NCATS: Fitzpatrick Motorsports Dodge a handful at Mosport Speedway

August 10, 2008.  The #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Dodge Avenger with John Ryan (J.R.) Fitzpatrick behind the wheel showed plenty of power under the hood at round number eight of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this past weekend at Mosport Speedway.  Channeling all of the horsepower onto the racetrack proved to be a challenge.

 

The Fitzpatrick Motorsports team first used a Dodge Avenger earlier this season and liked the horsepower that was available.  “The car really pulls down the straightaways” said Fitzpatrick following practice.  “We’ve still got some things to learn about how the handling works on the car.  We had this one a Junior Handley’s shop last week trying to help get us going in the right direction” he added.

 

With qualifying washed out the starting grid was set by owner points and the #84 Avenger began the day from the sixth position.  Right from the drop of the green flag it became apparent that more work is needed to reveal the characteristics of this car. “It was push, push, push, push all day long” said a frustrated Fitzpatrick afterwards.  “And as the day went on in addition to the handling troubles, the brakes just don’t seem to last as long on the Dodges”.

 

Knowing the challenges they faced the #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports team would make several pit stops throughout the 200 lap event making at times dramatic changes to try and improve the handling on the car.  Even with their tireless effort they never found a comfortable setting.  “We need a lot more time with this car” said the disappointed driver.  “We’re going back to the Chevy next week and probably for the rest of the year”.  “We’ll keep working at it, gathering as much information as possible but we’re just killing out points.  The points title is out of the question for me so I’m looking at Trois-Rivieres and going for the win”.  

 

With a disappointing thirteenth place result at Mosport Speedway J.R. Fitzpatrick is now eighth in the overall championship standings with five events remaining on the schedule.

 

J.R and the Fitzpatrick Motorsports team return to road racing this coming Sunday, August 17th at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres.  The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule will take teams to the east coast and western Canada where Fitzpatrick swept away the competition last year.  All races will once again be broadcast on TSN.  More information on the series can be obtained by visiting www.nascar.ca 

 

Attached Photo Caption:  #84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Dodge at Mosport Speedway

 

Photo Credit:  Rod Henderson at www.canadianracer.com

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment