CASCAR - Kawartha Preview
CASCAR Super Series August 15, 2002 Tight points chase highlights CASCAR's return to Kawartha LONDON, ON - This Sunday afternoon, the CASCAR Super Series returns to action for its first Ontario outing since the Toronto Indy, in early July. The 'Kawartha Racetrack Slots 200' will mark the series' second annual visit to Kawartha Speedway, located in Fraserville, Ontario, just south of Peterborough. In last year's inaugural event at the 3/8-mile, semi-banked asphalt oval, current Super Series champion Don Thomson collected his lone feature victory of the season en route to his first National title. The Home Hardware Chevy driver took the lead early in the 150 lap race, and led all but one tour past the start/finish line, on his way to the checkered flag. Peter Gibbons (Canadian Tire Chevy) hounded Thomson throughout and finished second, ahead of Mark Dilley (NTN Taurus). This year's Kawartha event has been lengthened by 50 laps, to 200. Once again, as the season approaches its climax, Thomson finds himself atop the Super Series point standings. But a less than satisfying Western Canadian swing - through Calgary and Vancouver - cut into his once significant lead. Last weekend's race at Autodrome Montmagny did little to alter the championship chase, one way or another. Contenders Thomson, DJ Kennington, Dave Whitlock (Fast Lane Taurus) and Kevin Dowler (Quality Care Taurus) all finished within the top four. So, heading to the next-to-last race of the 2002 campaign, Thomson has a slim, 11-point lead over Kennington (Castrol Intrepid). Following his third-place finish at Montmagny, Thomson was asked if he had a sense of added confidence heading back to Kawartha, after winning there last season. "Not really. Going back there this time, what happened last year won't have a big bearing on things," said Thomson. "DJ [Kennington] has his program together and so does [Dave] Whitlock, and they're second and third in the points. The guys who are running for the championship really have their stuff together." Predicting an exciting conclusion to the 2002 Super Series season, Thomson concluded, "It'll be a battle right down to the wire for the championship this year." CASCAR SUPER SERIES POINT STANDINGS: As of August 11, 2002 / After 10 of 12 Events: 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (Chevrolet / 1613); 2. #17 D J Kennington (Intrepid / 1602); 4. #39 Dave Whitlock (Ford / 1543); 3. #35 Kevin Dowler (Ford / 1522); 5. #1 Peter Gibbons (Chevrolet / 1499); 6. #64 Mark Dilley (Ford / 1466); 7. #76 Al Turner (Intrepid / 1458); 8. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (Intrepid / 1423); 9. #9 Robbie Thompson (Intrepid / 1419); 10. #02 Kerry Micks (Ford / 1407); 11. #33 Neil Fair (Intrepid / 1390); 12. #99 Pete Vanderwyst (Pontiac / 1375); 13. #93 Joe Goncalves (Chevrolet / 1374); 14. #22 Scott Steckly (Pontiac / 1368); 15. #3 Bill Rowse Jr. (Chevrolet / 1342); 16. #25 Jim Lapcevich (Chevrolet / 1318); 17. #14 John Fitzpatrick (Chevrolet / 1308); 18. #19 Brad Graham (Pontiac / 1305); 19. #0 R Joe Plazek (Chevrolet / 1280); 20. #88 Dave Jacombs (Ford / 1248); 21. #15 Robin Buck (Pontiac / 1184); 21. #24 R Cole Pearn (Pontiac / 1184); 23. #23 Jeff Lapcevich (Chevrolet / 930); 24. #32 Mike Alguire (Pontiac / 694); 25. #31 Kelly Williams (Pontiac / 606); 26. #2 Carl Harr (Chevrolet / 480); 27. #97 Rob Neely (Intrepid / 472); 28. #41 John Tsoumaris (Chevrolet / 462); 29. #56 Doug Brown (Chevrolet / 456); 30. #82 Steve Munro (Chevrolet / 450) KAWARTHA SPEEDWAY - SCHEDULE: SUNDAY AUGUST 18, 2002 CASCAR Super Series Practice 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. CASCAR Time Trials 11:45 a.m. CASCAR Final Qualifier 12:55 - 1:15 p.m. CASCAR Driver Autograph Session 1:35 - 2:05 p.m. Driver Introductions 2:10 p.m. START: KAWARTHA RACETRACK SLOTS 200 2:30 p.m. * The CASCAR Juniors will also be running heats and a feature during the afternoon, on Sunday at Kawartha Speedway.