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For the 100th time in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series history, the drivers are set to put on a thrilling show for the fans. This weekend’s Budweiser 300 at Autodrome Chaudiere marks a huge milestone for the series, with the 100th event in series history.
The series kicked off in May of 2007 at Cayuga Motor Speedway, and has since visited 17 different tracks across six provinces, producing 15 different winners among 148 competitors. Interestingly, there are only three drivers that have run each of the three races in the series’ history – Jason Hathaway, D.J. Kennington and Scott Steckly.
Jason Hathaway won the inaugural event at Autodrome Chaudiere last year, leading 177 laps en route to scoring the victory. He didn’t have an easy way to victory lane, though, having to out-duel Mark Dilley in the closing laps to score the victory. The ovals have marked Hathaway’s spot of expertise, scoring five podium finishes last year. Each of his five career wins have come on the ovals, and notably he has posted 43 top-10s with an average finish of eighth in 63 starts.
2010 and 2012 Series Champion D.J. Kennington is currently tied with Andrew Ranger for most wins in the series at 19, and currently ranks second in series history in laps led. He also knows how to be solid behind the wheel, currently boosting a streak of 62 straight races without a DNF. The ovals are the spot where he has had the most success, scoring 16 of his 19 victories on those events; he is currently tied with Steckly for most wins on an oval in series history. Notably, he has an average finish of sixth and 54 top-10s in 63 career oval starts. His first trip to Chaudiere ended solidly, as well, with a seventh place finish. He also enters this weekend with momentum, following a fourth place finish at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
Three-time Series Champion Scott Steckly looked to be en route to a top-two finish at CTMP, but a late race incident with Ranger resulted in a finish of fifth instead. All 16 of his career wins have come on the ovals, and he has posted 40 top-fives with an average finish of sixth in 63 oval starts. He also found the quick way around Chaudiere last year, finishing fourth.
Gary Klutt started off his season on the biggest high, scoring his first career victory in the season opener at CTMP. He has made only one previous oval start, finishing 22nd at Kawartha Speedway last year. The driver of the No. 59 CLT Corp./Legendary Motorcar Dodge has gone to work at the ovals since then, though, as he was one of the drivers testing at Sunset Speedway a week ago.
Mark Dilley will make his 2015 debut this weekend as he is splitting the schedule once again this year with Kerry Micks. Last year at Autodrome Chaudiere, he ran up front all race long, leading 60 laps en route to finishing second to Hathaway. Each of his three career wins and three poles have come on the ovals, with an average finish of eighth in 61 oval starts. Dilley hopes this weekend marks his first trip to victory lane since winning at Barrie Speedway in 2011.
Alex Labbe has made only two NCATS oval starts, Riverside International Speedway and Autodrome St.-Eustache last season. He started on the pole at St. Eustache, while scoring a second place finish at Riverside. Given his late model experience at Chaudiere, he should be one to watch this weekend.
J.F. Dumoulin will be making his oval debut this weekend in his 21st career NCATS start. Dumoulin has momentum on his side, though, as he finished third at CTMP in May.
Two-time Series Champion Andrew Ranger hopes this weekend marks his 20th career win so he can break the tie between him and Kennington for most wins all-time in the series. In his 41 career oval starts, he has scored four wins, 31 top-10s and posted an average finish of seventh. Last year, the tight bull ring didn’t treat him well as he crossed the finish line in the 12th position.
Erica Thiering made her series debut last year at Chaudiere, crossing the line in the 13th position. She continued to get stronger as the year went on, posting a top-10 finish in the second half of the season. Partnered with Canada’s Best Racing Team this year, she could break through for her first top-five this weekend.
Alex Tagliani qualified fourth for last year’s race at Autodrome Chaudiere and ran inside the top-five throughout the race, before contact with the wall resulted in a 14th place finish. In 11 oval starts, he has a pole, three top-10s and a best finish of fifth coming at Auto Clearing Speedway last year.
Marc-Antoine Camirand will be making his second career oval start this weekend after finishing 17th last year in the season finale at Kawartha Speedway. Camirand has proven that he can get it done on the road courses, posting a podium finish at CTMP last year. The question is now how quickly the White Motorsports driver will adapt to the ovals.
Defending Series Champion L.P. Dumoulin finished fifth in last year’s inaugural race at Chaudiere, and hopes to keep the positive momentum rolling after a sixth place finish in the season opener. In 25 career oval starts, he has a win, 14 top-10s and an average finish of 10th. It is clear that his strength is the road courses, but he has continued to get stronger with each oval start over the course of his career.
Joey McColm didn’t kick off the year as he wanted, finishing 18th at CTMP. He knows how to run well on the ovals, given his experience through the years in a variety of different racecars. Last year, though, Chaudiere wasn’t his best friend with a 16th place finish.
Cayden Lapcevich made his NCATS debut at CTMP last month, finishing 17th following issues on pit road mid-race. That event not only marked his first NCATS race, but his first on a road course. This weekend, though, this is the type of event that it is in his wheel-house, given his extended oval experience through the years. Lapcevich is a solid darkhorse pick for this weekend, as he could offer a surprise for everybody in attendance.
Anthony Simone showed speed on each of the oval events last year, but had a bunch of bad luck to match it. After running into motor issues at CTMP, he is hoping to bounce back in style this weekend.
Matthew Scannell got better throughout the season last year en route to winning the Rookie of the Year Award, highlighted by an eighth place finish in the season finale at Kawartha Speedway. He’ll hope to carry that positive momentum into this season with an even stronger performance.
Dwayne Baker made his NCATS debut at Kawartha Speedway last year, not having the performance that he wanted in finishing outside of the top-15. His team has gone over the car throughout the off-season, and spent time testing to get prepared for this year. The 2014 Sunset Speedway Limited Late Model Champion is hoping that all pays off in the form of success this weekend.
