The Canadian Racing Season Begins February 7, 8, & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre
(TORONTO, ON // FEBRUARY 6, 2014) As has become tradition in recent years, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will play a very prominent role at the Canadian Motorsports Expo this coming weekend. The show takes place February 7, 8 & 9 in Hall 5 of Toronto’s International med Centre, across from Pearson Airport.
The core of the series’ display will be the massive hauler that serves as the base of operations for Canada’s national stock car championship during race weekends. It will be surrounded by six of the series’ immaculately prepared stock cars. The display will be staffed by NCATS series officials, who will offer impromptu, escorted tours of the hauler and answer questions about the series, throughout the weekend.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race cars on display in front of the NCATS hauler will be:
– The No. 02 Ford driven by Kerry Micks and Mark Dilley
– The No. 3 driven by Jason Hathaway
– The No. 5 Dodge of Noel Dowler
– The No. 18 of Alex Tagliani. *
– The No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge of three-time NCATS champ Scott Steckly
– The No. 25 driven by Joey McColm
The following NCATS cars will be on display in other booths at the CME:
– The No. 17 Castrol Dodge of two-time NCATS champion DJ Kennington will be at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park booth.
– The No. 47 driven by Louis-Philippe Dumoulin will be on display at the Eibach Canada booth.
In addition to the impressive display featuring the cars and hauler, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series’ drivers and officials will be busy during the weekend, making announcements, hosting a driver information seminar and signing autographs for the fans.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
On Friday (Feb. 7) at 1:30 p.m., Canadian racing star Alex Tagliani* (right) will unveil his new racing team and program during a press conference at the NCATS display. The versatile racer, who has competed in IndyCar, NCATS, sports cars and karting during his career, is excited about announcing his big news at the NASCAR display at the CME.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8
On Saturday (Feb. 8) at noon, Alex Tagliani will take to the Inside Track Stage at the CME to share his news with the fans, before heading to the NCATS hauler to sign autographs.
Then, starting at 1:30 p.m. (Sat.) in the NCATS display, fans will get a unique opportunity to watch the process of ‘wrapping’ a NASCAR stock car. Over the course of a few hours, the No. 02 Ford of veterans Kerry Micks and Mark Dilley will be transformed from its 2013 livery, to the colours and scheme that it will take to the track in, for the start of the 2014 Canadian Tire Series season.
At 2:00 p.m. (Sat.), NASCAR Sprint Cup star Ryan Newman will join several NCATS drivers at the Canadian Tire Series hauler for a group autograph session, following Newman’s on-stage Q&A and autograph session.
At 3:30 p.m., NASCAR will host its first ever Driver Information Session at the CME. NCATS Series Director Alex Nagy will be joined by NASCAR’s International Competition Liaison, Joe Balash, for a one-hour discussion with racers and teams who are curious about how they can get involved with Canada’s National NASCAR series. NASCAR officials, including Nagy and Balash, will also be at the NCATS hauler throughout the weekend to answer questions.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
On Sunday, February 9, at 11:45 a.m., three-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Scott Steckly will be on the Inside Track Stage at the CME for a presentation and announcement regarding his upcoming season. Several other NCATS drivers are also expected during this 30-minute Q&A session, which takes place immediately prior to NASCAR legend Richard Petty taking to the stage for his Q&A.
NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES AT THE CME:
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is Canada’s top professional racing series. Since 2007, the series has travelled across Canada, thrilling fans while earning a reputation for exciting racing on ovals and road courses, at some of the country’s top motorsports events.
“We’re looking forward to connecting with the fans and racers at the Canadian Motorsports Expo,” said Series Director Alex Nagy. “Over the years, our focus has been to bring awareness and exposure of the Canadian Tire Series to the fans, and to show them some of what goes on behind the scenes. The CME gives us a relaxed, preseason opportunity to speak with the drivers and the teams, and it also allows us to connect with other members of the motorsports industry.
“We’re also excited about the Driver Information Session on Saturday afternoon. It’s taking place prior to the Short Track Night of Champions awards presentations, which will honour champions from every short track oval and series across Ontario. We congratulate all of them on their success in 2013, and we’d like to invite those racers and any others who are interested in learning more about the Canadian Tire Series, and how to get involved, to attend our seminar at 3:30 Saturday, in Aviation Room C.”
ABOUT THE NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES: Created in 2007, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is Canada’s only professional racing series. Utilizing strictly enforced technical specifications, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series provides a balanced playing field for the competitors, guaranteeing intense, wheel-to-wheel competition. The series takes place on a mix of oval, road course and street course venues across Canada. In its seven year history, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series has crowned three different champions, with drivers Andrew Ranger and DJ Kennington each claiming the championship on two occasions. Last September, Scott Steckly became the series’ first three-time champion. For a full race schedule, race reports and regular series updates, visit the NASCAR website, www.nascarhometracks.com and click on the Canadian Tire Series tab.
ABOUT THE CME: The 8th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News takes place February 7, 8 & 9, 2014 in Hall 5 of Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport. The show features motorsport content geared to racers, fans and automotive enthusiasts. NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Ryan Newman will be at the CME on Saturday, February 8. Richard Petty, the seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and winner of seven Daytona 500s and 200 Sprint Cup races will be at the CME on Sunday, February 9. Former Truck Series champ Mike Skinner will also be at the CME on Sunday. For information about the show, including news, schedules, exhibitor info and more, call (416) 962-7223, or email info@CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com. The CME’s website is located at www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.
