September 27, 2009. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts Dodge team once again displayed speed, skill and consistency in the final round of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series this past Sunday at Kawartha Speedway. Beauchamp would score his second pole position starting spot of the year and also pick up his eighth top-five finish of the season.
Team Mopar showed their usual speed during the practice session and Ron Jr. put down a blistering lap during qualifying posting a time of 18.067 seconds for an average speed of 74.722 MPH securing the inside front row starting spot for the Mopar Parts Dodge. “I was a bit worried about qualifying the rain was threatening and I was just hoping we’d get it all in so the lap would stand” said the driver. The lap would stand, however the rains delayed the 250 lap feature race until Sunday.
When skies cleared and the green flag waved Beauchamp would hold the lead for the first nine laps, but surrender the top spot following a caution period restart. “It was pretty interesting in the first part of the race” said the driver. “it was nice to get out a lead a little bit. We had a couple of cautions and on the restart it seemed like the high groove was the place to be and the #27 and I swapped the lead back and forth a few times” he added. The two would actually trade the lead six times during the first 125 laps of the race.
As the race moved past the scheduled mid point Team Mopar would stop for scheduled service and though they completed their stop for fuel and tires for the #60 Dodge efficiently they would lose a couple of spots exiting pit road. “We were all lined up on the inside of pit lane to get out but I think the #17 car got us on the outside and that’s how we lost a couple of spots.
Heading towards lap 200 of the scheduled 250 there were several caution periods that slowed the field which didn’t allow the Mopar Parts Dodge the opportunity to gain any momentum. “We got bogged down a bit by those quick cautions and just couldn’t get anything going” said Ron Jr. “I was hoping for a long green flag run to get back up to the front” he added.
Mother Nature would take control of the race before Beauchamp had the opportunity to make any further progress. Showers began and soaked the Speedway forcing NASCAR Officials to call the race complete on lap 204. The Mopar Parts Dodge would finish fifth. “It’s too bad” said the frustrated driver. “Our strategy was working out fine, we were up in the top-five with about fifty laps to go and I think I could have gained a few more spots, we just needed that green flag run to the finish” he added.
This would be the eighth top-five finish for the Mopar Parts Dodge Avenger team, and their eleventh top-ten finish in thirteen events, a remarkable run of consistent top results. “This was a really solid season” said Beauchamp after the race. I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish for Mopar, Exide and Mobil 1. They do so much to support us it’s nice to be able to run up front all year long”.
With that season long consistency Ron Beauchamp Jr. and team Mopar finish the season tied for second in championship points but are classified third based on race wins. “We came so close this year, that’s the only thing missing is chalking up that next race victory” said Beauchamp.
You can watch the final event of the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series from Kawartha Speedway on TSN on Saturday October 17th at 2PM Eastern. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and all those involved with the Mopar Parts Team would like to thank the many fans for their continued support during the 2009 racing season.
Photo caption: Ron Beauchamp Jr. in the Mopar Parts Dodge at Kawartha Speedway
Team Mopar showed their usual speed during the practice session and Ron Jr. put down a blistering lap during qualifying posting a time of 18.067 seconds for an average speed of 74.722 MPH securing the inside front row starting spot for the Mopar Parts Dodge. “I was a bit worried about qualifying the rain was threatening and I was just hoping we’d get it all in so the lap would stand” said the driver. The lap would stand, however the rains delayed the 250 lap feature race until Sunday.
When skies cleared and the green flag waved Beauchamp would hold the lead for the first nine laps, but surrender the top spot following a caution period restart. “It was pretty interesting in the first part of the race” said the driver. “it was nice to get out a lead a little bit. We had a couple of cautions and on the restart it seemed like the high groove was the place to be and the #27 and I swapped the lead back and forth a few times” he added. The two would actually trade the lead six times during the first 125 laps of the race.
As the race moved past the scheduled mid point Team Mopar would stop for scheduled service and though they completed their stop for fuel and tires for the #60 Dodge efficiently they would lose a couple of spots exiting pit road. “We were all lined up on the inside of pit lane to get out but I think the #17 car got us on the outside and that’s how we lost a couple of spots.
Heading towards lap 200 of the scheduled 250 there were several caution periods that slowed the field which didn’t allow the Mopar Parts Dodge the opportunity to gain any momentum. “We got bogged down a bit by those quick cautions and just couldn’t get anything going” said Ron Jr. “I was hoping for a long green flag run to get back up to the front” he added.
Mother Nature would take control of the race before Beauchamp had the opportunity to make any further progress. Showers began and soaked the Speedway forcing NASCAR Officials to call the race complete on lap 204. The Mopar Parts Dodge would finish fifth. “It’s too bad” said the frustrated driver. “Our strategy was working out fine, we were up in the top-five with about fifty laps to go and I think I could have gained a few more spots, we just needed that green flag run to the finish” he added.
This would be the eighth top-five finish for the Mopar Parts Dodge Avenger team, and their eleventh top-ten finish in thirteen events, a remarkable run of consistent top results. “This was a really solid season” said Beauchamp after the race. I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish for Mopar, Exide and Mobil 1. They do so much to support us it’s nice to be able to run up front all year long”.
With that season long consistency Ron Beauchamp Jr. and team Mopar finish the season tied for second in championship points but are classified third based on race wins. “We came so close this year, that’s the only thing missing is chalking up that next race victory” said Beauchamp.
You can watch the final event of the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series from Kawartha Speedway on TSN on Saturday October 17th at 2PM Eastern. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and all those involved with the Mopar Parts Team would like to thank the many fans for their continued support during the 2009 racing season.
Photo caption: Ron Beauchamp Jr. in the Mopar Parts Dodge at Kawartha Speedway
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