Calgary race report

CALGARY, AB - For the third time in his career, Peter Gibbons has won the Mopar Parts 300 at Calgary's Race City Motorsport Park. The Canadian Tire Chevy driver started fourth in the 31 car field on Sunday afternoon on the high-banked half-mile oval and led all but 58 of the 300 laps en route to victory in the second CASCAR Castrol Super Series National race of the season. Finishing second to the Stouffville, ON racer was Hamilton, ON's Don Thomson Jr., in his Home Hardware Chevrolet. Thomson led seven laps, but was no match for Gibbons, who passed under the checkered flag almost six full seconds ahead of Thomson. The defending Eastern series champion was hampered by traffic in the late-going and was unable to mount a serious challenge to Gibbons, who also won this race in 1995 and 1998. The third and final podium position went to DJ Kennington of St. Thomas, ON. Driving his Castrol Dodge to a courageous finish, the 23-year-old driver started the race suffering from strep throat and had a relief driver waiting in the pits should he require assistance. But Kennington refused to relinquish third place in spite of feeling worn out, from the midway point of the race, on. He was coached to the finish by his father, Doug, who helped his son make it across the finish line, in spite of being virtually exhausted. After the two Alberta rounds of the CASCAR Castrol Super Series National championship chase, Peter Gibbons has a five point lead over Don Thomson in his quest to defend his National title. St. Albert, AB racer Carl Harr stands third, ahead of Sherwood Park, AB's Kevin Dowler.