This past Saturday, NASCAR had their annual Canadian Recognition Event to celebrate this year’s Canadian NASCAR Champions.
The man of the hour at the event was 2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Champion Scott Steckly. With a win at Kawartha Speedway to close out the season, Steckly was able to grab his third championship, two points ahead of D.J. Kennington.
Steckly was honored before the crowd as championship and presented a special plaque.
“I would like to thank NASCAR, NASCAR Canada, Canadian Tire and all the sponsors that back us – they give us a great series to race in,” Steckly said before the crowd. “To win the championship is an amazing thing to do and it couldn’t be done without a great team and a great sponsor.”
He will join the K&N Pro Series East and West, Mexico Series and Euro Series Champions in Charlotte, North Carolina in December to further celebrate his accomplishment.
2013 Rookie of the Year Alex Gunette was also honored at the recognition event as he won the award just ahead of Ryley Seibert. Gunette was unable to attend due to being sick, but his mom Lyn was there to say his speech. She thanked his team Jacob Racing and their sponsors Motos Illimitees, DLGL and Polaris for their support.
“Thanks to everyone in the series for a good year of new memorable experiences,” she added. “Thanks to his father for enduring – supporting him throughout the year.”
Series sponsor Canadian Tire was also recognized for their support of the series as NASCAR presented them with a special photo. London French, vice president of sponsorship for Canadian Tire, accepted it on Canadian Tire’s behalf.
“At Canadian Tire our goal has always been to be the automotive leader in Canada and what we do with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is a big part of that,” he stated. “This year with the championship (in the Canadian Tire Series) coming down to the final lap exemplifies what we’ve all come to expect on the track.”
NASCAR also took time out to recognize the other series sponsors, series officials, track officials and industry support leaders for their support of the series in 2013. George Silverman, Vice President of Regional and Touring Series for NASCAR, as well as Meghan Miley, Senior Manager for Touring Series Racing Operations, both expressed positive thoughts on the series and the caliber of drivers and teams, as well as tracks.
As part of the NASCAR Home Tracks Program, 2013 Ontario NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Champion Gord Shepherd was on hand to be recognized. Shepherd won the Limited Late Model Championship at Barrie Speedway this past season to win the Ontario Provincial Championship. He ranked 43rd overall in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series standings with nine wins, 29 top fives and 32 top 10s.
2013 Barrie Speedway Thunder Car Champion Rick Walt was also hand to be congratulated as track champion as part of the NASCAR Home Tracks program. Walt finished the year with five wins, 15 top fives and 16 top 10s in 16 feature events this season.
