@Dirty_Fast_03 •@BrightonSpdwy •ROSSMORE, Ont. – June 16, 2016 – Justin Ramsay has adversity head on during his roller coaster ride over the past month. Ramsay went from zero to hero in one week and was embroiled in a tough battle last week. In all, the Rossmore native remains at the top of the 2016 standings through the middle of June.
Ramsay’s hit a season low on May 28 when the power plant expired on his Empey Tire/K-D Transmissions No.03 on the final lap of the feature, dropping him to 10th, his lowest finish so far this season. However, with the help of longtime supporter Barry O’Connor and Jimmy Chapman, Ramsay returned to action the following week.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them,” Ramsay said. “It was awesome.”
Ramsay returned the following week to win his second Brighton Automotive Pro Stock feature of the season on June 4 at Brighton. The win was the proof in the pudding for Ramsay, who felt he needed to find another level to get the better of his competition.
“Everybody’s been on their game this year and I was sleeping a little bit, but I feel like I’m headed in the right direction,” Ramsay explained. “I’m just changing some stuff and doing things a little bit differently than last year.”
Last week, Ramsay turned in an impressive second-place finish following a fierce battle with longtime rival Doug Anderson. Ramsay was forced to the back after spinning with nine laps to go, but still managed to return to second and challenge Anderson for the win on the final lap. The two drivers made contact multiple times on the last lap before the checkered flag.
“I switched my line and went to the bottom. I fit in a small spot. Technically we were door-to-door. My nose was at his driver’s door, but he didn’t leave enough room between me and an implement tire and I climbed up his left front tire,” Ramsay said, offering his point of view of the battle.
Regardless, there’s no love lost between the two drivers and Ramsay emerged with a second-place finish. He’s happy with his start to the season. Through six weeks, he holds a 150-point advantage in the championship standings, but don’t tell him.
“I race every weekend like they’re five points behind me. I don’t really points race. I just race and try and get the win as many times as I can,” Ramsay stated.
“I could have stuck with second and not even tried to pass Doug last week, but in my eyes that’s not racing. I wanted to put on a show. We were racing door-to-door and things got a little dirty,” Ramsay added.
In addition to his own car, Ramsay has been wrenching on the No.78 ABC Taxi Canadian Modified driver by his girlfriend and teammate Shelby Mills. The extra work helps him develop new ideas for his own car. Ramsay’s teammate away from home, Jason Fontaine, who races at Port Colborne, Ont.’s Humberstone Speedway, is also helpful as the two drivers pilot similar Camaro cars.
“He and I are throwing ideas back and forth every week. We talk all the time,” Ramsay said of his relationship with Fontaine. “I just want to keep consistent and try to figure the car out a little bit more. It’s a lot different than it was last year. I guess changing the body made a big difference.”
Ramsay has been strong so far this year. If he finds more speed from his hot rod, it’s a scary proposition for the rest of the field.
SEASON STATS
7 Races – 2 Wins, 6 Top-Fives, 7 Top-Tens
UP NEXT
June 18 – Brighton Speedway Larry’s Towing Pro Stock Triple Crown Race 2
KEEP UP WITH JUSTIN
Facebook: facebook.com/DirtyFastRacing
Twitter: @Dirty_Fast_03.
Justin Ramsay’s 2016 Pro Stock season is supported by several dedicated corporate sponsors, including: Empey Tire, KD Transmission, ABC Taxi, APC Auto Parts Centres, Just Havin’ Fun, Hotch’s Auto Parts and Dirty Fast Racing.
Prepared By Clayton Johns Media
claytonjohns@hotmail.com
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