As part of the 2012 celebration ceremonies, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series officials announced the 2013 series schedule. The series does include some changes as a result of other series making changes, however it still manages to represent the diversity of the series.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series has been known for going to both road courses and short tracks equally each year since the beginning. That continues this year with four road courses and seven ovals.
Last year’s schedule saw five road courses, seven ovals, however there have been two tracks that are notably missing from the 2013 schedule.
After making their return to Edmonton last year, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will skip the Alberta capital as a result of Edmonton losing its IZOD IndyCar Series date. Running as a solo event on a big stage isn’t something that tends to lead to the best results.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will also be skipping Montreal as a result of the Quebec city losing it’s NASCAR Nationwide Series date. According to multiple Quebec news sources, the track management demanded a Sprint Cup Series date. NASCAR, at this time, is not looking to take their top series north of the border so did not accept. They also ripped them of the Nationwide Series race, trading it in for the Mid-Ohio road course.
A lot of people believed that the result of losing both of these core road courses would allow Toronto’s Exhibition Place date to return to the schedule as a companion event for the IZOD IndyCar Series double-header. However, with what Honda Indy Toronto staff have planned, that could not be worked out and as a result, one of the events fans were hoping for are missing.
In trade for Montreal, the series will return to Autodrome St. Eustache’s oval for the first time since 2010.
Though in respect, one of the most anticipated events of the season is the road course event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The series will begin their season there on May 19th, and then return on September 1st to run as a companion race to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
For the first time in series history, the trucks will be crossing the border and already fans are jumping to buy tickets, excited to see these trucks beat and bang on CTMP’s tight road course.
“We at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park are thrilled to be able to bring the Camping World Truck Series to Canadian motorsport fans,” Myles Brandt, President and General Manager of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, said last month. “We’re looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience for both fans and drivers alike this Labour Day weekend as we mark yet another milestone in the history of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.”
The track has produced some exciting finishes for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in season’s past with drivers beating and banging right to the very end. Last year’s season opener saw a thrilling battle between J.R. Fitzpatrick, D.J. Kennington and Scott Steckly, which kicked off the championship battle for the whole season.
CTMP’s owners have continued to make improvements each year as last saw track improvements to improve the racing, as well as a tunnel being added. This year’s off-season sees continued track improvements including an expanded pit lane, as well as a brand new media center being built.
