CASCAR: Dowler dominates CASCAR National opener in Edmonton
24 July 2000
CASCAR Castrol Super Series - National Championship // Round #1 // Edmonton City Centre Airport EDMONTON, AB - For the second time in as many weeks, Kevin Dowler emerged victorious in CASCAR Castrol Super Series action. Last week, the Sherwood Park, AB racer won on the streets of Toronto at the Molson Indy. And on Sunday afternoon, Dowler dominated the opening round of the 2000 CASCAR National championship chase, in front of his hometown fans, to win the Bumper to Bumper Motorsport Classic for the second time in just three years. Dowler's winning strategy on the tarmac of the Edmonton City Centre Airport temporary road course circuit was to pit for four tires and fuel, just past halfway mark of the 86 lap race, and then run a steady pace to the finish. The plan worked flawlessly and the Ford Quality Care Service driver came across the finish line almost 19 seconds ahead of second place finisher Carl Harr, of St. Albert, AB. Starting from the pole, Dowler led the first six laps before settling into a relaxed pace. He retook the top position on lap 19 and held the spot until pitting on lap 47. When the rest of the front runners were finished making their pit stops, Dowler found himself back out front and he would not be challenged again. "The car was flawless and our plan worked perfectly," smiled Dowler after the victory. "We built on the momentum we gained winning in Toronto and came home thinking we could do well here in Edmonton. This is such a thrill and a credit to my Ford Taurus and my excellent crew. We got out early, led a few laps and then protected the tires knowing that we weren't going to stop until after halfway. After that, it was just a matter of running our own race and staying out of trouble." Carl Harr's runner-up finish bettered his third-place result in last year's Bumper to Bumper 250km race. Like Dowler, Harr - who drives the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet - also credited a solid strategy and the work of his pit crew for his success. The third and final spot on the podium went to Mopar Parts / Mr. Sub Intrepid driver Ron Beauchamp. The Windsor, ON racer isn't known as a road racer but after starting 19th in the 29-car field, the former Super Series East champion ran a steady pace to post his best-ever non-oval finish. NEXT EVENT: The CASCAR Castrol Super Series National Championship resumes next weekend at Race City Motorsport Park in Calgary, AB with the Mopar Parts 300. Qualifying for the pole position takes place on Friday evening. The 300-lap feature race scheduled for Sunday afternoon. by Inside Track Communications.