Barrie: Ron Beauchamp Jr race notes

BEAUCHAMP FIGHTS TO THE FINISH IN MOPAR PARTS DODGE

September 13, 2009. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts Dodge team knew they would be in for an adventurous night at round eleven of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Barrie Speedway. Little did they realize know just how much of an adventure the 300 laps of racing at the 1/3 mile oval would be for them.

During the afternoon practice session Beauchamp would use the #60 Mopar Parts Dodge horsepower to the fullest and post the second quickest practice time. "We came here to Barrie and tested recently and I think it really helped us a lot" said Beauchamp. The team would qualify fifth quickest and line up for the main event on the inside of row number three.

As the green flag dropped to begin the battle Beauchamp knew he would have to fight for every position. "It's so tough to pass here" said the driver. "It's inevitable that you're going to have contact with the other cars, you just try not to get too aggressive right away and hope there is a little give and take" he added.

Through the first part of the race the Mopar Parts Dodge showed great consistency lap after lap and on such a small track the front of the pack was quickly making its way through slower traffic. As Beauchamp looked to make his way past the #21 car along the front stretch there was contact that sent the #60 into the infield. "I was trying to go around him but he kept staying outside high to the wall, then when I tried the inside I got pinched down" said the driver.

The Mopar Parts Dodge Avenger team was forced by NASCAR Officials to make a pit stop to remove some loose body work. When the team returned Beauchamp to the race he would be a couple of laps down. "I didn't think we went two laps down, but that's what was ruled, the guys did a great job to get the repair work done so quickly" he added.

Though the body was a little tattered, the Mopar Parts Dodge was still fast as Beauchamp had little difficulty keeping the same pace as the leaders. Beauchamp would continue to march the #60 car forward as best he could and hope that attrition would help improve their position.

In the late stages of the race Team Mopar would be dealt another serious blow. Coming through corners one and two Beauchamp was faced with another car that was off the pace and appeared to be trying to access pit road. Unfortunately that car made significant contact to the right front corner of the Mopar Parts Avenger. The damage was so significant that they were unable to continue. "The #95 car must have had some kind of problem and I think he was trying to get to the pits, but we hit hard and it ended our day" said a disappointed driver.

Even with only a few days to get ready for the next event at Riverside Speedway the team is optimistic. "Chris Couvillion and I will be working on this car right away" said Beauchamp. "We've got it dialed in so well that we know we can be really good at Riverside, we finished on the podium last year and we expect to be that good again. "It looks like there isn't any frame damage just bolt on parts so we will be able to complete the repairs without any problem" he concluded.

After eleven races Ron Beauchamp Jr. continues to sit third in the overall championship standings.

The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series gets back in action in two weeks at Barrie Speedway on Saturday September 12th.

-credit: mopar