Last year, Ranger qualified 15th and moved up to fifth place at one point of the race, battling with the leaders. Unfortunately, the heavy afternoon downpour affected his track performance as it did to other drivers.
“Andrew’s fans who were ready to cheer him on during Sunday morning’s NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race will have to save some of their energy for the afternoon main event. Andrew has shown in the past that competing against established stars and experienced drivers does not intimidate him. It is a fact that Andrew does not intend to play the role of an extra, but he will be giving his best to be upfront with the leaders.” said François Dumontier, promoter of the event.
In less than three seasons of competition in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the 22-year old career highlights include a record-setting five wins this year for a career total of eight, 18 Top-5 and 28 Top-10 finishes. He was also crowned 2007 Series Champion in his rookie season. This year, Ranger leads the standings by 124 points over his closest rival. Following his Montreal debut in 2008, Ranger entered in four other Nationwide Series races. He will travel to CJM Racing headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina on Monday to get ready for Tuesday’s test session at Carolina Motorsports Park road course in Kershaw, SC.
“It’s going to be a long weekend,” Andrew Ranger said. “I am eager to meet with the team on Monday, and also to renew with Paul Wolfe who was my crew chief last year at Bristol. Everything I know about the team and the car is positive. Compared to last year, this is not a last minute deal, and that is great. This time, I will have a chance to bond with the team, and get ready to give the home fans something to really cheer for.”
Since the start of the 2009 Nationwide Series season, drivers Scott Lagasse Jr, and Denny Hamlin has qualified the No. 11 Toyota twice in fifth and eighth positions and once in sixth. They finished four times in the Top-10.
Tickets for the NAPA Auto Part 200, Presented by Dodge at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on August 29-30, 2009 are currently on sale. To order tickets and see Carpentier, Fellows, Ranger, Tagliani, and Villeneuve take on the NASCAR stars in Montreal, call 514 397-0007 or order online anytime at www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca/en/. Furthermore, the ticket office located at the exit of the Jean-Drapeau Metro Station, on Ile Sainte-Hélène, will be open all day Friday the 28 during admission-free Discovery Day.
Stock-Car Montreal, the event promoter is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) based in Daytona Beach, Florida. ISC is the leading promoter of motorsports in North America, hosting over 100 major racing events each year.
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Press Release