June 16, 2009. Jeff Lapcevich and the #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet team have suffered from a number of disappointing circumstances in the first two events of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season. They were determined not to be disappointed again in round number three at Mosport International Raceway this past weekend. Their efforts were rewarded with their first top-ten finish of the year.
On track activity began with practice and then qualifying on Saturday and the #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet was struggling. “The team determined that we had a gear problem and then during qualifying we had a problem with the ignition wires and we weren’t getting all the power from the engine” said Jeff Lapcevich. Due to the necessary repair work done on the car NASCAR ruled Lapcevich would have to start #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet the 200KM race from the back of the field.
As the green flag waved Lapcevich immediately began improving his position gaining spots before the first caution period of the day on lap four. Following a lengthy red flag delay due to the incident Lapcevich continued his charge toward the front of the field.
As green flag pit stops began to cycle through Lapcevich continued to guide the #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet toward the front before making their own scheduled service. During the stop the crew had a problem that would cost them time. “We had a lug nut hang up and they held us in the pits until it was corrected, that costs us a least twenty or thirty seconds and it was time we just couldn’t afford” said the driver.
Back in the fight after service Lapcevich would use all of his racing skills to regain the positions lost on pit road and more. The #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet showed some of the speed the entire team knew was there but hadn’t been able to display this season. As the laps wound down Lapcevich would not rest until he had gained every spot possible and crossed the finish line with a strong seventh place result after starting at the rear of the field.
“It’s a nice way to come back, it’s kind of unfortunate about the pit stop, but the guys worked really hard, we were definitely off the pace and had some mechanical problems when we got here but the entire team did a great job to get it fixed” said the driver. “We were definitely on pace and I think if we had a little more practice time and had a chance to tweak things a bit we would have been even better” he added.
Lapcevich and the #23 Tim Hortons team are optimistic going forward as well. “I think we learned a bit on this new motor too” said the driver. “It was my call on what gear we ran and I think I blew it but we know what to do next time so I feel we’ll be better on the next road course” he stated.
The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series continues with round number four and the second visit of the season to the Autodrome St. Eustache on Saturday July 11th. This years thirteen events will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast in Canada. All events are once again scheduled to appear on TSN. For More information about Jeff Lapcevich and Lapcevich racing log onto http://www.lapcevichracing.com/
Attached Photo Caption: The #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet moving through the field at Mosport.
Photo Credit: Rod Henderson http://www.canadianracer.com/
On track activity began with practice and then qualifying on Saturday and the #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet was struggling. “The team determined that we had a gear problem and then during qualifying we had a problem with the ignition wires and we weren’t getting all the power from the engine” said Jeff Lapcevich. Due to the necessary repair work done on the car NASCAR ruled Lapcevich would have to start #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet the 200KM race from the back of the field.
As the green flag waved Lapcevich immediately began improving his position gaining spots before the first caution period of the day on lap four. Following a lengthy red flag delay due to the incident Lapcevich continued his charge toward the front of the field.
As green flag pit stops began to cycle through Lapcevich continued to guide the #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet toward the front before making their own scheduled service. During the stop the crew had a problem that would cost them time. “We had a lug nut hang up and they held us in the pits until it was corrected, that costs us a least twenty or thirty seconds and it was time we just couldn’t afford” said the driver.
Back in the fight after service Lapcevich would use all of his racing skills to regain the positions lost on pit road and more. The #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet showed some of the speed the entire team knew was there but hadn’t been able to display this season. As the laps wound down Lapcevich would not rest until he had gained every spot possible and crossed the finish line with a strong seventh place result after starting at the rear of the field.
“It’s a nice way to come back, it’s kind of unfortunate about the pit stop, but the guys worked really hard, we were definitely off the pace and had some mechanical problems when we got here but the entire team did a great job to get it fixed” said the driver. “We were definitely on pace and I think if we had a little more practice time and had a chance to tweak things a bit we would have been even better” he added.
Lapcevich and the #23 Tim Hortons team are optimistic going forward as well. “I think we learned a bit on this new motor too” said the driver. “It was my call on what gear we ran and I think I blew it but we know what to do next time so I feel we’ll be better on the next road course” he stated.
The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series continues with round number four and the second visit of the season to the Autodrome St. Eustache on Saturday July 11th. This years thirteen events will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast in Canada. All events are once again scheduled to appear on TSN. For More information about Jeff Lapcevich and Lapcevich racing log onto http://www.lapcevichracing.com/
Attached Photo Caption: The #23 Tim Hortons Chevrolet moving through the field at Mosport.
Photo Credit: Rod Henderson http://www.canadianracer.com/
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