Ohsweken, ON – Wednesday, August 17, 2022 – The NASCAR Pinty’s Series first dirt track race was nothing but exciting for the thousands of fans in attendance.
Alex Tagliani and Treyten Lapcevich were joined at Ohsweken Speedway by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Stewart Friesen. It was an impressive day for the 22 Racing team and drivers, with Treyten Lapcevich coming out on top finishing first, Stewart Friesen finishing second, and Alex Tagliani finishing fifth.
There was a preliminary practice session on Monday evening to give the drivers a chance to get familiar racing on dirt. Raceday on Tuesday kicked off with practice, which saw Treyten Lapcevich take the second fastest time, Stewart Friesen take sixth fastest, and Alex Tagliani take 16th fastest. After the qualifying heats the starting positions for the 22 Racing drivers saw Lapcevich start fifth, Friesen start sixth, and Tagliani start seventh.
At 9:30 p.m. the command to start the engines was given and the history-making Pinty’s 100 on dirt went green.
Treyten Lapcevich quickly began working his way to the front and battled with Marc-Antoine Camirand before taking the lead at the halfway mark. He held the lead for the rest of the race before his teammate Stewart Friesen quickly came up behind him. Despite a close finish after a late race restart he was ultimately able to hold on to his position and secure the victory in his No. 20 FBM / RGC Sports / Qwick Wick Chevrolet Camaro.
“It was just a matter of time we were able to get to the front there and then hold the top and keep everyone behind me. Those last two restarts were definitely nerve-wracking, it’s not easy having Stewart Friesen behind you, but luckily we were able to hold him off and bring home our second win of the season,” Lapcevich said.
From the beginning of the race Alex Tagliani was able to hold his line, quickly adapting to the dirt track elements. Near the middle of the race Tagliani got loose and went for a small spin but was able to avoid any damage. After coming into the pits for adjustments he had to start at the back of the field but that didn’t stop him, he raced his way back to the front for an impressive fifth place finish in No. 18 Viagra / St Hubert Chevrolet Camaro!
“Once we had the spin and lost a bunch of positions, Scott [Steckly] decided to bring the car in to make a change, and I think it was the right call because the change made the car alive and we went from the back to P5, so really happy and with very few races to go I think it should be good for the championship points,” Tagliani said.
Stewart Friesen and his No. 22 Mister Transmission Chevrolet Camaro battled through the front runners all race and made his way up to second. Friesen tried many different approaches to get around Lapcevich in front of him. With a late race restart, it was a two-lap dash to the finish which saw Friesen running side by side with Lapcevich. Friesen did his best to steal the win, but was unable to seal the deal and took home second place.
The NASCAR Pinty’s Series 2022 season will continue in Mirabel, Québec at Circuit ICAR on Saturday, August 27th.
This season the NASCAR Pinty’s Series races on oval tracks and road courses in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. For more information and updates throughout the season, please visit www.22racing.ca and NASCAR.ca.
For the complete 2022 Pinty’s Series Schedule please visit https://www.nascar.ca/schedule/
About 22 Racing:
22 Racing is owned by Four-Time NASCAR Pinty’s Series Champion and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame Inductee Scott Steckly. 22 Racing provides highly competitive race cars built in their world-class 7,500 square foot Milverton-based facility and maintained by a team of highly experienced crew members. 22 Racing offers turnkey solutions that range from research and development, construction, testing, logistics to marketing support.
From 22 Racing Media
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