailed, we need to qualify on sticker (new) tires - all while enjoying the pomp and circumstance that is NASCAR."
The series has a seven-day rule that places an embargo on practice so Chisholm is unable to put in any more laps until Saturday. Until then it's "wait and see" for the Nova Construction team. Compared to what Chisholm and Maritime race fans are used to, the Canadian Tire Series cars and competition will more resemble the NASCAR style we see on TV every weekend.
"Compared to the late model, these cars are heavier, taller, have way more body roll, use a more conventional set-up, have a wider tire, a narrower wheel base, and lack the quick change rear end we're used to," said Chisholm. "And that's just the car. The owner, driver and crew members need NASCAR licenses, and we're mandated by the series to use certain safety devices in the car, as are our over-the-wall pit crew required to wear firesuits and in some cases a helmet."
Regardless of their lack of experience at Riverside, Chisholm expects the competition to be keen.
"Those guys are really good," said Chisholm. "I've raced a couple of them in Florida and they were tough there, and I've been watching their races on TSN this year - they run hard. I expect there will be at least a dozen cars that could win here Saturday."
Good indeed. Entries include current series point leader Andrew Ranger along with series 07 race winners Kerry Micks, D.J. Kennington, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Don Thomson Jr. and Derek Lynch. Lynch, along with Dave Whitlock, both with backgrounds in the former ACT late model division, are familiar names in regional racing circles. More than 20 teams are en route to Riverside from points as far west as British Columbia.
For Chisholm's NASCAR debut he's looking to qualify well and hoping to finish in the top 10. If all goes well, the team may look at running a few NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races in 2008.
The Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 will see time trials determine the starting grid, with the race format being a straight 300 laps. Any pit stops required will need to be completed either under green flag conditions or during caution periods. Team work on pit road is just as important as moves on the race track. A mistake in the pits can cost positions just as easily, maybe moreso, than what the driver may or may not do on the race track. Since caution laps will count, laps can also be lost in the pits. So the pit crews must not only be good, but fast. A good pit stop can win a race. With the grandstands at Riverside International Speedway overlooking the entire pit road, fans won't miss a minute of the action - on or off the track.
Besides NASCAR Canadian Tire Series action, fans will be treated to support class racing in the popular Riverside Sportsman Super Series. The grandstand opens at 11 a.m. for advance ticket holders and the box office opens at Noon. Sportsman heat races go at 2 p.m.; NASCAR time trials are set for 3:30, to be followed by the sportsman feature race. The track will then close to prepare for Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 pre-race festivities which will include a one hour autograph session at 5:30 and driver introductions at 7 p.m. The Atlantic Dodge Dealers is scheduled to go green at 7:30 p.m.
Plenty of general admission seating is still available for the Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300, as well as a limited number of reserved seats. Advance tickets can be purchased through Friday by calling 902.863.2410 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. or between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. A convenient order form that can be faxed to the box office is available at http://www.riversidespeedway.ca/.
Race fans in the Antigonish area Friday are invited to stop by the Antigonish Mall between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. where they can see the cars and meet the stars of NASCAR's Canadian Tire Series.
For more information about Riverside Speedway, please visit www.riversidespeedway.ca or call 902.863.2410.
No comments:
Post a Comment