MOSPORT, ON - Joey Hanssen the seventeen year old rookie of the year challenger in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series had a race that he’d like to forget in round number three of the series Sunday at Mosport International Raceway. After a frightening off course excursion only a few laps into the race Hanssen was alright afterwards complaining of only some overall soreness.
Hanssen piloting the #40 Prime Champ Dodge Avenger worked hard at practice and qualifying and was looking forward to his first road course event of the season. But after completing only three laps of the 200km feature event Hanssen suffered an equipment failure as he approached the high speed corner eight in the Prime Champ Dodge. The failure left Hanssen without braking ability and would send him crashing hard into the tire barrier and toward the concrete retaining wall.
NASCAR officials red flagged the event and stopped all other competitors on the front straightaway while track safety workers and NASCAR safety crews worked methodically to free the driver after what was an extremely hard impact. The extrication took sometime as safety crews worked carefully to ensure the drivers safe removal from the race car and assess any injuries.
Hanssen was first transported to the Mosport infield care center and then transported by ambulance to Bowmanville Hospital for further precautionary examination and x-rays. The good news is the Prime Champ driver while sore and uncomfortable was in good spirits and subsequently released after following successful completion of all tests.
Teammate DJ Kennington spoke to Hanssen after the race and was very happy to hear that the young man from the Netherlands was alright. “That was a hard hit and I’m sure that it really shook him up” said Kennington. “He tried to climb out but felt some pain so he did the right thing and waited for the safety crews to help him out of the car. He was worried about having been involved in wrecks in back to back races and I told him we can build as many cars as we need. The most important thing is that he’s alright”.
The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season continues with round four on Saturday July 11th at the Autodrome St. Eustache. This years schedule will consist of thirteen races on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast in Canada. All thirteen races will be seen on TSN. For more information about Joey Hanssen the NASCAR Canadian Tire series go to www.NASCAR.ca.
Attached Photo caption: The 40 Prime Champ Dodge on course at Mosport. Photo Credit: Rod Henderson www.canadianracer.com
About Prime Champ: Prime Champ is one of Europe’s largest environmentally friendly producers of all natural mushrooms with no pesticides used at any stage of the production process. Prime Champ supplies large retailers, discounters and industrial food services in the UK, Germany and Netherlands.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com // (239) 961-2618
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