Inside Track Motorsport News
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Press Releases
    • Results & Points
    • Industry News & Products
    • Driver & Team Releases
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • Features
  • Streetwise
  • Current Issue
No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Press Releases
    • Results & Points
    • Industry News & Products
    • Driver & Team Releases
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • Features
  • Streetwise
  • Current Issue
Subscribe
Inside Track Motorsport News
No Result
View All Result

DJ Kennington takes a Canadian run at the Daytona 500

Greg MacPherson by Greg MacPherson
January 18, 2017
in Breaking News
0
5
SHARES
168
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

ST. THOMAS, ON – In February, Canadian stock car driver DJ Kennington will be behind the wheel of an all-Canadian effort attempting to make history in the world’s biggest stock car race; the Daytona 500.

The St. Thomas, Ontario resident is a two-time champion of Canada’s NASCAR series and has extensive experience competing in the sanctioning body’s US-based Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series.

Kennington’s long-time sponsor Castrol (Wakefield Canada) and British Columbia-based Lordco Auto Parts will co-sponsor Kennington’s ride in the 59th running of the sport’s most iconic event, which is scheduled for Sunday, February, 26.

Keeping with the all-Canadian theme, DJ’s Toyota Camry will be prepared by Gaunt Brothers Racing, whose principals got their start in the Ontario stock car scene.

Kennington took part in his first-ever Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (formerly Sprint Cup) race last fall in Phoenix and he’s looking forward to doing battle against the best stock car racers in the world at the 2.5-mile, high-banked Daytona superspeedway.

“As the Daytona 500 is called The Great American Race, our team will be considered the Great Canadian Invasion,” joked Kennington, while announcing the news. “While this will be my first outing in a Cup car at Daytona, I have a lot of experience racing and drafting there, so there shouldn’t be a big learning curve.”

RelatedPosts

Kennington ready to race the Castrol Edge Dodge in Quebec

Kennington ready to race the Castrol Edge Dodge in Quebec

June 7, 2023
NPS: Louis-Philippe Dumoulin very confident and on familiar site this Saturday at the Autodrome Chaudière

NPS: Louis-Philippe Dumoulin very confident and on familiar site this Saturday at the Autodrome Chaudière

June 7, 2023

The idea to enter the Daytona 500 started as a casual conversation between DJ and Marty Gaunt, of Gaunt Brothers Racing. It quickly developed into a plan to forge a strong alliance for the season-opening Daytona Cup race.

“I made my first Cup Series start in Phoenix last November,” continued DJ, “but I’ve had 55 combined starts in the Xfinity and Camping World Series. And all the while, I’ve been racing in Canada’s NASCAR series with sponsorship from Castrol.

“I’m definitely ready to take this on. I’m excited to be running the first race with Monster Energy as the series’ sponsor, and I love how the program came together with my partners Castrol, Lordco and the Gaunts.”

As mentioned, the co-sponsors for Kennington’s Cup entry are Canada’s distributor of Castrol lubricants; Wakefield Canada Inc., and Lordco Auto Parts; the BC-based auto parts retailer and wholesaler. Kennington’s Toyota will be dedicated to the memory of Lordco founder, the late Ed Coates, a truly proud Canadian and NASCAR fan who considered the Daytona 500 to be his favourite motorsport event.

Wakefield and Castrol are long-time supporters of Canadian racing and have sponsored DJ’s No. 17 on Canada’s NASCAR and CASCAR circuits for his entire career. For more than 20 years, the Castrol brand has been on Kennington’s vehicle every time his racecar has taken to the track.

Wakefield Canada’s Sponsorships & Promotions Marketing Manager Natalee Davis says it was an extremely easy decision for Wakefield to join the project.

“We’ve sponsored DJ since he was 16 and Lordco is one of our most important customers in Western Canada. It’s a wonderful opportunity and co-partnership.”

For Lordco, the Daytona 500 is always an important event. Since 1988, the company’s team has gathered to enjoy the race and share ideas; this will be the first time they will have their own entry to root for.

Completing the Canadian connection, DJ’s NASCAR Toyota will be fielded by Gaunt Brothers Racing. Team owner Marty Gaunt has earned a strong reputation in NASCAR circles having worked in leadership roles at Team Penske, Red Horse Racing and Red Bull Racing, and is currently President of Triad Racing Technologies.

“This team is all-set to do well at Daytona,” predicts Kennington. “There hasn’t been a Canadian driver at the event in ages and we’re ready to rock ‘n’ roll.”

With the combined Canadian commitment, they might just impress a lot of NASCAR fans on both sides of the border.

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Race fans who are interested in following DJ Kennington and this all-Canadian assault on the Daytona 500 can do so via several social media feeds:

DJ KENNINGTON: Facebook: OfficialDJKRacingPage / Twitter: @DJKRacing
CASTROL CANADA: Facebook: castrolcanada / Twitter: CastrolCanada
LORDCO AUTO PARTS: Facebook: lordcoparts / Twitter: @LordcoParts

CONTACT: To arrange interviews or for additional information, please contact Natalee Davis; Marketing Manager, Sponsorships & Promotions Wakefield Canada Inc. at ndavis@wakefieldcanada.ca or call (416) 252-5511 ext. 4027.

Tags: CastrolCastrol OilDaytona 500DJ KenningtonGaunt Brothers RacingLordcoLORDCO Auto PartsMonster EnergyNASCARNASCAR Pinty's Seriesstock cartoyotaWakefieldWakefield Canada
Share2Tweet1
Greg MacPherson

Greg MacPherson

You May Also Like

Kennington ready to race the Castrol Edge Dodge in Quebec
Driver and Team Releases

Kennington ready to race the Castrol Edge Dodge in Quebec

June 7, 2023
NPS: Louis-Philippe Dumoulin very confident and on familiar site this Saturday at the Autodrome Chaudière
Driver and Team Releases

NPS: Louis-Philippe Dumoulin very confident and on familiar site this Saturday at the Autodrome Chaudière

June 7, 2023
Dave Mathers’ Motion Motorsport Report – June 6, 2023
Comments & Features

Dave Mathers’ Motion Motorsport Report – June 6, 2023

June 6, 2023
Dave Mathers’ Motion Motorsport Report – May 31 2023
Comments & Features

Dave Mathers’ Motion Motorsport Report – May 31 2023

May 31, 2023
NPS: A Challenging Race for Kevin Lacroix at CTMP
Driver and Team Releases

NPS: A Challenging Race for Kevin Lacroix at CTMP

May 24, 2023
NPS: TAGLIANI REBOUNDS FROM A TOUGH START IN THE SEASON OPENER
Driver and Team Releases

NPS: TAGLIANI REBOUNDS FROM A TOUGH START IN THE SEASON OPENER

May 24, 2023
Next Post

Rick Spencer-Walt Returning to Sunset, Taking Stab at APC in 2017

Discussion about this post

Popular This Month

Dave Mathers’ Motion Motorsport Report – May 16, 2023

Dave Mathers’ Motion Motorsport Report – May 16, 2023

May 16, 2023
Scotia Speedworld Announces 2023 Schedule

Scotia Speedworld Announces 2023 Schedule

February 24, 2023
Flamboro Speedway Releases 2023 Schedule

Flamboro Speedway Releases 2023 Schedule

February 1, 2023

Featured Ads

Inside Track Motorsport News

From local grassroots racing to Canadian touring series and the Canucks who compete on the international stage, Inside Track Motorsport News is the leader in terms of timely, in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the motorsports that matter to Canadians.

Corporate

  • About ITMN
  • Frequent Questions
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us

Advertising

  • Magazine Advertising
  • Web Advertising
  • Marketplace

Magazine

  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Change of Address
  • Gift Subscription
  • Returns and Refunds
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 1997-2023 Inside Track Motorsport News. All Rights Reserved.
Please do not replicate images or take columns from this website for use on another without permission of the author.
Designed and developed in Adelion Studio

Subscribe
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Press Releases
    • Results & Points
    • Industry News & Products
    • Driver & Team Releases
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • Features
  • Streetwise
  • Current Issue
No Result
View All Result

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgot Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?