Chisholm Rolls To First Win
Victorious In Front Of Hometown Crowd At Riverside
ANTIGONISH, N.S. (Aug. 16, 2014) – Donald Chisholm scored an emotional and convincing victory in front of the hometown crowd as he took his first career NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 checkered flag in Saturday’s Wilson Equipment 300 at Riverside International Speedway.
The victory for Chisholm, from Antigonish, came in his 16th career start. A part-time competitor since 2007, he became the 15th different winner in Canadian Tire Series history.
“I honestly can hardly believe that it’s happening,” Chisholm said from Victory Lane. “We’ve been fast a bunch [of times previously] with these guys and just had misfortune, and tonight it all stayed together.”
Chisholm, whose family owns Riverside, captured the victory less than two months after his father and track founder, John, passed away. Chisholm also earned his first career pole earlier in the evening.
Chisholm’s No. 28 Keltic Ford/Nova Construction Ford was followed across the finish line by only three other lead lap cars: Alex Labbe, D.J. Kennington and Andrew Ranger. Both Kennington and Ranger passed Chisholm in the closing laps to rejoin the lead lap.
Mark Dilley, points leader L.P. Dumoulin, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Noel Dowler and rookies John Flemming and Matthew Scannell brought home the top 10.
Jason Hathaway appeared poised to defend his Riverside win from a year ago. He was cruising in the lead when he collided with the spun Flemming car while navigating lap traffic on Lap 240.
For Labbe, who has turned in competitive performances this year in a part-time role, the runner-up was his best career Canadian Tire Series finish to-date.
“We had a great run,” Labbe said. “We had a great car at the end, struggled a bit at the beginning, and just made our way back through the pack. I’m really happy to get my first podium here at Antigonish.”
Dumoulin leaves Riverside with the same points advantage he arrived with, 26 tallies ahead of Fitzpatrick, and now Ranger, who is tied for second. Hathaway’s Riverside misfortune now has him 47 points back in fourth.
Each of the last two Canadian Tire Series races have featured hometown winners. In addition to Chisholm, Dumoulin was victorious last week in his native Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, in the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres. Chisholm also became the first first-time winner the Canadian Tire Series has featured since Dumoulin won the 2013 season-opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
The Wilson Equipment 300 will premiere on TSN on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 2:30 p.m., and on RDS2 on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.
The Canadian Tire Series will return to action with the Pinty’s presents the Clarington 200 on Aug. 31 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ont.
Contact:
Jason Cunningham
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications
(704) 201-6658
jcunningham@nascar.com
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series pres. by Mobil 1-Wilson Equipment 300
Unofficial Results
Saturday
At Riverside International Speedway
Antigonish, N.S.
Lap length: 0.333 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (1) Donald Chisholm, Antigonish, N.S., Ford, 300 laps, 58.813 mph.
2. (
Alex Labbe, Saint-Albert, Que., Dodge, 300.
3. (5) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont., Dodge, 300.
4. (2) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Dodge, 300.
5. (10) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ont., Ford, 299.
6. (15) L.P. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 299.
7. (9) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Ayr, Ont., Chevrolet, 299.
8. (13) Noel Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alta., Chevrolet, 299.
9. (11) John Flemming, Halifax, N.S., Dodge, 297.
10. (12) Matthew Scannell, Milton. Ont., Dodge, 296.
11. (7) Joey McColm, Ajax, Ont., Dodge, 296.
12. (4) Jason Hathaway, Dutton, Ont., Chevrolet, 286.
13. (16) Paul Jean, St-Eustache, Que., Dodge, 280.
14. (6) Stefan Rzadzinski, Edmonton, Alta., Dodge, 63, suspension.
15. (3) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Dodge, 42, brakes.
16. (14) Kerry Micks, Mount Albert, Ont., Ford, 8, electrical.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 41 minutes 55 seconds
Margin of Victory: 2.682 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: D.Chisholm (82.443 mph, 14.541 seconds)
Caution Flags: 4 for 49 laps.
Lead Changes: 8 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders: A. Ranger 1-3; D. Chisholm 4-36; A. Ranger 37-139; J. Fitzpatrick 140; N. Dowler 141-146; J. Fitzpatrick 147-162; D. Chisholm 163-172; J. Hathaway 173-240; D. Chisholm 241-300.
Standings: 1. L. Dumoulin, 337; 2. A. Ranger, 311; 3. J. Fitzpatrick, 311; 4. J. Hathaway, 290; 5. D. Kennington, 285; 6. S. Steckly, 280; 7. N. Dowler, 270; 8. J. McColm, 245; 9. M. Dilley, 199; 10. A. Tagliani, 192.
Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=20034.msg112059#msg112059
