CASCAR Castrol Super Series - Chicoutimi Preview
30 June 2000
CASCAR Castrol Super Series East Weekend Preview - AUTOPRO 150 - Autodrome Chicoutimi Castrol Super Series makes inaugural visit to Chicoutimi LONDON, ON - The CASCAR Castrol Super Series makes its second of three visits to Quebec, this weekend, for Sunday's AutoPro 150 at Autodrome Chicoutimi. It will be the Super Series' first ever visit to the 1/3-mile oval, which is located two hours north of Quebec City. Heading into the race, defending Super Series East champion Don Thomson Jr. holds a narrow, 13 point lead over National champion Peter Gibbons, who has a couple of pole positions and second-place finishes so far in 2000, but is still searching for his first checkered flag of the campaign. Thomson has one win - which came June 17 at Mosport Int'l Speedway - and is looking to bounce back after a flat tire dropped his Home Hardware Chevrolet to fifth last weekend in New Brunswick. The hottest driver on the circuit is Barrie, ON racer Al Turner. The Blue Streak Intrepid pilot has collected three checkered flags in five outings this season and looked dominant in Sunday's CARQUEST 200 at New Brunswick Int'l Speedway, beating Gibbons by over seven seconds in an awesome display of power. So far, the only blemishes on Turner's 2000 resume have come following wrecks - at Autodrome St-Eustache and Mosport Int'l Speedway - which leave him fourth in the points. Other than that, he's been perfect. Emerging from his car after his performance in New Brunswick, Turner was ecstatic that his Intrepid was so strong at the finish. The accomplishment was all the more impressive considering his vehicle was all but destroyed on the front-straight at Mosport, just one week earlier. "We were able to put this car back together and it shows what this team can do," beamed Turner, from victory lane. "It was really a sweet victory. We didn't have to block for the win today like we did in the first two races. Those times, we had great strategy but we weren't necessarily the fastest car at the end. To win CASCAR races, you have to be able to win all different ways and it's really nice to be able to win one being fast." Other 'hot' drivers of note include last year's Eastern Rookie of the Year, Scott Steckly. The Milverton, ON racer has finished fourth and third, respectively, in the last two races. Both were career highs for the AW Millwrights-backed Pontiac driver. Also, Speedy Auto Service Taurus driver Dave Jacombs is on a roll this season. The Mt. Hope, ON native currently sits third in the Eastern points. The CASCAR veteran has been fast and consistent this year and looks to be very much in the hunt for his first career Castrol Super Series victory. Weekend Schedule: This weekend's AutoPro 150 at Autodrome Chicoutimi will be a one-day event. The CASCAR Castrol Super Series cars take to the track for time trials at 6:00 on Sunday, June 2. Heat races are slated to start at 7:00, with driver introductions one hour later. The green flag is slated to fall on the 150 lap feature at 8:30 p.m. The ChampCar Lights and Chicoutimi's regular 'Production' class are also on Sunday's race card. CASCAR Castrol Super Series East Point Standings: As of June 25, 2000 - After 5 Rounds: 1. #4 Don Thomson Jr. (Hamilton, ON / Chevrolet / 797 points); 2. #1 Peter Gibbons (Stouffville, ON / Chevrolet / 784); 3. #88 Dave Jacombs (Mt Hope, ON / Ford / 728); 4. #76 Al Turner (Barrie, ON / Intrepid / 722); 5. #64 Mark Dilley (Barrie, ON / Ford / 718); 6. #22 Scott Steckly (Milverton, ON / Pontiac / 701); 7. #33 Neil Fair (Ancaster, ON / Chevrolet / 699); 7. #17 DJ Kennington (St Thomas, ON / Dodge / 699); 9. #98 Dave Whitlock (Petrolia, ON / Ford / 682); 10. #14 John Fitzpatrick (Ayr, ON / Chevrolet / 634); 11. #77 Pete Vanderwyst (St Thomas, ON / Chevrolet / 625); 12. #66 Robin Buck (Oakville, ON / Pontiac / 622); 13. #02 Kerry Micks (Mt Albert, ON / Ford / 610); 14. #04 Andy Farr (Chesterfield, MI / Intrepid / 606); 15. #99 Brad Jacques (Mt Brydges, ON / Intrepid / 602); 15. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. (Windsor, ON / Intrepid / 602); 17. #51 Al Long (Ottawa, ON / Chevrolet / 599); 18. #03 Jason McLellan (Mount Forest, ON / Dodge / 562); 19. #3 Chris Fowler (Stirling, ON / Chevrolet / 524); 20. #27 John Restemeyer (Ottawa, ON / Chevrolet / 522); 21. #80 Donald Theetge (Boischatel, QC / Chevrolet / 518); 22. #5 Nik Lapcevich (Hamilton, ON / Chevrolet / 468); 23. #57 Joe Gonsalves (Concord, ON / Chevrolet / 448); 24. #48 Doug Cathcart (Carp, ON / Chevrolet / 398); 25. #31 Kelly Williams (Inglewood, ON / Ford / 394); 26. #25 Jim Lapcevich (Hamilton, ON / Chevrolet / 388); 27. #07 Sean Dupuis (Windsor, ON / Pontiac / 368); 28. #74 Richard Beauchamp (Ormstown, QC / Ford / 326); 29. #67 Derrick Tiemersma (Newmarket, ON / Pontiac / 310); 29. #23 Jeff Lapcevich (Ancaster, ON / Ford / 310) by Inside Track Communications.
