Catchfence

There’s no doubt that Canadian racer J.R. Fitzpatrick’s first NASCAR Nationwide race of the year didn’t go according to plan.

He squeaked into the field after qualifying 40th for the mid-February season opening DRIVE4COPD 300 and then left the Daytona International Speedway completely frustrated after his car broke down 10 laps into the race. He ended the day classified second-last in 42nd spot.

Not exactly the opening salvo he wanted in his part-time bid to convince NASCAR teams that he’s got the right stuff to get a regular gig in the top tier Sprint Cup.

But that’s all a distant memory after Toronto businessman Steve Meehan bought Fitzpatrick’s Baker Curb Racing Nationwide team in a deal that closed following the Mar. 19 race in Bristol, Tenn. Now the Cambridge, Ont., racer is a key element in a planned all-Canadian NASCAR outfit that promises to take him to the Sprint Cup.

- Globe and Mail