(May 23, 2017)- Ayr, ON – Adam Martin finished tenth in the 2017 NASCAR Pinty’s Series opener this weekend. The official results list Martin as the tenth on the lead lap, but that doesn’t begin to tell the story of the weekend.
Martin entered the Can-Am 200 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with just three prior road course races under his belt. The track formerly called Mosport is among Canada’s most challenging race tracks, and throw in torrential rains and it becomes treacherous.
The young racer from Ayr, Ontario, showed great poise completing all the laps and racing among the best in the country to score his great result.
“Nothing could have prepared me for that,” said Martin after the race. “These NASCAR stock cars are tough to control in dry conditions, but racing in the rain made my Johnsonville Ford a real handful.
“I’m proud of how we started the season. We got faster every time we went on the race track, and the team made great pit stops to keep me in contention.”
Martin started 14th in his No. 9 Johnsonville Sausage, Oliviers Chocolates and Candies Ford, and he knew the learning curve would be steep.
Race officials brought all cars down pit road prior to the start on Sunday to allow them to change to wet-track setups .The process allows cars to be outfitted with grooved tires, a brake light for safety, and whatever means the teams choose to keep the windshield clear for visibility.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect when the race started,” admitted Martin. “Visibility was low, and there was nearly no grip at all in the car.”
The talented field of racers contended the early portion of the event on a wet track, but as time went on conditions improved. Most teams switched back to the traditional Goodyear slick tires with no tread to give maximum grip on dry pavement during the race. Martin maintained his position near the front of the pack, but as the race entered its final laps the skies opened up.
A late accident led to NASCAR’s version of overtime. Back on grooved rain tires Martin charged into the top-10, and ultimately crossed the finish line tenth.
“Today was a great learning day,” said Martin. “We raced in every possible condition, and the car was fast throughout the race. This is a great start to our season.”
Martin will continue his quest to earn the Rookie of the Year championship next month when the series visits Delaware Speedway on June 3.
Martin is supported by Johnsonville Sausage, Olivier’s Chocolates and Candies, Reser’s Fine Foods, Secure Drive, STIHL Canada, Little Potato Company and Legacy Auto Leasing as sponsors. –
ABOUT ADAM MARTIN RACING: Nineteen-year-old Adam Martin is in his fourth season of stock car racing competing in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series along. Affiliated with the successful Micks Motorsports NASCAR team, Martin plans to be compete for the NASCAR Pinty’s Series Rookie of the Year championship in 2017. Thank you to our partners, Johnsonville Sausage, Olivier’s Chocolates (Candy Tree), Reser’s Fine Foods, Secure Drive, STIHL Canada, Little Potato Company and Legacy Leasing. For more information about Adam Martin, call the team at (519) 658-7447.
ABOUT JOHNSONVILLE SAUSAGE: Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, Johnsonville is the most popular brand of sausage in the United States, and is available in 30 other countries, including Canada. The company’s headquarters are in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Their award-winning product lines include Brats, Italian, Smoked, Breakfast, and Snack sausages. More information about Johnsonville products and recipes featuring the products can be found at www.Johnsonville.ca.
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