Canadian Bourque 18th in NBE Debut

GREENVILLE-PICKENS, SOUTH CAROLINA (June 12, 2006) – Pierre Bourque and his Fast Track Racing team headed into the first race of the 2006 NASCAR Busch East Series season not knowing what to really expect. A new driver and new team (in NASCAR Busch East Series competition) were just looking to get their feet wet and kick-off their adventure in the right direction.

Bourque, a 2006 Rookie-of-the-Year candidate in the NBE Series was hoping to utilize his previous test session at the track hoping to aid him for race weekend.

NASCAR allowed an optional practice session on Friday with the FTR (Fast Track Racing) team taking full advantage of it. During the session, Bourque turned a lap of 22.636 seconds at 79.519 MPH good enough for 26th on the charts. “I’m still learning a whole lot. We tried some different adjustments and we picked up the pace, that’s good. We’ll go back on Saturday and see if we can further advance ourselves.”

A hot and steamy day on Saturday allowed 30 drivers and team to endure the first full practice session of the season. While turning quicker lap times during the practice, Bourque and the team weren’t comfortable with their 27th position on the pylon. “We picked up again and that’s good, but I would like to see us crack the top-20. That’s our goal for qualifying. Even though I want to do so well, I have to remember I am very new at this type of racing and I just have to pace myself and everything will come around.”

In qualifying, Bourque picked up four-tenths of a second from his practice session. During his two-lap session, he turned a fast time of 22.029 seconds or 81.710 MPH. While he picked up considerably in time trials, Bourque would start his first ever NBE race from the 26th position. “We’re in the show. That’s the biggest thing,” explained Bourque. “I’m getting faster and that’s important. In the race, I just want to finish, it doesn’t really matter where I finish, as long as I finish.”
During the course of the 150 lap event, Bourque battled it all. The heat, spins, pit stops, handling issues and unforgettable racing experience. However, when the checkered flag flew on Saturday, Bourque had maintained his position on the lead lap bringing his No. 10 Full Metals Minerals-Pollara Strategic Public Opinion home in 18th.

“Patience during the learning curve,” Bourque mentioned after the race. “It was a lot of fun, very hot but something I won’t forget. “We met our goals, no doubt about that. Even though I got spun out a couple times, we did what we needed to do, finish the race.”

“It’s very possible that if we had not been involved in the spins, I could have easily had a shot at my first top-ten finish, but I will take this. Obviously, we’re going to continue to improve our race team. We’re going back racing next weekend at Stafford Motor Speedway, we’re looking forward to improving on this weekend’s finish and capture a top-15 finish on Friday night.”

Next up for the NASCAR Busch East Series is the TSI Harley-Davidson 150 at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, set for this Friday, June 16.

In the coming weeks, Bourque will unveil a new racing website.

By Chris Knight, Fast Track Racing // Knight849@aol.com