October 27, 2008. Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware Chevrolet team had a very successful season in the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire series (NCATS) series. While they came up a little short in the overall championship fight, the Home Hardware team can be proud of their accomplishments that were recognized this past weekend at the year end award ceremony.
Starting up front in a race certainly goes a long way to helping you achieve a good result. Well nobody did it better than the Home Hardware team in 2008. Thomson would record a staggering seven pole position starting spots in the thirteen events. “It really shows what a good job this team does every week at the race shop getting this car ready for the weekend” said Thomson. “All the Home Hardware guys work really hard so that when we get to the track the car is ready to go. If you don’t have to spend all your practice time working on the set up so the car handles properly it really gives you a leg up” he added.
While Thomson was the winner of the first race of the season during the inaugural year of NCATS competition it wouldn’t be until mid July that he would score his first win of the season, a memorable outing at Sun Valley Speedway. The Home Hardware Chevy looked to have little difficulty in the first half of the race as Thomson led all but one of the first 128 laps. However contact a flat tire and a spin would result in the Home Hardware Chevy going to the back of the pack and down a lap. “Things didn’t very good but the Home team never panicked” said the driver. “We got new tires and just slowly started to make our way back to the front”. Thomson would put the Home Hardware Chevrolet back into the lead with just eight laps remaining to claim the victory.
Thomson’s other victory this season at Riverside Speedway was nearly as memorable. Forced to make a pit stop due to body work that was dangling loose, again Thomson would run from the back of the pack toward the front. And when the two leaders came together the Home Hardware Chevrolet was in position to take the lead and claim the checkered flag. “It was pretty unusual, but I’ll take a win any way I can get it” said Thomson afterwards.
This past weekend at the year end awards ceremony Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware team were recognized with the following accomplishments: The Tow Truck in a box Free Pass award, given to the driver who receives a free pass during a race and has the best overall finish. The NCATS Pole Award for a record seven pole position starts during the season. The Home Hardware Team also finished second in the overall championship standings.
As always, Don Thomson was quick to pass along recognition to those that have helped achieve such great success in 2008. “I have to thank John Fitzpatrick, without him I wouldn’t be here. Sandy Hamilton, our crew chief made some great calls this season. Everybody on the Home Hardware team and Fitzpatrick Motorsports, we all work together, we’re one family and they all do a great job. And of course Home Hardware for their tremendous support of our program”.
The 2009 NCATS racing schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks and the Home Hardware team is already beginning to prepare for the next racing season. For information about the NCATS including stories, results and more, log onto www.nascar.ca
Photo: #4 Home Hardware Chevrolet victory lap at Riverside.
Photo Credit: Todd Lewis
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
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