NASCAR: J. R. Fitzpatrick Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Preview

J. R. Fitzpatrick
No. 33 Schick Chevrolet Impala SS
Team Race Preview: NASCAR Nationwide Series Race 25 of 35 – Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal)

NORTH OF THE BORDER: This weekend the NASCAR Nationwide Series moves north of the border to run the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. Cambridge, Ontario native J. R. Fitzpatrick will climb into the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Schick Chevrolet for the first time this season and his second Nationwide Series start of the season for KHI (previously ran the No. 4 KHI Chevrolet at Watkins Glen, finishing 18th).

In one previous Nationwide Series start at the 2.709-mile road course, Fitzpatrick suffered electrical problems at the beginning of the race and recorded a 43rd-place finish. In two NASCAR Canadian Tires Series starts, Fitzpatrick has earned two 22nd-place finishes. In his most recent start in the Canadian Tire Series, Fitzpatrick started from the second position, led 21 of 23 laps, but was involved in an on-track incident on the final lap resulting in the 22nd-place finish.

DOUBLE DUTY: Fitzpatrick will compete in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Canadian Tire Series races on Sunday, August 30, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, driving for Sponsor Schick in both events. Competing in the two events on the same day will give Fitzpatrick the opportunity to complete 97 laps around the 2.709-mile road course for a total of 262.773 miles.

BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER J. R. FITZPATRICK:

Having raced at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before, in both the Canadian Tire Series and Nationwide Series, what do you like about this track? “Having raced at Montreal, I feel that I am going to be comfortable with the car and track right from the get go. Having that comfort level will allow us as a team to make the car better from the start.”

What characteristics make this track unique? “The track is very unique because it is very small, tight and flat. You really have to make sure you set yourself up for the next corner, if you don't, it will take a long time to get back into a rhythm.”

How excited are you to climb behind the wheel of the No. 33 car, taking the reins from team co-owner Kevin Harvick? What are your expectations going into the weekend? “Getting the chance to jump into the No. 33 Nationwide Series car for KHI is a lifelong dream of mine. I have been in some low-end equipment before in the Nationwide Series, so now that I have been in good equipment on the Truck side all year, and have the opportunity to go back Montreal in the Nationwide Series in just as good of equipment, I feel we can go for another top-10 run.”

Pulling double duty this weekend in the Canadian Tire Series race and Nationwide Series race, what challenges do you face? How do you prepare, both mentally and physically, for running both races on the same day? “To pull double duty this weekend in both the Nationwide and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, I am really going to focus on the reactions of the cars and make sure I do not drive one car like the other because both cars drive so much different. Also, I have started to prepare already by getting lots of rest and eating good meals and drinking lots of water every day. I think track time wise, it’s going be a good thing to get to run both classes and also going to be a ton of fun.”

CHASSIS HISTORY: This weekend the Schick team will unload chassis No. 046 for Fitzpatrick. This will be the second appearance for this chassis this season. It previously ran as the No. 4 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Chevrolet at Watkins Glen with Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick began the race from the 16th position and appeared to be on his way to a top-15 place finish before spinning on the last lap to finish the race in the 18th position.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: The Nationwide Series last appeared on track at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway with team co-owner Kevin Harvick behind the wheel of the No. 33 Rheem Tankless Water Heaters Chevrolet. Starting the race from the 11th position, Harvick patiently picked his way through the field, making his way to the lead. Leading two times for a total of 91 laps, Harvick lost the lead on pit road during a scheduled pit stop and slipped a few positions before finishing the race in the fourth position. This finish marked Harvick’s 12th top-five finish at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” 

QUICK NOTES
August 30, 2009
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal)
NAPA Auto Parts 200
Race length:  74 laps/200.466 miles
Turns: 15
Track layout: 2.709 miles
Shape: Road Course

Pre-Race Schedule:
Saturday:
First Practice: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., ET
Final Practice: 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 a.m., ET
Qualifying: 4:40 p.m., ET
TV: The NAPA Auto Parts 200 can be seen live on ESPN2 at 2:00 p.m., ET.
Radio: The Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast the race live at 7:30 p.m., ET.

About Schick Canada: Schick Canada, a division of Energizer Canada Inc., is a leading manufacturer of high performance razors for men and women. Committed to the development of shaving technology and innovation, Schick Canada has launched some of the most successful razors on the market including Xtreme3®, the three-bladed disposable that flexes and pivots, Intuition Plus ®, the razor that lathers, shaves and moisturizes in one step, and Quattro ®, the first four-bladed system and disposable razor for men and women. For more information, visit www.schick.ca. FEEL YOUR SKIN™

About Kevin Harvick Inc.: Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full-time Truck Series teams, including the 2007 series champions.  The No. 33 team is led by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday and the No. 4 KHI All-Stars team is comprised of Ricky Carmichael, the most successful motocross racer in American history, J.R. Fitzpatrick and a variety of NASCAR Sprint Cup stars. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Nationwide Series team competing full-time with drivers Kevin Harvick (a two-time Nationwide Series champion), 2008 Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman, Ron Hornaday, Cale Gale and Kelly Bires. The 2009 season marks KHI’s sixth year of full-time competition in NASCAR’s elite divisions. Visit www.kevinharvickinc.com  for more information. 

From Alicia Deal | Kevin Harvick Inc.