June 15, 2008. John Ryan (J.R.) Fitzpatrick and the #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet team had a difficult start to the racing weekend at round two of the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season this past weekend at Mosport Raceway. But hard work, some aggressive driving and a little racing luck put the #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet in victory circle on Father ' s Day.
After only a single qualifying lap on Saturday, a engine problem would end their session early and would also have the team hustling to complete a motor swap in time for the green flag. “The team was a bit frustrated after the troubles, but after we all calmed down and worked out our strategy for Sunday we came back energized said Fitzpatrick. “We had a good third place starting spot and a strategy for the race and we just kept sticking to it” he added.
In the early part of the race Fitzpatrick would have little trouble staying at the front of the field with the leaders. “I was just trying to save my stuff” said the driver “I got burned a little with that last year. Things just kept playing out the way we hoped, we pitted when we wanted to and I just kept trying to save my stuff for ten to go”.
A complicating wrinkle in the afternoon plans came in the form of heavy rain showers that had all of the competitors scrambling. “Right when it started to rain (Alex) Tagliani got into me and blew out the left front tire and fender, as it turned out it was almost the perfect opportunity to come in and put rain tires on.
The grooved tires helping Fitzpatrick move the #84 Chevrolet toward the front of the field when a late race caution would bunch the teams up for a green/white/checkered finish to the race. “We had a lot of luck on our side today” said Fitzpatrick. “When the race restarted I stuck it on the outside of everybody, I think I was in the grass for about sixty feet trying to pass everyone. I was trying to wipe the rain out of my eyes, it was really wild, the last two laps were just a blur.”
Fitzpatrick would complete the comeback on the final lap as he passed teammate Don Thomson Jr to take the lead for the first time on the final lap and claim his first victory since
J.R Fitzpatrick and the Fitzpatrick Motorsports team will be back in competition for round three of the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Saturday June 28th at Barrie Speedway. The 2008 schedule will take teams to the east coast and western
Photo Caption: J.R. Fitzpatrick #84 Chevrolet on grid at Mosport. JR Fitzpatrick (middle) celebrates victory at Mosport with third place finisher teammate Don Thomson Jr. (right) and runner up DJ Kennington (left)
Photos by Todd Lewis
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
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