CASCAR: Vanderwyst third at Cayuga, closes in on points title
28 July 1999
NELLES CORNERS, ON - On Sunday afternoon at Cayuga Speedway, Pete Vanderwyst posted another strong finish, and in doing so, moved to within just 22 points of Eastern Series leader Don Thomson in his quest for his first CASCAR Castrol Super Series championship. The Loctite Chevrolet Monte Carlo driver started on the outside pole for the 250 lap race on the 5/8-mile Cayuga oval and led 92 laps before his aged tires dropped him to third place at the checkered flag. Although the St. Thomas, ON driver was hoping to collect his first career Super Series victory, eventual race winner Kerry Micks passed him with just seven laps remaining on Sunday afternoon. Second place went to Al Turner, who has sat on the pole for both Cayuga CASCAR races this summer. "We definitely did run out of tires there at the end," said Vanderwyst, after the race. "We opted to pit early and the strategy was working out well for us, but unfortunately, we had to run so hard while leading that we just burned the tires off. I tried to save them the best I could, but with about 10 laps to go, the car just started getting really loose into the turns and loose coming off. I tried to bide my time, and play it safe, but we couldn't hold 'em off. The car was really comfortable for the first 200 laps, but after that it was a handful." As Vanderwyst mentioned, while leading, he was pressured constantly by several different drivers and that took a toll on his equipment. "He [Micks] was running me clean, I just got in a little too hot [into turn 3] and slipped up [on lap 242]. He was there and I tried to run with Al [Turner] a little bit, and Neil [Fair] was behind me and I just backed out of the throttle and slid in behind Al. I just kind of waited to see if I could get another spot back after that, but the opportunity didn't materialize." But keeping the larger picture in mind, Vanderwyst is pleased to put another top finish into the record books. The CASCAR Eastern tour has completed eight of nine events, and has only the Sept. 12 race at Fredericton, NB to determine the champion. The Loctite Chevy driver is ecstatic to be in a position to capture a CASCAR title with just one race remaining. "We started second and came home third for another solid finish. We could have gotten that first win here today, but that's OK, we'll take these podium finishes and keep charging to the top of the points chase. "It looks like we'll be in good shape heading to Fredericton (NB) for the final points race. We thought we'd be in contention prior to the start of the year, but we had some bad luck off the bat. But we've put together a string of top finishes and have gotten back into contention." As for getting his first checkered flag, Vanderwyst isn't impatient and is content to accumulate solid results and hopefully a title. "Everyone knows we're here and due for a win. I don't need to win to satisfy myself, but I'd like to get one to show the people who have supported me that they've made the right decision. I know I can win and run up front." Vanderwyst picked a good day to have such a solid outing. Loctite had a hospitality tent and entertained several hundred guests before and after the race. The road racing version of the Loctite Chevrolet was on display in the tent, fresh from its fourth place finish at the Toronto Molson Indy, the week before. "Loctite had a great contingency here again today, with a tent and a hospitality area for a couple hundred of their customers. We're just thrilled that we could have a good day for them all being there." Looking ahead: With the Eastern series taking a hiatus, all eyes now turn to the four-race CASCAR National championship. Vanderwyst and many of the top competitors will be heading west for the Aug. 6-8 Calgary oval event, followed a week later (Aug. 15) by the road race on the tarmac at the Edmonton City Centre airport. The Loctite Chevrolet was fourth in the latter event last summer.
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