NCATS: Dilley fourth in season opener

HAMILTON, ON - Mark Dilley in the No. 9 Dodge/Leland Industries Dodge Avenger held on for a fourth place finish in the Crown Jewel 200 at Cayuga Speedway on Saturday evening.

Dilley's Avenger was good right from the time it was unloaded and the team was happy with the lap times they posted in practice. Qualifying was another story as the No. 9 Dodge driver only managed a thirteenth place starting position.

"I wasn't happy with my qualifying effort tonight - maybe a little winter rust on the driver's part," stated Dilley after qualifying.The Crown Jewel 200 was a different story though as Dilley put the pedal down and headed for the front.

By lap twenty the Dodge driver was already up to fifth. After coming to pit road for service at the half way point of the 200 lap event, Dilley's crew performed the necessary service on the car and had him back out in fifth for the second half run to the finish.

Earlier in the event Dilley's No. 9 Dodge Avenger got together with another competitor which knocked the front end out of alignment and it was a battle over the final 100 laps to hold onto the fourth place finish.

"I was really happy with the set up on the car tonight but after we got tagged on the front wheel by another car early in the race it was a handful," stated Dilley after the race. "The car just didn't handle as well after that but a fourth is a good way to start the season."

Dodge cars took five of the top seven finishing positions 1st. No. 22 Scott Steckly, Dodge 3rd . No. 60 Ron Beauchamp Jr., Dodge 4th. No. 9 Mark Dilley, Dodge 6th. No. 77 Derek Lynch, Dodge 7th. No. 39 Dave Whitlock, Dodge.

The Crown Jewel 200 from Cayuga Speedway will be broadcast on TSN, Friday May 30th at 12 midnight ET. Next up is the National Kodak 250 from Autodrome St. Eustache just outside of Montreal on Saturday May 31st.

Mark Dilley was on the podium, finishing third in 2006 when the CASCAR series was last at St. Eustache. Time trials are at 5:15 p.m., followed by the Autograph Session at 7:15 and the Kodak 250 will follow at 8:35 p.m.

For more information on tickets and directions please visit www.autodrome-st-eustache.com
For more information on the Mark Dilley and all the Dodge racing teams please visit www.mopar.ca and follow the links to motorsports.

From Linda Jones / Wide Open Motorsport Solutions