Bourque Looks For Impressive Rebound At NHIS

LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE - Any driver incurs a few bumps and bruises during the course of a full-season of racing. Last weekend, Pierre Bourque had his share of beating and banging, too much actually. After two cars collided in front of the No. 10 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Bourque had “nowhere to go” abruptly ending his evening. Now with a sour 23rd place finish in the rear view mirror, Bourque and his Fast Track Racing team look to bounce back from the misfortune and dig deep for their first top ten finish of the season.

“We’re all looking forward to putting the disappointing finish from Lake Erie behind us,” said Bourque. “We had a great car. The crew put together a brand new Monte Carlo for that event and we didn’t even get to bring it home in one piece. It’s a shame. We had nothing to do with the wreck and got sucked in. I guess that’s racing. It happens.”

For the first time this season, Bourque will compete at a track over the length of one mile which puts optimism on the face of the rookie. Bourque’s owner Andy Hillenburg has experience at the New Hampshire based track competing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series event in 1998 for Joe Falk.

“I can’t wait to get to New Hampshire,” explained the only full-time Canadian running in NASCAR. “I have a good vibe for the race on Friday. I’m hoping to use Andy’s experience and expertise to my advantage. Everyone on the team is looking for a solid run that could put us back in the points deal. After last weekend, we need it.”

Bourque added, “Dave McClure (crew chief) and the FTR team have really worked hard this season. The countless amounts of hours and efforts are not forgotten. Being a rookie is tough. I don’t have a lot of experience in these types of cars and tracks, but I think we are doing pretty decent. We finished all but one of the races. That’s good. We have six races left this season and we I plan to continue to give 150 percent behind the wheel of that racecar. We will have at least one top ten finish by season’s end.

Last weekend at Lake Erie Speedway, Bourque posted his career best qualifying effort of 19th. With the goal of continuing to improve, Bourque foresees two weeks of goals completed. “We have one of goals off our checklist; another goal is to put our car into contention. We can do it.”

Full Metals Minerals and Pollara Strategic Public Opinion will continue to back Bourque’s effort this weekend at New Hampshire. “The publicity and exposure is still reaching new heights and that’s great for our supporters,” explained Bourque. “Our sponsors are new to the racing circuit and I think we’re showing the benefits of being plastered onto a rolling billboard.”

Before arriving at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) this weekend, Bourque along with Hillenburg’s FTR ARCA RE/MAX Series bunch participated in an open test at Gateway International Raceway. The main goal of the day was to further familiarize the Ottawa, Canada native with the ARCA cars and tracks. With the minimal seat time, the more experience the better was the motto for the session.

14 teams participated in the test but weren’t able to hit the track until afternoon as Mother Nature dashed away the morning session. During the course of the day, Bourque unofficially notched a lap time of 36.72 seconds or 122.549 mph. The team wasn’t looking for speed, but consistency for Bourque. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie and former Fast Track Racing driver Chad McCumbee assisted Bourque at the test teaching him the ins and outs of getting around the track.

“We were able to get over 50 laps during the afternoon session and that’s great,” explained Bourque. “We were working on the technical aspects of my driving. In particular we worked on my braking zones and more importantly my exit speeds by focusing on the apex point to the straightaways. We learned an awful lot. I owe a huge thanks to Chad who flew out to St. Louis just to help me. I really appreciate it.”

Bourque will return to ARCA RE/MAX Series competition in several key events behind the wheel of the famed No. 11 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Hillenburg later this year.

The New England 125 (125 laps/131.25 miles) is the sixth of 11 events on the 2006 NASCAR Busch East Series schedule. Practice begins Thursday, July 13th with an hour and half (12:50pm-2:20pm EST) session planned. Busch pole qualifying is on tap Thursday afternoon (4:15pm EST). A “happy hour” session for the field is set early Friday morning starting at 9:30am and concluding at 10:05am (thirty five minute session) with the race set to take the green flag later that day at 5:10pm EST. The race will be broadcasted live in high-definition television on HDNet. SPEED will re-air the race Thursday, July 27th at 5:30pm.

In addition to running the full NASCAR Busch East Series in 2006, Pierre Bourque and Fast Track Racing will make limited starts in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Bourque will also make three CASCAR Series races later this year with Whitlock Motorsports.

For more information on Full Metals Minerals, please visit http://www.fullmetalminerals.com

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From: Chris Knight, Fast Track Racing