[media-credit name=”Photo Credit: Todd Lewis” align=”alignright” width=”263″]
[/media-credit]May 20, 2012. Bowmanville, Ont. – Mechanical problems at practice nearly dropped David Thorndyke from the weekend’s NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season opener – but the labour and strategy of his crew lead the #67 Thorsons EVT Transport Chevy to a solid finish at the Vortex Brake Pads 200 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
The team encountered problems during Saturday’s practice that could have derailed the entire weekend, fearing they had blown a motor in the #67 Thorsons EVT Chevrolet. Careful diagnosis revealed a less devastating, but still major, repair – the vehicle required a new transmission. Despite the crew’s labour on Saturday after replacing the car’s transmission, Thorndyke was unable to qualify and started Sunday’s Vortex Brake Pads 200 at the back of the field.
Early in the race, Crew Chief Adam Thorndyke made a beneficial strategy decision to bring the car in during an early caution period to give them fuel needed to complete the race distance.
“It was a strategy we hoped would give us track position when the leaders pitted,” Adam said afterwards.
The Crew Chief’s plan worked – the #67 Thorsons EVT Chevrolet ran as high as 5th place during the race.
“It was fun mixing it up with the leaders,” David said. “We were on a different strategy, and I knew I had to preserve the car, so I didn’t get too aggressive or get in anyone’s way.”
Much to their relief, the team got their mechanical troubles out of the way early in the weekend, and the car performed consistently well throughout the main event on Sunday.
Thorndyke moved up consistently through the field despite starting at the back of the field, and finished the season opener in 17th place.
“The day finished strong after we started the weekend pretty rough,” David said after the race. “The car felt great, handled really well, and we were really consistent all day.”
David Thorndyke and the EVT Chevrolet team are next scheduled to race during the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres August 3-5. For more NASCAR Canadian Tire Series information log onto www.nascar.ca and to learn more about the #67 Thorsons EVT Chevy team go to www.promotiveracing.com
Photo Caption: #67 Thorsons EVT Chevrolet at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
Photo Credit: Todd Lewis
