Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Sometimes everything goes your way, and sometimes it doesn’t.
While luck fell Jason Hathaway’s way last year en route to a runner-up finish in points, this year isn’t quite as good.
He has been quick in each of the five races this year, including leading 31 laps at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, though only has two top-10s recorded. Ranging from late-race bump out of the lead, to late-race mechanical failure to wrecks, it seems if it can happen, it has happened this year.
Saturday’s Honda Indy Toronto was another chapter in the book as while running in the top-five, Hathaway went for a spin, falling back to 16th. With numerous laps eaten up under caution, he was only able to make it back up to 11th by the checkered flag.
Notably, track position was at a premium all day with the temporary street circuit being tight throughout for all the drivers. The challenge was made even tougher this year with pit road being moved from the frontstretch to turns nine through 11 due to hotel construction.
“It’s really tight,” Hathaway told OnPitRoad.com. “From what I remember, it was a lot wider the last time we raced here – where now it’s follow the leader through there, probably drag race down the frontstraight with guys.”
Currently sitting ninth in points, Hathaway says the rest of the year isn’t going to be focused on looking at the standings, but rather going after wins.
“For me, the way the season has gone, points don’t matter right now,” he said. “I’m going for wins and going for no holds bars – that’s the rest of our season. We’re going all out, grab a couple wins and see where we end up at the end of the year. The championship is kind of out the picture. I wouldn’t say totally, but a good 90 percent.”
Going for wins is something Hathaway knows how to do as he won three races last season, including the last two races on the schedule at CTMP and Kawartha Speedway.
Despite the rough moments, the driver of the No. 3 Raybestos, Choko, Fast Eddie and HGC Chevrolet has kept a smile on his face the entire time.
“I’ve been doing this long enough and for me, there’s more to life than racing right now,” he said. “I’m doing this more for fun and sponsors, and for our family business with Choko and Fast Eddie and HTC and the people that help us out. For me, I’ve had my ups and downs in racing and there are more downs than ups so you got to handle the downs worry about the celebrations.
“It’s hard, but I’ve been through it long enough so I got it figured out pretty good.
