St-Eustache II: Scott Steckly race notes

STECKLY EARNS FIRST 2009 SEASON WIN
First Win for Steckly with his new sponsor Canadian Tire

St. Eustache, QC, Sunday July 12, 2009: Scott Steckly was not to be denied the win on Sunday in the Tide 250 at Autodrome St. Eustache. After overcoming a couple of obstacles, Steckly driving the No. 22 Racing/Canadian Tire/Tow Truck in a Box Dodge Avenger earned his first checkered flag of the season and first win for his new sponsor Canadian Tire.

Steckly, who sat on the pole at the first race of the season here in May, started the 250 lap event in fifth. By lap 25 Steckly had moved up to second and was challenging leader Andrew Ranger. A caution would see the two line up side by side for the restart. According to NASCAR Steckly jumped the start and was awarded a drive though penalty. This would have the Canadian Tire driver deep in the pack but persistence and good pit strategy had the team fighting their way back to the front. With just over 50 laps to go a spinning car would come down the track and clip Steckly on the right front wheel. There was concern in the No. 22 pits as the front steering seemed to be off centre. Steckly would take the green flag on the restart cautiously waiting to see how the car was going to react. Within a lap he was moving up the inside of Ranger and a few laps later he took over the lead. Steckly kept his Canadian Tire/Tow Truck in a Box entry up front for the remainder of the race holding off a late race challenge from eventual second place finisher D. J. Kennington.

"We are very happy to get this first win for Canadian Tire," stated a smiling Steckly after the race. "I wish we could have done it sooner but it's good to finally get it done. I want to thank all of our sponsors including Canadian Tire, Tow Truck in a Box, Exide, Motomaster, Mobil Super, Erb, AW Millwrights, Marks Work Wearhouse and Reefer Sales." Whitlock.

Steckly moves up to fourth in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Standings heading to event #5 next weekend at Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon British Columbia. The three race Western Swing then continues to Edmonton for the Rexall Edmonton Indy on Saturday July 25th before wrapping up with NASCAR's first appearance at Auto Clearing Speedway in Saskatoon on Wednesday July 29th.

The Tide 250 will be broadcast on TSN on Sunday July 19th at 2 p.m. EST.

-credit: 22r