CASCAR set for Toronto Indy return
12 July 2000
LONDON, ON - The CASCAR Castrol Super Series is set to make its return to the streets of Toronto for this weekend’s Toronto Indy. The Exide ’99 Street Fight will be the seventh event on the Eastern schedule and is unquestionably the most important date in terms of exposure and media attention. Last year’s race on the temporary Toronto street circuit was the first ever by CASCAR and was, by all accounts, a huge success. So much so, in fact, that this year’s race will be televised live, on Saturday July 15, on CTV Sportsnet. The Super Series drivers proved themselves to be capable road racers. In fact, the race-long, three-driver chase between podium finishers Robin Buck, Al Turner and Bill Rowse featured some of the closest and most exciting action of the entire ’99 Toronto Indy weekend. Entering this year’s CASCAR race at the Indy, a few familiar names are set to challenge for the victory. In a testament to his considerable abilities, Al Turner who drives the Blue Streak Intrepid has taken his racing program to the next level and has won three races in six outings, so far, in 2000. Hot on his heels in the ‘wins’ column is defending Super Series East champion Don Thomson Jr. The Home Hardware Chevy driver has collected a pair of checkered flags this year and has displayed his usual high level of consistency. He holds the Eastern points lead with a pair of races left. National champion Peter Gibbons (Canadian Tire Chevrolet Monte Carlo), former Nat’l champ Kerry Micks (Ford Fast Lane Taurus), western front-runner Kevin Dowler and the father-and-son duo of Carl and Daryl Harr (all from Edmonton, AB) will all be worth watching on Saturday afternoon. But of course, they’ll all be gunning for Robin Buck; the winner of the ’99 event on the Toronto lakeshore street circuit. Buck’s UAP/NAPA Pontiac Grand Prix was the class of the field in the CASCAR debut and he will be the man to beat again this year. His years of road racing experience prior to turning his attention to CASCAR several years ago played a huge part in his ability to win his first Super Series race. Almost as important as the race itself is the unequalled showcase that the Toronto Indy affords the CASCAR Castrol Super Series. The bringing together of one of Canada’s top racing events and the country’s top motorsports series was a natural fit and gave countless thousands of racing fans their first opportunity to see a CASCAR race firsthand. Crowd counts have been up for almost every Super Series race in 2000 and the exposure gained through last year’s Indy event is credited with playing a large role in the boost. “Last year’s CASCAR race at the Toronto Indy was as big a success as we all knew it could be,” said CASCAR President Bill Darmon. “CASCAR was on the stage at one of Canada’s biggest racing weekends and the drivers and teams came through with flying colours. It’s the type of exposure that we need to continue the growth of the sport. “Being at the Indy is part of our long-range plan to raise the profile of big league stock car racing in this country,” continued Darmon. “Since last year’s race, CASCAR has been involved in several exciting developments. We’ve entered into a strategic marketing alliance with the WWF Canada and we’re ecstatic to be going live on CTV Sportsnet for the Exide ’99 Street Fight at the Indy.” CASCAR QUICK FACT: - The Exide ’99 Street Fight will feature a head-to-head meeting of the Eastern and Western points leaders. Don Thomson Jr. is looking strong atop the Eastern rankings and will be challenged in Toronto by new Western points leader Carl Harr. In winning his second race of the season, on Saturday night at Gold Pan Speedway in Quesnel, BC, Harr moved to the top of the standings after four events. Harr and his son, Daryl, will be competing in the Toronto Indy CASCAR race for the second year in a row. - The CASCAR Castrol Super Series consists of three major championship titles. Drivers from British Columbia to the Maritimes compete for the Western, Eastern and National crowns. Western events are held in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, while Eastern races are contested in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. The National championship consists of four races, which are held in Edmonton (AB), Calgary (AB), Toronto (ON) and London (ON). by Inside Track Communications.