NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE
The latest racing weekend proved to be very exciting and rewarding for four of our Quebec drivers.
First, let's talk about the crowning of Andrew Ranger, the 20-year-old from Roxton Pond, Quebec, who performed admirably throughout the entire season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series. He won the championship on Sunday night at the 3/8 mile track of Kawartha, Ontario.
Eleventh on the starting grid, Ranger had to finish no lower than sixth to earn the title, which he did. He benefited from the exit of his lone serious threat, D.J. Kennington, whose Dodge Castrol number 17 suffered from mechanical problems in the 98th lap (out of 250).
The deal was practically sealed for Ranger, but his team still urged him to fight in order to secure one of the top six places, so as to prove he could win the championship on his own and not rely on his opponents' failures.
Ranger did made a mistake during his only stop in the pits; he was penalized one full lap by NASCAR officials (by virtue of an additional pit stop) because he had overtaken a rival near the pit lane as the yellow flag was waved (following Kennington's exit).
The young driver resumed the race dead last but remained focused and methodically passed one veteran after another to finish in sixth place at the end of the 250-lap event. He then became the first-ever champion of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series.
The Ranger clan immediately started to celebrate. Champagne was served under the team's meeting tent. Every crew and family member was spoiled by the official sponsor, Wal-Mart, as were their numerous guests.
The latest racing weekend proved to be very exciting and rewarding for four of our Quebec drivers.
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| Andrew Ranger, the NASCAR Canadian Tire champion. |
First, let's talk about the crowning of Andrew Ranger, the 20-year-old from Roxton Pond, Quebec, who performed admirably throughout the entire season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series. He won the championship on Sunday night at the 3/8 mile track of Kawartha, Ontario.
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| At the wheel of the Ford Fusion Wal-Mart number 27. |
Eleventh on the starting grid, Ranger had to finish no lower than sixth to earn the title, which he did. He benefited from the exit of his lone serious threat, D.J. Kennington, whose Dodge Castrol number 17 suffered from mechanical problems in the 98th lap (out of 250).
The deal was practically sealed for Ranger, but his team still urged him to fight in order to secure one of the top six places, so as to prove he could win the championship on his own and not rely on his opponents' failures.
Ranger did made a mistake during his only stop in the pits; he was penalized one full lap by NASCAR officials (by virtue of an additional pit stop) because he had overtaken a rival near the pit lane as the yellow flag was waved (following Kennington's exit).
 |
| Ranger was penalized one full lap, which meant an additional pit stop. |
The young driver resumed the race dead last but remained focused and methodically passed one veteran after another to finish in sixth place at the end of the 250-lap event. He then became the first-ever champion of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series.
The Ranger clan immediately started to celebrate. Champagne was served under the team's meeting tent. Every crew and family member was spoiled by the official sponsor, Wal-Mart, as were their numerous guests.