CASCAR - St-Eustache Preview
CASCAR Super Series For immediate release / May 30, 2002 Gibbons goes for three in a row at St-Eustache LONDON, ON - When you think of CASCAR Super Series races at Autodrome St-Eustache, several things come to mind. The flat, 4/10-mile oval is like no other that the series visits. Described as 'off-camber' by one befuddled racer, the lack of banking has left many scratching their heads in search of a winning setup. That the track is shaped like an egg - in which the turns at one end are much 'tighter' than at the other - is another unique characteristic of this Montreal-area oval. In recent years, one racer has distinguished himself at St-Eustache. Whether it was in 2000 when he drove a badly battered car to victory in the spectacular Super Series East finale, or in 2001 when he ended a frustrating personal losing streak as others were the victims of misfortune, Peter Gibbons has clearly figured out the winning formula at St-Eustache. This Saturday night (June 1), Gibbons will once take to his favourite Quebec track in his Canadian Tire Chevy, hoping to repeat the magic for a third year in a row, in the Autopro / NAPA 150. Last year's victory at St-Eustache was the first of three feature wins for the Stouffville, ON resident in '01. Sitting 10th in the CASCAR Super Series point standings after two events, Gibbons is hoping to repeat his St-Eustache magic trick. But there are several others who have been strong early in the 2002 campaign, and who will no doubt be doing their best to prevent the two-time National champion from accomplishing the 'three-peat' at St-Eustache. Sophomore racer Robbie Thompson won the first race of the season, at Delaware. And last Sunday afternoon, at Peterborough Speedway, the Logel's Intrepid driver appeared ready to make it two in a row, before a cut tire spoiled his bid for victory. The win at Peterborough went to Castrol Intrepid pilot DJ Kennington, who heads to Montreal with a slim seven-point lead over Thompson in the CASCAR Super Series point standings. Barrie, ON resident Mark Dilley is third in the standings, on the strength of back-to-back third-place finishes at Delaware and Peterborough. As he did last year, the NTN Taurus racer has come out of the box quickly in his quest for his second career Super Series National title. The crowd at St-Eustache is one of the most supportive and enthusiastic on the entire Super Series circuit. Each year, they have been rewarded with fiercely competitive and entertaining races. The physical and close nature of the racing there makes for a popular spectacle. ST-EUSTACHE SCHEDULE: SATURDAY JUNE 1, 2002 Time Trials 6:00 p.m. Heats (ANCA Support Class) 7:00 - 7:45 CASCAR Super Series Final Qualifier 7:45 - 8:00 ANCA Feature 8:00 - 8:30 Driver Introductions 8:50 START: AUTOPRO / NAPA 150 9:30 p.m. CASCAR SUPER SERIES: (Points following Round #2 / As of May 26, 2002): 1. #17 DJ Kennington (Intrepid / 319 points), 2. #9 Robbie Thompson (Intrepid / 312), 3. #64 Mark Dilley (Ford / 304), 4. #22 Scott Steckly (Pontiac / 298), 5. #99 Pete Vanderwyst (Pontiac / 277), 6. #19 Brad Graham (Pontiac / 270), 6. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (Chevrolet / 270), 8. #02 Kerry Micks (Ford / 264), 9. #35 Kevin Dowler (Ford / 262), 10. #32 Mike Alguire (Pontiac / 260), 10. #1 Peter Gibbons (Chevrolet / 260), 12. #39 Dave Whitlock (Ford / 250), 13. #3 Billy Rowse Jr. (Chevrolet / 248), 14. #31 Kelly Williams (Pontiac / 246), 15. #25 Jim Lapcevich (Chevrolet / 236), 16. #93 Joe Goncalves (Chevrolet / 234), 17. #14 John Fitzpatrick (Chevrolet / 230), 17. #23 Jeff Lapcevich (Chevrolet / 230), 17. #0 Joe Plazek (Chevrolet / 230), 20. #33 Neil Fair (Chevrolet / 225), 21. #15 Robin Buck (Pontiac / 224), 22. #76 Al Turner (Intrepid / 222), 23. #88 Dave Jacombs (Ford / 206), 24. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (Intrepid / 204), 25. #41 John Tsoumaris (Chevrolet / 202), 26. #24 Cole Pearn (Pontiac / 196), 27. #00 Billy Innes (Chevrolet / 182), 28. #97 Rob Neely (Intrepid / 168) CASCAR NOTEBOOK: The CARQUEST Series will be in action on Friday night (May 31) at Delaware Speedway... CARQUEST Sportsman Series Points: Top 10 as of May 25: 1. #28 Steve Robblee (271 points), 2. #15 Jim Patrick (250), 3. #33 Karl Allard ® (220), 4. #18 André Coursol (211), 5. #60 Steve Maheux (175), 6. #1 Claude LeClerc (171), 7. #74 Richard Beauchamp (164), 8. #10 Doug Brown (160), 9. #11 Stephane Messier (156), 10. #52 Ron Sheridan (155) Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 or visit www.cascar.ca Prepared by Inside Track Communications. // Contact: Greg MacPherson (416) 561-2320 (cell). If you know of someone else who would like to receive these releases, please send a note to: greg@insidetracknews.com If you wish to be removed from this release list, please send a note to the same address. Thank you.