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NASCAR: Scott Steckly wins the Tide 250 at Autodrome St-Eustache (+photos)

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Khatir Soltani
Scott Steckly from Milverton, Ontario won today the Tide 250 at Autodrome St-Eustache, round of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series.

DJ Kennington (Dodge) set the fastest time in the qualifying session, with a time of 17.297 seconds. He beat Don Thompson Jr (Chevrolet) by four tenths of a second. Third was John Gaunt (Dodge), who qualified ahead of Andrew Ranger (Ford), Kerry Micks (Ford) and Scott Steckly (Dodge).

Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, driving a Jacombs Racing Ford Fusion, set the 10th fastest time in his first taste of short oval competition.

Jacques Villeneuve (Cick the above image to access the photo gallery)

Villeneuve’s debuts were unfortunately short lived. At the green, he was pushed from behind. In corner 2, two cars spun ou in front, including Don Thompson Jr. Most of the competitors took evasive actions to avoir the spinning car, but Villeueve drove straight into it.

Villeneuve’s Fusion was badly damaged. He slowly returned to his pits only to discover that the radiator was damaged beyond repairs. The race of the former F1 driver was over.

At the real start, Ranger moved up one sport on Corner 2 and slipped by the leader Kennington in Corner 3 to take the lead, to the delight of the crowd.

After 20 laps, Ranger led from Steckly and Kennington. The race unfolded without yellows at a good speed. On lap 81, Jason White spun his Chevy, bringing out a caution. Ranger was then leading from Kennington.

On lap 110, Steckly took the lead from Ranger and Beauchamp. On lap 127, following another caution, both Ranger and Beauchamp spun together in unisson in Corner 3, focing them to pit for fresh right-side tires.

They rejoined the race, back in the field. But they raced hard and made up positions.

With 50 laps to go, there was a fierce battle for the lead between Steckly and Beauchamp. Behind them, Gaunt, Kennington et Ranger fought for third place.

Steckly held the lead until the last restart that came with just 6 laps to go. Action raged for every position in the field. The chequered saluted Steckley’s victory. He finished ahead of DJ Kennington, John Gaunt and Andrew Ranger who vaults on top of the point standings.

“We knew we had a good car. It was just a matter of being patient,” said Steckly after the race.



photo:Matthieu Lambert - Auto123.com
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada