CASCAR drivers set for third National round, on Mosport road course
26 August 1999
KOMOKA, ON - This weekend, the CASCAR Castrol Super Series National tour is set to make a visit to the legendary Mosport Int'l Raceway road course for the second consecutive season. The UAP/NAPA presents the Canadian Auction Group 250 km race is the third of four National points events and will set the stage for Round #4 the following weekend, at Delaware Speedway Park. With its up and down road course layout, the Mosport event offers unique challenges to the CASCAR stock car drivers, many of whom have already participated in two non-oval races so far this season; during the Toronto Indy and in early August in Edmonton. Last year's Mosport road course race was won by Toronto's Scott Maxwell in his first career CASCAR outing. Driving a Ford Taurus from the Whitlock Motorsports stable, Maxwell emerged victorious following a spirited race-long battle with Robin Buck, driver of the UAP/NAPA Pontiac Grand Prix. In mid-July, Buck won his first CASCAR main - on the streets of Toronto - and is looking to return to victory lane after making an early exit from the Edmonton City Centre Airport event on Aug. 15 because of mechanical troubles. Another driver looking for success at Mosport is current National and Eastern series points leader Don Thomson Jr. of Hamilton, ON. The Home Hardware Chevrolet Monte Carlo racer won the Edmonton road race and is returning to Mosport, where he won on the 10-turn road course back in 1991. "We've got a good chance," said Thomson, discussing the Mosport race. "I feel comfortable on the road courses. A lot of times, it's just a survival game. If you don't get the flats, you might win the race. Last year, we were leading with 10 laps to go [in Edmonton] and we got two flats. So, I think whoever is running strong and doesn't get flats, is going to win the race." With each National event weekend consisting, in effect, of two points races (Saturday's heat race and Sunday's UAP/NAPA presents the C.A.G. 250 km), technically, there are still four events left on the '99 schedule. As Thomson sees it, he's only halfway through the '99 National campaign, which is far too early to feel the heat of the Castrol Cup championship chase. "As far as the National title goes, it's still early on, so I don't feel any pressure from that. I know that basically, it's an eight race series and it's too early to even worry about it." While Thomson bides his time, Canadian Tire Chevrolet driver Peter Gibbons will be charging for the checkered flag. The Stouffville, ON racer makes no bones about his desire to win races and will be trying to make amends for his off-track excursions in last year's Mosport road race, which costs him a good finish. Gibbons was the quickest driver at Edmonton a few weeks ago and would surely have finished better than fourth if he'd gotten a late-race caution after making a stop for fuel and tires at the two-thirds point of the race. In the past, Gibbons has had trouble finishing road races and is hoping to keep his momentum from Edmonton - where he sat on the pole - as he hunts for the win at Mosport. He currently sits a close second to Thomson in the National standings. Several top western series drivers will be participating in the Mosport race, including Kevin Dowler, Wade Lee, and the father-and-son team of Carl and Daryl Harr. Weekend schedule: The UAP/NAPA presents the Canadian Auction Group 250 km weekend at Mosport commences Friday morning (Aug. 27) at 11:50 with the first half-hour CASCAR Castrol Super Series practice session. Two other practice are schedule for that afternoon (2:40 & 3:50). Saturday's final practice session takes the green flag at 10:20 in the morning, with time trials scheduled for 11:30. The half-hour session will lock in the two front row starting positions for Sunday's UAP/NAPA - C.A.G. 250 and will determine the grids for the two, 25-minute sprint races that will take place on Saturday afternoon (2:10 and 2:45 p.m.). The CASCAR Castrol Super Series late models will be on the grid at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, with the popular driver autograph session scheduled for 12:30. Following driver introductions and the national anthems, the UAP/NAPA presents the C.A.G. 250 km will commence at 2:00 p.m. *** National Points Standings after Round #2 of 4 / As of August 15, 1999: 1. #4E Don Thomson Jr. (978 points / Chevrolet); 2. #1 Peter Gibbons (970 / Chevrolet); 3. #17 DJ Kennington (948 / Dodge); 4. #77 Pete Vanderwyst (912 / Chevrolet); 5. #79 Wade Lee (910 / Pontiac); 6. #35 Kevin Dowler (904 / Ford); 7. #02 Kerry Micks (884 / Ford); 7. #76 Al Turner (884 / Dodge); 9. #33W Don Sales (848 / Chevrolet); 10. #2 Carl Harr (844 / Chevrolet); 11. #33E Neil Fair (842 / Chevrolet); 12. #98 Dave Whitlock (840 / Ford); 13. #20 Kim Richard (820 / Chevrolet); 14. #66 Robin Buck (818 / Pontiac); 15. #52 Bill Rowse Jr (812 / Chevrolet); 15. #4W Daryl Harr (812 / Chevrolet); 17. #46 Dan Shirley (806 / Chevrolet); 18. #44 Fred DelPero (802 / Ford); 19. #31 Kelly Williams (790 / Ford); 20. #64 Mark Dilley (784 / Ford); 20. #14E John Fitzpatrick (784 / Chevrolet); 22. #60 Ron Beauchamp (764 / Dodge); 23. #12 Ron Larson (758 / Pontiac); 24. #93 Charlie Kirton (758 / Chevrolet); 25. #6 Todd Nichol (754 / Chevrolet); 26. #5E Nik Lapcevich (752 / Chevrolet); 27. #70 John Restemeyer (682 / Pontiac); 28. #88 Dave Jacombs (674 / Ford); 29. #5 Steve Jefferson (580 / Dodge); 30. #04 Andy Farr (534 / Dodge); 31. #15 Mike Browne (528 / Pontiac); 32. #14W James VanDomeslaar (376 / Pontiac)Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.