CASCAR: CASCAR takes to the streets of Toronto for the Miller Lite 100
15 July 1999
KOMOKA, ON - This weekend, the CASCAR Castrol Super Series will be participating in the Toronto Molson Indy on the streets of Toronto. The Miller Lite 100 CASCAR race will mark the first time that the series has been part of one of Canada's biggest motorsports weekends. So far, almost 40 teams have registered to qualify for the race, on the temporary street course on the Toronto lakeshore. The Miller Lite 100 will be run in front of the biggest crowd in the history of CASCAR. The drivers are looking forward to having the opportunity to put their series in front of the 100,000-plus fans who are expected to attend the Toronto Molson Indy weekend; many of whom have never seen a full-bodied stock car race in person. Practice for the seventh CASCAR Castrol Super Series East race of the season is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning, with the 30 minute qualifying session starting at 5:30 p.m. The inaugural Miller Lite 100 is slated to take the green flag on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. In addition to the on-track CASCAR activities, many of the series' drivers and their cars will be participating in the various parties and special events that have made the Toronto Molson Indy the popular event that it has become over the previous 13 years it has taken place. "We're very pleased to be on the schedule of the Toronto Molson Indy," said CASCAR founder and Director of Operations, Tony Novotny. "This is a big thing for the CASCAR Castrol Super Series in terms of exposure. And putting our top-notch product in front of so many new racing fans will help take the series to the next level. The teams and the sponsors have all gotten behind this thing 100 per cent and we're all looking forward to an exciting Miller Lite 100 on Saturday afternoon." Looking at the drivers to watch this weekend, points leader Don Thomson Jr. of Hamilton, ON will have his work cut out for him defending his Super Series East lead. The Home Hardware Chevy driver has won three of the first six Eastern races this season, but admits that road racing isn't his strong suit. "Our goal will be to go there and protect the car. With walls all around the track, we're just looking to stay smart and survive." Road racing experts like Robin Buck, Carl Harr and Kevin Dowler will no doubt be among the pre-race favourites. All have been on the CASCAR circuit on a full-time basis for several years, but also have extensive road racing experience that should help them immensely in Toronto. Harr and Dowler, incidentally, are two of four Western series regulars who will be making the cross-country trek to compete in the Miller Lite 100. Three of them will be heading back to Quesnel, BC for Sunday's Gold Pan 150 at Gold Pan Speedway; the fourth Super Series West race of the season. Gold Pan 150 - Quesnel, BC The Gold Pan 150 will see Calgary, AB racer Kim Richard attempt to make it two-in-a-row in the 'wins' column. The Canadian Property Investments Chevy driver won his first CASCAR feature at Hythe, AB on June 26 and doesn't want to wait another six years before returning to victory lane. "I didn't think it would take so long to win one of those races," said Richard, prior to heading for the ¼-mile oval in Quesnel, BC. "I should have won the season opener at Race City [Calgary], but it wasn't to be. I had a 'brain fade' and cost us the win. I guess that just made it sweeter when we finally did win. But winning at Hythe felt so good and was a big confidence builder for the team. That's behind us now, and we're looking forward to winning another one." Time trials for Sunday's Gold Pan 150 start at 1:00 p.m., with racing at 2:00. Gold Pan Speedway is located just south of Quesnel, BC on Hwy. 97.
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