Leading 182 laps, Jason Hathaway would edge out J.R. Fitzpatrick at the line on Saturday night at Barrie Speedway to score the victory in the Wahta Springs 300. It marks Hathaway’s second victory of the season after winning at Autodrome Chaudiere earlier this year.
“It was good,” Hathaway commented. “It was a big win. We were pretty dominant throughout the race. Led some laps and then took tires, had to restart sixth and worked our way up. It’s tough here; it’s tough at Barrie with Kennington, J.R., Ranger and Tagliani – there’s some good talent here. I love this place. I love short track racing, I love oval racing – but yeah, the road courses are killing us in the points deal but as long as we can keep winning ovals, we can keep the sponsors happy.”
It marks a good comeback for Hathaway after transmission issues resulted in a 30th place finish at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Hathaway said the disappointment from CTMP was still on his mind Tuesday, when fellow series competitor D.J. Kennington helped get him pumped up.
“I told him I was pretty bummed out and he told, ‘Atleast you have won a race this year’ and I said, ‘That’s true. You’re making me feel better’,” Hathaway said. “Him and I grew up together and have a lot of respect for each other so kind of glad he pumped me up.
“I’m kind of the cheerleader for my boys. When we get down, I pump them up. They were a little down after CTMP. This win will take care of it and hopefully we can another win at Kawartha.”
Heading into the season finale at Kawartha Speedway next weekend, Jason Hathaway now has the momentum on his side and has been one of the strongest drivers on the ovals this season. In the six ovals this year, Hathaway has two wins and four top-five finishes. That quite possibly could’ve been three victories this year as he had the strongest car at Riverside International Speedway and a good size lead over second when a pair of lap cars got together in front of him, leaving him nowhere to go.
“Love that place,” Hathaway said of Kawartha. “I’ve won in everything that we’ve raced there – street stock, late model, NASCAR, CASCAR Sportsmen – I’ve won in everything there so I love that place. Hopefully we have a good car, like we had here, and win another one.”
