SES: Fontaine update

Chris Fontaine and the CJF Racing team traveled to Nashville last weekend for the second NASCAR All Pro race of the 2001 season. The team got the car through tech fine with a few minor modifications to ride height and body shape.

In practice, the team overcame the challenge of a faulty rearend breather vent to get the car ready to qualify. Although Chris was in top driving form and ready to race, the engine in the Discount Auto Parts/Suntrust #46 Monte Carlo was not performing up to par. " The RPM's were way off in practice," Team Manager Moe Sawyer said. Adjustments to the motor yielded little improvement.

Chris was still able to get 41st of 50 in his qualifying run, but only the top 36 cars made the starting grid. This week, the team is preparing for the NASCAR All Pro Discount Auto Parts 200 to be held in Lakeland,FL on Saturday, April 21. A new engine is being installed in the car to prepare for the race, and the fact that it is Chris' home track should prove to be a plus.

The Gatorade All Pro Series, NASCAR Touring teams will roll into USA International Speedway on April 21 sporting new and old names in the world of short track asphalt racing, all looking for the checkered flag in the $56,700 Discount Auto Parts 200.

Eight Rookie-of-the-Year candidates will be attempting to make the 36-car starting field with local fans watching Chris Fontaine in his Discount Auto Parts sponsored Chevrolet. Fontaine, with a very impressive record prior to moving into NASCAR touring competition, failed to make the first event of the season at Mobile International Speedway but feels very confident coming back to his home track.

"We are still learning," said Fontaine after missing the race at Mobile. "Touring drivers are much tougher and there is so much to learn about setup and handling at a new racetrack. We certainly were not discouraged and coming back to USA International will give our team a big boost."

Qualifying for the NASCAR Gatorade All Pro Series begins at 5 PM on Saturday. Fans will get a chance to meet the drivers at a drivers autograph session at 6 PM. The start of the Discount Auto Parts 200 presented by Quaker State will follow at 7 PM.Gatorade All Pro Series, NASCAR Touring USA Int'l Speedway

-CJF-