the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series tour, 2011 Rookie of the Year Louis-Philippe (LP) Du- moulin has benefited from the tutelage of team owner Scott Steckly and could be poised for a breakout season.
A talented road course veteran in both sport and formula cars, Dumoulin earned his first Canadian Tire Series pole position last year on the streets of Trois-Rivières en route to a run- ner-up race result. Admitting that he’s still “learning the ovals,” Dumoulin guided his No. 47
WeatherTech.ca / Bellemare Transport Dodge to four top ten results, including a sev- enth place finish, on circle tracks last year. But by all accounts, Dumoulin has proven to be a quick learner and is no doubt destined for bet- ter oval finishes this year.
JASoN HATHAWAy
After struggling through the 2011 campaign with a broken wrist suffered in an early season crash, Jason Hathaway rebounded last year, taking his No. 3 Rockstar Energy / Snap-On Tools Dodge to three podium finishes en route to seventh place in final point standings. Equally comfortable on road courses and ovals, as demonstrated by his consecutive run- ner-up results at Motoplex Speedway (oval) and Edmonton City Centre Airport (road course) last year, Hathaway has the potential to make his move into the top three. Throw in some twists of fortune for his rivals, and Hath- away could make the leap onto the top step of the championship podium.
RoN BeAuCHAMP JR.
On paper, Ron Beauchamp Jr. has all the pieces in place to make the charge for the championship.
But of late, it’s been that mysterious ‘racing
luck’ aspect that’s been the missing element. Should the racing gods smile on this talented veteran, this could be the year that the No. 60 MOPAR / Pennzoil Dodge carries the Windsor, Ontario driver toward the champi- onship trophy.
NoTABleS
As previously noted, race wins do not a championship make, but there are many other drivers who are not necessarily in the title chase who could claim wins and upset the championship chase by stealing points away from their rivals. Two-time series champion Andrew Ranger will make selected appearances in the Cana- dian Tire Series this year and is always a threat to win when he’s in the field. Similarly, Pete Shepherd III is also planning a limited sched- ule but is always in the hunt when the series visits the ovals.
Road racing ace Jeff Lapcevich will remain true to his ‘quality over quantity’ philosophy and will take part in a partial schedule. His runner-up result in the season opener at Cana- dian Tire Motorsport Park indicates he’s upped his game for 2013.
But when it comes to veterans and their achievements, few rival the driving tandem of Kerry Micks and Mark Dilley. Once again this year, they’ll share the driving duties in the No. 02 Ford.
Both are former Canadian National stock car champions, and whether it’s Micks piloting the car on road courses or Dilley taking the wheel at the ovals, don’t be surprised when it turns out that the No. 2 is in contention at most of the races.
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