Edmonton: Pierre Bourque preview

Pierre Bourque excited to race the Aaron's Dream Machine in Edmonton

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (July 23, 2009) -- Pierre Bourque is looking forward to this weekend's NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race in Edmonton, Alberta. The driver of the No. 29 Aaron's Dream Machine Dodge is one of 22 racers expected to compete in Saturday's Canadian Tire 100; the sixth of 13 races on the 2009 NASCAR schedule.

Bourque has raced in Edmonton before and is confident that he can perform on the 14-turn, 1.973-mile temporary road course at the City Centre Airport. "I've done well in Edmonton in the past and I know we will have a strong run on Saturday. Whitlock Motorsports has prepared a fantastic car for me to race and with the great support of Aaron's and all their people, I feel like a Lucky Dog driving the Aaron's Dream Machine in the NASCAR series this season."

In addition to the race itself, Bourque is enthused about driving in Edmonton because the Rexall Edmonton Indy is one of Canada's biggest motorsports events, drawing upwards of 160,000 (3-day total for 2008) to watch the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the IndyCar Series, the Firestone Indy Lights and the Northern Alberta Sports Car Club.

"There is just so much energy competing in front of the massive crowds in Edmonton," said Bourque. "We meet so many passionate racing fans and that gives us the opportunity to let them know about Aaron's and our work in support of Canada's Military Families Fund (MFF). In addition to driving hard for Aaron's, myself and my crew, we're also working to raise money for the MFF and we'll be donating all of our NASCAR Canadian Tire Series winnings in 2009 to that worthy program. I'd encourage everyone to stop by and say hello if they see us at the track."

The Race: Practice sessions for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series cars are scheduled for 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Friday (July 24). Qualifying is slated for 5:00 p.m. The 32-lap Canadian Tire 100 will take the green flag at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 25. Watch the race on TSN on Sunday, August 9 at noon.

-credit: pierrebourque.com