PETERBOROUGH, ON (Sunday Sept. 27, 2009): In his own words during an on track celebration of his career, this day would be bittersweet as Dave Whitlock would officially hang up his racing helmet and call it a career from the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series when the checkered flag falls today. After starting in the 22nd position, Whitlock brought his No. 39 Dickies/NMT/Prostate Cancer Canada/POINTTS Dodge Avenger across the line in eighth position.
Whitlock announced his retirement before the first event in the 2009 season, telling everyone that Kawartha would be his last race. “I am totally comfortable with my decision,” he told everyone during an on track interview before the race. “I am going to miss it no doubt as I have made a lot of great friends in this sport but I need to free up some time and I can’t see any other way to do it. I am looking forward to having more time at home to spend with my family.”
At the drop of the green, Whitlock reported the car was pretty good maybe a little loose. As his crew watched the weather trying to determine when or if to make pit stops, the No. 39 Dickies/NMT driver settled into line. On lap 80 Whitlock brought his car down pit road for fuel and an adjustment. The next caution on lap 140, the Dickies/NMT Dodge came to pit road. His crew did an outstanding job of pit stops getting Whitlock out clean both times and he lined up in 6th for the restart.
With a little less than 50 laps to go the rain came again and NASCAR through the checkered flag making it an official end to the 2009 season. “It is hard to believe the 2009 season has already drawn to a close! It was a great race today ... We wanted a better finish, but it just wasn't meant to be. We had a really good car but some contact after our pit stops caused some steering damage and we just weren't as good after that. As always my crew did an awesome job today! I would like to thank each and every person that has contributed to my racing career! Thank you it’s been one helluva a ride!!!
Finish: 1. D. J. Kennington 2. Kerry Micks 3. Don Thomson Jr. 8. Dave Whitlock.
The Whitlock Motorsports team would unofficially be scored tenth in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship points.
As a surprise, Whitlock’s sponsors and crew put together a special hood design for this event with an Honouring Legends theme. With Dickies and Whitlock both being legends in their field the theme worked well. All the drivers in the race today signed it and each penned their own special message to him.
The Z-Line Designs 250 from Kawartha Speedway will be broadcast on TSN on Saturday Oct. 17th at 2 p.m. EST
Whitlock Motorsports is supported by Dickies Canada, Nitrex Metal Technologies, Prostate Cancer Canada, POINTTS The Traffic Ticket Specialists, CRS Trucking, Linde Gas, Wendell Dodge, Lugfasts, Ntech and O’Tools.
For more information on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series please visit www.nascar.ca. For more information on Whitlock Motorsports please visit www.whitlockmotorsports.com.
From Linda Jones / Wide Open Motorsport Solutions
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