Hathaway Fights to the End for First Top 5

Courtesy Jamie Hakonson

BOWMANVILLE, ON – Team 3 Red and driver Jason Hathaway were back in action this weekend at the 1/2 mile paved oval of Mosport Speedway for the Full Throttle Energy Drink 200 on August 11.

Under the hot August sun, the #3 Snap on Tools Dodge practiced well and the Team ended their session well placed on the board. Hathaway arrived at the track feeling under the weather, but found the strength to climb into his race machine. " I am happy to get back to the ovals. The road course races are fun, but it is good to get back to turning left!"

In qualifying Hathaway put down the fastest lap the Team had turned that day and qualified in the 12th position. The 200 lap event would start in the early evening and end under the lights of the 1/2 mile oval. On lap 57, Hathaway spun his car trying to complete a pass in torturous corners 3 & 4. The caution allowed the Team to come in and put right side tires on the car along with fuel. With a renewed vision, Hathaway settled in and worked his way through traffic. Making his debut as Team Spotter Mark Bosse helped Hathaway avoid the accidents on the track and move toward the front.

After falling one lap off the leaders, Crew Chief Giulio Montanari made adjustments on the car and Hathaway raced his way into a position to get his lap back when the next caution flag flew. At the half way point, Hathaway had earned his lap back and was running 15th in the running order. Several times during the race, the #3 Snap on Tools Dodge was one of the fastest cars on the track.

With 20 laps to go, Hathaway was running 11th and poised to post another well earned top 10 finish. With some great driving Hathaway moved his way up to 9th. The caution flag flew on the field on lap 195 and the field tightened back up. The finish was declared a green, white, checkered finish. The first attempt at the finish did not go according to plan and NASCAR officials made a second attempt at a green, white, checkered finish to complete the race. On the final and successful restart, Hathaway make it through a huge collection of spinning cars in corners 1 & 2 and jumped up to the 4th spot in the running order. Hathaway held on to the position and recorded the Team's first top 5 of the season.

Crew Chief Giulio Montanari was excited in tech lane when the car rolled in after the 200 lap event. "I am so proud of this team tonight. This finish is a true testament to the calibre of Team and driver that we have here at EHR. We adjusted on the car throughout the night and Jason really pulled it together for us out there. He never gave up and as sick as he was today that was pretty amazing. I congratulate Jay for sticking with it and never giving up!"

A very tired and drained Hathaway emerged for his racing machine to the cheers of his crew. "What a race. Giulio kept making adjustments and we fought back. It is a great finish for this Team and a great moral boast for the crew."

Based on their 4th place finish at Mosport, Hathaway solidified his position in the top 10 in driver standings moving from 10th up to 8th. Team 3 Red/EHR will head to Trois Rivieres next Sunday August 19th for their forth and final road course of the 2007 season.