CASCAR: Hot temps at Cayuga leave Vanderwyst 11th
29 June 1999
NELLES CORNERS, ON - The CASCAR Castrol Super Series held its fifth race of the
season on Sunday afternoon at Cayuga Speedway. The #77 Loctite Chevrolet Monte
Carlo of Pete Vanderwyst had a good run going, but the combination of high
temperatures, a flat tire, and a stomach virus that dogged the St. Thomas, ON
racer throughout the week left him exhausted and in 11th place at the finish of
the Cayuga 250.
In qualifying on Saturday, Vanderwyst timed in ninth-fastest with a lap
of 22.238 seconds on the 5/8-mile oval, placing him ninth in the field of 38
starters for Sunday's 250 lap feature. Vanderwyst ran in that spot in the early
going, but started to move forward around lap 70. By lap 85, the Loctite Chevy
was in fifth spot and improved to fourth by lap 100.
A caution on 133 brought several drivers - including Vanderwyst -
in for
pit stops. The Loctite team returned Vanderwyst to the track first among those
who pitted, in eighth place. Fifty laps later, the #77 Chevy was up to fifth.
With 50 laps remaining, Vanderwyst was back up to fourth and looking solid for
a shot at the victory. But on lap 219, things started to unravel. By this
point, he was out of fluids and feeling the full effects of racing under the
sweltering, humid conditions. A flat right front tire and a dragging bumper
dropped him several spots on the track before he could pit for repairs, under
caution.
With 26 laps remaining, Vanderwyst was back on track, running in 16th
place, and fighting exhaustion. Over the final laps, he advanced to 11th at the
finish. After the race, the Loctite driver was treated for dehydration and heat
exhaustion.
"It was about lap 80 when I ran out of liquids and started feeling
badly. It just got worse from there," recalled Vanderwyst, the following day.
"The car was awesome... so good, that I just couldn't get out of it even when I
should have. We were right there with the leaders with 50 to go, but I've never
felt so badly in my life. I was totally fatigued.
"The flat tire got us, and then the bumper came loose and the caution
gave me a bit of a break."
It wasn't until 9:00 p.m. - five hours after the finish of the race - that
Vanderwyst was feeling better.
"I just can't say enough about how well the guys had the car prepared for the
race," continued Vanderwyst. "They also did great work in the pits, but it was
just bad luck with the flat tire and me feeling so lousy that got us. And once
again, there were a bunch of people from Loctite there cheering us on. They
were concerned for me after the race." After five events, Vanderwyst sits ninth
in the Eastern standings.
Race Notes: In the race itself, Kerry Micks returned to victory lane with his
first CASCAR checkered flag in a few seasons. The Ford driver took the lead on
lap 135 and was in command the rest of the way. Second place went to Derrick
Tiemersma in his best-ever outing. Ted McIntyre completed the podium finishers.
Looking ahead: The #77 Loctite Chevrolet Monte Carlo will be back on track on
July 10-11 at Mosport Speedway for the sixth Eastern race of the season...
- 30 -
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