CASCAR Stars Face Bigger Challenge Than NASCAR Drivers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 21, 2002 CASCAR Stars Face Bigger Challenge Than NASCAR Drivers London, ON - On June 30th the stars of CASCAR, Canada's only national motorsports series, will face off against six NASCAR drivers on the 5/8 mile Cayuga Speedway oval track in Nelles Corners Ontario. The event has been huge news for Canadian motorsports given the massive main-stream popularity of the NASCAR drivers, and that it is exceedingly rare for them to have a free weekend to compete in another series. The fact that they would choose to head north to compete in CASCAR is an indication of the level of recognition Canada's premier motorsports series has achieved. Winston Cup drivers Tony Stewart, Johnny Benson, Matt Kenseth, Dave Blaney, and Ken Schrader will be joined by Craftsman Truck Series competitor Ted Musgrave for the "Canada Day Shootout" event. However, as the CASCAR drivers prepare for what will be one of the most exciting events in Canadian stock car racing, they have more on their minds than trying to beat some of North America's highest profile drivers on the track. "I'm a CASCAR guy." Reflects Al Turner, driver of the number 76 Blue Streak-Hygrade Motor Products car. "I live and breathe CASCAR. We're trying to build something for the future of Canadian motorsports. My ultimate goal is to win the CASCAR Championship, that's what I'm shooting for. As far as racing against the NASCAR guys goes I don't race the driver I race the car, it doesn't matter who is ahead of me. They are just six mor drivers out there." "I'm excited about racing against the NASCAR drivers, but what I'm really excited about is the exposure for Canadian motorsports." Continues Turner. " We were excited about the exposure for our series when we went to the Molson Indy events, and now we have one more huge event on our schedule. We want to show our Canadian race fans what they are missing out on." Current CASCAR Rookie of the Year points leader Joe Plazek, driver of the number 0 Sony Playstation 2 car, has had lots of experience running in the United States. Plazek is a three time New York State Super Modified Dirt Racing Champion, and has scored an impressive 83 feature wins. His years of racing south of the border have given him an opportunity to compete against some of the NASCAR drivers attending Cayuga. "I had a great battle with Dave Blaney in Dirt Modified." says Plazek. "One weekend he beat me on Saturday for the poll and I was on outside poll. The next day I came back and beat him for Second Day Fast Time. I told everyone at the time that I won this deal because I won $1500 for outside poll and $2500 for Second Day Fast Time, and he only won $3000 for the poll. It's going to be neat to see those guys again." Plazek has faced a tough road in his first season in the ultra-competitive CASCAR Super Series. CASCAR teams have evolved into highly sophisticated race operations, and it takes more than a little skill behind the wheel to compete at the front of the pack. "It's tough to come from being a champion and race winner and go to a position where we are struggling. But I think it's good, every now and then I think we need the crutches kicked out from under us to make us focus and work to get back to the front." Dave Jacombs, driver of the number 88 Speedy Auto Service car, finished up the 2001 season in 5th place based on strong, consistent finishes, and a racing attitude based on looking at the big picture. The 2002 season has been a frustrating start for Jacombs, who could be considered a leader for the Hard Luck award to this point. "This is my worst start to a season in a long time." Says Jacombs. "Last year we won the Reliability Award for most laps completed, and it's very frustrating for me to get knocked out of races: I'm used to finishing races." The eight year veteran of CASCAR saw his luck take a turn for the better this past weekend as he secured a third place podium finish at the Mosport road course. As Jacombs prepares for the upcoming NASCAR challenge, he too is thinking beyond the driver in the car next to him. "I'm excited about the opportunity to run in front of 18,000 people at an oval track in Canada. I think the (CASCAR) series warrants and deserves it. The NASCAR drivers are just six more good drivers, but I would like Canadian fans to catch on to CASCAR." Cayuga is a favorite track for Jacombs, however the format of the Canada Day Shootout has presented some challenges. CASCAR normally runs feature events of 200 to 250 laps, but the Cayuga event with feature twin 50 lap shootouts and a 100 lap feature. "We're used to setting up the car for long runs." Continues Jacombs. "Now we're testing on changing springs to get the car to be faster, quicker. I prefer longer runs where I can bide my time and save the car until the end, but we can deal with the shorter races. It's going to be a great event, the grandstands they're putting on the back straight are awesome. It's my favorite track we race on." After the Cayuga event the CASCAR teams will load their road course cars in the haulers and head to another one of Canada's marquis motorsports events: the Molson Indy Toronto. Fans can meet the CASCAR stars at the Toronto-Dominion Centre in downtown Toronto on Tuesday, July 2nd all afternoon as many of CASCAR's premier teams and drivers will display their race machines and sign autographs. The following evening the CASCAR stars will be at the annual Vinnie's CASCAR Molson Indy party at Vinnie's Social Hall at 22 Duncan Street. The festivities commence at 6:00 pm and go all night, and race fans will have a chance to compete against real CASCAR crew members in a tire change contest, and to race against the CASCAR stars in a driving simulator game. To learn more about CASCAR please visit www.cascar.ca. Contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 or visit www.cascar.ca If you know of someone else who would like to receive these releases, please send a note to: chris@cascar.ca If you wish to be removed from this release list, please send a note to the same address. Thank you.