Thomson Outduels Steckly At SunValley
Steckly was in position to collect his third straight NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio win before Thomson made the pass for his first win of the 2008 season and his third overall in the series.
Thomson became just the second driver in the series to win a race from the pole position. Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Wal-Mart/Tide Ford) pulled off the feat in 2007 at Mosport International Raceway. It was Thomson’s fourth pole of the season.
“We have been qualifying great all year, but it wasn’t turning into good results for one reason or another,” said the driver out of
Steckly was seemingly headed for another win, but his Dodge was a handful as the race was reaching its conclusion.
“It was just too loose to hold him off,” said Steckly. “I had to be careful going into the turns and wait to get on the gas. I was trying to make the car as wide as possible, but (Thomson) is too good for that.”
Finishing with a Canadian Tire Series career-best finish in third was John Gaunt (No. 12 Centennial Chrysler Dodge).
Rounding out the top five were Mark Dilley (No. 9 Dodge/Leland Industries Dodge) and D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/Haldex Dodge).
The early going was highlighted by a spirited battle between Thomson and Kerry Micks (No. 02 Beyond Digital Imaging Ford). On lap 82, Thomson got into the back of Micks in Turn 3 causing Micks to slide into the outside retaining wall. Under the ensuing caution Micks made contact with Thomson’s Chevy on the front stretch. Micks’ Ford, however, had to be retired before NASCAR officials could assess a penalty.
Overall in the race there were 16 lead changes involving nine drivers and the race was slowed for caution nine times for 77 laps.
Unofficially in the championship point standings, Steckly now has a 111-point advantage over Thomson.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio continues its swing through western
NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES presented by SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO-A&W Cruisin' The Dub 300 UNOFFICIAL Results
Saturday
At SunValley Speedway
Lap length: 0.5 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (1) Don Thomson, Jr.,
2. (5) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Dodge, 300, $6,900.
3. (14) John Gaunt, Barrie, Ont., Dodge, 300, $6,740.
4. (3) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ont., Dodge, 300, $4,940.
5. (6) D.J. Kennington,
6. (8) Derek Lynch, Warkworth, Ont., Dodge, 300, $3,140.
7. (9) Jason White,
8. (19) Todd Nichol,
9. (16) Dave Whitlock, Petrolia, Ont., Dodge, 292, $2,465.
10. (17) Peter Gibbons, Stouffville, Ont., Chevrolet, 291, $2,250.
11. (10) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Ford, 280, $2,015.
12. (18) Kent Nuhn, Williamsford, Ont., Chevrolet, 268, engine, $1,880.
13. (15) Anthony Simone, Holland Landing, Ont., Chevrolet, 267, engine, $1,745.
14. (4) Brad Graham, Glencoe, Ont., Dodge, 255, engine, $1,610.
15. (12) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ont., Dodge, 255, $1,555.
16. (11) Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ont., Dodge, 244, rear end, $1,500.
17. (13) Alex Tagliani, Lachenaie, Que., Ford, 241, engine, $1,450.
18. (2) J.R. Fitzpatrick,
19. (7) Kerry Micks,
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 2 hours 21 minutes 19 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.307 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: . ( mph, seconds)
Caution Flags: 9 for 77 laps.
Lead Changes: 16 among 9 drivers.
Lap Leaders: D.Thomson,Jr. 1-80; K.Micks 81; D.Thomson,Jr. 82-128; A.Ranger 129-133; A.Simone 134-135; M.Dilley 136-141; A.Simone 142-178; R.Beauchamp,Jr. 179-208; D.Kennington 209-218; S.Steckly 219; D.Kennington 220-221; S.Steckly 222; D.Kennington 223; S.Steckly 224-279; J.Gaunt 280; S.Steckly 281-291; D.Thomson,Jr. 292-300.
Standings: 1. S.Steckly, 900; 2. D.Thomson,Jr., 789; 3. D.Kennington, 772; 4. A.Ranger, 715; 5. P.Gibbons, 705; 6. D.Lynch, 704; 7. K.Micks, 700; 8. J.Fitzpatrick, 694; 9. B.Graham, 671; 10. M.Dilley, 653.
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