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Thomson Jr. hangs up his helmet as a driver for 2012 after winning seven Canadian championships and driving the EHR/Team 3 Red Dodge last year.
“I am really excited about this next chapter in my career and glad to be back at Fitzpatrick Motorsports, the Hamilton, Ontario native said. “I am comfortable here, I know the way the system works here and John is really committed to put the best product on the track for J.R. and our sponsor partners. I have also known J.R. since he was eight years old and he has grown to become the best driver in the series so I really want to be part of whatever he does up here.”
Before moving to EHR for 2011, Thomson had spent four years racing for Fitzpatrick so it was no surprise that shortly after the season, discussions started between J.R. Fitzpatrick, Thomson and team owner John Fitzpatrick.
“I know Thomson well and I know what he brings to the team,” John Fitzpatrick said. “We were a pretty formidable program, winning eight championships between him and J.R. during the CASCAR days and I expect his transition to Crew Chief here to be pretty seamless.”
The role of pit boss and adviser to Fitzpatrick isn’t a new role either as he built and crewed a late model program in the early years and was there for Fitzpatrick’s first laps behind the wheel of a CASCAR.
“I am really pumped to get this season started,” J.R. said. “I had a lot of good runs last season and Thomson’s addition to the team will only make us stronger. The new car should be great and to have another championship caliber mind working in the shop gives me great confidence.”
Fitzpatrick is looking for his first Canadian championship since winning the CASCAR championship 2006. Last year, Fitzpatrick finished third in points with 10 top 10s in 12 races.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season gets underway May 20 on the road course at Mosport International Raceway. The Championship will be comprised of 12 races in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
