NCATS: Home Hardware Chevy goes bump in the night at Kawartha

September 24, 2007. Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware Chevrolet team approached the final NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) event of the season at Kawartha Speedway with their sights set closing out the season in strong fashion. The team did their part providing Thomson with a great car, unfortunately a bump from behind took away any opportunity of a finish they deserved.

From the beginning of practice the Home Hardware Chevy was extremely fast on the high banked speedway. Thomson would post the third quickest qualifying time and start the 250 lap event from the inside of row two.

From the drop of the green flag the Home Hardware car was fast. "We were pretty consistent all day," said the driver. "We took our usual approach of settling into a good pace and lead a lap if possible," he added. Thomson would take over the lead of the race on lap twelve and remain out front until lap 102 when the Thomson brought the car t pit lane for scheduled service.

The Home Hardware team performed perfectly giving Thomson two new right side tires and fuel to go the distance. However the driver would notice a significant change in handling of the car after the pit stop. "The car was a little loose early on and when we made our stop it didn�t really solve the problem," said Thomson.

The Home Hardware Chevrolet was still among the front runners but Thomson did not feel going the distance with the car handling the way it was and the team decided another stop was necessary. "We came back in and adjusted the air pressure just slightly and that had a dramatic effect, the car got really tight," said the driver.

Still able to run up front Thomson would put the Home Hardware Chevy back in the lead on lap 197. Thomson and the #22 car would fight for top spot in the closing laps, but it was another competitor that literally had the biggest impact on the Home Hardware teams finish. �I bobbled just a little bit in corner one and that allowed the #22 car to get by me, but then we got drilled from behind by the #1 and that turned me around� said a discouraged driver.

Thomson was able to get the Home Hardware Chevy moving but his sure podium finish was taken from him. Don Thomson would bring the Home Hardware Chevy home a respectable ninth. �It�s too bad, we definitely had a shot� said Thomson.

Despite the setback in the final event, Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware Chevy team finished fourth in the overall championship standings.

The NCATS year end awards banquet will take place Saturday, October 13^th in Toronto. The Home Hardware Team will be among those honored for their accomplishments this season. The NCATS inaugural season consisted of a twelve event schedule on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits across Canada. All twelve races this season also aired on TSN. For information about the NCATS including schedule, results and more, log onto http://www.nascar.ca/

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment