@andrew_ranger • @NASCARHomeTrack • @CTMPOfficial • @NASCAR • Bowmanville, ON (May 17, 2015)- Driver of the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge Andrew Ranger doesn’t like to finish second. Ranger believed he saw an opportunity to go for the race victory on the final lap of round one of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this past weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP).
Regrettably contact with the leader would hurt both drivers’ finishing position.
Following strong practice sessions Ranger and the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge team felt they were in good position during the opening weekend. The Roxton Pond, Quebec native just missed scoring his sixth pole at the track but would start the race from the outside of row one.
When the green flag waved Ranger was on the charge looking to take over top spot and got the position on lap 12 of the 51 scheduled. Following scheduled pit stops for fuel and tires the race was in the hands of the driver and he again had sights set on top spot.
Continuing his march forward Ranger hand maneuvered the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge into second position in the closing laps. A number of caution periods in the closing stages bunch the field up and though he pushed hard Ranger was unable to take over the number one position.
On what proved to be the final restart Ranger hounded the #22 car and in the final couple of corners on the last lap forced the issue. “I knew he make a little mistake in the last couple of corners and if I need to make a move it was on the last lap. He opened the door a little bit,” stated Ranger.
In corner nine Ranger charged up the inside of the leader and there was contact between the two. “Yes it’s true I made a big move,” said the driver. “But I had to make a move, We hit and we both continued and I left him room so that he could come back on me and make a drag race to the finish, but he came back so fast and so hard on me we hit the tires” said a disappointed Ranger.
Ranger quickly got back on track and completed the final lap and still managed a ninth place result. “First of all I have to say thank you to everyone at Mopar Motorsport for their hard work, we showed we were really fast and everything was perfect” said the driver. “I need to make a move and I did it and this is racing. My guys did a really good job now we’ve got to go to Quebec and do really well there” he added.
Andrew Ranger and the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge return to action at the Autodrome Chaudière on Saturday June 13th.
Note: You can watch all the action from race number one on Saturday May 23rd on TSN at 1PM Eastern.
Race fans can get more information and follow the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge team all season by going to www.mopar.ca and clicking on Motorsports.
This release prepared by: TL Sports & Entertainment
todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618
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