Montmagny race summary

Whitlock completes Quebec sweep, at Montmagny; Top four points contenders take top four spots in Snap On Tools 200.

MONTMAGNY, QC - Three-time CASCAR Super Series National champion took the lead on lap 169 of the Snap On Tools 200 at Autodrome Montmagny on Sunday afternoon. From there, the Ford Fast Lane Taurus driver held off spirited challenges by Peter Gibbons and DJ Kennington to take his second Super Series win of the season. Coincidentally, Whitlock's other victory came in this season's only other stop in Quebec, at Autodrome St-Eustache, on June 3. "I'm starting to wish they had more races up here," joked Whitlock, after the race. After 10 of 12 events, Whitlock is third in the overall points.

DJ Kennington finished second at Montmagny, ahead of Don Thomson Jr. Entering the race, Kennington (Castrol Intrepid) was just seven points behind Thomson (Home Hardware Chevy) in the chase for the National championship.

The event at Autodrome Montmagny ended up being a wash for the pair, in terms of the points, as Thomson was able to nullify Kennington's better finish in the Snap On Tools 200 by earning the pole and leading the most laps during the race. Heading to next weekend's race at Kawartha Speedway, Thomson will again take to the track with a seven-point margin over Kennington.

Tire wear was a big issue in the race, as the majority of the top finishers opted to give up track position, during the race, to take on a new right-side tire. Whitlock's stop prior to the halfway point of the race ended up being the right move, as he became one of the fastest cars track, after his stop. Gibbons was running second to Whitlock with just 17 laps to go, when he pitted to change his right-front tire. That left Kennington and Thomson on Whitlock's rear bumper for the final sprint.

Contact between Whitlock and Kennington, on the next-to-last lap, didn't shuffle the order as Kennington allowed the leader to recover from a near spin, in a show of good sportsmanship.

Kevin Dowler (Ford Quality Care Taurus), who is fourth in the points, finished fourth in the series' inaugural trip to the Quebec City-area oval. Dave Jacombs (Speedy Taurus) was fifth.

-cascar-