Delaware Speedway to host season-opening MOPAR 250 CASCAR Super Series race

CASCAR Super Series
May 19, 2004


LONDON, ON - The CASCAR Super Series will kick off its 12-event national 
schedule this weekend at Delaware Speedway. The half-mile, London, ON area 
oval will play host to the MOPAR 250. Over 40 drivers and teams have 
registered for the race, which will be the first indication of just who 
will warrant consideration to be included on the list of contenders for the 
2004 points championship.

         Dave Whitlock is the defending winner of the race. The Avenue / 
NMT Dodge driver was - until last year - the only three-time CASCAR 
National champion. He has been joined in that elite club by Home Hardware 
Chevy driver Don Thomson Jr., who has won the last three Super Series 
titles. Both Whitlock and Thomson are at the top of their games and it’s 
entirely possible that one of them will break the championship tie this season.

         Heading into the Victoria Day long weekend, Thomson - who didn’t 
win a feature race last year - admitted he’s been forced to be more 
aggressive with his engine and car setups in ’04, to give himself a shot at 
earning his fourth consecutive National title.

         Former Super Series champ Kerry Micks finished second in the final 
points last year. The Mt. Albert, ON racer finds himself looking for a new 
primary sponsor for 2004. But according to Micks - who won the MOPAR 250 in 
an un-sponsored car in 2001 - he and his team are as well prepared as ever 
and plan on contending for wins and the overall points crown, as they work 
to secure primary backing.

         Castrol Dodge driver DJ Kennington is coming off a third-place 
points season, in ‘03. The St. Thomas, ON resident is a perennial 
championship contender. For 2004, Kennington - who always seems to run well 
at Delaware - is returning to his traditional #17 Dodge after a season 
running the #37.

         Mark Dilley finished fourth in last year’s points chase. And if 
there is a driver to watch in Sunday’s MOPAR 250, it could be the NTN Dodge 
pilot. The Barrie, ON racer was dominant at Delaware last fall. He 
qualified on the pole for the Great Canadian 300, walked away from the 
field to earn a $10,000 bonus in the CASCAR Challenge all-star event, and 
seemed set to take the win in the Great Canadian 300 until an extended 
green-flag run scuttled his pit strategy. Dilley recovered to finish third.

         Another candidate for victory in the MOPAR 250 is Peter Gibbons. 
The Canadian Tire Chevy driver won his record fourth Great Canadian 300 
last August and although he has a reputation for finishing seasons better 
than he starts them, Gibbons is adamant that he’s better prepared than ever 
heading to the Delaware opener. If that’s the case, then Gibbons has a good 
shot at adding to his already impressive Delaware résumé.

         One exciting aspect of this year’s MOPAR 250 is that it is 
expected to feature several young rookie drivers. Kent Nuhn, Mark Swain, 
Ron VanEs, Rob Starr, Josh Wood, Jason Hathaway and John Ryan Fitzpatrick 
are all slated to make their inaugural Super Series appearances. They join 
other relatively inexperienced CASCAR pilots Pete Shepherd Jr., Sean 
Stafford and Marc Miller, who have some seat time under their belts 
competing in Canada’s top stock car series.

         The new drivers come from a variety of motorsports backgrounds - 
from stock cars, to road racing, to karts - and have a wide range of 
experience. All are welcome additions to the Super Series.

         Qualifying for the MOPAR 250 at Delaware Speedway Saturday (May 
22) at 5:45 p.m. Following a morning of activities on Sunday (May 23), the 
MOPAR 250 will take the checkered flag at 2:00 p.m.

CASCAR NOTEBOOK: Sunday’s MOPAR 250 marks the 11th consecutive season that 
MOPAR has put its support behind the Victoria Day weekend CASCAR race at 
Delaware… Four-time CARQUEST Sportsman Series champ Steve Robblee has 
registered for the MOPAR 250. The Dorchester, ON driver has over 100 CASCAR 
victories to his credit, one of which was a memorable win in the Great 
Canadian 300 in August, 2002… Whitlock Motorsports stable-mates Mark Dilley 
and Dave Whitlock started first and second, respectively, in last year’s 
MOPAR 250… Although he isn’t planning on competing in every CASCAR Super 
Series race in ’04, veteran Neil Fair has registered his Dodge for 
competition at Delaware this weekend. It will be his 100th consecutive 
start…The second CASCAR Super Series race of the season will take place on 
Sunday, June 6 at Cayuga Speedway. The event is part of a two-day racing 
card at the 5/8-mile Hamilton, ON area oval, which will also feature the 
June 5 (Saturday) season opener for the CARQUEST Series…


WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY, MAY 22, 2004
4:00 p.m.       Spectator Gates Open
6:00 p.m.       CASCAR Time Trials
6:50 p.m.       Anthems / Parade Lap
7:00 p.m.       Racing (Modifieds / Street Stocks / King of the Hill)

SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2004
11:00 a.m.      Spectator Gates Open
11:15 noon  12:15 p.m.  Autograph Session
12:35 p.m.      Parade Lap
1:30 p.m.       Welcomes: Delaware Management, CASCAR Management,
         MOPAR Representatives, Driver Introductions,
         Invocation, National Anthems
2:00 p.m.       START: MOPAR 250 (250 LAPS)