Barrie preview

CASCAR Super Series season set to kick off this weekend at Barrie Speedway with the GO-RACING.CA 300

TORONTO, ON -- The CASCAR Super Series opens its 2006 season this weekend at Barrie Speedway with the GO-RACING.CA 300. Sunday night's 250-lap Super Series feature race will be the highlight of a busy weekend of racing action at the 1/3-mile tri-oval, which will also include a pair of 50-lap Super Series qualifying sprint races on Saturday evening, as well as all of Barrie' regular weekend divisions.

As has been the case for the previous five CASCAR Super Series seasons, the talk heading into the season opener will centre on the ability of any of the contenders to unseat Don Thomson Jr. from the top of the point standings. The Chevy driver has won the last five consecutive CASCAR Super Series National titles, and appears to be as determined as ever to keep the string alive in '06.

Living by the old adage, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it,' Don Thomson discussed his strategy for defending his championship. "I know it's boring, but I'm not looking to do a lot different. We go to every race and try to get the car fast, qualify well, and save our car for the end of the race."

The only real difference with this year's season opener, as opposed to others in recent years, is that it will be taking place at a physical short track. Barrie has a reputation for tough wheel-to-wheel action, and Thomson believes he's ready for whatever happens.

"We've made some changes to address the situation of being at Barrie," Thomson continued. "We mounted two bodies on the car -- one we call the 'Barrie body' -- and another set of spares, in case we run into trouble. If something was to happen to the bumper assemblies or the body panels, I have spares ready to go."

All of Thomson's main rivals from recent years will be returning to take another shot at the Home Hardware Chevy driver, including last year's points runner-up Peter Gibbons, DJ Kennington, Dave Whitlock, Brad Graham, Ron Beauchamp, Kerry Micks and Mark Dilley.

Pole qualifying for the GO-RACING.CA 300 takes place on Saturday afternoon (May 20) at 4:30 p.m. The first of two Twin 50 Qualifying Sprint Races is slated to commence at 8:45 p.m. and will set the grid for Sunday's feature event. Spectator gates open at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 21) in advance of a full slate of Barrie Speedway's regular home divisions. Following those features, the CASCAR drivers take to the track at 7 p.m. -- with pens in hand -- for the autograph session. The 2006 Super Series season will get underway officially at 8:30 p.m. when the green flag flies to start the 250-lap main event, the GO-RACING.CA 300.

BARRIE NOTEBOOK

Barrie, Ontario racer Mark Dilley won last year's CASCAR Super Series stop at Barrie Speedway, in his Dodge Charger-- Another racer who used to call Barrie Speedway his 'hometrack' is former Super Series champion Kerry Micks. The Mt. Albert, ON racer is heading to the opener with sponsorship from Two-Tyme Recycling & Disposal on his Ford Taurus. Micks Motorsports is looking for a sponsor for the remainder of the season, but Micks is happy to have Two-Tyme on his car at Barrie, where he won the pole and finished second in 2005-- The Twin 50 qualifying sprint races on Saturday night (May 20) will offer championship points.

CASCAR WESTERN SERIES NOTES: FLO~PRO.COM Western Series racer Kevin Dowler will begin his quest for a record-extending sixth Western Series crown this weekend at Sun Valley Motor Speedway, in Vernon, BC. The Edmonton, AB racer says this will be his final year of CASCAR competition.

The FLO-PRO.COM Western Series takes the green flag on Saturday night (May 20) at the half-mile Sun Valley oval. In all, the series will consist of eight races, including a pair of Super Series cross-over events, at Sun Valley and the Grand Prix of Edmonton Champ Car weekend.

CASCAR SPORTSMAN SERIES: While two of CASCAR's touring divisions will be in action this weekend, the start of the 2006 CASCAR Sportsman Series will take place next month on the oval at Mosport Speedway. The season opening event, on Saturday, June 17, will be part of the Father's Day CASCAR Doubleheader Weekend at the legendary Mosport facility.

BRIAN WORKMAN: The CASCAR community was saddened to hear of the recent passing of longtime team member Brian Workman. For many years, Brian was on the crew of Neil Fair's #55 team. And in 2005, the Ancaster, ON resident was a key part of Don Thomson's successful 'Drive for Five' in which the #4 Home Hardware team earned its fifth-consecutive Super Series National Championship. Commenting on the passing of Workman, Thomson said, "Our thoughts are with Brian's family and friends at this difficult time. I was fortunate enough to have him on my crew last year and he was a huge part of this team's fifth National Championship. People don't realize what a funny guy he was. When things started to get down and out, we always had Brian to keep us in stitches and keep things light. We're really going to miss him at Fitzpatrick Motorsports and I know a lot of people on a bunch of teams will miss him. We only had him on our team for a short time, but Neil Fair and his guys got to enjoy his company for years. Everyone liked Brian. He will be missed." CASCAR joins Thomson in offering condolences to the family and friends of Brian Workman.

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