CASCAR drivers shine at Molson Indy Toronto... Buck and Jefferson win
20 July 1999
KOMOKA, ON - Robin Buck put his road racing talents to good use on Saturday. The UAP/NAPA Pontiac Grand Prix driver started on the pole for the inaugural Miller Lite 100 at the Toronto Molson Indy and held off Alan Turner and Bill Rowse Junior to win his first ever CASCAR Castrol Super Series race. As impressive as Buck's winning run was the performance by the vast majority of the CASCAR drivers in their first ever outing on a temporary street circuit. Following the race, the compliments flowed from those who had never before seen a CASCAR race. The entire 34 lap contest was characterized by clean, wheel-to-wheel racing and featured many passes throughout the pack, including the lead-swapping early race battle between Buck and Rowse. Following the race, Buck admitted that winning at the Indy was one of the biggest thrills of his career. "I wanted to win one on the ovals before getting a road course win, but I'll take this for sure," smiled the Oakville, ON native before heading to the victory podium. "This series is so competitive, and if anyone says these guys I race with can't road race, then they haven't been watching. There was a lot on the line for everyone here today and they all did an amazing job." The Eastern points chase was scrambled somewhat following the Miller Lite 100 as points leader Don Thomson Jr. had an oil leak during the race and was forced to pit to repair it. He finished the race two laps down, in 25th position. Following seven events, Thomson has a 72 point lead over St. Thomas, ON residents DJ Kennington and Pete Vanderwyst. They finished fifth and fourth, respectively, in Toronto. CASCAR Castrol Super Series (Eastern Series) Points Standings as of July 17, 1999: 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (1114 points / Chevrolet); 2. #17 DJ Kennington (1042 / Dodge); 2. #77 Pete Vanderwyst (1042 / Chevrolet); 4. #1 Peter Gibbons (1024 / Chevrolet); 5. #33 Neil Fair (1010 / Chevrolet); 6. #98 Dave Whitlock (996 / Ford); 6. #02 Kerry Micks (996 / Ford); 8. #64 Mark Dilley (956 / Ford); 9. #67 Derrick Tiemersma (952 / Pontiac); 10. #31 Kelly Williams (936 / Ford); 11. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (918 / Dodge); 12. #14 John Fitzpatrick (912 / Chevrolet); 13. #51 Al Long (900 / Chevrolet); 14. #8 Ted McIntyre (856 / Dodge); 15. #66 Robin Buck (850 / Pontiac); 16. #04 Andy Farr (822 / Dodge); 17. #76 Al Turner (816 / Dodge); 18. #22 Scott Steckly (800 / Pontiac); 18. #52 Bill Rowse Jr (800 / Chevrolet); 20. #5 Nik Lapcevich (784 / Chevrolet); 21. #25 Jim Lapcevich (778 / Ford); 22. #97 Rob Neely (758 / Dodge); 23. #99 Scott Watkins (736 / Pontiac); 24. #90 Brad Jacques (722 / Dodge); 25. #94 Mark Graham (712 / Chevrolet) Gold Pan Speedway / United Concrete 150 QUESNEL, BC - The following day, on Sunday afternoon, the CASCAR Castrol Super Series West held its fourth race of '99, at Gold Pan Speedway in Quesnel, BC. The Gold Pan Speedway / United Concrete 150 featured three drivers (Kevin Dowler, Carl Harr and Daryl Harr) who also competed in Toronto's Miller Lite 100. Dowler's Ford Quality Care Taurus started on the pole in Quesnel and showed the way for the first 74 laps before Steve Jefferson of Prince George, BC took the lead for keeps in his Mopar Batteries Dodge. Jefferson's win on the slightly-banked quarter-mile oval was his first of the season and moved him closer to points leader Dan Shirley who finished 13th. Following four events, Shirley (NTN Bearings Chevrolet) holds a slim, 24 point lead over Jefferson in the western standings. Finishing second to Jefferson was Carl Harr, ahead of hometown favourite Don Sales. Carl's son, Daryl, was fourth. It was an outstanding weekend for the racing Harr family as both posted top 10 finishes in Toronto. CASCAR Castrol Super Series (Western Series) Points Standings as of July 18, 1999: 1. #46 Dan Shirley (688 points/ Chevrolet); 2. #5 Steve Jefferson (664 / Dodge); 3. #35 Kevin Dowler (636 / Ford); 4. #20 Kim Richard (622 / Chevrolet); 5. #2 Carl Harr (610 / Chevrolet); 6. #3 Don Sales (604 / Chevrolet); 7. #4 Daryl Harr (600 / Chevrolet); 8. #12 Ron Larson (592 / Chevrolet); 9. #93 Charlie Kirton (578 / Chevrolet); 10. #15 Mike Browne (566 / Pontiac); 11. #6 Todd Nichol (558 / Chevrolet); 12. #44 Fred DelPero (538 / Ford); 13. #79 Wade Lee (472 / Pontiac); 14. #14 James VanDomselaar (376 / Pontiac); 15. #45 Darren Swerid (366 / Pontiac); 16. #70 John Restemeyer (346 / Chevrolet); 17. #43 Dallas Mayert (284 / Pontiac); 18. #09 Trevor Seibert (168 / Ford); 19. #70 Al Gandy (160 / Pontiac); 20. #9 Russ Anderson (138 / Pontiac)