Saskatoon: BJ Beauchamp race report

BEAUCHAMP BATTLES WITH LOOSE CONDITION AT SASKATOON

August 1, 2010. Ron Beauchamp and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team expected another strong showing in the final event of the western Canada swing for the NASCAR Canadian Tire series at Auto Clearing Speedway in Saskatoon. However, following a solid practice session and qualifying run the cars handling characteristics would let them down and leaving the team struggling for answers.

During practice on the 1/3 mile oval Beauchamp had the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge among the top running cars for much of the session. "We made a few changes trying to improve the car near the end of practice and we slowed down a bit" said Beauchamp. "So we went back to where we were and knew what to expect from the car" he added.

During qualifying Beauchamp again showed plenty of speed in the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge posting the fourth quickest qualifying run putting him on the outside of row two for the 250 lap feature event. "It was a good run for us" smiled the driver afterwards. "I just want to make sure I can get to the inside line quickly off the start" he added.

As the race began Beauchamp was running in or near the top-five in the field for much of the early going before feeling the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge start to develop a loose condition. "The car was starting to become a handful so we decided during the first caution to come in for some fuel and a handling adjustment" explained the driver.

When the race restarted Beauchamp was still unable to have the handling he needed from the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge. And the race would remain under green for 150 laps not allowing the team to make their scheduled stop for new tires that would improve the situation. "There was nothing we could do" said the disappointed driver. "If we'd been able to make a stop sooner the crew could have dialed the car in a little more and I know we would have been able to finish in a better position than eleventh" he added.

Even with the less than satisfying result Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge remain ninth in the overall championship standings just three points from eighth spot. "It says a lot about how good this team is and how hard the crew works to have all the damage on this car repaired after the hit we took in the last race. Everybody worked a couple of really long days and got it done and did a great job" said the driver.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge Team will compete in all thirteen races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Round number eight will take place on Sunday August 15th at the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres.

-source: beauchamp motorsports