Whitlock returns
to Quebec; nabs pole for NASCAR 500 and finishes 8'th
Autodrome Ste Eustache hosts Canada’s first ever 500-lap race
Ste Eustache QC – Aug 14 04: Fresh off Mark Dilley’s victory last weekend at
Barrie Speedway, Dave Whitlock took the Avenue / NMT / Unitane #39 Dodge
CASCAR Sportsman to victory in his 25-lap qualifying event on Saturday as
things heated up for the country’s longest race. It had been planned for
over a year, and thirty-six entries stepped up for their shot at the ‘ten
thousand to win’ on Sunday. This is a very flat 4/10 track that offers up
lots of challenges for every driver and crew, but Whitlock’s victory there
in 2001 offered up enough experience to earn the pole in qualifying for the
Ste Eustache 500 NASCAR.
After leading laps early, Dave fell back a few spots to
bide his time for a few hundred or so. But after the second last caution
with less than twenty to go, it was time to step up. The #39 Dodge was
heading to the front. But he wasn’t the only one in a hurry and, in the
battle for third, he ended up on the wrong side of a small contact that
ended in a spin. Whitlock looped it quickly and powered back into the race
to end up in 8th, still on the lead lap. CASCAR regular DJ
Kennington cashed in on the big bucks driving a locally owned car.
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"When we figured 500 laps would take over two hours if it went caution free,
it sounded like fun" said Whitlock of Wyoming ON, who then tabled his
guestimate of four hours fifteen minutes – which turned out to be just about
on the money. "We had a great car but the rules did not favour our CASCAR
Dodge. They did the best they could to make us all equal but their local
cars have lighter suspension and lower center of gravity so on a long green
run, our tires would go away sooner. I really had to drive hard the whole
race to keep on the lead lap, yet try to be ready at the end. I think we
were good enough to give DJ a run there at the end, but we just didn’t get
the chance." Eighteen cars completed the race.
Pit strategy is no stranger to the Whitlock
team and played into the long-race planning. They changed nine tires in
total and kept working on the adjustments with every stop.
Thanks to JF and staff at Ste Eustache for
pulling it off, and special thanks to Dave & Deb Orosz of NMT for joining
the team this weekend, and for providing assistance for the trip. Together
we all became a little part of Canadian motorsports history.
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