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CASCAR Castrol Super Series - Weekend Preview

1 June 1999

KOMOKA, ON - The CASCAR Castrol Super Series tour returns to action with a pair of events this weekend. On the Eastern front, the series will be making the first of its two summer visits to Quebec. On Saturday, the Circuit Ste. Croix plays host to the AutoPLACE 200. The unique Quebec City area oval offers special setup challenges to the drivers and teams. With an elevated front-stretch, special adjustments have to be made to cope with the elevation changes throughout the 5/8-mile oval.

Last year's race at Ste. Croix saw the conclusion of a 'dream weekend' for Mopar Dodge driver Ron Beauchamp Jr. A rain delay the week before meant that the Super Series teams were forced to race at Montreal's Autodrome St. Eustache on Saturday night, and head to Quebec City for the Sunday afternoon feature event at Ste. Croix. The young Windsor, ON racer won both events, in a powerful performance that helped propel him to the CASCAR Castrol Super Series East title.

Based on last year's performance, Beauchamp will undoubtedly be one of the favourites this weekend at Ste. Croix. Additionally, his #60 car was one of several strong Dodge machines that dominated qualifying at the Delaware opener, two weeks ago. He was leading the race until getting knotted up with a pair of spinning backmarkers. As is the case with Delaware, Ste. Croix is a 'horsepower' track and the Dodges are anticipated to excel again.

Another possible contender will be Eastern points leader Don Thomson Jr. The Home Hardware Chevrolet Monte Carlo driver has a second and a win in his two outings, so far, and looks capable of contending at every type of track the series visits. Finally, defending National champion Dave Whitlock can't be overlooked. The Ford Quality Care Taurus driver had a strong run at Ste. Croix last June and currently sits tied for fourth in the Eastern standings.

The total posted awards for the AutoPLACE 200 at Circuit Ste. Croix is $53,727. Time trials commence Saturday at 6:00 p.m., with heat races at 7:00.

Running back to Saskatoon

Following his win in the Race City 150 at Calgary's Race City Motorsport Park on Sunday afternoon, Saskatoon's favourite driver, Dan Shirley, will be looking to score back-to-back Super Series wins on his 'hometrack' this Saturday in the Auto Clearing Chrysler Superstore 150.

Each summer, the '97 CASCAR Castrol Super Series West champion anticipates racing at the1/3-mile Bridge City Speedway oval in Saskatoon's biggest racing event of the summer. Calgary's Wade Lee spoiled Shirley's homecoming by winning this race last year, so Shirley will no doubt have revenge on his mind on Saturday.

And if Shirley didn't have enough motivation to shine on Saturday, in addition to winning the Bridge City race in '98, Lee also snatched the western series championship from the NTN Chevrolet Monte Carlo racer. The school teacher wants this race and the championship for his own.

Another driver with something to prove in Saskatoon is Edmonton's Kevin Dowler. The Ford racer suffered mechanical woes in the Race City 150 last weekend and will also be looking for a better result in Saskatoon. One wildcard could be Dowler's new Ford Quality Care Taurus teammate; Trevor Seibert. The British Columbian stunned everyone in Calgary by taking third in his first-ever CASCAR outing.