MIRABEL, ON – JUNE 4, 2012 – After a top ten finish in their first race of the season, Robin Buck and the #66 Quaker State Dodge team were looking to take another step forward as they returned to Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec to compete in round two of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Buck was the defending race champion at the event, but on an afternoon where he looked to be on his way to another promising finish, damage from an incident involving others would end their day prematurely.
It was an eventful weekend for the #66 Quaker State Dodge team beginning with the Saturday practice session. A mechanical failure in the transmission sent Buck spinning off course and into a tire barrier severely damaging the race car. “We had extensive body damage and some suspension damage to the car” explained Buck. “But the team went to work and did a remarkable job repairing the car to be ready for the race” he added.
Due to persistent rain showers qualifying was cancelled and the cars lined up for the race according to the NASCAR rule book. Buck would start the #66 Quaker State Dodge in 15th position but wouldn’t stay there for long. With the drop of the green flag Buck was on the move and gaining positions. “I didn’t push too hard early in the race and I knew that we’d have a competitive car” said Buck.
Quickly moving into the top ten Buck was looking to continue his progress toward the front at a steady pace. Others though were not so patient and the #66 Quaker State Dodge became collateral damage in another incident. “There was a lot of aggressive driving going on” said Buck. “It looked like the #21 and the #02 car got together and when they collided in front of us I had nowhere to go” he added. Robin Buck would slowly bring the damaged #66 Quaker State Dodge to pit road for the team to survey the car. It was easy to determine that the damage inflicted was too severe to repair and the #66 Quaker State Dodge was unable to continue. “It’s a shame to get collected like that, especially that early in the race and when the team worked so hard getting the car back together after the failure in practice ” said Buck.
Robin Buck will compete in all five road course races on the 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Schedule. The next road course race is Sunday July 22 during the Edmonton Indy weekend. Buck is the defending race champion at the Circuit ICAR & Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières events. Race fans will be able to watch all of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events in High Definition on TSN. Check local listings for times.
By Todd Lewis / TL Sports & Entertainment
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