This weekend’s race at Delaware Speedway on Saturday June 11th marks the third race of the 12 race schedule for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. It also marks the third visit to the half mile oval.
The past two visits there, defending series champion D.J. Kennington is two-for-two as he won both races after starting third in 2009 and on pole last season. In the 422 laps at Delaware, Kennington has led 246 of them and has nine victories overall. It was Delaware last year where the Canadian Tire Series began their season and the win marked the beginning of the championship run. Sitting seven in the points, 97 points behind Scott Steckly, Delaware is definitely a welcoming sight to the No. 17 team.
Meanwhile, it was Steckly winning race number one at Mosport Raceway and having a solid finish at Circuit ICAR to now lead the standings, 30 points over Don Thomson Jr. Steckly, the 2008 series champion, finished third in 2009 and 16th in 2010 so Delaware looks to be a mixed bag as he goes for his 10th career victory.
Thomson Jr. comes into Delaware Speedway with a new team this year, though is looking for more success to add to the last couple of years as he had had seven straight top-five finishes dating back to last year. Delaware hasn’t been the best track for Thomson, however, as he finished 21st last season after radiator issues and 10th in 2009.
The only other driver to have any type of success at Delaware besides Steckly is Mark Dilley, who holds the track record at 19.133 seconds, after winning the pole in 2009. He hasn’t been able to crack the top-10 in regards to finishing as he finished 16th in 2009 and 12th last season.
While most drivers come into Delaware Speedway with a lot of experience, rookie Steve Mathews doesn’t as he looks to continue the success he’s had this season this weekend. Last weekend, he finished 18th on the road course. Though at the first of the race on the oval, he got his second career top-10 of 10th.
“Delaware is a fun place to race and I am excited to return as I am comfortable and confident there after many late model races and a strong 2010 outing,” Mathews said in his team’s preview.
While race is set to be run Saturday, it won’t be televised till Sunday, June 26 at 1 p.m. ET on TSN.
