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Alex Guenette ran a masterful National 250, a NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCaTS) race run this past Saturday night at the short Autodrome St. Eustache oval. Finishing second behind repeat winner Scott Steckly, this was the second podium for Alex this season, in addition to repeating his second-place result at this event last year.
Starting from the fourth position on the grid aboard his Motos Illimitees No 39 Dodge, Alex went on to fight for every position throughout the 250-lap race, especially as he was on the outside row for every one of the six restarts after caution periods.
On a flat oval like St. Eustache, the quick line is on the inside and drivers on the outside lane must find a way to get back to the bottom lane on restarts despite the racers who started inside making every effort to prevent that move. In fact, Alex dropped from fourth to ninth on the first restart of the race on lap 44 and then proceeded to pass all of the more experienced driver who had slipped ahead of him on restarts, such as Andrew Ranger, D.J. Kennington, J.R. Fitzpatrick and 2014 points leader Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.
Alex was happy with how the later restarts developed. “I restarted 7th on lap 117 after the pits stops, and was back up to 3rd four laps later, so that worked out pretty well and meant I was back up to 2nd on lap 208.” Three more caution periods saw the Motos Illimitées No 39 restart on the outside of the front row and fight its way back in the quicker lower lane cleanly, a key to the second-place finish.
But the work was not all done as the 18 year-old driver tried to run down leader Scott Steckly. Alex admitted he was trying hard. “I pushed as much as I could to catch him and go for the win but he was simply too quick. I am satisfied with second place and especially with how the car worked throughout the race and how I drove against the more experienced racers, especially when Alex Tagliani bumped me hard on one of those late restarts. It was great to repeat last year's scenario and do well before my family, friends and fans.”
Multiple NCaTS champion Scott Steckly repeated his 2013 victory, with 2014 points leader Louis-Philippe Dumoulin taking third at the finish.
The No 39 Motos Illimitées Dodge will be back on track for the season's premier event, the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. Practice and qualifying take place on Saturday August 9 and the 50-lap race with pit stops will be held on Sunday afternoon, August 10.
Starting from the fourth position on the grid aboard his Motos Illimitees No 39 Dodge, Alex went on to fight for every position throughout the 250-lap race, especially as he was on the outside row for every one of the six restarts after caution periods.
On a flat oval like St. Eustache, the quick line is on the inside and drivers on the outside lane must find a way to get back to the bottom lane on restarts despite the racers who started inside making every effort to prevent that move. In fact, Alex dropped from fourth to ninth on the first restart of the race on lap 44 and then proceeded to pass all of the more experienced driver who had slipped ahead of him on restarts, such as Andrew Ranger, D.J. Kennington, J.R. Fitzpatrick and 2014 points leader Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.
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| Alex Guenette, Dodge. (Photo: Matthew Manor) |
Alex was happy with how the later restarts developed. “I restarted 7th on lap 117 after the pits stops, and was back up to 3rd four laps later, so that worked out pretty well and meant I was back up to 2nd on lap 208.” Three more caution periods saw the Motos Illimitées No 39 restart on the outside of the front row and fight its way back in the quicker lower lane cleanly, a key to the second-place finish.
But the work was not all done as the 18 year-old driver tried to run down leader Scott Steckly. Alex admitted he was trying hard. “I pushed as much as I could to catch him and go for the win but he was simply too quick. I am satisfied with second place and especially with how the car worked throughout the race and how I drove against the more experienced racers, especially when Alex Tagliani bumped me hard on one of those late restarts. It was great to repeat last year's scenario and do well before my family, friends and fans.”
Multiple NCaTS champion Scott Steckly repeated his 2013 victory, with 2014 points leader Louis-Philippe Dumoulin taking third at the finish.
The No 39 Motos Illimitées Dodge will be back on track for the season's premier event, the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. Practice and qualifying take place on Saturday August 9 and the 50-lap race with pit stops will be held on Sunday afternoon, August 10.