036_053_IT_1503_Inside Track Master Quark 8 5/3/2011 12:47 PM Page 46 nacsar canadian tire series canadian tire nacsar Courtesy of Mopar (Above) Ron Beauchamp’s new #60 Mopar Challenger has a distinctive look. (Far right) Isabelle Tremblay is going for the NCATS Rookie of the Year award in 2011. ncatS challenGer Set to deBut new body for the mopar-powered cars is just one of several new developments for 2011 By greg MacPhersoN include Pete Shepherd III, the winner of last with aero in this division. But I don’t have he fifth season of the NASCAR Canadian year’s Kawartha finale, and others who will a wind tunnel.” TTire Series will present several signifi- concentrate on the road courses. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (and cant changes. The 12-race series kicks off Uncertain is the status of two-time series its predecessor CASCAR) has always May 28 at the Mosport Speedway oval. champion Andrew Ranger, who is always placed a premium on making sure its Missing from the schedule are traditional competitive when he’s in the NCATS field. racecars closely resemble their street- stops at the Edmonton Indy and Montreal’s The new Dodge Challenger will be very going namesakes. That makes the work Autodrome St-Eustache. New for 2011 is noticeable when the cars take to the track. of developing new bodies a collaborative the series’ inaugural stop at Montreal’s Developed by Tony Novotny’s Performance process. ICAR facility (on June 5). Fiberglass and NASCAR, the body is unique Novotny continued, “We were ap- With a total of five road course events on and reminiscent of the Challenger in use on proached about the project in the latter the schedule, more than ever Canada’s na- the NASCAR Nationwide Series. part of last year. We got final approval in tional stock car championship will require Talking about the new Challenger, late December, and in January, the Chrysler strong road racing skills to succeed. Novotny said, “I think it’s cool. It’s obvi- people saw it and liked it… so we finished Reigning series champion DJ Kennington ously something that NASCAR approached it off. We delivered 10 cars and they all will be back to defend his title in his No. 17 us about doing. We had to conform to the went out on Feb. 12. We’ve been building Castrol Dodge. existing template rule, but I think it defi- them ever since. There are going to be a lot Chasing him will be a mix of challengers nitely is a nice looking car. of Challengers out there. including veterans like Kerry Micks, Jason “It’s a third or fourth generation car to “Fortunately, NASCAR is in line with Hathaway, Mark Dilley, Jason White, Scott what we’ve been doing. We’re made some continuing to keep the appearance of Steckly, Jeff Lapcevich, Ron Beauchamp Jr. subtle changes that will help driver visibil- the NCATS cars close to the real thing. and others. ity, within NASCAR’s rules. It’s within all the That’s good. In the long run when it’s Five-time Canadian national stock car rules. It was quite a challenge given that sitting there, you can tell what it is and champ Don Thomson Jr. has yet to an- the Challenger is a two-door coupe. Every- that’s a good thing. It looks like it’s sup- nounce that he has a ride and his former one seems pretty happy with it.” posed to look.” teammate at Fitzpatrick Motorsports, J.R. Discussing the car’s most prominent Several teams will continue to work Fitzpatrick, recently unveiled a busy Nation- feature, Novotny continued, “The nose is a through their existing stock of Avenger wide and Sprint Cup program that could controversial piece. It’s flatter and has a bodies, making both the Avenger and the preclude his participation in the full convex area. Some people are worried that Challenger legal options for the Mopar- NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule. it might not be as aerodynamic, but it’s powered teams. The heavy road racing component and similar to the Nationwide Series Chal- Visit hometracks.nascar.com for more in- the busy travel schedule have led several lenger and those cars have been winning formation about Canada’s national stock car teams to announce partial schedules. They races. There shouldn’t be any concerns series. • 46 ITMN 15.03 / May–JuNe 2011 036_053_IT_1503_Inside Track Master Quark 8 5/3/2011 12:47 PM Page 47 noel doWler to Go racinG tion, Simone has scored podium finishes and “I am the mother of a wonderful 13 year old pollo Motorsports – the most successful op- looks to keep the momentum the team had last boy Tommy-Jo and with his support and that of Aeration in the history of the former CASCAR season going in 2011. “Our partnership with tremendous partners I’ve chosen to set aside my Super Series West – is making its return to Donald Meade has been even more successful career goals for the time being to devote myself Canada’s top stock car series in 2011. than we first imagined,” said Simone. “Since 100% to racing,” said Tremblay. “I am partnered Noel Dowler, the son of five-time CASCAR coming together last year we have better re- with a championship team at Dave Jacombs Rac- Super Series West champ Kevin Dowler, will be sources, we’ve got new race cars coming, and ing for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. In the partnering with DJ Kennington’s DJK Racing for a we’re expanding into a two car team even Formula 1600 tour we’re partnering with David seven-race program that includes all five road quicker than we anticipated. Dan Clarke is a tal- Clubine and for the Sportsman Series at St. Eu- course events and the two western oval races. ented driver and I know he’ll adapt to these stache I’m in the capable hands of my Isa Racing Noel Dowler, 18, is an experienced kart racer stock cars and running on oval tracks quickly.” Team” she added. and has been preparing for his NCATS debut by After successful seasons in the British Formula Tremblay took part in four NCATS races in taking the Bondurant School, in Arizona. Ford and Formula Three series, Clarke headed for 2010. “Those races allowed me to adapt to this “Our plan was to connect with a solid, front- North America and turned heads competing in very powerful 3,000 pound race car and remove running team with a proven track record,” said the Champ Car World Series and Firestone Indy some of the nervousness as I embark on this sea- Kevin Dowler, of Sherwood Park, AB. “We were Lights with great results. For Clarke joining Si- son,” she continued. “I’ve been very busy this also searching for a trustworthy individual, so all mone-Meade Autosports in the NASCAR Cana- off-season attending the Michael Lower race the arrows pointed to DJ Kennington.” dian Tire Series is just the latest challenge for school at new Smyrna Speedway in Florida and In terms of equipment, Apollo purchased the the gifted racer. the Bob Bondurant road racing school in core components of a California-based NASCAR “I’m extremely excited about this opportunity Phoenix, Arizona. I’m positive I can make some K&N Pro Series West team, a new road course car to race in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,” stated good steps forward this year.” • - By Todd Lewis from Kennington, and a pair of spec motors. The Clarke. “I want everyone to know I’m coming here crew will include several members of Dowler’s with a lot of excitement and eagerness to race and former #35 team, as well as some existing DJK learn with my fellow competitors...” • JeFF lapcevich - From Todd Lewis Racing staffers. EMCO, one of Dowler’s long-time eff Lapcevich’s Tim Hortons-sponsored NASCAR backers, will Noel’s primary sponsor for 2011 JCanadian Tire Series entry will look familiar and 2012. this season, but plenty has changed with the Hamilton, ON-based team. The team will be based out of DJK Racing’s St. Isa Racing Thomas, ON shop. Dowler continued, “Dave Lapcevich recently acquired the services of ‘Whitey’ White [Kennington’s crew chief] has veteran crew chief Tim Ellas, and the team been working countless hours on the car and switched to Dodge Challengers for 2011. we’re looking forward to getting back into stock “All of the changes we made this winter were car racing again, starting at ICAR [in Montreal] in done so we can contend for wins,” said Lapce- early June.” vich. “Tim Ellas brings proven success to the In addition to mounting his own NASCAR team, and with him calling the shots in the pits I Canadian Tire Series title defense in 2011, Ken- feel we are in a great position to challenge for nington recently announced he will be preparing our first NASCAR win.” the #21 A&W Dodges for Jason White and is ex- The cars were serviced in the Fastline Motor- pected to supply cars for series veteran Pierre sports shop in Hamilton, but they will be race- Bourque’s partial schedule. prepared by Ellas in Dave Jacombs’ shop for the - By Greg MacPherson race season. “We have great people in the shop,” said Simone-meade autoSportS Lapcevich. “Don Barnhart will remain the car n late March, Simone-Meade Autosports an- iSaBelle tremBlay chief, but working with Tim and Dave Jacombs Inounce plans to campaign two full-time entries ust one month prior to the start of the NCATS gives us the expertise to make the best decisions in the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.