John Ryan (J.R.) Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet team have been riding the wave of success. Fitzpatrick scored back to back wins in the west and wanted to keep the momentum going as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series arrived for round six of the season in Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.The weekend began as the Milwaukee Electric Tools team had hoped with a fast car that ate up the 4.3km race track. “The car is good” has become a familiar phrase for young J.R. after practice sessions. “Ted McAllister and the team do such a good job of preparing these race cars they are a pleasure to drive” said Fitzpatrick. “Having such good equipment also allows us to run only the necessary number of laps to get the set up right” he added.
As has become custom the Milwaukee Electric Tools team go it right and J.R. Fitzpatrick blistered a lap around the very tough 14 turn circuit to score his second straight pole position. Fitzpatrick’s pole time was 7/10ths of a second quicker than the second place car.
Scoring the pole also gave the young Fitzpatrick a decision to make, which side of the course would he choose to begin the 100km race? “I chose the right side of the track because I felt I could stay at least even heading into the left hander at corner one and then we’d have the advantage through two and three which are both right handers” said the driver.
Fitzpatrick’s strategy for the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevy team worked perfectly. As he lead the field to green he powered ahead and claimed the lead of the race as the cars began the opening lap. Fortunes for the team changed dramatically shortly afterwards.
Settling into a comfortable race pace Fitzpatrick was not worried after falling from the point position. “I don’t want to use the car up early, I like to save my stuff for the end” he stated. However, after a bump with another competitor Fitzpatrick thought he felt a miss in the engine. After switching electrical boxes the car appeared to once again be at top performance. As the race passed halfway the Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevy would begin to lose power and Fitzpatrick coasted to pit road. The team quickly determined their problems were too severe to continue. “It’s too bad”, said Fitzpatrick afterwards. “This is the frustrating part about racing, sometimes a part breaks or malfunctions and you just have to deal with it. But this Milwaukee Electric Tools tea will be back next week ready to go”.
At the end of the first half of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season JR Fitzpatrick and the Milwaukee Electric Tools team sit fifth in the championship standings.
The Milwaukee Electric Tools will race next Mosport Speedway on Saturday August 11th. More information on the series can be obtained by visiting
www.nascar.ca All twelve races will also be shown on TSN.
OF NOTE: J.R Fitzpatrick also participated in the first ever NASCAR Busch Series event this weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Unfortunately motor problems during qualifying would not allow them to compete in the race. “It’s been a tough weekend for us” said J.R. Fitzpatrick afterwards. The support we receive from Home Hardware for this Busch Series car has been great, it’s a shame we just had some motor troubles”.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
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