NCATS: Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevy Bounced at Kawartha

September 24, 2007. John Ryan (J.R.) Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet team were on their game once again at the final NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event of the season. Sadly, as has been the case on too many occasions this year, their eventual outcome was influenced by the overzealous actions of others.

As usual The Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet was among the quickest cars on the high banked Kawartha Speedway. Fitzpatrick would push the car during qualifying and score the fifth quickest time, lining him up on the inside of row three. "We didn't have the best practice session, but Ted McAllister and the whole Milwaukee Electric Tools team did a great job to make a few changes and get the car right for qualifying." said the driver.

As the race began Fitzpatrick continued to show the power of the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevy. J.R. had no trouble moving up several positions and continuing looking for an opportunity to improve their position. "The car was great again tonight," said the driver. "I thought we were one of the teams to beat."

Just past the halfway mark Fitzpatrick brought the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevy to pit lane for scheduled service. The crew performed routine work and had J.R. back into the battle and in a position to challenge. Sadly it was shortly after that their fortunes would change.

As Fitzpatrick was using the outside line to improve his position and head toward the front of the field, there was contact from the inside by the #02 car. The impact would send the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet hard into the outside wall. "It was the same thing we've seen before," said a visibly frustrated Fitzpatrick. "We're racing clean, making a good pass, and we get driven into deliberately. It happened to my teammate and others and it's just so unnecessary,"

Despite the setback J.R. Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools team finished the season sixth in the overall point standings, missing fifth by only three points.

J.R Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools team will attend the year end awards banquet for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on Saturday, October 13^th in Toronto, ON. More information on the series can be obtained by visiting http://www.nascar.ca/

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment