Bourque Looking To Turn Solid Runs Into Career Finish At Lake Erie Speedway
Bourque Looking To Turn Solid Runs Into Career Finish At Lake Erie Speedway “Diversity Driver Searches For First Top-Ten Finish�?? NORTH EAST, Pennsylvania (July 5, 2006) - - Pierre Bourque’s rookie season in the NASCAR Busch East Series hasn’t faired too badly. Heading into the fifth race of the season Bourque has notched four consecutive top-20 finishes. This weekend, the series heads to Lake Erie Speedway where Bourque will look to step his season up a notch and collect his first top-ten finish of his early NBES career. Last weekend, Bourque made his debut at Thompson International Speedway. After qualifying a solid 21st, Bourque along with his 27 other competitors took the green flag with Bourque quickly working his way into the top-20. While it was a quiet night for the Canada driver, he continued to show veteran patience despite carrying the yellow stripes on his back bumper. Bourque stayed on the lead lap for the entire event, battling inside the top-15 before forcing to settle for 17th. “We’re satisfied with last weekend, but we’re looking for more,�?? said Bourque. The Fast Track Racing (FTR) has worked hard all year preparing racecars and I’m determined to put our No. 10 upfront where it belongs.�?? Bourque continued, “We only have seven races left in the season. We have to start making our climb now before it too late. We’re better each and every week, it’s just a matter of luck and time before we’re a threat for our first win together.�?? Since being new to the NASCAR Busch East Series, Bourque will have minimal experience and a short amount of time in practice to adapt to the various race tracks he is competing at. Former ARCA RE/MAX Series champion and car owner Andy Hillenburg has stepped in to try to make that portion of the transition easier. Hillenburg, who is responsible for bringing up successful rookies like Bourque and now NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Chad McCumbee has plenty of experience at Lake Erie Speedway which makes Bourque feel at ease. Last year, McCumbee qualified seventh and finished fourth in the ARCA RE/MAX Series event. “It’s a good feeling to be heading to a track where Andy has some success,�?? explained Bourque. “He knows how to set up a racecar at this track, so we should be good right off the truck. I’m sure we’ll make some adjustments along the way, but I have a feeling that this is the weekend where our season really takes off.�?? Another reason Bourque is itching for a good run is the closeness of the NASCAR BES point standings. While sitting just 52 markers outside the top-ten in the driver standings, Bourque is only six points from the Rookie-of-the-Year lead, the main course on his plate. “No doubt that the point standings are close in the NASCAR Busch East Series, this isn’t a piece of cake. One wrong move and you can be out of the championship. We don’t need any bad luck, we really haven’t had any major devastating hiccups that have put us back. We look to keep it that way this weekend.�?? Full Metals Minerals and Pollara Strategic Public Opinion will continue to back Bourque’s effort this weekend at Lake Erie. “Our sponsors are happy with our performances. As a team we’re coming through the learning curve and continuing to learn.“We’ve come a very long way in a short amount of time. I’m happy that our sponsors are getting some publicity, they deserve it. I know a top-ten finish will put this entire team into the spotlight. We want to walk out of Lake Erie with everyone saying “Where did Fast Track Racing come from? �?? Following the NASCAR Busch East Series race at Lake Erie, Bourque along with Fast Track Racing will test an ARCA RE/MAX Series automobile at Gateway International Raceway on Monday, July 10th. The Local Dodge Dealers 150 presented by Hamot & Highmark (150 laps/56.25 miles) is the fifth of 11 events on the 2006 NASCAR Busch East Series schedule. Practice begins Saturday, July 8th with an hour and half (2:30pm-4:00pm EST) session planned. Busch pole qualifying is on tap Saturday afternoon (4:45pm EST) with the race set to take the green flag later that night at 9:00pm EST. The race will be broadcasted live in high-definition television on HDNet. SPEED will re-air the race Thursday, July 20th at 5:30pm. In addition to running the full NASCAR Busch East Series in 2006, Pierre Bourque and Fast Track Racing will make limited starts in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Bourque will also make three CASCAR Series races later this year with Whitlock Motorsports. For more information on Full Metals Minerals, please visit _http://www.fullmetalminerals.com_ (http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/) For additional input on Pollara Strategic Public Opinion, please logon to _http://www.pollara.ca_ (http://www.pollara.ca/) ### DATE: July 5th, 2006 NAME: Chris Knight, Fast Track Racing PHONE: 734-674-9108 EMAIL: _Knight849@aol.com_ (mailto:Knight849@aol.com)