Cascar: Vanderwyst Motorsports - St. Eustache report
21 June 1999
#77 Loctite Chevrolet - Vanderwyst Motorsports - St. Eustache report Vanderwyst 13th at St. Eustache ST. EUSTACHE, QC - The #77 Loctite Chevy of Pete Vanderwyst was in action at Autodrome St. Eustache on Saturday night for the fourth round of the CASCAR Super Series. The St. Thomas, ON racer had a strong car, but a less than satisfying time trial run left him in the middle of the pack for the start of the 150 lap race. That spelled trouble for Vanderwyst, as he was involved in a re-start 'brake check' that left him with a buckled hood and in need of a caution. He got his wish, but the unplanned pit stop dropped him in the running order with over 100 laps to go. Mired in the pack, Vanderwyst lost a lap to the leaders and finished 14th in the field of 31 starters. "We had a good car," said Vanderwyst. "We came off the trailer in good shape and were third fastest in practice. The driver messed up in time trials, which was unfortunate, because we'd been time trialing so well this year." The flat Montreal-area oval is renowned for its reputation as a 'difficult passing' track but Vanderwyst was able to progress several positions in the first 40 laps. "We moved up quite a few positions - I think we were as high as seventh, after starting 14th - and then a bunch of us got caught up in a break-check in turn 2 and it got me, too. The hood buckled and I couldn't see a darn thing. I was just hoping for a caution to come out, and fortunately, we got it. "We came in, brought the hood back down and just got caught in a big pack of cars that were in danger of going a lap down. I couldn't get a good groove going up high to get around them." Resigned to his fate, Vanderwyst decided to stay out of the way of the front-runners. "Then, the leaders came around and I am a big advocate of letting the leaders race for the win, so I moved down and let them through. After I let them by, I settled in behind them and ran with them." In addition to the on-track activities, Vanderwyst did his part in hosting the many Loctite employees and guests who were at Autodrome St. Eustache for the race. "Loctite had a great contingent of people here tonight for this race. I'm amazed by the support. They treat us like kings here. I love coming to this track. I'm happy that the car's in one piece, for the most part, and congratulations to the guys who finished up front tonight." In its 10 lap heat race, prior to the 150 lap feature, the Loctite Chevy finished in second place. After four events, Vanderwyst is tied for seventh in the Eastern point standings. Race Notes: For the second time in four races, Don Thomson went to victory lane following the conclusion of the CASCAR Super Series race. The Hamilton, ON driver started second in the 150 lap race at Autodrome St. Eustache and emerged victorious following a late race duel with former CASCAR champion Kerry Micks, who settled for second. Reigning National champion Dave Whitlock was third. Looking ahead: The next race on the calendar for the #77 Loctite Chevrolet Monte Carlo is the June 26-27 event at Cayuga Speedway, near Hamilton, ON. "The guys did a good job on the car and it just wasn't our night. I'm heading off to New Hampshire for the week [before the race] again, just like I did for the first few races of the season, so we'll see if that brings our luck back like we had for those races."