MOPAR PARTS  DODGE ON THE PODIUM AT KAWARTHA

September 24, 2007. The Mopar Parts Dodge team had  worked tirelessly in the past few weeks to turn their  fortunes around and bring home the type of finishes they  had collected earlier in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series  season. At the final event of the season, the Dodge  Charger 250 at Kawartha Speedway their efforts were  rewarded.

As practice began on the high banked, high speed  track Ron Beauchamp Jr. was posting impressive times in  the Mopar Parts Dodge. “This is a really nice track, a  lot of fun to drive, especially when the car feels this  good” smiled the driver. Beauchamp would post the eighth  quickest qualifying time during time trials and start on  the outside of row four.

It’s been a struggle for Team Mopar in the second  half of the season. The Mopar Parts Dodge has shown good  speed at times but a host of mechanical troubles and  incidents have prevented them from showing how strong a  team they are. Determined to change their luck all  looked positive in the early going. “I just cruised  around out there” said Beauchamp. “The track had cooled  down and changed a lot since the afternoon session and  we just wanted to stay in the top ten until our pit stop  and make a few changes”.

Taking advantage of a caution period prior to the  halfway point Team Mopar performed perfectly giving  Beauchamp two fresh tires, fuel to go the distance and  adjusting the handling on the car. “I like the idea to  pit early” said Beauchamp. “We needed to make changes  and when the stops cycle through you should have track  position later on and that’s how it worked out for us”.

As other teams made their stops The Mopar Parts Dodge  continued to run strong lap after lap. Often times a  driver needs to be aggressive to succeed. However  Beauchamp knew he would have to preserve his car to make  sure he had sufficient tires left for the end after the  early pit stop. “I was just taking it easy, getting off  the throttle a bit early when I could to preserve the  car and the race really started to come to us” said the  driver.

As the laps wound down Beauchamp would move up to  third in the running order and with a couple of late  restarts hoped to gain further positions on a green,  white checkered finish. “I tried to run a little harder  on the restart but it didn’t work out for us” said  Beauchamp. “I was really pushing, but the car took a  couple of laps for the tires to come in, five more laps  and we would have been there”.

The third place podium finish by Team Mopar is the  kind of showing they wanted to end the racing season.  “This really gives us a boost headed into the off  season” said Beauchamp. “The guys are already starting  to look ahead to next year, and it’s nice for Mopar,  Exide, Mobil One and everybody that supports us and  stuck with us. And a big congratulations to Dodge in  winning the manufacturers cup”.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will celebrate a  successful inaugural season with a year end banquet to  be held Saturday, October 13th in Toronto, ON. Team  Mopar will be present at the festivities. For the  complete schedule, results and other information log  onto www.nascar.ca

Photos Below: 1. Team Mopar at Kawartha. 2. Ron  Beauchamp Jr. (2nd from left on the podium at Kawartha

  Photos by Todd Lewis

TEAM MOPAR INNOCENT CRASH  VICTIIMS

September 16, 2007. The Mopar Parts Dodge team  expected to present a strong car for the Atlantic Dodge  Dealers 300, the first ever NASCAR Canadian Tire Series  event at Riverside International Speedway. Team Mopar  was consistently fast throughout the weekend, but were  victimized by other drivers.

Right from the first practice session the Mopar Parts  Dodge was extremely fast around the high banked 1/3 mile  oval near Antigonish, Nova Scotia. “The Mopar Parts  Dodge was just great from the time we unloaded” said Ron  Beauchamp Jr. “When the car is running that well it’s a  lot of fun to drive”.

Rain showers would appear and postpone time trials  but nothing appeared to hamper Team Mopar. Beauchamp  would continue to show impressive speed and posted the  fifth fastest time during qualifying.

As the green flag waved for the Atlantic Dodge  Dealers 300 Ron Beauchamp Jr. had no trouble continuing  to run impressive lap after lap and maintain a  consistent race pace with the leaders. “Every lap we ran  this Mopar Parts car was very good, very consistent”  said the driver. “We were just biding our time and  saving our car for the final stage of the race”.

Unfortunately for Team Mopar other competitors were  not as conservative in their approach to the race that  had yet to reach the 100 lap mark. A collision involving  two other cars would collect the Mopar Parts Dodge  causing significant damage to the rear suspension and  steering. The damage inflicted to significant to make  speedy repairs, their day was finished on lap 72. “I  don’t understand it” said a dejected Ron Beauchamp Jr.  afterwards. “We had a very good car, we’re running up  front with the leaders and because of somebody else’s  actions we won’t have an opportunity for a solid finish.  It’s disappointing for the team that worked so hard to  get this car ready, and for the Atlantic Dodge Dealers  and Riverside Speedway that put on this great event”..

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series inaugural season will  wrap up this weekend at Kawartha Speedway with the Dodge  Dealers of Ontario Dodge Charger 250, Sunday September  23rd. For the complete schedule, results and other  information log onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able  to watch all twelve races this season on TSN.

Photo Below: The Mopar Parts Dodge lined up for  qualifying at Riverside Speedway

TEAM  MOPAR GETS THE GEARS AT BARRIE

September 9, 2007. The Exide/Mopar Parts Dodge team  expected another solid result at Barrie Speedway for  round ten of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season.  Earlier this season Ron Beauchamp Jr. drove the car to a  top-ten finish. Beauchamp appeared to be on his way to  another solid finish, when rear end gear problems took  away that opportunity.

The day got off to a promising start for the  Exide/Mopar Parts team with quick times during the first  practice session. The handling characteristics changed  as the day went on and Beauchamp would start the 300 lap  main event 17th. “It’s not where we wanted to start  obviously, but with 300 laps we’ve got plenty of time to  make adjustments and get through the field” said the  optimistic driver prior to the race.

As competition began on the tight 1/3 mile oval the  Exide/Mopar Parts team began to work their race  strategy. As early caution flags fell the team made pit  stops for adjustments to improve the car. Their strategy  was working. “Things were going exactly how we’d hoped”  said Beauchamp. “We were taking some wedge out of the  car on each of the first few cautions and I could feel  it getting better and better”.

As the race continued, Beauchamp continued to move  the Exide/Mopar Parts Dodge forward in the field. Ron  Jr. would use the outside line at times and run a  consistent pace throughout the first half of the race  and easily move into the top-ten. “We’ve had fast cars  at this track before and I knew we could do it again” he  stated.

Heading into the late stages of the 300 lap feature  the Exide/Mopar Parts team hoped to finish strong and  enjoy a solid outing. However as Beauchamp came off  corner two the car slowed and was coasting along the  backstretch. “I didn’t know what happened at first” said  the driver. “I was just minding my own business and all  of a sudden we’re slow”. Beauchamp immediately headed  toward the team for a diagnosis.

With plenty of smoke puffing out from underneath the  car it was easy to determine the rear end gear was lost,  their chance at a good night over. “I feel so bad for  all of the people that support us” said Beauchamp  afterwards. “Mopar of course, Exide who were on the hood  this week, Mobil 1 and everybody, it’s just been such a  frustrating year”.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will head east for  round number eleven. Teams will tackle the high banks of  Riverside Speedway in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in the  Atlantic Dodge Dealers 300 this Saturday, September  15th. The 12 race schedule will take the teams from  coast to coast and will consist of ovals, road courses  and temporary street circuits. For the complete  schedule, results and other information log onto  www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch all twelve  races this season on TSN.

Photo Below: Exide/Mopar Parts Dodge lined up to  qualify at Barrie

TEAM  MOPAR DAY SURVIVES ROUGH RACE AT CAYUGA

September, 2007. The Mopar Parts Dodge team has  fought tooth and nail through the middle portion of the  NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season to regain their  expected level of performance. Persistence by Ron  Beauchamp Jr. and company was rewarded in a battle of  survival at Cayuga Speedway this past Saturday.

A sense of improvement for the team began with  qualifying and Beauchamp was able to post the 9th  quickest time in the Mopar Parts Dodge. “The car was  feeling better than it has and I knew we’d be able to  run well in the evening conditions” said the driver  afterwards.

There was plenty of action early in the 200 lap main  event at the 5/8 mile oval with a spectacular multi  vehicle collision in the first few laps. “I saw it  happening and just went inside across the grass to avoid  it” said Beauchamp. The Mopar Parts car would escape  with only some body damage to the right front fender but  it would severely impact the team’s fortunes.

When the racing resumes Ron Jr. and the Mopar Parts  Dodge were clicking off one consistent lap after another  and running solidly in the top-ten. All seemed on track  until a ruling by NASCAR officials changed the tone of  their race. “I didn’t like it” said Beauchamp, they were  worried about the body work on the right front fender  and black flagged us to stop and check it out, it was  fine, but it changed our whole race”.

Despite the setback Team Mopar dug in and continued  to compete hard for the rest of the race. Pit stops were  solid and as expected the car was strong for the entire  event. “At the end of the race we were running faster  than most of the lead cars” said an excited Ron  Beauchamp Jr. afterwards. “We finished this one and  that’s a start, I think we’ve taken a big step forward”.  The Mopar Parts Dodge would finish the race 14th.

A series of mechanical misfortune, racing incidents  and just plain tough luck have caused the Mopar Parts  team to underachieve through the last several events but  being able to survive a race that was full of aggressive  driving like Cayuga can give a team a boost. “We’re  definitely feeling improvement” said Beauchamp  afterwards. “We had a tough break with the right front  fender call, but without that, we’re running up front,  we’re as fast as the top cars and we’re in the mix. I’m  really excited to get going next weekend”.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be back in  action next weekend as teams head to Barrie Speedway on  Saturday September 8th. The 12 race schedule will take  the teams from coast to coast and will consist of ovals,  road courses and temporary street circuits. For the  complete schedule, results and other information log  onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch all  twelve races this season on TSN.

TEAM MOPAR DAY ENDS EARLY WITH CONTACT

August 19, 2007. The Mopar Parts Dodge team with Ron  Beauchamp Jr at the wheel paid a visit to Trois Rivieres  with the intent of putting their recent disappointments  behind them and seeking consistent finishes for the  balance of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season.  Beauchamp has showed considerable road racing prowess  during his career, however contact would shorten their  day.

As practice began for teams on the storied 10 turn  street circuit in Trois Rivieres the approach by Team  Mopar was to be cautious and careful, improve the car  and look to end their run of back breaks. Ron Beauchamp  Jr. would post the 13th quickest qualifying time and  start the race on the inside of row seven. “Our  objective was to take it easy and get to the finish line  this week” said the driver “so I didn’t push too hard  early in the weekend” he added.

As the main event began Beauchamp was able to gain  several positions and soon found himself inside the  top-ten. “I was happy to move up a few spots but I was  still taking it easy” said Beauchamp. “I was shifting  very gently, letting the car ease into the corners and  not taking any chances.”

The Mopar Parts Dodge was solidly in the top-ten as  the laps ticked away. However the tight confines between  the concrete barriers leave little room for error. As  Ron Beauchamp looked to advance his position further  other competitors made contact and Ron Jr. had no  opportunity or racing room to avoid contact and crashed  the left front of the Mopar Parts Dodge into the #17  Dodge. “I could see it happening off to the side and all  I needed was just a few more inches and I could have  avoided DJ (Kennington) but I ran out of room” said the  frustrated competitor. “This is possibly the most  frustrating season I’ve ever had racing. But as  frustrated as this Mopar Team is, we want even more to  show the kind of performance we’re capable of, and  that’s what we’ll do when we get back on the ovals”.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will take next  weekend off but return to action on Saturday September  1st at Cayuga Speedway. The 12 race schedule will take  the teams from coast to coast and will consist of ovals,  road courses and temporary street circuits. For the  complete schedule, results and other information log  onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch all  twelve races this season on TSN.

Photo Below: A severely damaged Mopar Parts Dodge on  pit road too damaged to continue.

TEAM MOPAR BITTEN BY  MECHANICAL WOES

August 12, 2007. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar  Parts team embarked on the second half of the NASCAR  Canadian Tire Series looking to put recent troubles  behind them, and focus on a new start at Mosport  Speedway. The start of the day and the race were strong,  but then mechanical gremlins crept back in.

The Mopar Parts Team opened the day struggling for  speed on the half mile oval. After several adjustments  and a mock qualifying run the team made a significant  discovery. “The tire temperatures were not coming up as  quickly as we needed to get a good run” said Ron  Beauchamp Jr. “So we made an adjustment in air pressure  and it really paid off”. Beauchamp would qualify the  Mopar Parts Dodge with the fourth fastest time.

As the Green Flag waved to begin competition  Beauchamp set out to establish a consistent race pace  and maintain contact with the front runners. “Everything  was working just fine through the first part of the  race” said the driver. “I was trying to take it easy in  the first part of the race, this track is a little bumpy  and if you’re not careful it will cause you some  problems but everything was good. Beauchamp continued to  circulate at a strong and consistent pace and then  trouble appeared.

With absolutely no warning or indication of any kind  of problem, the Mopar Parts Dodge began to slow. Unable  to continue at speed Ron Beauchamp Jr. was forced to  stop along pit road where the Mopar Parts Crew scrambled  under the hood to seek out the problem. As has been the  case lately, the mechanical troubles were too serious to  continue.

“This one is totally frustrating” said Beauchamp.  “Our oil pressure was fine, the car wasn’t running hot,  and there was absolutely no warning that anything was  wrong. This is definitely one of the most frustrating  times I’ve ever experienced, but we’ll be ready to go  next week. We’ll take the positives from this event, we  were fast, we qualified well and we’re looking forward  to the race at Trois Rivieres”.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will run the final  road course event of the season this coming weekend,  August 19th at the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres. The 12  race schedule will take the teams from coast to coast  and will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary  street circuits. For the complete schedule, results and  other information log onto www.nascar.ca You will also  be able to watch all twelve races this season on TSN.

Photo Below: Mopar Parts Dodge driver Ron Beauchamp  Jr. greets fans during the autograph session at Mosport  Speedway.

TEAM MOPAR  DISAPPOINTED WITH MONTREAL SHOWING

August 5, 2007. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts  team arrived for round number six of the NASCAR Canadian  Tire Series at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal  looking forward to the challenging course on Ile Notre  Dame. The demanding track would not be their only  challenge during the weekend.

Through the first practice sessions the team as  always looked to make sure the set up of the car was  correct for conditions and seek ways to improve. During  the second round of practice Ron Beauchamp Jr. felt a  problem with steering at the front end. “I was flying  through the back part of the course an all of a sudden  the car turned to the right” said the driver. Before  qualifying the team worked to make repairs and would  also discover another problem. “We decided to change  gears for qualifying, and we found there was a problem  with a seal at the back end, so we repaired that as  well” he said.

With very little practice time and an abbreviated  qualifying session Beauchamp would muscle the car to a  thirteenth place starting spot on the grid.

Team Mopar worked long and hard to prepare the Mopar  Parts Avenger for the 100km main event and according to  Crew Chief Chris Couvillion they felt more confident  heading into the race. “We made some changes that I  think will make us better and give Jr. a good car for  the race”.

When the green flag waved Beauchamp was able to gain  several positions in the Mopar Parts Dodge. “The car  felt better than it did all weekend; Chris and the rest  of the guys did a great job working so hard all  weekend”. Ron Jr. would maneuver his was into the  top-ten of the field in short order. However the  frustration theme of the weekend would soon return.

As Beauchamp looked to continue his progress toward  the front he first heard and then felt problems under  the hood and the Mopar Parts Dodge was soon stopped on  course. After being pushed to pit lane the team  discovered their problems in the motor were too serious  to continue, their day finished on lap 4.

“This weekend was really frustrating for us” said Ron  Beauchamp Jr. “The whole team works so hard to prepare  these cars, we strip them right down before each event,  use the best parts we can get and then to battle so many  problems is disappointing. But now we’re taking the  approach that the first half of the season is over, and  we’re putting that behind us. We’re going to focus on  the second half of the season, and we’re hungrier than  ever for success”.

The second half of the season for Team Mopar in The  NASCAR Canadian Tire Series begins under the lights at  Mosport Speedway Saturday August 11th. The 12 race  schedule will take the teams from coast to coast and  will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street  circuits. For the complete schedule, results and other  information log onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able  to watch all twelve races this season on TSN.

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ROB MOBIL  ONE/MOPAR TEAM OF STRONG FINISH IN EDMONTON

July 23, 2007. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mobil  One/Mopar Parts Team were looking to bounce back from a  disappointing start to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series  swing through Western Canada. Beauchamp has run  extremely well in the past at the very tough 14 turn  road course that is set up on the Edmonton City Centre  Airport but one mechanical problem would steal away a  great finish from the team.

Things did not start out well for the Mobil One/Mopar  Parts Team in Edmonton. Throughout the practice and  qualifying sessions the team was struggling with the  handling of the car. “We just seemed to miss it for some  reason said Crew Chief Chris Couvillion”. Ron Beauchamp  Jr. was equally frustrated with his teams performance  early in the weekend. “Normally we run much better on  the road courses than we’ve shown, we’re really fighting  it this weekend.

The Mobil One/Mopar Parts team made changes to the  car prior to the start of the race and those changes had  a dramatic effect on the performance. “The weight of the  car was shifting properly but once we made the change  the car was remarkably better” said the driver. Ron  Beauchamp Jr. made the most of his opportunity and  gained five spots on the opening lap of the race.

As the laps ticked away Beauchamp continued to move  the Mobil One/Mopar Parts Dodge through the field.  Quickly into the top-ten he soon neared the top-five.  “That was the kind of performance we expected all  weekend” he stated. However fortunes would again go sour  for the Mobil One/Mopar Parts Dodge team following  caution period. On the race re start Beauchamp knew  immediately something had gone seriously wrong. “The car  was almost impossible to drive” he said. The team had no  choice but to make a green flag pit stop.

After a look underneath it was found that a broken  mount for the trailing arm was the culprit and their day  was over. “It’s been pretty frustrating out here” said  Beauchamp of the western swing. “But I know that we can  bounce back in the next event. This Mobil One/Mopar  Parts Team is more determined than ever after this kind  of frustration” he added.

Competition resumes for Team Mopar in The NASCAR  Canadian Tire Series at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in  Montreal on August 4th. The 12 race schedule will take  the teams from coast to coast and will consist of ovals,  road courses and temporary street circuits. For the  complete schedule, results and other information log  onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch all  twelve races this season on TSN.

MECHANICAL MISFORTUNE FOR  BEAUCHAMP & TEAM MOPAR

July 16, 2007. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts  Team began the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series swing through  Western Canada at the ½ mile oval of Sun Valley Speedway  near Vernon, BC with the BC Dodge Dealers Dodge Avenger  300. Unfortunately the team would be battling right from  the start.

The Mopar Parts Dodge seemed to be quite comfortable  during practice but Ron Beauchamp Jr. battled a  seriously tight race car around the ½ mile during  qualifying trying to keep it off the wall. Beauchamp  would be forced to start the main event deep in the  field at 19th. “Obviously we made some changes, and I’m  sure we’ll be better in the race” said Beauchamp.

When the green flag waved for the BC Dodge Dealers  Dodge Avenger 300 Beauchamp knew he would have to be  sharp to stay out of trouble and begin gaining back  positions he’d given up in qualifying. Ron Jr. used the  high line around the track to move steadily through the  field. “The car worked so well up high it surprised me a  bit” said Beauchamp. “I was just riding around up high  and gaining spots”.

The ride would get a little uncomfortable for  Beauchamp as smoke began to collect inside the cockpit  of the Mopar Parts Dodge. Crew Chief Chris Couvillion  and the team made a pit stop to try and address the  problem and also adjust the handling of the car to  provide more help for later in the race.

The ride for Ron Beauchamp Jr. in the Mopar Parts  Dodge became considerably more uncomfortable a short  while later as the handling changed dramatically and Ron  Jr. knew immediately something was seriously wrong. “The  car was all over the place” said a frustrated Beauchamp.  Forced to stop and diagnose the difficulty, Team Mopar  found a broken hub in the right rear and made repairs as  quickly as possible returning Ron Jr. to the track.

“The guys did good job to get me back out there to  try and minimize the point’s damage” said Beauchamp.  “The Mopar Parts Dodge was solid the rest of the way, we  didn’t have a great finish at 16th but some other guys  also took a hit too”.

With four of twelve races on the schedule complete,  Ron Beauchamp Jr. sits seventh in the overall series  championship point standings,

MOBIL 1 ON THE HOOD AND ON THE PODIUM AT  MOSPORT!

June 18, 2007. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mobil  1/Mopar Parts Team came to Mosport International Raceway  with a new look to the car, but also wanting some of the  success he’d achieved in the past. They got the job  done.

Though they were not the fastest car in qualifying  the Mobil 1/Mopar Parts team knew they had a good race  car for the 200km main event for round two of the NASCAR  Canadian Tire series. “The way we were setting up the  race car, we didn’t expect to have one really fast lap,  but I know that this car will be a good car for the  race” said Ron Jr. prior to the start of the event.

As the green flag waved for the main event Beauchamp  was able to move the Mobil 1/Mopar Parts car up several  positions from their seventh starting spot in the  opening few laps. “Things went just as we expected at  the start” said the driver. “I just wanted to move up a  little and see how things went until halfway and then  have something left for the end”.

Things continued to go well for the Mobil 1/Mopar  Parts team and Beauchamp was in the top group of cars  and took over the race lead just prior to halfway as pit  stops began for the competitors. During the service stop  the only real trouble for the team occurred as the car  rolled off the jack during the left side tire change.  “It was my fault” said Beauchamp Jr. “I took a drink and  my foot came off the brake and the car rolled a bit, the  guys did a great job getting the two tires on and making  the call to send me out with only the left side tires  changed”.

The Mobil 1/Mopar Parts Dodge was back on course and  having only changed two tires did not slow them down.  Beauchamp was back in the lead pack and working hard for  a better position. Beauchamp would come home in third  place, claiming the first podium position for the team  this year. “We didn’t’ use up the car in the first part  of the race and that was a key” said Ron Jr. “I was able  to fight for position all day, in fact my fastest lap of  the day came with only three laps remaining, and we only  changed two tires. My crew chief Chris Couvillion and  the guys did a great job today”.

With two of twelve races complete, Ron Beauchamp Jr.  sits fourth in the overall series championship point  standings.

Competition resumes for Team Mopar in The NASCAR  Canadian Tire Series with the Mopar 300 on the Canada  Day Weekend at Barrie Speedway. The remaining events  will take the teams from coast to coast and will consist  of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits.  For the complete schedule, results and other information  log onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch  all twelve races this season on TSN including round two  of the season on Sunday, June 24th at Noon Eastern.

Picture Below: 1. Ron Beauchamp Jr. (left) celebrates  his third place finish with Andrew Ranger (centre) and  J.R. Fitzpatrick (right).

CONTACT  TAKES AWAY GREAT FINISH FOR TEAM MOPAR

May 27, 2007. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts  Team embarked on the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series  opening event, the Dodge Dealers 200, at Cayuga Speedway  and were on their way to a great finish. But competition  and the concrete wall got in the way.

Team Mopar worked hard to prepare the Dodge Avenger  for the opening event and continued to fine tune the  handling through the afternoon practice session. “We  were trying to get the nose to plant firmly” said the  driver. “Coming off the corners if we could get that  right we had plenty of horsepower”. Beauchamp would  qualify for the 200 lap event mid pack in tenth spot.

When the green flag waved for the Dodge Dealers 200  and a new era in stock car racing in Canada Beauchamp  and the Mopar Parts Dodge Avenger were off like a shot.  “The car was great as soon as we took off” said  Beauchamp. “We were up fighting for the lead before we  had 50 laps in and that was where we wanted to be”.

The Mopar Parts Dodge would continue to run up front  waging battle with several other to cars for the top  three positions until they decided to take advantage of  one of the many caution periods throughout the race to  change tires, top off with fuel and make some handling  adjustments.Chris Couvillion and the Mopar Crew made two  efficient pit stops to complete the service that would  take them the rest of the race distance.

For the balance of the race Ron Beauchamp Jr. moved  the Mopar Parts Avenger skillfully through the  competition and took the lead for the first time on lap  122 and maintaining that position for 23 laps. Moving  through the final stages of the Dodge Dealers 200 the  competition level increased significantly, Ron Jr. would  battle with the best in the field and take the lead on  two more occasions.

Following a late race caution period with only a  handful of laps remaining, Beauchamp and the Mopar Parts  Avenger were fighting hard for a position on the podium.  The two cars came together first on the back stretch,  the out of turn four and rode the concrete wall together  along the front straight before coming to a halt in  corner one. The race was over for both, their cars  damaged beyond repair.

“It started on the back” said a frustrated Ron  Beauchamp Jr. afterwards. “He was pinching down on me  and I couldn’t go any lower, so as we came out of turn  four I was battling for some space, next thing I know  we’re riding the wall all the way into corner one. With  so few laps to go, there has to be some give and take,  we both could have had a good finish, now neither of us  finishes and we’ve got a wrecked race car. That was a  hard hit, one of the hardest I’ve had in quite some  time, I’ll really feel sore tomorrow” he concluded.

Competition resumes for Team Mopar in The NASCAR  Canadian Tire Series at Mosport International Raceway in  June second of twelve events from coast to coast that  will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street  circuits. For the complete schedule, results and other  information log onto www.nascarlocalracing.com You will  also be able to watch all twelve races this season on  TSN.

RON  BEAUCHAMP JR LOOKING FOR ANOTHER STRONG SEASON

April 3, 2007. With the start of the 2007 racing  season in the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Racing Series  only weeks away, members of the Mopar Parts crew find  themselves at the Beauchamp Motorsports shop a little  more often and the work has taken on a greater sense of  urgency.

As one of the top runners for the last decade in the  former CASCAR Super Series Ron Beauchamp Jr. and company  know they cannot take anything for granted. “The main  reason we’ve been able to have one of the fastest and  strongest race cars every weekend we’re at the track is  doing so much of the work ourselves, and being  meticulous in the preparations” said the driver of the  #60 car. “But we also look around to see what other race  teams in different series are doing to be successful”

Over the past few season Team Mopar Crew Chief Chris  Couvillon and Ron Jr. have both traveled the US centre  of stock car racing in North Carolina to investigate  some of the things that NASCAR teams in the US have been  doing to perform at an elite level. “These obviously  aren’t the same cars that we race with” said Beauchamp  “but we have learned a lot about what goes into building  a fast car, making it durable, and adjustable during a  race when track conditions start to change”.

In the coming weeks look for more information about  the upcoming year with official confirmation of the  twelve race schedule that will see competitors running  on some familiar oval race tracks at Cayuga Speedway  & Barrie Speedway, along with road courses as part  of the Grand Prix of Edmonton and Trois Rivieres.

You can also follow the new NASCAR Canadian Tire  Racing series as all twelve events are broadcast this  season on TSN. Also by logging onto the soon to be  launched website, www.nascarcanadiantireseries.com  Pictured below is the #60 Mopar Parts car on display at  the Toronto Auto Show.