NASCAR Canadian Tire Series - Micks earns Montreal pole

MONTREAL – Defending NAPA 100 champion Kerry Micks set a track record in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio qualifying at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The driver out of Mount Albert, Ontario worked his way around the 14-turn, 2.710-mile road course in 106.664 seconds for an average lap speed of 91.465 mph.

It was Micks’ (No. 02 Beyond Digital Imaging Ford) first pole of the 2008 season and the third of his Canadian Tire Series career.

“The Beyond Digital Imaging Ford was good right out of the box,” said Micks. “Track position here is not critical but it will be good to start up front have a clean track to work with.”

The previous record was set by J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet) a season ago at 106.755 seconds (91.387 mph).

In tomorrow’s race, Fitzpatrick will start alongside Micks on the front row with a qualifying time of 106.803 (91.346 mph).

Starting third on the grid is Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Wal-Mart/Tide Ford). His fastest lap of the qualifying session was completed in 107.011 seconds (91.168 mph). Starting next to Ranger will be current championship point standings leader Scott Steckly (No. 22 Tow Truck in a Box/Schick Dodge) who timed in at 107.280 seconds (90.940 mph).

NASCAR Road Race style (group) qualifying procedures were used for the session. The field was divided into two groups based on their morning practice times.

The green flag for the NAPA 100 is scheduled to be wave at 10:20 a.m. ET tomorrow. The race will be televised live throughout Canada on RDS.


NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio-NAPA 100
After Friday qualifying; race Saturday
At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Montreal, Quebec
Lap Length: 2.710-mile (road course)
(Car number in parentheses)
1. (02) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert Ont., Ford, 91.465
2. (84) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Cambridge Ont., Chevrolet, 91.346
3. (27) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond Que., Ford, 91.168
4. (22) Scott Steckly, Milverton Ont., Dodge, 90.940
5. (7) Alex Tagliani, Lachenaie Que., Ford, 90.702
6. (4) Don Thomson, Jr., Ayr Ont., Chevrolet, 90.620
7. (1) Peter Gibbons, Stouffville Ont., Ford, 90.441
8. (17) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas Ont., Dodge, 90.317
9. (88) Robin Buck, Campbellville Ont., Ford, 90.277
10. (9) Mark Dilley, Barrie Ont., Dodge, 90.274
11. (3) Jason Hathaway, Appin Ont., Dodge, 90.273
12. (23) Jeff Lapcevich, Grimsby Ont., Chevrolet, 89.672
13. (42) Peter Klutt, Halton Hills Ont., Pontiac, 89.672
14. (39) Dave Whitlock, Petrolia Ont., Dodge, 89.662
15. (19) Brad Graham, Glencoe Ont., Dodge, 89.593
16. (95) Anthony Simone, Holland Landing Ont., Chevrolet, 89.587
17. (29) Pierre Bourque, Ottawa Ont., Dodge, 89.570
18. (25) Jim Lapcevich, Hamilton Ont., Chevrolet, 89.388
19. (60) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor Ont., Dodge, 88.859
20. (10) Doug Brown, Brantford Ont., Dodge, 88.556
21. (56) Joey McColm, Ajax Ont., Dodge, 88.343
22. (94) Didier Schraenen, St. Hilaire Que., Chevrolet, 88.284
23. (69) Trevor Seibert, Williams Lake B.C., Ford, 88.250
24. (77) Derek Lynch, Warkworth Ont., Dodge, 87.924
25. (82) Dave Connelly, Arnprior Ont., Chevrolet, 87.175
26. (12) John Gaunt, Barrie Ont., Dodge, 86.748
27. (21) Jason White, Sun Peaks B.C., Chevrolet, 86.496
28. (71) Bryan Cathcart, Peterborough Ont., Dodge, 85.941
29. (18) Kent Nuhn, Williamsford Ont., Chevrolet, 85.327
30. (44) Jarrad Whissell, Calgary Alb., Ford, Provisional
31. (49) John Fletcher, Ancaster Ont., Dodge, Provisional
32. (72) Ashley Taws, Newmarket Ont., Chevrolet, Provisional
33. (67) David Thorndyke, Oshawa Ont., Chevrolet, Provisional

From Shon Sbarra / NASCAR