Steckly Sets The Pace For NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Season Opener

Defending NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Scott Steckly set the pace for the season opening race, by setting a new qualifying track record at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with a time of 1:23.922.

J.R. Fitzpatrick who is a two-time winner at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, will join Steckly on the front row for the Vortex Brake Pads 200 on Sunday (May 20).

In other qualifying on Saturday, Tony Ave, defending Trans-Am Series champion won the pole with a fast lap time of 1:17.338. Gateway Racing’s Blaise Csida will start tomorrow’s race second.

The first races of the weekend were held under perfect conditions.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin held the first of its two weekend races. Pro driver Kyle Marcelli, driving unclassified, won the race easily in the Pfaff Automotive Partners race car. Jean-Frederic Laberge won the Platinum Cup, Shaun McKaigue was first in Gold Cup and Robert Seitz was best in Silver Cup.

Saturday's racing also saw the Canadian Touring Car Championship run the first leg of their weekend doubleheader. Mathieu Audette took the Super Touring over Sasha Anis. Karl Thomson was first in the Touring Class and Nick Wittmer took the victory in B-Spec.

In the F1000 Championship Series Brandon Dixon took the top step of the podium by 8.948 over Glenn Cooper. J.R. Osborne was third.

Sunday's schedule begins with practice, qualifying and two races, the F1000 Championship and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge. After lunch the final three races of the weekend will take place. The Vortex Brake Pads 200 NASCAR race will take the green flag at 1:30 pm followed by the ground pounding SCCA Trans-Am Series to wrap up the race weekend.