Toronto: Series qualifying report

Ranger Reels In Toronto Pole
Rival Fitzpatrick Will Start Alongside On Front Row

TORONTO -- Andrew Ranger already had a few NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 firsts in his pocket and now he has another by winning the pole position in the series' inaugural visit to Toronto.

The Roxton Pond, Que., driver earned the right to start on the pole for Saturday's Jumpstart 100 at Exhibition Place. He navigated the 11- turn, 1.765-mile street course in 76.659 seconds for an average speed of 80.820 mph.

It is his seventh series career pole and the second of the season after having started on the pole at Mosport International Raceway in June.

Coincidentally, the winner of that Mosport race was JR Fitzpatrick, who will start alongside Ranger on Saturday afternoon. Fitzpatrick, out of Cambridge, Ont., registered a lap time of 77.104 seconds (80.354 mph).

The two drivers have battled numerous times on road courses since the series' inception in 2007 with Ranger earning six victories and Fitzpatrick has four.

The second row for the Jumpstart 100 will be occupied by DJ Kennington, the current NASCAR Canadian Tire Series point standings leader and Jason Bowles, the reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion. Bowles has four NASCAR touring series road-course wins to his credit, as well.

The balance of the top-10 starters is Anthony Simone, Kerry Micks, Don Thomson Jr., Trevor Seibert, Mark Dilley and Scott Steckly.

TSN's live coverage of the Jumpstart 100 will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET with the green flag scheduled to wave at 2:45 p.m.

-source: nascar