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[/media-credit]June 17, 2012. Sherwood Park, Alberta’s Noel Dowler continues to make great strides in his sophomore season behind the wheel of the #5 EMCO Dodge. During round number three of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this past weekend on the Speedway at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Dowler achieved his first ever top ten finish, his best result ever in the series.
During practice the #5 EMCO Dodge team worked toward a race set up that would be consistent for Dowler during the evening event. This may have been partly responsible for a disappointing qualifying run for Dowler who would start the race 20th. He would quickly begin to improve his position.
Once the race began Dowler felt he had a good handling race car and began to move the #5 EMCO Dodge forward in the field and gained about a half dozen positions. “The car was really good” said Dowler. “Like running on rails good” he added.
With the #5 EMCO Dodge running so well Crew Chief Chris Wright made a strategy call to keep Dowler track when other cars made pit stops for fuel. “We made the decision to stay out when everyone came for fuel to get track position” explained Dowler. “It moved us up and we restarted on the front row and gave me an opportunity to run with the best drivers” he added.
Though Dowler did slip back a couple of positions he maintained a top ten running spot for the #5 EMCO Dodge. “I think we really showed that this team is making some progress” said Dowler. “We could run with the top cars and hold our own” he added.
An unfortunate break would hurt the #5 EMCO Dodge team during their scheduled pit stops. Dowler was ruled to be outside his pit box while the team performed service which resulted in a one lap penalty. “It was a mistake that I was outside the pit box” said a disappointed driver. “All we could do was dig in a get back as much as we could” he added.
Dowler would do just that. Pushing the #5 EMCO Dodge in the closing laps he fought his way forward and would claim the tenth finishing position. The best career result so far for the young driver and the team. “I’m happy to score a top ten finish” said Dowler “but at the same time I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get a better result. Knowing the car was that good you like to show it” he added.
The 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series resumes June 23rd at Delaware Speedway near London, ON and features 12 events from coast to coast including races during the Edmonton Indy weekend and the NASCAR Nationwide event in Montreal. For more information about Noel Dowler Jr. log onto www.apollomotorsports.ca and follow him on twitter, @noeldowler.
This release prepared by, TL Sports & Entertainment,
