WHITLOCK NINTH IN SEASON OPENER AT BARRIE

May 22, 2006, Barrie, ON: Dave Whitlock in the #39 NTN-Bower/NMT Dodge Charger finished ninth in the CASCAR Super Series season opener at Barrie Speedway today. The Go-Racing.ca 300 was delayed one day due to bad weather but the drivers finally took the green flag late Monday afternoon.

Whitlock qualified 9th for the Go-Racing.ca 300 by time trialing 11th quickest and finishing 5th in his 50 lap qualifier. "The car was decent but we were a little disappointed with our qualifying effort," stated Whitlock. "The car was great in practice but got a little tight in the 50 lapper."

The NTN-Bower/NMT Dodge Charger ran as high as third over the 250 lap event but late in the race they lost a lap when Whitlock was turned around in turn three by another competitor. The #39 Dodge Charger driver fought back to a 9th place finish one lap down to the leaders.

"We probably had a top five car today," stated Whitlock "but we got spun out late in the race and couldn't get in a position to make our lap back. But all in all it was a decent day."

Finish 1. #22 Scott Steckly 2. #4 Don Thomson Jr. 3. #84 J.R. Fitzpatrick 4. #10 Doug Brown 5. #9 Mark Dilley 9. #39 Dave Whitlock.

 

Unofficial point standings show Dave Whitlock tied for 8th place with D.J. Kennington.

The next event on the schedule is June 10th at another short track bullring - the Autodrome St. Eustache just outside Montreal, PQ. Team Whitlock know how to win on this track so look for them to be up front again this year.