Photo by Todd Lewis

September 28 2008. Driver Brad Graham and the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team have been on a charge in the late stages of the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season. With every increasing momentum the team scored yet another top-five finish to close out the final round of the season with a fourth place finish at the Dodge Dealers of Ontario Ram 250 at Kawartha Speedway.

It was a tough start to the day for the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team. Lap times during practice were impressive but the story was different during qualifying. “Our Goodyear tires have been great all year” said Brad Graham, “but for some reason we had a set that grew a little funny during time trails and we just didn’t get the performance we were expecting” he added.

Graham would start the 250 lap feature event deep in the field at fifteenth spot. The Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge would not be there for long. With track conditions noticeably different from qualifying that were much better suited to the cars set up Graham took off toward the front of the field. “We just started picking off positions one at a time and next thing you know we’re inside the top-ten and heading for the front” he stated.

Graham would continue the push forward with his smooth handling Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight race car and continue to gain more positions as the laps ticked away. “We just kept our nose clean and stayed out of trouble and got ourselves into the top-five” summarized Graham.

Knowing he had a race car that could run up front Graham began to look ahead to how the final third of the race would play out. “We were up there battling with third and fourth place runners trying to set ourselves up to be in a good spot for the finish” said the driver. It was at this point Mother Nature would exert her forces on the field.

The race was halted on lap 174 of the scheduled 250 due to persistent showers. Graham would have to accept a fourth place finish but couldn’t help but wonder what might have been if the final laps had been run. “We weren’t trying to be too aggressive with that many laps to go” he said. “The Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge was pretty good. It’s a real bummer that NASCAR chose to end it early. I think we had a good enough car certainly to finish on the podium and maybe for the win”.

Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team finished the season tenth in the overall points standings.

The Full Throttle Team will celebrate the 2008 season at the annual awards banquet on October 25th. This season teams raced from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season are also be broadcast on TSN.

September 21 2008. Driver Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team once again put on a strong performance during round number twelve of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series, the Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 this past weekend at Riverside Speedway near Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The consistent effort all season long by the entire team was rewarded with another top-ten finish.

The Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge suffered a setback during practice when a tire blew out and Graham brushed the wall. “It hurt us a bit spending about half the session making repairs to the suspension” said the driver. “We lost a lot of track time still managed to qualify top-ten which was pretty good” he added.

As the race began Graham would show his trademark steadiness running lap times that were very consistent. Running with the front group as the race was yellow flagged near the 1/3 point the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team made a pit stop for fuel and handling adjustments. “All day we concentrated on making the car good under long green flag runs and we wanted to continue with that strategy” explained the driver.

The Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge crew would make another scheduled stop for fuel and tires later in the race giving the Graham the best car possible for the end of the race.

As the race laps ticked away Graham would keep the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge up around the top-five but his abilities were becoming restricted. “I was really only able to run on the bottom” said Brad. “Anytime we got up into the outside groove the car would push and having a number of quick cautions at the end also cost us since we were better on long runs”.

In the closing laps Graham was trying to gain every spot possible in the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge when he came in contact with the #9 car. Immediately backing off so as not to cause a serious incident the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge was struck by the #39 car. “It got pretty crazy in those last ten laps or so” said the driver. “I just tried a bit too hard and got off the throttle right away when I realized it and we got touched up and spun around. That’s just racing hard at the end for every spot by everybody.

Graham would recover from the spin and get the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge moving in the right direction and come home with a sixth place finish. “It was something at the end to see cars three and even four wide here, but that’s the great thing about this track is that it’s wide and you can race high or low. I’m sure it was a really good show for all the fans that came out and packed the place and hopefully we can do it again next year” he concluded.

With another top-ten finish Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team sit ninth in the overall points standings.

The Full Throttle Team is back in action this coming Saturday, September 27thfor the final event of the 2008 season at Kawartha Speedway. This season teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

September 7 2008. The Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team showed themselves as a strong contender during round number eleven of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series at Barrie Speedway on Saturday night. The choice between tires and track position would cost the team an even better finish.

Right from the start of the 300 lap main event driver Brad Graham knew that track position at the tight 1/3 mile oval of Barrie Speedway was the key to a solid finish. Graham moved the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge forward in the early going and put the team in a good position. “The car worked well and we got some track position in the early going. We got shuffled back on a restart so we decided to come in and make our pit stop for right side tires are the mid point of the race” said the driver. “Our plan was to make another stop for lefts later on” he added.

With fresh rubber Graham would again make his way forward in the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge and have no difficulty running up front with the leaders. “We got up to second and ran mostly top-five for a lot of the race and knowing how important track position is here at Barrie we decided not to make another stop” said the driver.

In the closing laps of the race the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge lined up third for a restart and the worn tires left the Graham wanting more. “On the restart we were slipping and sliding a bit, there was a bit of oil dry on the track that didn’t help and once you start getting pinched down, one by one we lost a few places at the end.

Graham would battle hard in the closing laps and claim a ninth place finish, the fifth top-ten of the season for the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team. “It would have been nice to get a better finish but the car hardly has a mark on it, we ran up front all night, we finished in the top-ten, those are all good things” said the driver.

The Full Throttle Team returns to the track at Riverside Speedway in Antigonish, Nova Scotia for the next event on Saturday September 20th. This season teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

August 31, 2008. The Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team prepared diligently for the Coke Zero 200, round number ten of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this past weekend at Cayuga Speedway. Unfortunately a tough break would not allow them the finish they deserved.

Prior to the race at Cayuga Brad Graham and the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team conducted a test session with the car hoping to achieve a strong performance. “We tested this car and found some things that made really improved the car under long green flag runs and we were really happy with what we come out of the test with” said Graham.

Puzzled would be the best way to describe the team’s feelings after practice and qualifying. “We didn’t think we’d be as far off the pace as we were” said the driver. “But the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team was still optimistic that the car would perform well during the 200 lap race.

The long difficult day would continue for the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team as the green flag waved. “As soon as the race started we were just getting pulled off the turns” said Graham. “The car was handling well we just didn’t seem to have the speed we expected and that was our first indication that something was wrong, we just didn’t have the power going to the rear wheels”.

Graham would soldier on as best he could with an underperforming car until smoke began to appear from the back end forcing the driver to make the hard left turn behind the pit wall. The Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team would quickly assess that a rear end gear problem was the culprit.

The Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team made repairs as quickly as possible looking to get back on track and gain valuable information. “The whole team did a great job to get the work done quickly” said Graham. “We got back out to pick up whatever points we could and get some more information for Barrie next week and of course coming back here to Cayuga next year. We haven’t had any sort of a gear problem in about nine years so this is really not something we would expect. The whole team does such a solid job of preparing the car but you can’t prepare for a part problem”.

The Full Throttle Team gets back in action this coming Saturday September 6th at Barrie Speedway. This season teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

August 17, 2008. The Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team had their hands full with a loose handling race car for much of the weekend at round number nine of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series this past weekend at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. Despite the handling difficulties, contact from another car and a tough call by NASCAR, driver Brad Graham still managed to post a top-ten finish.

Photo Credit: Todd Lewis

Adjusting to changing conditions every weekend is just part of the job for the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge crew. The complicating factor at Trois-Rivieres was that despite sometimes radical adjustments the car continued to show a loose condition. “I don’t know what the exact reason was but we just had a loose car all weekend” said Graham. “We really tried some dramatic things to get it to come around after qualifying” he added.

A disappointing sixteenth starting spot was not the position the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team wanted but quickly their fortunes began to change. “The car was certainly better in the race” and we just took our time and started to pick ‘em off one by one. Before too long we were running seventh or eighth and it was looking pretty good”.

The Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team would face adversity again with contact from the 02 car. “I saw him coming up behind me as we got to corner two and I was going to give him lots of racing room but he didn’t wait to see that and kind of ran right over top of me”. Despite a torn up race car Graham soldiered on. “We had a loose car this weekend and ripping the back end off only made things worse. I don’t think he did it on purpose but it basically took me out of the race”.

Hampering the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team further was a black flag penalty from NASCAR to address the body work on the car. The frustrating part is we ran a bunch of laps after the incident and had a full course caution but got no word from NASCAR about the car. It wasn’t until we got back to green flag racing that they ordered us to make the pit stop, I certainly would have done it under yellow had we been told of the problem.

Even with everything seeming to work against them Graham pushed the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge as hard as he could and when the checkered flag waved came home with a top-ten finish. “I guess if you told me we’d have this kind of trouble and still come out with a top-ten I’d be happy. But our car was a lot better than that and we certainly could have come out with a better result.

With the tenth place finish Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight team gain one spot in the overall championship and sit ninth with four races remaining.

The Full Throttle Team is back in action on Saturday August 30th at Cayuga Speedway just outside Hamilton, Ontario. This season teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

Full Throttle Dodge Charger on Mosport Oval
Photo Credit: Rod Henderson www.canadianracer.com

FULL THROTTLE TEAM SUFFERS FLAT TIRE EARLY AT MOSPORT

August 10, 2008. The Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team had high expectations for the Full Throttle 200 this past weekend at Mosport Speedway. After having to wait until Sunday to run the race due to persistent showers the team’s fortunes changed in the opening laps due to a flat tire.

The Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge showed great speed during practice and the entire team was set for another great afternoon as the green flag waved on Sunday afternoon. “I got hit on the first lap by the #7 car and that broke the valve stem on the left rear tire and that set us back right away” said a disappointed driver Brad Graham after the race. “Because of the flat we had a little trouble getting the car up in the air and unfortunately that put us down a lap right away”

Despite the early setback the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team would continue to press hard for the rest of the race. “The car was pretty good all day” said Graham. “Our focus had to change going down laps early to try and salvage as many points as we could and the team worked hard it all day”.

For the balance of the afternoon Graham would clock consistently quick laps and as other competitors had their difficulties he would pounce on the opportunity. “We didn’t have the fastest car on the day but certainly in the top –five” said Graham. “I was racing hard to try and get as many points as we could, but I also didn’t get in the way of the race leaders, and I’m sure that when the circumstances are reversed they would do the same for me”.

The Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team continued to charge hard until the checkered flag and gutted out a fourteenth place finish. “I definitely wanted a better final result in the Full Throttle 200 but our team gave everything they had today” said an appreciative driver.

Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight team are tenth in the overall championship standings with five races remaining.

The Full Throttle Team returns to Quebec for the next round of the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule. The green flag will wave Sunday afternoon August 17th for the teams at the Gran Prix of Trois-Rivieres. This season teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

August 2, 2008. The Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge hit the track in Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for round seven of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season with plenty of optimism after showing how strong their car could be at the last few events. That speed was evident early on, but a disappointing qualifying time hampered their overall finish.

Through the practice sessions the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge was among the quickest cars. Unfortunately for the team and driver Brad Graham they were off just a bit in qualifying. “We missed it a bit” said the driver. “After how well we’ve qualified this year I really expected us to be better”.

Forced to make up ground during the race Graham set about moving the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge forward. Graham used his driving abilities and was also benefited with a couple of full course caution periods that would keep the field from getting too strung out. “I just looked for opportunities to make up some ground” said the driver and we managed to gain some spots”.

With a relatively short 100km feature event Graham did his best to gain as many positions as possible. When the checkered flag waved he would finish tenth. “When we come to this kind of a road course and come away with a top-ten it’s pretty good” said the driver. “The car was pretty beat up after last week. We had to replace suspension, body panels and a bunch of other stuff just to get ready. It was a really great effort by the whole team; they deserve a big pat on the back for their efforts. After a couple of road races back to back we’re looking forward to Mosport and the Full Throttle 200”.

Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight team scored their fourth top-ten finish of the season in Montreal and sits tenth in the overall championship standings.

The Full Throttle 200 at Mosport Speedway is the next event on the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule and takes place this coming Saturday night August 9th. This season teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

July 26, 2008. The Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team arrived in Edmonton for round six of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season and were once again among the quickest cars on the race track all through the Indy weekend. Unfortunately a bump from behind robbed the team of a finish at the front of the field.

The weekend got off to the rough start for driver Brad Graham and the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team. During the first practice session a power steering line broke dropping fluid on the track and sending the car into the concrete wall. “It was a pretty hard hit” said the driver afterwards. “Harder than we certainly needed”. The Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team made quick repairs and had Brad back on track to complete the session.

Graham showed the speed of the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge again during qualifying as he posted the fourth quickest time of the session to claim a starting spot on the outside of row two. “It seems to be our spot” said Graham. “This is the third time we qualified fourth. The team did a great job working on the car after our bump in practice”.

For the thirty two lap main event Graham knew a cautious approach was the way to proceed. “This track changes a lot so we planned for that in our race set up. We might not be the fastest car right away but we’ll be around at the end”.

The strategy appeared to be working perfectly. Graham did surrender a couple of positions in the early part of the race but had climbed back into fifth spot when outside circumstances took over. As the race restarted following a caution period the Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge was sustained contact from the #17 car from behind and sent into the outside wall. “I thought the top-five were starting to get away from the rest of the field but we got bunched up again because of the caution flag” said Graham. “My car took a lap or two to really get back up to full speed and the #17 car dove up inside, he tagged me from behind. I got up into the marbles and hit the tire barrier” is how he assessed the incident.

The Full Throttle Fury/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team completed repairs enough to finish the race and were classified eighteenth. “We were in good shape for a top-five finish for sure but instead we’ve got a wadded up race car. We’ll get back home as soon as we can and do our best to get ready for Montreal” said the disappointed driver.

Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight team remain in ninth spot in the overall championship standings.

The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series returns to the East for the next event this coming Saturday August 2nd at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. This season teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

GREAT FINISH GOES AWAY FOR FULL THROTTLE TEAM

July 20, 2008. The Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team were poised for an excellent finish in round number five of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Sun Valley Speedway near Vernon, BC this past weekend.

Despite a tireless effort to prepare and adjust the car, using the right strategy and being in a position to show well at the end of the race a mechanical breakdown eliminates them from contention.

Sun Valley Speedway is a beautiful race track that the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team has enjoyed success at in the past. Knowing exactly what they wanted in the set up of the car they went to work and achieved the fourth quickest time during qualifying. “This track changes so much that you really have to be on your game” said Brad Graham. “Knowing the characteristics we got the car ready for how the car would work as the race went on”.

Early on in the 300 lap main event the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge car dropped a few positions but the team wasn’t worried. “The car was a bit loose, we expected that and we made a pit stop to help with the handling and everything was great” said Graham. “We were running up front, we ran second for a long time and we started to get loose because our tires were giving up and we just waited for a yellow to make the change”.

As the race moved through the middle stages the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team knew their race plan would put them in good position for the late stages. “Our pit stops were great tonight” said the driver. “Our strategy was working perfectly, we had our new tires. We were back up front just taking it easy and waiting for the end. We were definitely on our way to a great finish”.

With less than fifty laps remaining the Full Throttle Blue Demon/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team would suffer a terminal mechanical failure under the hood. An extremely disappointing end to a promising night. This team did a great job today” said a disappointed driver afterwards. “We put ourselves in the right position to succeed but unfortunately sometimes you have a failure that you can’t control”.

Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight team remain in ninth spot in the overall championship standings.

FULL THROTTLE TEAM SCORES ANOTHER TOP-TEN FINISH

July 6, 2008. The Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team were looking to continue the momentum they had generated a week ago with another satisfying race result as teams returned for the make up date at the Autodrome St. Eustache and 250 laps of racing this past weekend.

The Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight Dodge team had their work cut out for them in the early going as practice did not go well at first. But diligence and another solid team effort got them back in the fight.

“I’m not really sure why but we struggled at the start of practice, then we found some improvement at the end of the session” said driver Brad Graham. Unfortunately for time trials we drew the second spot and had to go out on a pretty green track and that set us back. We were only off a couple of tenths but everybody is so close that we ended up further back than we expected”. Graham would start the 250 lap feature from the twelfth position.

Using the improved handling car Graham moved the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight Dodge up into the top-ten and continued to try and work forward. “The car was definitely better we were just surviving, kind of minding our own business. When we got our four tires on we had pretty good track position and we were optimistic”.

Following the tire change however, something was amiss with the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight Dodge. “I’m not sure if the tires didn’t react as we expected but the handling of the car just went away toward the end of the race” said a puzzled driver. “In the last few laps we were just hanging on, the car was not very good in the last fifty laps, the car was pretty loose off the corners”.

Graham would us all his skills as a driver and complete the race with a ninth place finish. “A top-ten we’ll take it, but we thought we should have been better” said the always hungry for more success driver. “I’m ready to get going out west; we had a race win a couple of years ago at Sun Valley and our team likes racing there.

With the ninth place finish, Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Logel’s Auto Parts/Challenger Motor Freight team move into ninth spot in the overall championship standings.

The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season will be back in action on Saturday July 19th at Sun Valley Speedway near Vernon, BC with the first of two events in Western Canada. This season teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

FULL THROTTLE TEAM HAS TOP-FIVE FINISH AT BARRIE

June 29, 2008. The Full Throttle/ Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge with Brad Graham behind the wheel came ready to attack the very challenging 1/3 mile oval track at Barrie Speedway for round three of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. They worked hard and were rewarded with their bet finish of the year.

Right from the beginning of practice team expectations were high. “We knew this car was going to race well at this track” said Graham. “We qualified eighth which isn’t bad but we expected even more for the race” he added.

When the green flag dropped for 300 grueling laps of racing Graham eased the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight car through the early stages. “We were doing okay through the first part of the race, but not great so we decided to make a bold move with our strategy.

Even before the race was 100 laps old the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team made their one necessary stop for tires and fuel to go the rest of the distance. “We thought that we’d give ourselves the option to go the rest of the way” said Graham. “The idea was to put ourselves in a good position late in the race.

All was going well for the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team when a serious problem surfaces. “We were in good position, the pit stops were cycling through, we were getting our track position back and then just past halfway the power steering went. On a restart I was trying to go up the inside to take the lead as it went away and I had to back out or there would have been a big pile up”.

Graham persevered and manhandled the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge back toward the front. “Late in the race the car was a handful and some of the other guys had fresher tires, so we made the right call to pit again an get some fresh tires to help with the handling”.

With improved performance Graham was able to wrestle his way forward in the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight car and claim a fifth place finish. “It’s a good thing I had a Full Throttle Energy drink before the race” said a fatigued Graham afterwards. “There’s no way I could have handled a car with no power steering without it. This is a great result for our team and gives us a big boost heading into next week”.

The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season will be back in action for the rescheduled event at the Autodrome St Eustache on July 5th. Teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

FULL THROTTLE TEAM FIGHTS TO THE FINISH

June 15, 2008. The return of the Full Throttle Fury Red car with Brad Graham behind the wheel appeared to be on track for a solid finish at round number two of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Mosport. However when the rain came it spoiled the Fathers Day party that the Full Throttle Fury / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team had planned.

With a top-ten qualifying effort the Full Throttle Fury / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team began the 51 lap race under sunny skies and cruised in the top-ten for the early part of the race. “The car was good, it was one of the fastest cars we’ve ever had here” said Brad Graham afterwards. “We even got up into the top-five and when we made our scheduled pit stop we had a problem with our fueling system”.

During the pit stop the fuel from the gas can was not flowing into the car’s fuel cell. This would force the team to make an extra stop to correct the problem and add fuel.

As Graham began to try and make up positions in the Full Throttle Fury / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge weather would then become the issue. “I was just coming down the straightaway, and all of a sudden boom, rain soaked the track and we wound up in the tire barrier”.

The Full Throttle Fury / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team called Brad to the pits for rain tires and to try and repair some of the body damage. “It was just chaos from then on” said a dejected driver afterwards. “Our car was really consistent every lap, but a couple of bad breaks really cost us. We’ll just have to go back to the shop and be ready to go at Barrie” he concluded.

The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season will take next weekend off, and resume competition at Barrie Speedway on June 28th. Teams will race from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

BRAD GRAHAM & FULL THROTTLE TEAM FAST BUT FOILED IN SEASON OPENER

May 25, 2008. Debuting new colours for competition, Brad Graham and the Full Throttle Blue Demon / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team started off the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire series racing season serving notice that this team is ready to compete. If not for some tough luck late in the season opening race at Cayuga Speedway a top-five finish was there for the taking.

Leading up to the Crown Jewel 200 the #19 Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team had been working almost non-stop to prepare their car for competition. During practice the lap times continued to improve and Graham scored the fourth quickest laps for a second row starting spot. “We’ve definitely figured some things out with this car and I’m happy about that” said the driver “but this is only step one. We have to remain focused on being in a good position at the end of the race”.

Starting up front certainly makes that easier; and when the green flag waved Graham had the #19 Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge running comfortably with the leaders. “I was happy the car was good, it was a little free at the start but as the sun went down it tightened up. I wasn’t pushing the car at all” said Graham. “I was just biding my time, taking care of the tires and making sure we had something for the end of the race.

Following the team’s scheduled pit stop they were in excellent position for a great finish. “We had a good stop for fuel and tires, the car was getting better, we were running fourth and in excellent position for a top-five finish for sure, and then we had a right rear tire go flat. Unfortunately we waited a bit too long to come in and gave up a lot of track position”.

Having to battle back through the field the #19 Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team also endured a lot of punishment from other cars. “It’s tough when you have to get by so many cars, it’s inevitable that you’re going to get bounced around a little” said the driver.

The team’s difficulties didn’t end there. After fighting back to at least salvage a top-ten finish the #19 Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge would finish the race with another flat tire, and have to settle for eleventh at the finish. “It’s pretty frustrating” said Graham afterwards. “It’s not the finish we deserved, but hopefully this bit of bad luck is behind us now. We know we have the goods to be very competitive. It was a great job by the whole team to get us ready for the year”.

The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season resumes at the Autordrome St. Eustache on Saturday May 31st and will consist on thirteen events from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.

Photo Caption: Brad Graham in the Full Throttle Blue Demon heading out for practice at Cayuga Speedway.

BRAD GRAHAM & FULL THROTTLE TEAM SET TO RELEASE THE BLUE DEMON 

May 12, 2008.  After what was a disappointing 2007 season in terms of on track performance, Brad Graham and the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team are working harder than ever to be ready for 2008.  The team got their first taste of on track action this past weekend at Cayuga Speedway and liked what they found.  

It’s been a busy off season for the #19 Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight team as they have completely rebuilt their car for the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season.  “We spent a lot of time working on the car leading up to the test at Cayuga” said Graham.  “It’s no secret we struggled for part of last year but as we dug deeper into the characteristics of this car we learned a lot and it helped us out so much.  Right from the start of the test day at Cayuga this car was very good.  We’re extremely happy with how things went on the track”.   

With only days until the 2008 season kicks off at Cayuga Speedway on May 24th optimism and excitement is the attitude around the shop.  “Last season is gone and forgotten” said Brad Graham.  “Can’t event see it in the mirror we’re so far past it and focused on what’s happening this season.  Our team has another year of experience, Mike Knott my crew chief, Bill Dobson the chief mechanic and the rest of the guys are really pumped up to get going and get the Blue Demon car out”. 

Last season the Full Throttle / Logel’s Auto Parts/ Challenger Motor Freight Dodge featured the original Full Throttle paint scheme at the oval races and Full Throttle Fury red paint for the road courses.  For 2008 Brad and the team are set to release the Blue Demon look.  “The Blue Demon car is going to look good when it’s completed, we only had some of the logo’s on for the Cayuga test but the car will look great, we’ll have the Full Throttle Fury read for road courses again, and we’ll probably also see the Full Throttle original at a few races too”. 

Also returning to the fold this season are long time supporters Logel’s Auto Parts and Challenger Motor Freight.  “John has been great to our team for several years” said Graham.  “It’s not just the sponsorship but John has also worked as spotter, his involvement has really helped us.  And of course Challenger Motor Freight has supported our team for many years and we’re thrilled to have them back with us again”.    

The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing season opens Saturday May 24th at Cayuga Speedway near Hamilton, Ontario and will consist on thirteen events from coast to coast in Canada on challenging oval tracks, temporary street circuits and road courses. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca  and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca  All races this season will also be broadcast on TSN. 

A little taste of the Blue Demon, Brad Graham on the track at Cayuga Speedway.

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618