HOLLAND, NY – For 2006 NASCAR Busch East Series Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Pierre Bourque the third installment of the 2006 season draws to Holland International Speedway for Saturday’s Fuccillo Auto Park HUGE 150.Thus far, Bourque has impressed many of his competitors with two solid top-20 finishes which have kept him in contention for the national championship as well as Rookie-of-the-Year. Last weekend at Stafford, Bourque overcame several obstacles and scored his career best finish of 17th after starting shotgun on the field.
“We’re happy with our performances but there is room for improvement and we are going to get there,” said Bourque, the only full-time Canadian running in NASCAR “The team has done a good job preparing the cars every week. I’m continuing to get more comfortable in the car with each race; we’re looking forward to a positive weekend at Holland.”
Bourque continued, “I’ve never raced at Holland, so I’m not really sure what to expect, but I’ll use the practice session to adjust myself. I’m looking to qualifying inside the top-20 and finish in the top-ten. It’s realistic and doable”
Much of Bourque’s early success can be attested to the guidance of former ARCA RE/MAX Series champ, Andy Hillenburg. Hillenburg along with his Fast Track Racing team have put together Bourque’s program for the NBE season along with preparing for some ARCA starts later this year.
“Andy’s my coach. He’s a winner and champion. This is a huge stepping stone for my career. Even though the NASCAR Busch East Series doesn’t run a lot of races, it’s enough for me to adapt to possibly running a more intense schedule in the future. Andy is helping me get there and wouldn’t want anyone else helping me but him.”
With his 17th place finish last weekend, Bourque maintained the 18th place position in the NASCAR Busch East Series point standings, just a mere nine points out of the top-15 and 29 markers outside the top-ten. Bourque knows a top-ten finish this weekend would propel him in the standings. “I have a good feeling about this weekend. I’m really comfortable running in the NASCAR BES and I’m getting more comfortable with my competitors, things are looking bright for us that’s for sure.”
While it’s important to gain attention and drive up in the driver point standings, there’s another race Bourque is after, Rookie-of-the-Year. Leaning into this weekend’s race, he currently sits fourth in the standings just a mere five points off the lead. “The Rookie-of-the-Year standings are very, very close. One good move and you’re leading this thing, one mistake or misfortunate and you’re playing catch up for the rest of the year. While it’s important to try and win races and run upfront, the Rookie-of-the-Year is probably the biggest picture on my agenda.”
Returning as Bourque’s sponsors are Full Metals Minerals and Pollara Strategic Public Opinion. The duo has co-sponsored his efforts since taking the green flag earlier this season at Greensville-Pickens Speedway. “I’m happy about our sponsors,” explained the Ottawa, Ontario native. “They have really stood behind our team and the way our races are progressing, I think they’ll see the full potential in this team within a race or two.”
The Fuccillo Auto Park HUGE 150 (150 laps/56.25 miles) is the third of 11 events on the 2006 NASCAR Busch East Series schedule. Practice begins Saturday, June 24th with two forty-five minute (2:00pm-2:45pm EST and 3:15pm-4:00pm EST) sessions planned. Busch pole qualifying is on tap Saturday afternoon (5:00pm EST) with the race set to take the green flag later that night at 8:00pm EST. There is no television coverage for this event. However, BNSRacing.com will have all the latest news and results from the track.
In the coming weeks, Bourque along with FTR (Fast Track Racing) will unveil a new racing website.
For more information on Full Metals Minerals, please visit
http://www.fullmetalminerals.com For additional input on Pollara Strategic Public Opinion, please logon to
http://www.pollara.ca By Chris Knight // Fast Track Racing
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