NCATS: Miguel Duhamel will race at St-Eustache this Saturday

ST-EUSTACHE, QC - July 2nd, 2008: The negotiations started just over a week ago and the public's interest was already very high. It was officially announced last night by the event promoter Alan Labrosse that Miguel Duhamel will take part in this Saturday's National Kodak 250 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race, "THE" short-track race of the year in Quebec. The last hurdle was overcome late yesterday afternoon with NASCAR's approval to let the multiple AMA champion race.

It will not be Duhamel's first time out in a NASCAR. Miguel drove a solid first race in fendered cars on the road course at Mosport International Speedway in 2007. However, it will be Miguel's first time on an oval. He will have to learn quickly since he will test a NASCAR Cummins Pro-Truck to familiarize himself with the St-Eustache oval and will also participate in that series' 2 race on Saturday! Miguel will be at the wheel of the Interstate Batteries Pro-Truck taking Steve Ladouceur's vacant seat due to Ladouceur's injured hand. It is an all or nothing weekend for Duhamel and when one knows this amicable motorcycle racer, it is truly all or nothing for him… all the time.

Duhamel will drive the #8 car prepared by the Bossisio / LBR team and will be supported by GAIN and Habitations Éric Alary who also supported Andrew Ranger's Daytona effort in February. The car is a recent acquisition from André Coursol.

A STORIED CAREER
It has been close to 10 years since Miguel Duhamel, now aged 40, and has not participated in a race in the province of Quebec. The last time that occurred was with the RACE motorcycle championship in the early 90s. Miguel was also part of a demonstration run at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve as part of Champ Car race in 2004. A Las Vegas, Nevada resident, Duhamel has the most wins of any rider in the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) in the United States. He has won no less than 86 times, 5 of those at the famed Daytona 200 and has 8 AMA championships to his credit. Miguel will be back in the saddle of his Honda on July 20th at Laguna Seca in California.

It may be Miguel's first time on an oval track, but all who know of his natural talent will tell you that he will not be there to be a mere observer but will give his best effort for an exciting event. The event will be electrifying as the other Quebec drivers all have good reasons to race their hearts out.

Andrew Ranger is defending his championship title this season, in front of his family and friends, at his "Home Track" and wants to do well. Alex Tagliani will take no prisoners as he is participating in his first full season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire championship and had clocked the second fastest time at St-Eustache in practice before the event was postponed to July 5th. Finally, Patrick Laperle, defending Quebec LMS champion wants to turn heads in his first series start. Laperle has won 2 of the 3 events in which he took part at Autodrome St-Eustache. He will be at the wheel of the Montreal Auto Prix car despite several alluring offers to participate in events elsewhere. Laperle is, according to many observers, a podium contender for the National Kodak 250.

ANDRÉ COURSOL RE-REGISTERS FOR THE EVENT
One can take a racer out of the race but can't remove the race from the racer. This old adage is quick applicable to André Coursol who officially confirms his return to the National Kodak 250 this Saturday. After having sold his race car to the Bossisio / LBR team a little over two weeks ago, he came to an agreement with Yannick Bardieux to use the NASCAR recently acquired from Trident Racing at the end of last year's season. Bardieux, an ex-road course racer planned to return to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this season, but a much awaited sponsorship deal never materialized and had to put his plans on hold.

"We have come to an agreement to run the car here at Autodrome St-Eustache in the National Kodak 250 under the Carquest banner but first things first, let's pass the technical inspection with the car. Our arrangement is to get past this first step in exchange to participating in the main event. That way, the car will become a hotter property. And who knows…," confirmed Coursol, specifically not finishing his last sentence. The entire team is now busy preparing the car for this weekend.

Finally, there are 5 Quebec born drivers registered to participate in this weekend's National Kodak 250. It is worth noting that along with the 250 lap main event of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the Cummins Pro-Truck with 2 races, the Sport Compacts and the Modified Legends will all be part of Saturday's spectacular line-up.

The music group "Dizzy Racer" will also return to the stage and the Celebrity Race will make up part of the day's full schedule. There are numerous artists who have accepted the promoter's invitation to take part in a special race in Mini Cup cars. Amongst the local celebrities, Michel Barrette, Annie Pelletier, Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse, Marc-André Grondin and Laurence Leboeuf plan to take the wheel of these unique racing machines. A few other names are expected to be added in the coming days.

NASCAR fever is best treated by coming to Autodrome St-Eustache this Saturday where fans can witness the racing from close… very close. The grandstand seating allows for uninterrupted views of the track all the time. It is yours to see.

For more information, please visit: www.autodrome.ca

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 From: Autodrome St-Eustache