Source: nascar.com
In the end, the conditions proved to be less than ideal for Andrew Ranger's NASCAR Nationwide Series debut, but the events transpiring prior to the rain falling on Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve left little doubt as to the youngster's ability to handle any type of racecar.
The 21 year-old out of Roxton Pond, Quebec, posted the eighth-fastest lap in Friday's practice session. And just moments after winning the Canadian Tire Series event in exciting fashion in front of his hometown fans, he qualified the No. 22 Supercuts/Tide/Wal-Mart Dodge 15th.
Before the rains came, Ranger gradually moved forward and inside the top 10. Soon after all the cars were brought to pit road to install the rain tires, Ranger went to work. He turned the fourth-fastest lap under wet conditions and reached fifth place in the running order, causing veteran NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace to sing Ranger's praises on ESPN2's coverage of the race.
A radio malfunction, however, precipitated a series of unscheduled pit stops that erased all of the gained ground and then some. He finished the rain-shortened event in the 29th position.
"I could not see anything and the radio was not working," said Ranger. "Regardless, I am very satisfied with my race because I kept the car on the track until the end and I was able to keep up with the leaders for a good part of the race."
Ranger, once again, will be behind the wheel of the Fitz Motorsports No. 22 Dodge this Saturday for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Watkins Glen.
In the end, the conditions proved to be less than ideal for Andrew Ranger's NASCAR Nationwide Series debut, but the events transpiring prior to the rain falling on Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve left little doubt as to the youngster's ability to handle any type of racecar.
The 21 year-old out of Roxton Pond, Quebec, posted the eighth-fastest lap in Friday's practice session. And just moments after winning the Canadian Tire Series event in exciting fashion in front of his hometown fans, he qualified the No. 22 Supercuts/Tide/Wal-Mart Dodge 15th.
Before the rains came, Ranger gradually moved forward and inside the top 10. Soon after all the cars were brought to pit road to install the rain tires, Ranger went to work. He turned the fourth-fastest lap under wet conditions and reached fifth place in the running order, causing veteran NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace to sing Ranger's praises on ESPN2's coverage of the race.
A radio malfunction, however, precipitated a series of unscheduled pit stops that erased all of the gained ground and then some. He finished the rain-shortened event in the 29th position.
"I could not see anything and the radio was not working," said Ranger. "Regardless, I am very satisfied with my race because I kept the car on the track until the end and I was able to keep up with the leaders for a good part of the race."
Ranger, once again, will be behind the wheel of the Fitz Motorsports No. 22 Dodge this Saturday for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Watkins Glen.