www.canamracing.org www.canamracing.org en-us www.canamracing.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=634



Eight transporters unloaded their precious cargo in Atlanta. The drivers took to the track for their one hour practice at 8:00pm ET. Frantic little ants adjusted and tweaked the chassis to get the most speed out of their cars. There was no one particular standout during practice so this reporter suspects that some fudging on the times put up was being done.

When it came time to qualify it was obvious that these cars were maxed out. MSRL's Steve Biddle driving the #51 Ford Fusion posted a steamy 29.922 seconds. Hot on Steve's trail was Ray Chandonnet in the #61 Chevy Impala SS with a time of 30.151. And right behind Ray came Rich Haynie's #57 Chevy Impala SS with a 30.272.

A long 160 lap event called for some strategy to be put into place. Would the car be set up for a lot of cautions? Would it be set up for long green flag runs with green flag pitstops? Those that chose for the former were elated early on when a couple of early cautions flew. But as the drivers settled in it became long green flag running with multiple green flag pitsops putting a smile on some other drivers faces. One of those drivers, Tony Oscar, driving the Petty Racing #43 Dodge Charger was smiling ear to ear as he crossed the Finish Line on lap 160 with hardly any tires left. WTG Tony, congrats on a job well done.

This is Ray RamJam Chandonnet reporting to you from Hotlanta. See you in two weeks at Bristol.

www.canamracing.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=633




A bright sunny day just a few miles outside of all the glitter and glamour of Sin City found seven drivers ready to mix it up in the Nationwide Series cars. The one hour practice session went well. The drivers tweaked their setups and were ready to qualify.

Rich Haynie's #57 Chevy Monte Carlo SS set the bar for the others with a hot 29.519. Kevin Adamson worried Rich posting a 29.591 in his Tim Horton #35 Chevy. A strong third place time was set by your's truly Ray Chandonnet with a respectable time of 29.657.

During warmup the drivers were able to fine tune their rides for the race. The green flag flew right at 9:20 ET and they were off to the races. Multiple lead changes made for some exciting racing. It looked like Ray Chandonnet driving the #61 Smith & Wesson Chevy made the best adjustments before and during the race and led most of the laps. But as we all know that last lap is the one most important. Ray had set his car up for the long run and it had been paying off in dividends. A late caution however put Rich Haynie at the advantage since his was great on short sprints. With a green white checker finish Haynie was able to get around Chandonnet handily and take the checkers. Ray refused a post race interview so I'm left to assume he was not a happy camper. Rich however was and told this reporter he sure was glad to see that yellow flag fly. Congrats Rich Haynie, job well done.

This is your roving CanAm reporter Ray RamJam Chandonnet signing off. See you at Bristol.

www.canamracing.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=632





This is Ricardo Pirelli reporting from Las Vegas Winner's Circle, where we have Jack "Flash" Martel, the winner of the CanAm Nationwide Fixed Race in his #12 Verizon Dodge!  This was one of the most exciting race finishes I've seen in recent memory!  It was a hard-fought battle from the start, as Kent Thomas took the pole with a blistering lap just under 30 seconds, followed closely by Rich Haynie and Vinny Lewis respectively.  Once the flag dropped, the gloves were off!  
  Rich led the most laps(84), but used up his stuff to the point that Jack Martel, Ray Chandonnet and Ron Blackwell were all able to get by him with just a handful of laps left. With 5 laps to go the yellow flew, #61 Ray Chandonnet and #19 Kent Thomas stayed out to get the lead, but the field behind them hit the pits for fresh tires and repairs, some taking two, some four tires. Ron Blackwell in the #5 car took over the lead , with #12 Flash Martel and #90 Val Wuthrich next in line.  When the flag dropped, Martel made a smooth high-line pass on Blackwell going into the backstretch!  With one to go, nobody was going to catch Martel, so the fight was for second. 

Hey, let's see if we can get a word with the winner!  Flash, tell us about your strategy for the closing laps!
"Well, I knew Haynie had burned up his stuff like usual after I got him to run hard, so then it was down to me and Ray Chandonnet.  I was really sorry to see that flag come out near the end, but we had a strong car and it all worked out.  I'm pleased with this outcome after having a rough week in California.  I'd like to thank Verizon for their support, and congrats to Val on a strong comeback finish!"

Well, that's it for the NWS Fixed race from Las Vegas.  This is Ricardo Pirelli signing off!

www.canamracing.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=631



Would there be as heavy gambling found on the track as was found downtown Sin City? Well for these 11 speedsters it appeared there was going to be. With technical glitches to overcome the field of 11 managed to get going on time but had to sacrifice precious practice time.

At 9:00pm ET sharp qualifying began. Some obvious bluffing during practice brought out a few surprises during qualifying. MSRL's Steve Biddle surprised no one however when he smoked a lap of 29.027 in his Ford Fusion #51 to take the Pole. Another hot lap 29.578 was posted by the #77 Chevy of Gord Carter a full half second off Steve's time. Kent Thomas another MSRL star was right on Gord's lap posting a fine 29.665 in his #19 Toyote Camry.

A long 135 lap race with a mere 4 cautions presented the ultimate challenge to these 11 drivers and crews. The drivers had to save their rubber and keep the body clean. The crews had to be on their game and get the car out of the pitstall quick. Gord Carter looked like he would be untouchable as he led most of the race. That last run to the Checkers proved fatal for Gord who had a great car for the long run but with a late caution with but a handful of laps to go, Steve Biddle had the car for the short run and overtook Gord to cross the Finish Line just ahead of Gord. An exciting finish to a great race...Congrats Steve!

www.canamracing.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=630



The second race of the Nationwide Series was contested in Sunny California. The one hour practice session of a very light field of cars put everyone really close on speed and time. All of the drivers and crews were having a hard time keeping up with a very slick track.

Qualifying found the #33 Chevy of Joe Szot on the Pole with a fine time of 39.453. Sitting beside Joe on the outside of 1st row would be the #57 Chevy of Rich Haynie. Tony Oscar's #43 Dodge posting a 3rd place spot.

The green flag dropped on time. Long green flag runs and tons of pit strategy came into play in this caution free 102 lap event. Crossing the Finish Line 1st this day would be the #43 Dodge Charger driven by Tony Oscar. Tony had been chewing at the bit to get his first win in the series. Congrats goes out to Tony for a job well done!

This is Ray RamJam Chandonnet reporting from sunny Fontana, CA. Meet you Sin City next week

www.canamracing.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=629


There were 18 Nationwide Series transporters unloaded at the Fontana, California track to do battle this day. All 18 with the confidence that today they'd put their car in Victory Circle. The one hour practice session went well with all of the competitors putting up some fine times. 

As the field found out there was a sleeper among them that didn't really show all that he had for them. Tony Oscar driving that all familiar Richard Petty schemed Dodge Charger #43 blistered the track with a Pole sitting time of 40.163. Closest time posted to Tony was by #26 Aaron Needham's Chevy with a stout 40.207. Jack Martel's #12 Dodge Charger would come in 3rd with a respectable 40.231.

The green flag flew right on time and the battle was on. Tony Oscar led the field at the start and looked like he was gonna be the car to beat today. 100 laps is a long way to go and anything and everything can happen. There was but two minor cautions early in the race. This made for some tactics and strategy to come into play with pitstops. A hiccup during a pitstop cost the #43 of Tony Oscar some positions on the track. Not to be outdone Rich Haynie in that #57 Chevy of his got caught speeding on pit road and put him at the back of the field. It looked like Rich finally was going to relinquish his super winning streak. It wasn't long though that Mr. Haynie took over the lead. Wouldn't give it up either and at one point was walking away from the field.

But as I stated earlier, anything and everything can happen. Having had to come back to pitroad to serve his penalty threw Rich out of sequence. He tried his best to make up for it but unbenownst to him and a bunch of other drivers. Val Wuthrich driving his #90 Ford Fusion like the journeyman driver he is quietly set to the task of saving his tires and fuel and took the Checkered Flag in fine fashion. WTG Val job well done!

This is Ray RamJam Chandonnet reporting from sunny California. See you all in Sin City next week.


www.canamracing.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=628



Track conditions were not for the faint of heart Monday night as CanAm hosted their open COT event at California Speedway.  Steve Biddle showed no fear as he took the pole with a blazing 39.666 in his number 51 Ford, followed closely by 43 Tony Oscar with a 40.597 in his Chevrolet.
When the flag dropped on the 100 lapper, Biddle was gone, and it was clear that he had the car to beat.  The usual suspects, Jack Martel and Rich Haynie, had a hard time getting any grip into their setups and were relegated to the back early on as they struggled.  Ray Chandonnet, Bob Chandonnet and Art  Sampson took advantage of the early troubles of their fellow drivers and put down some good laps.  Dave Coiro left early with a blown engine, and Jack Martel eventually had to park it due to damage on an ill-handling rig.
Kent Thomas showed early prowess as well as Ray Chandonnet and Kevin Adamson.  But lap after lap, the 51 was laying down some great laps!  Tony Oscar tried to shake his tree by taking the lead midway, but it didn't take long for Biddle to take it back.  Unfortunately, in the final laps, Steve Biddle took his first damage when Ray drove in too deep and took Steve out in a racing incident, making it a green/white checker situation.  When the flag dropped, Tony Oscar lead the field into turn one, but got loose, while the 19 of Kent Thomas got away clean for the win as the yellow flag dropped!  Steve Biddle made a great comeback getting past the 57 to finish second as Rich Haynie was collected by the 43 of Tony Oscar and finished third.  Congrats to Kent Thomas in his number 19 Toyota for his first COT win at CanAm Racing!  Thomas has shown himself to be a confident driver with  a lot of skill, so we expect to see more great performances from this gifted driver.  This is Ricardo Pirelli reporting for CanAm Racing, live from California!  See you next time!