Dickies Canada joins Kerry Micks for 2010 & 2011

 

Micks ready for 2010 NCATS title chase

 

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Wide Open Motorsport Solutions (www.wideopensolutions.ca) announced today at the Canadian Motorsport Expo that Williamson-Dickie Canada Co. will join Beyond Digital Imaging as co-primary sponsor for Kerry Micks in the next two NASCAR Canadian Tire Series seasons. In additional news, Prostate Cancer Canada has joined forces with the Iron Man, Kerry Micks for 2010. 

 

“We are very happy Dickies Canada will join Kerry for 2010 & 2011,” Wide Open Motorsport Solutions owner Mark Dilley said. “Dickies has been a long time client of Wide Open Motorsport Solutions, and we feel that merging them with a proven talent like Kerry Micks and long time NASCAR sponsor Beyond Digital is a perfect fit for everyone concerned.  And what better representative for Prostate Cancer Canada could you have than the Iron Man himself.”

 

Micks, who won the CASCAR championship in 1993, had a solid 2009 campaign in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series with two podiums, four top five’s and 10 top ten finishes, which was good enough for fifth place in the 2009 NCATS championship.

 

“With the addition of Dickies & PCC to our Beyond Digital team, it really elevates our program,” Micks said. “I want to thank Wide Open Motorsport Solutions for their hard work in making this deal happen. Dickies Canada has been a fixture in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series program for a long time, and I am excited that they have joined our effort.

 

Dickies Canada Vice President of Marketing, Bill McFarlane said the sponsorship with Kerry Micks was an ideal fit for the brand. “We are strong supporters of Canada’s NASCAR scene and partnering with Kerry and Beyond Digital means we get the exposure we want on a competitive team, while still leaving us the flexibly to be a race sponsor for the Dickies 200.”  McFarlane was referring to the Dickies Canada Sponsored race to be held at the Mosport Speedway August 21st.

 

“That’s a big day for us because, in addition to the Dickies Canada 200, we will also be announcing the Dickies’ 2010 Canadian Worker of the Year, our third annual nationwide celebration of Canada’s working people,” said McFarlane.

 

In other Micks Motorsport news, Kerry is pleased to announce that 2009 product support sponsor NGK have elevated their program with Micks Motorsports in 2010.

 

The 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is comprised of 13 race events run on temporary street courses, road courses and oval tracks, beginning with season’s first race at Delaware Speedway on June 5th.  All events are televised on TSN

 

About Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Co.

Williamson-Dickie Canada Co. (www.dickies.ca) is a subsidiary of Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company of Fort Worth, Texas. Since its beginnings in Forth Worth, Texas in 1922, the Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company has grown from a humble manufacturer of bib overalls into a global brand powerhouse, with Dickies work pants, shirts, denim, outerwear, school uniforms, outdoor gear, medical and chefs apparel and an extensive licensing program offering sturdy head-to-toe clothing options for hardworking people of all ages, professions, regions and interests. Williamson-Dickie operates through subsidiaries in North America, Canada and Europe as well as exclusive distributorships around the world. Their Canadian headquarters is located in Mississauga, Ontario.

 

Williamson-Dickie Canada Co., Beyond Digital Imaging Inc. (BDI), Ultraflex, Canadian Detailing Services (CDS), Cathcart Trucking, Thor Motors (Ford), Seguin Marina, Prostate Cancer Canada, NGK Spark Plugs and Mustard Seed Contracting are sponsors of Micks Motorsports, www.micksmotorsports.com.

 

 

For more information, please contact:

Linda Jones

Wide Open Motorsport Solutions

(705) 730-4044

Email: ljones@wideopensolutions.ca

 

Susan Micks

Micks Motorsports

Cellular: (905) 853-3876

E-mail: kmicks@neptune.on.ca

January 13, 2010.  After two very successful outings last year and getting a taste of the competition, Nineteen year old racer Steven Mathews of New Liskeard, Ontario is now set to savor the flavour of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) full-time in 2010 beginning with the season opener at Delaware Speedway on June 5^th. 

“Speedy Steve” as he is known to his fans and Late Model competitors showed his quickness at both NCATS events he participated in last year qualifying in the top-ten at two challenging tracks; Mosport Speedway and Kawartha Speedway.  Mathews would also lead the race at Kawartha Speedway for sixteen laps and overall was reasonably satisfied with his showing at both races.  “The competition is so strong in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series that I thought to finish in the top-ten at our first race was pretty good” said Mathews.  “While I was leading at Kawartha I got bumped by another car and ended up at the back of the field.  I think we passed the most cars that day but ultimately didn’t get the finish we anticipated, again though we showed how competitive this team can be” he added.

A student of racing since he first climbed behind the wheel at age eight Mathews worked tirelessly preparing for the two NCATS races well before he arrived at the track.  “I watched a lot of video of both races to learn as much about the tracks and the competition that I could” said Mathews.  “I always do that before going to a track I’ve never raced at before, and I always ask a lot of questions and talk with the other competitors to try and  get as much help as I can” he stated.

One of the biggest adjustments for Steve Mathews was getting used to the length of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events.  “These are tough races” said the young man.  “I’m used to running much shorter races so I had to learn to try and be patient instead of wanting to charge hard on every lap the way I’m used to.  You need to take care of your equipment and make sure you are in a position to go hard for the finish” he added.

In addition to his two NCATS events last season the experience Steve Mathews has gained in other racing disciplines has prepared him to take the next step into NASCAR full-time.  Last year alone he scored Two Late Model victories at Delaware Speedway, multiple top-five finishes at Sunset Sauble, Barrie and Peterborough Speedways including a win at the prestigious Chase for the Colours event.   

In 2008 he qualified fourth in his first ever ASA series event at Dixie Speedway, claimed the most wins in the Ontario Sportsman Series taking four checkered flags, while also collecting, four poles and two track records. That season he also piloted USAC Ford Focus Midgets and Full Midgets in the Western United States scoring numerous Focus Midget victories and coming second overall in North America.  Steve scored several top-ten finishes in USAC Midget races including Las Vegas and Irwindale.

During the next few months Mathews will be completing his first year of the Automotive Business Management Degree Program and Georgian College and also continue to prepare for what he expects to be an exciting rookie season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.  “I’ll be starting back into my work out program now that the holidays are over” he smiled.  “Seriously though, we want to start preparing cars and getting ready for the first race at Delaware Speedway as soon as possible.  The group at Mathews Motorsports has always worked hard to be prepared and bring a good car to whatever track and event we’re racing at, that really helps us succeed”.      

Mathews Motorsports and their representatives are nearing completion of sponsorship agreements and expect to make official announcements shortly.  You can find out more about “Speedy Steve” Mathews at his newly launched website www.stevemathews.net and also keep up with the latest news, and the teams progress preparing cars, sponsor announcements and much more on this new site.  You’ll also be able to track the progress of Steve Mathews all season long in the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.   

Of Note:  Steve Mathews will also be appearing at the CPT Racing Experience this Saturday January 16^th in London, ON at the Western Fair Agriplex

Photo Attached:  Driver Steve Mathews

For Sponsorship Inquiries please contact: 

November 14, 2009.  St. Thomas, Ontario’s DJ Kennington driver of the #17 Castrol/Mahindra Tractor Dodge was in Concord, North Carolina this past weekend to attend the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala that recognized the accomplishments of the participants in each of the NASCAR divisions.  The trip south for Kennington was well worth the journey as he collected the trophy for second place in the overall series championship, along with the coveted Mopar Cup as the top finishing Mopar powered driver in the series.

In addition to the Awards Dinner Gala, NASCAR also organized other events for those attending the festivities that included driver briefings, seminars and tours of the some of the most technically advanced race shops in the vicinity.  “This was quite a big deal for all of us” said DJ Kennington.  “We got to really see first hand how important these series are in the business of NASCAR” he added.

Kennington was awarded the Mopar Cup on Friday morning and was proud to accept the trophy.  “These Mopar powered engines are the reason we’ve been able to have such great success in the series” he stated.  “The motors generate so much horsepower, they’re incredibly reliable, and you have to have that to win races” he concluded.

The Castrol/Mahindra Tractors Dodge driver also accepted the trophy for finishing second overall on stage at the Concord Convention Centre on Saturday night.  “I’m so proud of the whole team for the season we had” said the driver.  “We had two wins this year, and finished top-ten in eleven of thirteen races, top-five in nine out of thirteen.  Normally that would be good enough to win the championship but we came up a little short, but we’re hungrier than ever for next year” he stated.

Kennington and company are already at work preparing for the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season and the thirteen race schedule was released during the weekend’s events.  While many of the venues are familiar to the competitors the one new event on the schedule has the series running on the streets of Exhibition Place as part of the Toronto Indy weekend.  “We’ve seen how exciting these stock cars are to watch on road courses in the last few years, they’re a lot of fun to drive too and I’m really looking forward to racing in Toronto again” said Kennington.

You’ll also be able to follow the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on television in 2010 with all thirteen races broadcast on TSN, most in High Definition.  Look for a newly redesigned website coming soon to follow the success of DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol/Mahindra Tractors Dodge

Photo:  DJ Kennington collecting his second place overall trophy at the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala in Concord, North Carolina

Photo Credit:  Todd Lewis 

November 15, 2009.  Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts Dodge team gathered together with other stars of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the other NASCAR Touring Series in Concord, North Carolina this past Saturday night to be recognized for their accomplishments this past season.  The Awards Gala Banquet culminated nearly a week of activities organized for the participants.

Earlier in the week tours of several nearby race shops for the Spring Cup and Nationwide Series teams were organized for those attending along with racing seminars and keynote speakers including Junior Johnson.  “It was a great night for the Mopar Parts Team” said Ron Beauchamp Jr.  “We all came down together and it was a nice way to thank the team for the many hours of hard work they put in this season.  We had some time racing Go Karts and then this at great night here that NASCAR put on really shows how important the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the other Touring Series are for NASCAR” he added.

Beauchamp was presented with the trophy for third place in the overall Championship standings in front of the crowd of well over 500.  “I accepted the trophy but this is for the whole team” said Ron Jr.  “We had a really strong season with eleven top-ten finishes and eight top-five finishes.  We had great reliability and the team prepared a great car for me to drive every week.  We had tremendous support again from our sponsors at Mobil 1, Exide and of course Mopar.  It all added up to a really positive season.

While Team Mopar enjoyed their success in 2009 the work is already underway for the next season and the 2010 race was also announced this past weekend.  While much of the schedule sees competitors returning to the same great venues, there is one notable addition to the thirteen race schedule as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series joins another high profile event as the feature race on Saturday July 17^th as the feature race at the Toronto Indy weekend.  “It just shows how big this series is becoming” said Beauchamp.  “We’re part of the major racing events in Montreal, Edmonton and back running on the streets of Toronto exposing NASCAR racing to more and more fans” he added.

Once again in 2010 you will be able to watch all thirteen events of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on TSN, Canada’s Sports Leader.  Team Mopar appreciate the recognition of their accomplishments and wish to thank the race fans and sponsors for their extraordinary support.

Photo caption: Ron Beauchamp Jr. receiving his trophy on stage at the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala in Concord, NC.

Photo Credit:  Todd Lewis  

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ron Beauchamp Sr., Beauchamp Motorsports (519) 726-9600

October 4, 2009.  The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Rookie of the Year champion Joey Hanssen has barely had time to celebrate his accomplishments from this past season, but he is already looking ahead to 2010 and pleased to announce that he will return to the series for the 2010 season with Prime Champ continuing as the primary sponsor of the #40 Dodge Avenger that will again be part of a two car team with DJK Racing.

In what was a whirlwind courtship Joey Hanssen came to Canada less than a year ago and met with NASCAR Canadian Tire series perennial front runner DJ Kennington.  The two formed a bond quickly and soon after an agreement was reached for Hanssen to pilot the #40 Prime Champ Dodge and Kennington to provide the top quality equipment and also help tutor the young man.

Immediately after turning his first laps in a stock car in the spring of 2009 it was easy to see how quickly Hanssen was adapting to the 2,800 pound stock cars.  “The progress we made over the year with the team was fantastic” said Hanssen.  “With a background in open wheel cars and Go Karts the approach is attack, attack.  But with these cars you have to be patient, save your equipment for the end and then you can go for it” he added.  The Prime Champ Dodge driver continued to learn quickly and scored his first of four top-ten finishes during the season in only his fourth event.

Hanssen would score his best finish of the season, an eighth place result at the very challenging 1/3 mile bull ring of Barrie Speedway,  and in the final race of the season at Kawartha Speedway his eleventh place finish would clinch the rookie of the year title for the Prime Champ driver.  “It’s a great accomplishment to win the rookie of the year title” said the driver.  “I have so many people to thank for all the help and support I received this year.  I want to thank our main sponsor Prime Champ Mushrooms, Prime Champ Motorsports and Geert Verdellen and Marc Kerkhofs.  A big thank you to all the people at DJK Racing that worked with me this year and helping me to learn about the series.  Also my fellow competitors who I learned a lot from as well.  And I have to thank Jac & Jeanuette Verdellen, Scott, Cammy and Brandon Suk for their support, my family, and friends and of course all the great race fans in Canada and Holland”.

And with 2009 competition now completed the Prime Champ Dodge team and Joey Hanssen are already beginning work for 2010.  In addition to the full race schedule for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2010 Hanssen will also compete in other series events.  “I want to get as much track time as possible next year” said the enthusiastic driver.  “I’m definitely going to run some late model races at Delaware Speedway, or maybe Flamboro Speedway during off weekends for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.  “We’ll then see how the season goes to see what other opportunities might be available to us” he stated.

The partnership with Prime Champ, Joey Hanssen and DJ Kennington racing has proven to be a wonderful success and all parties involved are thrilled to be pair together for the 2010 season and want to keep the relationship growing.  “I’m really excited about Joey coming back next year” said DJ Kennington.  “I’m really proud of the progress he made all season long, he’s a bright young man, and he wants to learn and really listens to advice from everybody on the team.  Having Prime Champ returning as the primary sponsor is great for our team, they have been very supportive of our efforts.  We’re going to be looking for other sponsors as well to keep expanding and gathering more resources” he added.      

Joey Hanssen will be recognized with the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series rookie of the year award at the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Banquet in Charlotte, NC on Saturday November 14^th. 

Photos: 1. Joey Hanssen in the Prime Champ Dodge on track.  2.  Hanssen removing the yellow “rookie stripe” from his Prime Champ Dodge after the race at Kawartha Speedway.

About Prime Champ: Prime Champ is one of Europe’s largest environmentally friendly producers of all natural mushrooms with no pesticides used at any stage of the production process.  Prime Champ supplies large retailers, discounters and industrial food services in the UK, Germany and Netherlands.

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618

September 27, 2009.  Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts Dodge team once again displayed speed, skill and consistency in the final round of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series this past Sunday at Kawartha Speedway.  Beauchamp would score his second pole position starting spot of the year and also pick up his eighth top-five finish of the season.

Team Mopar showed their usual speed during the practice session and Ron Jr. put down a blistering lap during qualifying posting a time of 18.067 seconds for an average speed of 74.722 MPH securing the inside front row starting spot for the Mopar Parts Dodge.  “I was a bit worried about qualifying the rain was threatening and I was just hoping we’d get it all in so the lap would stand” said the driver.  The lap would stand, however the rains delayed the 250 lap feature race until Sunday.

When skies cleared and the green flag waved Beauchamp would hold the lead for the first nine laps, but surrender the top spot following a caution period restart.  “It was pretty interesting in the first part of the race” said the driver.  “it was nice to get out a lead a little bit.  We had a couple of cautions and on the restart it seemed like the high groove was the place to be and the #27 and I swapped the lead back and forth a few times” he added.  The two would actually trade the lead six times during the first 125 laps of the race.

As the race moved past the scheduled mid point Team Mopar would stop for scheduled service and though they completed their stop for fuel and tires for the #60 Dodge efficiently they would lose a couple of spots exiting pit road.  “We were all lined up on the inside of pit lane to get out but I think the #17 car got us on the outside and that’s how we lost a couple of spots.

Heading towards lap 200 of the scheduled 250 there were several caution periods that slowed the field which didn’t allow the Mopar Parts Dodge the opportunity to gain any momentum.  “We got bogged down a bit by those quick cautions and just couldn’t get anything going” said Ron Jr.  “I was hoping for a long green flag run to get back up to the front” he added.

Mother Nature would take control of the race before Beauchamp had the opportunity to make any further progress.  Showers began and soaked the Speedway forcing NASCAR Officials to call the race complete on lap 204.  The Mopar Parts Dodge would finish fifth.  “It’s too bad” said the frustrated driver.  “Our strategy was working out fine, we were up in the top-five with about fifty laps to go and I think I could have gained a few more spots, we just needed that green flag run to the finish” he added. 

This would be the eighth top-five finish for the Mopar Parts Dodge Avenger team, and their eleventh top-ten finish in thirteen events, a remarkable run of consistent top results.  “This was a really solid season” said Beauchamp after the race.  I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish for Mopar, Exide and Mobil 1.  They do so much to support us it’s nice to be able to run up front all year long”. 

With that season long consistency Ron Beauchamp Jr. and team Mopar finish the season tied for second in championship points but are classified third based on race wins.  “We came so close this year, that’s the only thing missing is chalking up that next race victory” said Beauchamp. 

You can watch the final event of the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series from Kawartha Speedway on TSN on Saturday October 17^th at 2PM Eastern.  Ron Beauchamp Jr. and all those involved with the Mopar Parts Team would like to thank the many fans for their continued support during the 2009 racing season. 

Photo caption: Ron Beauchamp Jr. in the Mopar Parts Dodge at Kawartha Speedway

Photo Credit:  Todd Lewis  

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ron Beauchamp Sr., Beauchamp Motorsports (519) 726-9600

This release prepared by, TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618

September 27, 2009.  The #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet team with Jeff Lapcevich at the wheel have proven to be one of the hardest working teams on the NACAR Canadian Tire Series circuit.  This past Sunday at the final round of the season at Kawartha Speedway they once again showed their resilience and spirit.

During practice the Tim Hortons Chevrolet was among the top-ten in speeds as the team continued to show improvements.  “The car felt good” said Jeff Lapcevich “and we were pretty optimistic going into qualifying” he added.  Rain sprinkles during the qualifying session would result in a less than desirable sixteenth starting position.  Rain intensified after qualifying and the 250 lap feature race was postponed until Sunday.

With showers washing away all the rubber on the track the Tim Hortons Chevrolet was not comfortable on the track, and the team chose to make an early pit stop for adjustments.  “We were struggling with a loose race car” said Lapcevich.  “We made an early stop for adjustments and that did seem to help us out a bit” he added.

As the race moved through the mid point Lapcevich was battling in and around the top-ten cars and looking to continue his forward progress.  This would also prove to be one stretch of the race where some of the roughest driving was taking place by some competitors.  The result would be several caution periods in a row and the Tim Hortons Chevrolet being caught up in other driver’s incidents.  “There were a few guys that aren’t regulars in this race, and some of them had pretty fast cars and were intent on making an impression” said the driver.  “Unfortunately we kind of ended up on the short end of some of those incidents”.

Despite being shuffled back Lapcevich would use all of his skills to push the Tim Hortons Chevrolet back to its rightful place at the front of the field.  As the race moved toward lap 200 as Lapcevich was beginning to put on a charge the rain showers returned soaking the track and forcing NASCAR Officials to conclude the event on lap 204 with the Tim Hortons car in thirteenth spot.  “It’s really too bad we didn’t get to run those last fifty laps or so.  We got shuffled out there on other people’s issues but we gathered it back up and had gained a few spots back and we were moving toward the top-ten when the rain came back.  There’s not doubt we would have had another top-ten if we were able to complete the race” summed up the driver.   

You can watch the final race of the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series from Kawartha Speedway on Saturday October 17^th at 2PM Eastern.  Jeff Lapcevich and the Tim Hortons Team would like to thank the many race fans that supported the team once again this season and the many Tim Hortons Camp Day and other charitable endeavors all year long.  They look forward to returning in 2010.

Attached Photo:  Jeff Lapcevich in the #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet at Kawartha Speedway

Photo Credit: Todd Lewis

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618

September 27, 2009.  Prime Champ Dodge driver Joey Hanssen didn’t turn his first laps in a stock car until this spring, only a few weeks before the start of the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season.   As the year went on we’ve witnessed the improving skills and maturity of the Prime Champ Dodge driver and with another solid finish at the season ending race at Kawartha Speedway on Sunday afternoon Joey Hanssen clinched the rookie of the year title for 2009.

After practice and qualifying was completed on Saturday, the skies opened up and the race was postponed until Sunday.  Hanssen would start the Prime Champ Dodge in the twenty third position and with the drop of the green flag he began his quest to move forward.  “I just tried to do all the right things in the first part of the race, be smooth and try to move up a few positions” said the driver.  “Some of the leaders were trying to move me so I just let them past” he added.

As the race progressed Hanssen moved forward toward the top-ten and continued to keep the fenders on the car.  When the leaders made scheduled pit stops Hanssen would keep the Prime Champ Dodge on the track and got back on the lead lap.  The driver would make his scheduled stop during a later caution period and return to the fight with fresh tires.  “The guys did an awesome job, perfect pit stops and the car was just sticking to the bottom so I was able to get by some guys” said the driver.

The Prime Champ Dodge driver would continue to gain positions with aggressive but calculated moves.  Heading into the closing stages Hanssen knew he had a fast race car intended to pick up every position possible.  Others were equally aggressive and Joey would have contact with the #12 car.  “I feel bad about getting together with the #12 car.  I was passing him to the inside and he came down on me and we ran out of room” explained the driver.

It would prove to be a costly collision as the caution flag would slow the field and Hanssen would drop several positions.  Sadly before he had time to regain his lost ground, showers returned and NASCAR Officials were forced to finish the race on lap 204 with Hanssen scored eleventh.  “It’s too bad or for sure it would have been another top-ten finish for us” said the driver.  “But with the great job the team did I’m happy with this result” he added.

Though he would have liked to finish higher, Joey Hanssen did clinch the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series rookie of the year title.  “I’m really happy to win the rookie of the year this season” said Hanssen.  “When I came to Canada in the spring test on Mopar Day it was the first time I’d ever driven a stock car.  I have to thank the whole DJ Kennington race team for all their help and support this year.  This would not have been possible without all the work this team did all season”.  

Joey Hanssen will be recognized with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series rookie of the year award at the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Banquet on Saturday November 14^th. 

**Of Note:  Look for a major announcement regarding Joey Hanssen and the Prime Champ Dodge Team in the next few days**

Photo caption: Joey Hanssen in the Prime Champ Dodge on track at Kawartha Speedway

Photo Credit:  Todd Lewis   

About Prime Champ: Prime Champ is one of Europe’s largest environmentally friendly producers of all natural mushrooms with no pesticides used at any stage of the production process.  Prime Champ supplies large retailers, discounters and industrial food services in the UK, Germany and Netherlands.

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618

September 27, 2009.  DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol/Mahindra Tractor Dodge were keen to finish the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire series racing season with a strong finish at the final event on Sunday at Kawartha Speedway.  Scoring their second victory of the season accomplished that goal.

The weekend did not start out well for the Castrol/Mahindra Tractor Dodge team.  Throughout the Saturday practice the car did not handle as well as the driver wanted and the team made significant changes before qualifying.  Kennington would post the fourth quickest lap during time trials but rain showers postponed the 250 lap feature until Sunday.

When the green flag waved to begin the race Kennington would keep him solidly among the leaders.  “The car was certainly better from where we were in practice but it wasn’t perfect” said the Castrol/Mahindra Tractor driver.  “But we just took our time and knew that we would make some final adjustments during our pit stops” he added.

Crew Chief Dave Wight and the rest of the Castrol/Mahindra Tractors team would execute perfect pit stops for the #17 driver, giving him fresh tires and fuel along with the necessary handling adjustments.  Through the middle portion of the race Kennington knew his car was getting stronger as he continued his move toward the front of the field.  “I don’t think we could have made it much better than it was” concluded Kennington.  “We were set for the end with fresh tires, and all the caution laps really helped us out too” he added.

Kennington would move the Castrol/Mahindra Tractor Dodge into first place on lap 183 and immediately start to put some distance between himself and the second place runner.  It was shortly after that inclement weather again moved over the speedway and NASCAR officials declared the race over on lap 204 giving Kennington his second victory of the season.  “Even without the rain I don’t if any anybody could have got us” smiled Kennington in victory lane.  “We were really good there at the end, the adjustments we made were really good and we pitted at the right time.  For Castrol, Mahindra Tractors, Mopar and everybody that’s helped us this year it’s a good to end the season with a win” he added.

Afterwards Kennington was again quick to praise the work of the entire Castrol/Mahindra Tractor team for their efforts not only in this event, but all season long.  “I’ll tell you right now, I’ve got the best guys I’ve ever had” said the driver without hesitation.  “I’ve never had a lot of help, never asked for a lot of help, but now that I’ve got this group together, I’ve got the best crew out there right now.  If it wasn’t for a few glitches in the season, I think we might have had ourselves a championship” he summarized.    

With the race victory DJ Kennington moved up one position to clinch second spot in the overall championship standings. 

The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series final event from Kawartha Speedway can be seen on TSN on Saturday October 17^th at 2PM.    DJ Kennington would like to take this opportunity to thank the many race fans for their continued support of the Castrol/Mahindra Tractors Team once again this year.  They look forward to more success in 2010. 

Photo:  1. DJ Kennington in the Castrol/Mahindra Tractors Dodge at Kawartha Speedway.  2.  DJ Kennington with the winner’s trophy following the race at Kawartha.

Photo Credit:  Todd Lewis 

This release prepared by, TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618