CASCAR: Gibbons smashes track record to earn the pole for Sunday's CARQUEST 200
24 June 2000
FREDERICTON, NB - Defending CASCAR Castrol Super Series National champion Peter Gibbons captured the pole for Sunday's CARQUEST 200 at New Brunswick Int'l Speedway by posting the fastest lap during time trials. The Canadian Tire Chevy Monte Carlo driver carved a half second off of the existing track record to earn the honour. The Stouffville, ON racer's lap of 14.022 seconds obliterated the former mark, of 14.522, which was set in '97 at NBIS by three-time National champion Dave Whitlock. In all, 18 of the 22 drivers who participated in time trials for tomorrow's race at "Canada's Fastest Short Track" were under Whitlock's old record. Al Turner, who won the first two races of the season in his Blue Streak Intrepid, was second fastest with a lap of 14.097 seconds around the 1/3-mile, banked oval. The Barrie, ON racer will line up on the outside of the front row for Sunday's 200 lap feature. Turner's accomplishment is all the more impressive considering that his car was virtually destroyed in a heavy crash last Saturday night at Mosport Int'l Speedway. He and his crew worked feverishly throughout the week to repair the extensive damage before making the lengthy trek from Central Ontario. Dave Whitlock's Ford Quality Care Taurus will start third, while DJ Kennington - who recorded the richest victory in the history of CASCAR with his win last September in the CARQUEST 200 at New Brunswick Int'l Speedway - will start fourth in his Castrol Dodge. A pair of Maritime racing stars also qualified for Sunday's race. Scott Fraser of Shubenacadie, NS posted the 13th fastest lap during time trials, while Brad Mann - the first New Brunswick native to qualify for a CASCAR event - timed in 18th fastest. Fraser and Mann will line up 12th and 17th, respectively, following their qualifying heat race runs. Both will drive Ford Taurus cars that have been leased from Ontario-based teams. Heat Race Notes: Following time trials to set the pole position for Sunday's CARQUEST 200, three heat races were held to determine the starting order for the remainder of the field. For the second time in as many years at New Brunswick Int'l Speedway, Scott Steckly won a heat race at the fast Maritime oval. Last year's Eastern Rookie of the Year won the 10-lap heat for the quickest 10 time trialers. The Milverton, ON racer will start in the 10th spot on Sunday. Ron Beauchamp Jr., who clinched his lone CASCAR Castrol Super Series East driver's championship in New Brunswick in 1998, won the first heat. Fan favourite Scott Fraser paced the field en route to victory in the second heat in front of a supportive 'home' crowd. Sunday Schedule: The popular CASCAR driver autograph session, which starts at noon on Sunday, kicks off tomorrow's CARQUEST 200 program at New Brunswick Int'l Speedway. The 200 lap feature race will take the green flag at 2:00 p.m. and will be followed by a race for the track's regular Sportsman division. by Inside Track Communications.