Cayuga: Round two preview

Cayuga set to host Power Water 200 CASCAR Super Series and CARQUEST Series Weekend

LONDON, ON - The CASCAR Super Series returns to action June 5 and 6 at Cayuga 2000 Speedway with the Power Water 200 Race Weekend. Sunday afternoon's 200-lap Super Series feature race will be the culmination of a busy card of racing at the 5/8-mile Hamilton-area oval. The schedule also includes the season-opening 100-lap CARQUEST Series race on Saturday night (June 5) as well as the Outlaw Thunder Cars.

Last summer, the CARQUEST Series ran the night before the Canada Day Shootout Super Series event at Cayuga, and it proved to be a popular combination as racing fans in attendance got their fill of CASCAR action over the course of the two-day event.

The Power Water 200 is the first of three CASCAR Super Series races to be held at Cayuga 2000 Speedway in 2004, which is one more than took place in '03. Peter Gibbons and Pete Vanderwyst were the winners of last year's Super Series races at Cayuga, while four-time CARQUEST Series champ Steve Robblee won the lone event that series contested at Cayuga in '03.

Coming into the Power Water 200, Gibbons' Canadian Tire / Monroe Brakes Chevy sits atop the Super Series points standings. Traditionally a slow starter, Gibbons has come out of the blocks flying in '04, registering a win in Saturday's season-opening MOPAR 250 at Delaware Speedway.

Three-time and defending Super Series champ Don Thomson fended off a potentially devastating finish in the MOPAR 250 when he clawed back from a two-lap deficit to salvage a sixth-place finish in his Home Hardware Chevy. Based on that performance, it's clear that Thomson can be counted on to mount another fierce title defense this season.

Jeff Lapcevich finished second in the MOPAR 250 and heads to the Power Water 200 at Cayuga tied for second in the points with three-time National champ Dave Whitlock, who finished fifth at Delaware. Whitlock (Avenue / NMT Dodge) has enjoyed considerable success at Cayuga Speedway, while Lapcevich (Tim Hortons Chevy) enters the event immediately after recording his best-ever finish (second) on an oval track, after starting 'scratch' in the MOPAR 250.

ERB Pontiac driver Scott Steckly is fourth in the points following his third-place finish in the season opener. The talented Milverton, ON racer is still searching for his first Super Series win after coming close on several occasions during the past few seasons. Steckly's smooth style and his knack for protecting his equipment should suit him well at Cayuga.

Turning to Saturday night's CARQUEST Series race, almost two dozen competitors have registered for the series this season.

CASCAR NOTEBOOK:

EMCO Western Series driver Kevin Dowler led the majority of Sunday afternoon's 200 lap race at Calgary's Race City Motorsport Park en route to his second win in as many races held so far this season. Dowler's Taurus came home ahead of Todd Nichol, whose second-place finish was the best of his CASCAR career. Ron Larson earned the final podium position-- Today, CASCAR and Peterborough Speedway announced that the June 12 Super Series race at Peterborough Speedway will be called the 'Dodge Dealers of Ontario 200'. It's the second year in a row that the province's Dodge Dealers have sponsored the series' first race of the season at the high-banked, 1/3-mile Peterborough oval-- The MOPAR 250 from Delaware Speedway will air on SPORTSNET East and Ontario starting Tuesday, June 8 at 7 p.m. The 90-minute broadcast starts Sunday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. on SPORTSNET PACIFIC and in the WEST on Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m-- The Outlaw Thunder Cars are also on the card for the Power Water 200 CASCAR race weekend at Cayuga 2000 Speedway-- Power Water (www.powerwater.com) is a unique 'premium water' beverage that quenches thirst and rejuvenates the body-- For information about tickets to the Power Water 200 Race Weekend, visit www.cayuga2000speedway.com.

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