CASCAR: Gibbons and Vanderwyst win heat races in Edmonton
23 July 2000
CASCAR Castrol Super Series - National Championship // Round #1 // Edmonton City Centre Airport EDMONTON, AB - Following yesterday's qualifying sessions to determine the front-row starters for Sunday's Bumper to Bumper Motorsport Classic CASCAR Castrol Super Series National event at the Edmonton City Centre Airport, the remainder of the field was set via two, 20-lap heat races on Saturday afternoon. Pete Vanderwyst and Peter Gibbons won their respective 20-lap qualifying heat races on the 2.912 km road course around the airport tarmac. In the first sprint race, Gibbons started second and stalked Sunday's polesitter Kevin Dowler for 17 laps before making his winning move. Dowler - who won the CASCAR race at the Toronto Molson Indy last weekend - went on to finish second, ahead of reigning Eastern champion Don Thomson Jr. "Today was a lot better than yesterday," smiled Gibbons, after the victory. The current National champion lost a motor during Friday morning's first practice session and only got in one, slow lap during the afternoon qualifying period. On Saturday, however, Gibbons set a new track record during the morning qualifying session and looked strong while winning the first heat. In the second Saturday sprint, Vanderwyst - who will line up on the outside of the front row for Sunday's 86 lap, 250 km feature race - led all 20 laps en route to the checkered flag. The St. Thomas, ON racer was followed across the line by St. Albert, AB driver Carl Harr. D.J. Kennington, also from St. Thomas, ON, was third. "We're very happy with the car and optimistic about tomorrow's race," said Vanderwyst. "We finished second last week in Toronto and we're on the outside of the front row for tomorrow's race. It's going to be more than four times longer than what we did today, so it'll be important to protect the tires and be smart about strategy." WEEKEND SCHEDULE: On Sunday, spectator gates open at 10 a.m. The CASCAR autograph session starts at 1 p.m. and the green flag will fly on the Bumper to Bumper Motorsport Classic feature race at 2:30 p.m. Other races on Sunday's schedule include various divisions from the Northern Alberta Sports Car Club. by Inside Track Communications.