Andrew Ranger To Make NASCAR Cup Debut At Watkins Glen

Andrew Ranger set for maiden Sprint Cup start at the Glen

Andrew Ranger will get a first Sprint Cup start at the Watkins Glen road course, 22nd round of the season, that will be held on Sunday August 14. Fas Lane Racing team owner Frank Stoddard will have the Roxton Pond 23-year old race phenom at the helm of his 32 race car for this road course event. Stoddard, known as one of the top five active Nascar crew chiefs, became a one-car team owner this year and was fortunate enough to rely on seasoned drivers that have kept his team in the Top 35 owner point standings. Terry Labonte, Mike Skinner, Patrick Carpentier, Ken Schrader and Mike Bliss, all took turns behind the 32-car steering so far this season. The time has come to have a young and promising driver take over, Andrew Ranger.

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Andrew Ranger

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

“I have followed the progression of this young and exceptional driver for a few years”, claims Frank Stoddard. “Then veteran Boris Said recommended Andrew as one of the top prospect in motor racing. His two Nascar Canada championships, his wins in K&N East, K7N West and ARCA convinced me that he s the best driver to tackle that road course for us.”

“I am truly overwhelmed that Mr. Stoddard is giving me that great opportunity”, replies the former two-time Canadian Nascar champion. “It’s been 5 years now that I left single seater racing to undertake a challenging stock-car career. To drive in the Sprint Cup series is a dream come true and a huge step I have been seeking for. Frank Stoddard has the reputation of a leader and a winning crew chief (14 victories and 98 Top 10) with drivers like Jeff Burton. He always gives his driver a strong car and I want to show him he made the right choice.”

A busy August

Ranger will take to the track this coming weekend for a round in the K&N West series at the Portland International Raceway in Oregon on the 1.91-mile road course. In the previous Spring race at Miller Motorsports Park, Ranger was two laps from victory when the battery of his race car failed.

He will have quite a busy August schedule, starting with a Canadian Tire round at the legendary Grand-Prix de Trois-rivières in the Dave Jacombs 27 Dodge. The week after, he will drive a double header in Upper New-York State Watkins Glen facility : Saturday in the Nationwide series with NDS Racing and Sunday in his first Sprint Cup race in the Frank Stoddard Fas Lane Racing 32 car. Finally, he will star in the Nationwide series NAPA 200 presented by Dodge round at the famous Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal.

Puncture and accident in New-Hampshire

Andrew Ranger had a disappointing weekend in Loudon on the 1,058 mile oval. Friday, in the K&N East series, he rubbed his car while passing a lapped car on the 64th lap and encountered a puncture. His team told him to pit one lap later but a blown tire sent him into the wall.

Then Saturday, driving the Go Canada Racing car in the Nationwide series, still on the lead lap in the final stage of the race, he became a victim in a multi-car wreck with a few laps to go. He was headed for a brilliant Top 15 but had to settle for 28th place.

By: andrew ranger PR