In this week’s Motion Motorsport Report for InsideTrackNews.com, Dave Mathers discusses recent news and racing action from Canada and the world of motorsports.
It was really cool to see Quebec racer Raphael Lessard driving a Ford Mustang in the winner’s circle at BOTH NASCAR Euro Series races at the Autodrom Most, Czech Republic a week ago. And it was funny to hear the announcers refer to him as an American!! How totally ironic at this insane time in Canada/US politics!! Lessard sits fourth in the points, 32 behind leader Thomas Toffel with four races to go.
I smiled when I read an item on NHRA.com stating that a new ‘state of the art’ dragstrip was being built in Columbia, Mississippi. The smile wasn’t for the fact that a new track was being built but rather the name of the new facility – ‘Swamp Bottom Dragstrip’!! Let the jokes commence!!
Genesis is taking a shot at winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year through their Genesis Magma Racing program. And it appears that this might be the start of a full-blown attack on the World Endurance Championship (WEC) as well as the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). Great news. The more the merrier!!
The consistently inconsistent FIA has struck again!! Pierre Gasly finished third in his Alpine at Monaco back in June but was dropped to 7th for allegedly speeding twice on pit road. Alpine appealed and at first the decision was overturned. McLaren, concerned about the points involved, appealed the reinstatement and the case went to the International Court of Appeal. That body reversed the reversal and the original penalty was upheld. Did you follow that? Asking for a friend!!
I found it interesting during Sunday’s Cup race that two drivers spun two other drivers – Hocevar spun Keselowski and McDowell spun Smith. It was pretty clear to everybody what had happened. Who it was NOT clear to, apparently, was Race Control. Black flag? We don’t need no stinkin’ black flag!!
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NASCAR Cup Series – Due to lightning in the area qualifying and practice was cancelled Saturday at Darlington Raceway. As a result, utilizing NASCAR’s clear and concise ‘metric score’ system, Tyler Reddick (Toyota) got the pole over Daniel Suarez (Chev) and last week’s winner Ryan Preece (Ford). Points leader Denny Hamlin (Toyota) started 4th while second-place points driver Ryan Blaney (Ford) started 12th. Really?? 38 cars. 17 Chevs, 11 Fords and 10 Toyotas.
The start of the race was moved up due to a threat of rain (THAT has been a recording this year unfortunately). A competition caution was thrown at lap 35 to check tires as the cars had not been on the track prior to the green flag. On lap 106 Brad Keselowski got spun by Carson Hocevar, who continues to make more friends, bringing out the caution that would end Stage 1. Reddick got the stage win. Christopher Bell won the caution-free Stage 2.
Things went well in the final stage until Zane Smith went into a long, slow spin on the front straight on lap 283 after a tap from Michael McDowell on corner exit. On lap 316 William Byron slowed in 4 from what looked like a flat left rear tire. Later reports indicated an engine failure. Yellow. On lap 334 the yellow came out for ‘fluid on the track’!! Rain. And based on the footage it was not just a ‘mist’. After a few laps the cars came to pit road and the red flag came out.
After a short time they came back out on track. The green flew with 25 to go. Bell finally got the monkey off his back as he won over Ty Gibbs and Reddick, all three in Toyotas. Four hours and three minutes.
In the points Hamlin now leads Bell by only 12 and Blaney by 16.
Next Race – Gateway, Sunday at 3 P.M. on TSN 5.
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FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY: This Saturday night (September 12) is Memorial Race Night at Flamboro Speedway, featuring the Grisdale Showdown Series for the Pro Late Models doing battle for 50 laps. The Canadian Vintage Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks and Ontario Pro Challenge are also on the schedule. The Fan Appreciation Corn Roast takes place, as well. Spectator gates open at 5:00 p.m. with racing starting at 6:30 p.m. Visit FlamboroSpeedway.ca for more info.
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NASCAR O’Reilly Series – Carson Kvapil picked up the pole for Saturday’s race at Darlington Raceway over points leader Justin Allgaier (both in Chevs) and Brandon Jones (Toyota). 38 cars, 30 Chevs, 7 Toyotas and 1 Ford.
Things ran smoothly until lap 34 when Preston Pardus got ‘behind in his steering’ off 4. Yellow. Allgaier got the Stage 1 win. On lap 60 Daniel Dye tried to block Dean Thompson but Dye instead hit the wall hard. Yellow. And, as always, yellows breed yellows. Just after the restart Corey Day and William Sawalich got together on the back straight with Sawalich hitting the wall. Yellow.
And just after that caution period Nick Sanchez spun Harrison Burton who then spun and collected Mason Maggio and Glen Reen. Yellow. Anthony Alfredo won Stage 2. On lap 101 Joey Gase spun and collected Lavar Scott. Caution. And they made it to the checker with Sheldon Creed getting the win over Day and Brent Crews.
In the points Allgaier leads Creed by only 7 and Kvapil by 19.
Next Race – Gateway, Saturday at 7:30 P.M. on USA and CW.
NASCAR Craftsman Trucks – next race – Bristol, Thursday, September 17 at 8 P.M.
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PETERBOROUGH SPEEDWAY: With the regular season complete at Peterborough Speedway, all eyes turn to the 33rd Annual B&G Towing & Recovery Autumn Colours Classic. Billed as the ‘Superbowl of stock car racing,’ the event has turned into the biggest fall special in the region, featuring many different divisions, huge crowds and a packed camping area. The event runs October 9, 10 & 11 over the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend. Watch PeterboroughSpeedway.com for more information about this fall stock car racing spectacular.
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Formula One – American phenom Colton Herta had a less than auspicious weekend at Monza. He crashed his F2 car on Friday then finished DFL driving his Caddy in Q1 for F1. The Q1 result means that he did not get the accompanying point for obtaining his Super Licence. The rules allow teams to use a lower division driver to run in the first qualifying session, a very smart move.
In FP1 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) topped the charts while George Russell (Mercedes) was the best of FP2 and FP3. In a bit of a shocker Pierre Gasly (Alpine) got the pole over Russell and Oscar Piastri (McLaren). Lance Stroll started 22nd just behind Aston Martin teammate Fernando Alonso. Maybe Gasly was fired up by the situation noted above?
Another interesting F1 start as Lewis Hamilton tried to pass teammate Charles Leclerc in 2 but got forced off the track instead, dropping from 4th to 10th. Two laps later Leclerc appeared to spin his tires on corner exit from the diabolical Parabolica, got into a bit of a ‘speed wobble’ then literally flew off the track and into the tire walls. A really hard (and expensive) hit. Red flag!! I couldn’t believe how long it took for the ambulance to come to his aid. What’s up with that?
Meanwhile, Hamilton was putting on a clinic putting down fast lap after fast lap and on lap 10 he got around Gasly for 3rd. On lap 12 Max Verstappen got around Russell for the lead. At the halfway mark it was Russell back out front ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli and Verstappen. Not soon after halfway the Virtual Safety Car was deployed for the Aston Martin of Stroll stopped just off the racing surface apparently due to a hydraulics problem. With three laps to go Russell had a bit of a bobble and Antonelli was able to get around him for the lead. At the flag it was Antonelli (setting the fastest race lap on the last lap) over Russell and Verstappen. It was the first win by an Italian at Monza in over 60 years!! And, of course, the tifosi crowd went wild!!
In the Drivers’ Championship Antonelli is now 66 up on Russell and 76 up on Hamilton.
In the Constructors’ Championship Mercedes leads Ferrari by 124 and McLaren by 181.
Next Race – Madrid, Spain, Sunday at 8:55 A.M. on TSN1 & 5.
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IndyCar – Scott McLaughlin nabbed the pole for Sunday’s race at Laguna Seca over 2026 series champion Alex Palou and Felix Rosenqvist. Dennis Hauger got punted off track on the first lap and he was out of the race. At the halfway mark it was McLaughlin over Kyle Kirkwood and Alex Rossi. And it was that same threesome at the flag – McLaughlin, Kirkwood and Rossi.
Points leader and series champion Alex Palou ended up 8th. I found it interesting that Tim Cindric, previously fired by Penske, was the strategist for McLaughlin.
In the final points it was Palou 86 ahead of Kirkwood and 96 up on Christian Lundgaard.
IMSA – next race – Indianapolis, Sunday, September 20.
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BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY: Brockville Ontario Speedway returns to action Sunday, September 20 with the Monster Enduro featuring several classes, including 4 Cylinder Ladies, Trucks/Vans, Men’s 4 Cylinder and Men’s 8 Cylinders. It’s a 1 p.m. start for this event at ‘The Bullring.’ Visit BrockvilleSpeedway.com for race reports on recent racing events at the BOS Bullring as well as info about upcoming events, including the Fall Nationals.
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NHRA – another amazing U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis on the weekend. I counted 853 entries in total. Imagine the logistics involved to run off all those racecars!!
Top Fuel – Leah Pruett took out points leader Doug Kalitta in the Top Fuel Challenge, running a 3.873 at 319.98. Shawn Langdon topped the 22 entries for the 16-car field running a 3.727 at 334.98. Canadian Dan Mercier just missed the cut with a 3.873. Langdon marched through the field and beat Tony Stewart in the final with a 3.804 at 333.99. 3 upsets and 9 smokers.
Funny Car – Austin Prock beat J.R. Todd in the Funny Car Challenge with a 3.921 at 317.87. In a separate race Jack Beckman won the Funny Car All-Star Callout putting down a 3.980 at 323.19 to defeat a tire-smoking Matt Hagan. Ron Capps was the best of the 23 floppers vying for the 16-car field with a 3.914 at 332.18. Canadian Spencer Hyde qualified a stout 4th just 0.03 off the leader. Jack Beckman took out Matt Hagan in the final with a 3.965 at 327.35. 4 upsets and 5 smokers.
Pro Mod – Canadian Justin Bond was at the top of the charts where 21 cars battled for the 16 spots. He ran a 5.654 at 255. Unfortunately, Bond lost the final to J.R. Gray who won with a 5.701 at 252.47. 4 upsets and, wait for it, NO smokers!!!!!!!!!
Pro Stock – How cool was the first round of the Pro Stock Challenge? Cody Anderson (yup, Greg’s son) ran 6.668 (RT – 0.060) to beat Chris Vang who ran, wait for it, 6.668 (RT – 0.060). The computer had to go to at least the 4th digit with Anderson winning by 2 inches. Wow. In the Challenge final Anderson ran a 6.642 at 204.91 to beat Greg Stanfield. Matt Hartford topped the 19 cars fighting for the 16 spots with a 6.572 at 208.97. Canadians Matt and Eric Latino qualified 7th and 8th. Dallas Glenn took out Jeg Coughlin in the final with a 6.599 at 207.56. 5 upsets and 2 smokers.
Pro Stock Bike – Gaige Herrera won the Pro Stock Motorcycle Challenge over a red-lighting Richard Gadson running a 6.942 at 196.50. Matt Smith topped the 19 bikes for the 16 spots running a 6.757 at 200.98. In the ‘All in the Family’ final Matt Smith took out wife Angie with a 6.791 at 198.58. 3 upsets.
Stock – Let’s talk about Stock and Super Stock. In Stock the 128th qualifier was 0.839 under while in Super Stock the 128th qualifier was 0.539 under. Time to make some changes? 151 cars timed to get into the 128-car field. Hunter Pierdolla won the 7th-round final using a 10.259 at 122.74 to take out Ray Thurston.
Super Stock – 146 entries vied for the 128 spots. Peter D’Agnolo put down a 9.603 at 122.53 to top a red-lighting Michael Reynolds.
Factory Stock – 23 entries. Scott Libersher took out Jonathan Allegrucci with a 7.770 at 178.05.
Outlaw Street – 9 for the 8-car field. Scott Taylor took out low qualifier Kyle Canion in the final with a 3.703 at 205.47. 2 upsets, 1 smoker.
HEMI Challenge – I found it interesting that 17 cars ran the first and second qualifying sessions but only 15 showed up in the third and final qualifying list. Terry Earwood and Jeremy Moutin disappeared from the final list. Low qualifier (8.415 at 159.23) Steve Comella took out number 2 qualified Jason Line in the final running an 8.430 at 158.87. Line ran an identical 8.430 but bulbed. And both semi opponents had red-lighted. TOUGH class!!
Comp – 45 entries for the all-run field. Donald Thomas won the final over Jeff Taylor with a 6.950 at 163.97.
Top Alcohol Funny Car – 15 entries. Sean Bellemeur beat Shane Westerfield with a 5.486 at 266.58.
Top Alcohol Dragster – 17 entries for the 16-car field. Richie Crampton beat T.J. Tindle in the final with a 5.255 at 272.56.
Top Sportsman – 37 entries for the 32-car field. Brandon Baxter beat a broken Doug Gbur with a 6.698 at 179.68.
Top Dragster – 38 entries for the 32-car field. Zach Sackman beat Thomas Bayer putting down a 6.200 at 224.02.
Super Comp – 128 entries for the all-run field. Brian Harris outlasted the huge field topping a breaking-out Kevin Thorp with an 8.906 at 169.70.
Super Gas – 123 entries for the all-run field. Bob Kropfeld ran under the least, a 9.865, to beat Jordan Pratt.
Next Race – US 131, Martin, Michigan, this weekend.
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EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY: It’s Military Appreciation Night and the NASCAR Finale this Saturday night at Edmonton International Raceway, in Wetaskiwin, AB. Join us this Saturday as we celebrate our amazing military personnel and enjoy a full night of NASCAR racing action.
FREE ENTRY for all military personnel Plus 1 Guest! Be sure to register online before race day under “Schedule – Registration Forms” to receive your complimentary admission.
Get ready for an action-packed finale featuring NASCAR Late Models, NASCAR Thunder Cars, NASCAR Pure Stocks, Future Stocks, IMCA Modifieds, Mini Cups, and Baby Grands. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. Driver Autograph Session at 5:00 p.m. and racing starts at 6:00 p.m. Visit EdmontonRaceway.com for info.
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Trans Am Series – I found it extremely interesting (and pleasing) while reading the presser announcing that the series is returning to the GP3R next year, August 6 – 8, at Three Rivers (THAT’s what they called it in the release and what I have always called it!!). And even more enlightening were the comments from Series President (and bad*ss road racer himself).
Andy Lally who just happened to mention that he loved racing there and that he had won the race in 2008 with his driving partner – Marc-Antoine Camirand!! That sentence explains a LOT. The majority of NASCAR drivers (on both sides of the border) have come from oval-track racing and they have had to learn road racing (the hard way??).
Camirand has done it the other way around much like new NASCAR fan favourite SVG (Shane Van Gisbergen). And another famous Canadian name popped up in the release – Scott Goodyear, championship director of FR Americas (the other series returning) and winner in the F2000 category at GP3R in 1984.
Now the BIG question!! Which series will get top billing – NASCAR Canada or Trans Am? I strongly suspect the former as that series is full of good racers from La Belle Province!!
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NASCAR Canada Series – Kyle Steckly won the pole over the 38-car field ahead of Tyler Gonzalez (who?) and Alex Tagliani for the big Labour Day weekend race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport). The above-mentioned Camirand qualified 7th. Interestingly the two Glen Styres Racing special entries for JR Fitzpatrick and Cayden Lapcevich qualified 22nd and 23rd with Styres himself 25th. Do they pull over for the boss? Hmm.
Connor Bell got off track early and hit the tire wall but kept going. However, a few laps later he rolled to a stop on track bringing out the yellow flag. Glenn Styres had a ‘moment’ tearing up his car on the back stretch. And then the outside pole-sitting car of Gonzalez, the leader at the time, rolled to a stop at the side of the track for another caution. The Bell car came back on track looking like an Open Wheel Modified with the front-end bodywork missing.
GREAT camera work using the drone(s). Ryan Klutt ended up stopped on the side of the track and had to be pushed back to the pits. In the closing laps D.J. Kennington, who led the race at one time, appeared to run out of fuel and slowed, dropping back. Coming to the white flag Ron Tomlinson spun coming off the final corner. He then decided to spin the car around and he collected David Thorndyke.
At the flag (a blue one was displayed approaching the start-finish line) it was Andrew Ranger over Camirand and Gary Klutt. The two ‘Rent-A-Car’ drivers, Lapcevich and Fitzpatrick, finished a VERY stout 4th and 7th. A good fun race but VERY frustrating to watch on TV with no lap counter or leader board displayed. Hopefully that was a one-time problem. The final at Delaware should be another fun one.
In the points Camirand leads L.P. Dumoulin by 85 and Kevin Lacroix by 116.
Next Race – Delaware, Saturday at 6 P.M. on REV TV.
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APC Series – next race – Delaware, Saturday, September 26.
Ontario Sportsman Series – The series dropped into Flamboro Speedway for two 50-lap races. In qualifying Shawn McGlynn won the pole over Kevin Gallant and Kevin Trevellin. Eighteen cars took the green flag for the first 50-lapper and Todd Shepherd got the win over Kevin Trevellin and Shawn McGlynn. McGlynn started from the pole for the second race followed by Gallant and Trevellin. At the flag it was Trevellin over Shepherd and Ty Riopelle.
Next Race – Sauble, Saturday, September 19.
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CASC-OR: The Canadian Automobile Sport Clubs – Ontario Region sanctions the RaceOntario Championships, a series of race events run from April through October at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Shannonville Motorsports Park, and Calabogie Motorsport Park. CASC-OR is a group of nearly thirty motorsport enthusiast clubs with two thousand members within Ontario. The organization sets rules and regulations for four divisions, Road Racing, Time Attack, Autoslalom and Ice Racing, and administers & promotes provincial championships in each. For more info, visit the CASC-OR website HERE.
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Delaware Speedway – with the Sprint Car portion of the program cancelled it was Stock Car Night with the Super Stocks, V8 Stocks and Bone Stocks. Matt Langford won Bone Stock Heat 1, Colin Willems won Heat 2 and Paul Fothergill won Heat 3. The feature saw Len Sterritt get into the wall in Turn 2 for the first and only caution. Fothergill got the win over Langford and Mitch Rawlings. Thomas Jermy won the V8 Stock Heat 1 while Mike Howard won Heat 2 in a photo finish. The main went to Will Quarrie over Jordan Morris and David Rockwood.
The Super Stocks saw Lucas Orr win Heat 1 after the winner was DQ’d while Ryan Dyson won Heat 2. That second heat saw two aborted starts, one legit and one not so much!! The feature went green to checker and was won by Ethan Orr over Nic Ramsay and Trevor Collver.
Next Race – Late Models & Super Stock 50-lap, Friday. NASCAR Canada, Saturday.
Ohsweken Speedway – next race – Championship Friday.
Flamboro Speedway – next race – LM, CVM, PS & MS, Saturday.
Buxton Speedway – next race – Championship Night, Saturday.
Full Throttle Motor Speedway – next race – Promoters Memorial Night, Saturday.
Grand Bend Dragway – next race – Ontario Team Finals, this weekend.
St. Thomas Dragway – next race – Points Series, this weekend.
Toronto Motorsport Park – Canada Heads Up, this weekend.
Can Am Stock/Super Stock – next race – September 19 & 20, St. Thomas Dragway.
John Scotti NHRA Canadian Championship Series – next race – Napierville, this weekend.
Shannonville Drags – next race – September 20 & 21.
Any comments can be sent to Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or by Facebook Messenger.
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