The Canadian Racing Season Begins February 8, 9 & 10, 2013 at Toronto’s International Centre
(TORONTO, ON // FEBRUARY 7, 2013) For the third year in a row, the massive race hauler that is the base of operations for all NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 race events will be the core of the series’ display at the Canadian Motorsports Expo (CME). In a new twist for this year’s show, the hauler will be accompanied by eight of the series’ race cars. The show takes place February 8-10 at Toronto’s International Centre, across from Pearson Airport.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is Canada’s top professional racing series. Since 2007, the series has travelled across Canada, thrilling fans while earning a reputation for exciting racing on ovals and road courses, at some of the country’s top motorsports events.
Surrounding the series’ hauler at the CME will be many of the tour’s most prominent cars. The No. 17 Castrol Edge Dodge of two-time and reigning series champion D.J. Kennington will be on display accompanied by the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion trophy.
Scott Steckly’s No. 22 Canadian Tire Dodge and Andrew Ranger’s No. 27 Dodge / GC Motorsport Dodge will also be on display at the CME. Like Kennington, both Steckly and Ranger are two-time series champions.
The No. 60 Mopar / Mobil 1 Dodge driven by Ron Beauchamp Jr., the No. 23 Tim Hortons Dodge of Jeff Lapcevich, the No. 5 EMCO Dodge (Noel Dowler), the No. 66 Quaker State Dodge (Robin Buck) and the No. 81 National Tomlinson Tire Recycling / RC Trailers Dodge driven by Larry Jackson will also be on hand.
“We feel that it’s essential for us to be part of the Canadian Motorsports Expo for several reasons,” said NASCAR Touring Series Director Brad Moran. “Primarily, though, we want to bring awareness and exposure of the Canadian Tire Series to the fans, and to show them some of what goes on behind the scenes. The CME gives us a relaxed, preseason opportunity to speak with the drivers and the teams, and it also allows us to connect with other members of the motorsports industry.”
Discussing having his car and the championship trophy on display at the CME, Kennington said, “It’s a great feeling to have your name appear on any NASCAR trophy, and to have it inscribed twice on the championship hardware is pretty remarkable. The depth of talent in the Canadian Tire Series is unbelievable. To win a race, let alone a championship, is quite an accomplishment, and one that we’re very proud of.”
Kennington continued, “Race fans at the Canadian Motorsports Expo can get a really up-close look at our cars and will be able to get a true sense of what we do 12 weekends a year. It’s great that we can play a part in introducing people to the sport and to our brand of stock-car racing.”
Supporting the static multi-car display, staff members of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be on hand to provide escorted tours of the series’ hauler, co-ordinate impromptu autograph sessions with the invited drivers, answer questions that the fans might have regarding the cars, the series or the racing schedule. It’s also planned that two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will spend part of his autograph signing time, on Saturday afternoon, at the back of the NASCAR hauler after signing on the Mazda Stage, adjacent to the NCATS area.
ABOUT THE NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES: Created in 2007, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is Canada’s only professional racing series. Utilizing strictly enforced technical specifications, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series provides a balanced playing field for the competitors, guaranteeing intense, wheel-to-wheel competition. In 2013, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule will consist of 12 events at 11 different venues, appearing from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and racing on both oval tracks as well as road and street courses.
In its six year history, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series has crowned three different champions, with drivers Andrew Ranger, Scott Steckly and D.J. Kennington each claiming the championship on two occasions.
For a full race schedule, race reports and regular series updates, visit the NASCAR website, www.nascarhometracks.com and click on the Canadian Tire Series tab.
ABOUT THE CME: The 7th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News takes place February 8, 9 & 10, 2013 at Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport. The show features motorsports content geared to racers and fans. This year’s celebrity guests include NASCAR stars Kyle Busch, two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip and Canadian racing legend Ron Fellows. The show will also feature an appearance by JP, Mike and Robb, the stars of TV’s Trailer Park Boys. For information about the show, including exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, call (416) 962-7223, or email info@CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com. The CME’s website is located at www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.
