CASCAR - Whitlock Motorsports Report
16 September 1999
Season ends in New Brunswick; Whitlock looking forward to 2000 PETROLIA, ON - Whitlock Motorsports wrapped up its 1999 CASCAR Castrol Super Series season on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 12) at Fredericton's New Brunswick Int'l Speedway. The final Eastern series race of the summer saw three Whitlock Motorsports cars line up for the green flag, as regular team members Dave Whitlock and Mark Dilley were joined by Maritime racing star Scott Fraser for the 200 lap event. Whitlock ended his season on a frustrating note, in New Brunswick, as engine trouble saw him drop out of the race on lap 89. Prior to that, the Petrolia, ON racer had been running well in eighth place, after lining up seventh on the starting grid. The three-time CASCAR National champion closed the season with a 21st-place finish. "We had some more motor problems," explained Whitlock, who ended up seventh in the final Eastern points. "It didn't seem great yesterday [in qualifying], but we left it in the car and after 30 [race] laps, I knew there was something wrong. After that, it just went sour." At that point, Whitlock opted to park the #98 Taurus. "It was still running at the end, but it was hurt. It's the same one we've been having trouble with all year, so we might just call it a day with that one." Looking back at his '99 season, Whitlock tried to identify some of the reasons for the team's shortfall in the results department. Whatever the cause, a lack of effort wasn't to blame. "We've tried so hard. We wanted to improve our motor program and I think we went too far and it cost us in terms of reliability. But I guess it wasn't too bad of a day. Mark [Dilley] came from the back and [Scott] Fraser put on a good show again. We'll just go get 'em next year." As for his own future racing plans, Whitlock is looking to rebound in 2000. "We'll be back, for sure. Running full-time on the National and Eastern series are the plan for next year. Now, we'll be like the rest of the guys trying to knock [Peter] Gibbons off the top." As Whitlock mentioned, Mark Dilley was able to finish his season on a high note. The NTN Bearings / Herbrand Tools Taurus driver started 20th in New Brunswick and progressed quickly through the pack on the difficult to pass track. He concluded his comeback season in ninth place in the Eastern standings. By the halfway point of the race, the Barrie, ON resident was up to sixth. He would eventually go on to finish seventh. "We're really happy with that," said Dilley, who returned to CASCAR full-time in '99 after several years on the sidelines. "To have as bad a day as we did in qualifying on Saturday and to recover to seventh in the last race is pretty good. I have to congratulate the crew. We're all pretty 'green' in this operation and we all did pretty well. I enjoyed being back in the car and we all had a really good time." Asked if he enjoyed racing on the banked New Brunswick bowl, the Ultra Motorsports driver joked, "It's very different. You always seem to be turning. I turned enough that I should be in Florida by now." Just prior to the start of the 1999 season, Dilley signed to race in a Whitlock Motorsports car. It's a relationship that the former CASCAR champion hopes will continue. "Whitlock Motorsports gave us a good car all the way through. This is my first year back and for a first year team, I think we did very well. I'm happy and proud to be associated with them and I thank them very much. Dave and I have to talk [about next year], but there are plans already in the works... I think we'll be back again." Scott Fraser is undoubtedly one of Canada's elite stock car racers. For the second year in a row, the Shubenacadie, NS racer took part in the CASCAR East finale behind the wheel of a Whitlock Motorsports Taurus. With no chance for practice, Fraser jumped into the Riverview Lincoln Mercury / CARQUEST Taurus during the first caution flag. Fredericton racer Gordon Chase qualified the car on Saturday and started the race on Sunday because Fraser was busy winning the inaugural IPSC championship on Saturday night, in Maine. By the time Fraser got strapped into the car, he was already a lap behind the leaders. "It was the type of thing where we always come here with no seat time, no practice, jump in the car and pray it's good. We always get a fair car. But when we got a lap down doing the driver change, it was downhill from there. The car was better the longer we went. Maybe we needed a 500 lap race," joked Fraser, who finished 15th but electrified the crowd with his high-line passes. Fredericton Race Summary: DJ Kennington took the checkered flag in the final CASCAR Castrol Super Series East race of the '99 season, on Sunday afternoon, at New Brunswick Int'l Speedway. The young St. Thomas, ON resident started on the outside pole and quickly moved to the front of the 22-car field. He would lead the rest of the way in the CARQUEST 200 to take his second career CASCAR Super Series feature win. Al Turner of Barrie, ON finished second, ahead of new National champion Peter Gibbons. By finishing fifth in the 200 lap race, Don Thomson Jr. won the Eastern series title.