Passing Of The Torch For Seiberts
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 8, 2013) – Passing the torch from father to son is one of the most time-honored and fulfilling experiences there is.
For Trevor and Ryley Seibert that is what the 2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 is about. The bulk of Trevor’s career, that has included a stint in the Firestone Indy Lights series, is in his rearview mirror while 21-year-old Ryley is just embarking on his career that extends beyond the local level.
“I race for the enjoyment of it at this point,” said the elder Seibert. “And to gauge where Ryley is in his development. It’s not necessarily about beating me, but more to see how he reacts to things and matures as a racer.”
While the plan for advancement is not quite as accelerated as Ryley would like, it is one that is pragmatic and based on acquired skills.
“He needs to earn his way and learn the business,” Trevor stated. “We’re just not going to move up for the sake of moving up. He’s going to need to prove that he belongs and can handle it. More is accomplished by earning it rather than having it handed to you. So, that’s how we’re looking at it.”
“I want to do more and more, but I understand where my (father) is coming from,” Ryley said. “I get impatient, but it’s definitely the best way to go.”
As a series rookie of the year contender, the younger Seibert has been to the top-finishing rookie in three of the four events this season and holds a slim lead over Alex Guenette in the rookie standings. Coming into the season the younger Seibert had five Canadian Tire Series starts under his belt.
“I think the progression has been good,” said Ryley. “There’s lots of room for improvement, but there always is.”
The Seiberts out of Williams Lake, B.C., get to compete before their home fans this week in the A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300 on Saturday, July 13 at Motoplex Speedway and Event Park in Vernon, B.C. Doing well there has a number of benefits.
“Winning in front of friends and family is always special. Bragging rights are pretty fun, too,” said Trevor. “From a business point of view it’s good, as well. Sponsorship can come from some pretty strange places sometimes and local connections are often good for that.”
Ryley competes regularly at Motoplex in the local divisions and he would like nothing more than to put on a great show for his rivals there.
“It would be huge to have a great run there,” said Ryley.
Race: A&W Cruisin’ The Dub 300
Place: Motoplex Speedway & Event Park, Vernon, B.C.
Date: Saturday, July 13
Time: 8:15 p.m. PT
TV Schedule: TSN, Sun., July 28, 11 a.m. ET; RDS2, Sat., Aug. 3, 7 p.m. ET
Track Layout: Half-mile tri-oval
2012 Winner: D.J. Kennington
2012 Pole Sitter: Ron Beauchamp Jr.
Event Schedule: Practice 1-1:30 p.m.; Final Practice 2-2:30 p.m.; Qualifying 5:15 p.m.; On-Track Autograph Session 7 p.m.; Driver Introductions 7:50 p.m.
Track Contact: Bob Newcombe, (250) 542-9090, bob@motoplexspeedway.com
Event Twitter Hashtag: #AW300
FAST FACTS
The Race: This is the fifth event of the 2013 season for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 and the third of eight oval-track events on the schedule. This is the series’ seventh visit to the track.
The Procedure: The starting field is 24 cars, including provisionals. The first 21 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining three spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 300 laps covering 150 miles.
The Track: The Motoplex Speedway half-mile banked tri-oval is 55 feet wide on the front and back straights, and 60 feet wide in the turns. Banking in Turns 1 and 2 is 11 degrees, while Turns 3 and 4 are banked at 14 degrees. The facility has seating for 7,500 spectators, including corporate hospitality facilities and VIP suites. The track’s first event took place on August 12, 2000. The track was known as SunValley Speedway through the 2009 season.
The Records: The one-lap qualifying record for the Canadian Tire Series at the track is 18.168 seconds (99.075 mph), set by D.J. Kennington on July 31, 2010. The 300-lap race record was established on July 18, 2009 by Andrew Ranger at 1 hour, 52 minutes, 29 seconds for an average speed of 81.612 mph.
VERNON NOTES
Favorites: If Motoplex Speedway is not Scott Steckly’s (No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge) favorite track, it should be. In six Canadian Tire Series starts at the track, the two-time series champion has a pair of wins, three second-place finishes and a third-place showing last season.
Long Road: After competing in Mirabel, Quebec on July 7, Canadian Tire Series teams will make the long trip west to British Columbia. The point-to-point trip covers over 2,500 miles across Canada.
Long Road, Part II: The 300-lap race on the half-mile tri-oval at Motoplex Speedway is the longest race on the series schedule. The other two 300-lappers on the schedule are at on third-mile tracks in Antigonish, N.S. and Barrie, Ontario.
Still Looking: With a sixth-place finish at Circuit ICAR points leader D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge) is still looking for his first win of the 2013 season. The defending series champion claimed his first Motoplex triumph last year.
Western Swing: This season’s swing through Western Canada consists of two races. The Motoplex Speedway event will be followed up by the Saskatoon event on Wednesday, July 17.
Brothers In Arms: Brothers Jason and Jim White – both British Columbia residents – will share the track for the first time this season and for competing teams. Jason’s car is prepared by DJK Racing while Jim’s Dodge will come out of the 22 Racing stable.
Come On Out: Joining the Canadian Tire Series at the British Columbia half-mile tri-oval will be the A&W Street Stocks. Ticket information for the event can be found at www.motoplexspeedway.com.
LAST TIME OUT: Jiffy Lube 100
Still The King: Andrew Ranger continued his road-course dominance in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series by picking up his 14th series career road-racing victory since the series began in 2007. It was his 17th overall series win. Ranger also has nine career triumphs in his home province of Quebec.
More Like It: After a pair of sub-par performances to start the 2013 season by Scott Steckly, the two-time champion has recorded back-to-back second-place finishes to move up to seventh in the point standings.
Dumoulins Double Up: Brothers Jean-Francois (eighth) and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin (third) scored top-10 finishes at Circuit ICAR. It’s the fourth time in the Canadian Tire Series that both Trois-Rivieres, Quebec competitors registered top 10s in the same event.
Off And Running: Rookie Alex Guenette experienced a few bumps to the start the season, but the 17-year-old picked up his first series-career top 10 with a 10th-place finish in the Jiffy Lube 100 presented by Snap-on at Circuit ICAR.
NEXT TIME OUT: Velocity Prairie Thunder
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 completes its swing through Western Canada on Wednesday, July 17 with the Velocity Prairie Thunder presented by Bayer Crop Science at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The popular event always draws capacity crowds at the third-mile oval. Last year, D.J. Kennington collected the win en route to his second series championship.
