DRIVERS TO WATCH
hopes for defending his title. Watch for Steckly to challenge again in 2010.
KERRY MICKS During the off-season, Kerry Micks
added Dickies to his sponsorship team after Dave Whitlock (who was sponsored by Dickies in recent years) retired after a long and glorious career. Micks, from Mt. Albert, Ontario, didn’t
win any races or poles in 2009, but his five podium finishes were good enough to se- cure fifth-place in the final points. This for- mer Canadian national stock car champ is a hard-driving veteran who still has what it takes to win on ovals and road courses, so don’t be surprised if he’s in contention as the season reaches its climax.
DON THOMSON JR. During the final years of the CASCAR
Super Series, Don Thomson Jr. won five consecutive National titles, and two cov- eted Eastern championships before that. Thomson and his Home Hardware-spon- sored, Fitzpatrick Motorsports crew com- bined fantastic preparation, great driving and good luck into a recipe for success. No one batted an eye when Thomson
won the first-ever NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race, at Cayuga Speedway, in May 2007. And while he’s won five races and sat on the pole numerous times in the past three years, Thomson has endured unchar- acteristically bad luck at the worst pos- sible moments. If he’s able to turn the tide of for-
tune, Thomson (sixth in the points in ’09) will definitely be a contender to win yet another Canadian stock car championship.
JASON HATHAWAY Jason Hathaway broke through to
victory lane in the final race of the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season. Never a strong qualifier, he has a knack for quietly improving his posi- tion over the course of the race. That said, the Appin, Ontario driver
will need to improve on his qualifying efforts if he’s going to contend for the title. No podium results in 2009 and just two top-five finishes left him sev- enth in the standings and looking to re- bound in 2010.
ANTHONY SIMONE Anthony Simone scored impressive road course results at Mosport and
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Trois-Rivières in 2009, finishing second at both venues. He proved capable on ovals, too, finishing fifth at both Delaware and Auto Clearing Motor Speedway. While still searching for a primary sponsor for his team, the Holland Landing, Ontario racer is intent on improving on his eighth-place points effort in 2009.
MARK DILLEY Following a lengthy run driving out of
the Whitlock Motorsports stable, Mark Dil- ley has now partnered with Scott Steckly’s team, driving the No. 9 PartSource / Exide Dodge. In addition to driving, the Barrie, Ontario resident is also busy managing and promoting the newly rebuilt Sunset Speed- way, located just south of his hometown. Dilley won an early pole, at Delaware,
in 2009 and finished strong with a runner- up result at Barrie and a third-place effort at Riverside. If Dilley adjusts to his new equipment and surroundings, he should be able to challenge for oval wins and a higher points finish.
J.R. FITZPATRICK After running a reduced NASCAR Cana-
dian Tire Series schedule in 2009, J.R. Fitz- patrick is back behind the wheel of his No. 84 Chevrolet on a full-time basis in 2010. Talented and fearless when it comes to making the winning move, the Cambridge, Ontario racer is a threat to win on ovals
DJ Kennington (17), Scott Steckly (22),
Mark Dilley (9) and Anthony Simone. PHOTO BY JOE HAMILTON
and road courses. In fact, he already made the trip to victory lane this season after winning at Mosport International Raceway on June 13.
OTHERS… Andrew Ranger has a full-time racing gig
in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, but he also plans to drive Dave Jacombs’ No. 27 Lou’s BBQ / Dodge Dealers of Quebec Dodge as much as possible. The Roxton Pond, Quebec racer won’t win his third NASCAR Canadian Tire Series title, but it’s a safe bet he’ll figure in races he attends… Jason White has come a long way since his successful Canadian Tire Series rookie cam- paign in 2008. The No. 21 A&W Chevrolet racer is doing everything he can to con- tinue his growth curve, in hopes of break- ing through to the next level… John Gaunt and Jason Bowles will share the driving du- ties of the Gaunt Brothers Racing (GBR) entry in 2010. Gaunt will race on the ovals, while Bowles – the reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champ – will guide the No. 11 Triad Dodge in select road races. By all indications, the team will be strong on both types of venues… Former CASCAR Super Series Rookie of the Year Peter Shepherd will also compete on a limited oval sched- ule this year. His McColl-built car looked strong in the Delaware opener, so watch for this experienced youngster to challenge for checkered flags.
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