2006

Ron Beauchamp Jr. #60 2006 Season Updates
Provided by Todd Lewis

BEAUCHAMP & THE MOPAR PARTS CHARGER HAVE FRUSTRATING FINISH AT KAWARTHA

September 19, 2005. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts team set out to Kawartha Speedway to finish off the 2005 CASCAR Super Series season with another strong outing in the Ram Tough 250 presented by the Dodge Dealers of Ontario.

Early on everything seemed on track as Beauchamp was quick through the practice sessions and qualified the Mopar Parts Dodge fourth on the grid to start the 250 lap main event, and picking up two bonus points. “We knew every point was going to be important in the final standings so the bonus for qualifying helped” said the driver.

In the early going stages of the Ram Tough 250 Beauchamp was able to run consistent lap times and stay up front with the leaders. “The car was great again today” said the driver afterwards. “Just like the other races we wanted to get to halfway, see what adjustments we might need and then be strong for the finish”. Unfortunately a mechanical problem would disrupt their plans.

Suddenly the Mopar Parts Dodge began to slow down and smoke could be seen coming from the back end. Beauchamp immediately knew the problem was serious and pulled the car behind the wall, fluid leaking from the rear axle. “The car was really starting to get hooked up and I could feel it getting fast, it’s a real shame.

The Mopar Parts team quickly diagnosed and repaired a rear seal and returned Beauchamp to the track to accumulate as many championship points as possible, the #60 Mopar Parts Dodge would be classified 23rd at the end. “It’s not the way we wanted the season to end after the successes we’ve had” summed up Beauchamp.

BEAUCHAMP & THE MOPAR PARTS CHARGER IN TOP TEN

September 11, 2005. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts team traveled to Cayuga Speedway for 200 laps of action under the lights in round number eleven of the CASCAR Super Series. The fast 5/8 mile oval is a favourite of competitors and the team expected another solid finish.

Beauchamp and the Mopar Parts Charger were quick right out of the box and locked up the fourth starting spot during time trials. “Everyone naturally thinks that Cayuga is all about horsepower because it’s a large track” said the driver. “But if you’re car is handling well that’s just as important to a good race.

As the CASCAR competitors took the green flag Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts Dodge were able to maintain a strong race pace and the field began to string out until a caution period bunched things up and started the sequence of pit stops. It was quick and efficient service for the Mopar Parts crew as Beauchamp returned to the competition.

In the middle segment of the race Beauchamp was able to keep the Mopar Parts Dodge up front but couldn’t really make a play for the top spots. “As the sun went down and the temperature dropped the handling really changed on us” said the somewhat disappointed driver. “The car became quite a handful in the final part of the race and we had to fight for every position.

Beauchamp did just that and secured an eighth place finish. “It’s another good finish for us” said the driver. “Now we want to head to the final race and have another really good day to finish out this season. Maybe we can even move up another spot or two in the points”. Ron Beauchamp Jr. sits fifth in the overall CASCAR Super Series Championship.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts Charger head to Kawartha Downs for the final Super Series race of the season on Sunday September 18th. The Dodge Ram Tough 250 presented by the Dodge Dealers of Ontario is scheduled for 2:30PM

THE MOPAR PARTS CHARGER & RON BEAUCHAMP JR. SCORE ANOTHER TOP FIVE FINISH

September 5, 2005. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts team headed back to Delaware Speedway looking for more success at the track where the team scored its first victory of the season. The task a little tougher this time with 300 laps to run in the Great Canadian Race weekend.

Always looking to improve the Mopar Parts Charger the team tried some adjustments during qualifying but after a disappointing 11th quickest time they returned to the set up that took them to victory lane in May.

From the start the car was quick. “I was able to gain a few positions pretty early despite all the caution periods” said Beauchamp. “It had exactly the same feel early on as we did in the spring and I felt pretty confident”. The Mopar Parts team continued to cheer their driver on as he took the lead just before the half way mark of the race.

As pit stops began to cycle through for the rest of the teams Beauchamp was dropped back in the field but still laying down quick laps. “Our strategy was a little different I think” said the driver. “In the first race we only stopped once and that’s what we wanted to do again. As the race went on things started going our way and we were headed back to the front”.

However the Great Canadian Race was a little different. It’s 50 laps longer and was marred by a total of 17 caution periods. “With all the caution periods we really didn’t have a chance to stretch our legs the way we could in the spring” said Beauchamp afterwards. “The car was pretty good but every time we started to get going the caution would come out, and then late in the race everybody was pushing so hard that we just ran out of time, another couple of laps and we would have been on the podium again”.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts Charger did show very well at one of their favourite tracks with a fourth place finish. The points accumulated also move Ron Beauchamp Jr. up to fourth in the overall CASCAR Super Series point standings.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts Charger return to action on Saturday September 10th at Cayuga Speedway. This is a make up date for the event rained out in August.

The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Stock Car Racing series with events scheduled this year at famed oval tracks including Delaware Speedway & Cayuga Speedway along with road courses and temporary street circuits like the Toronto Indy. You can keep up with the latest news on the CASCAR Super Series by logging onto the website at www.cascar.ca

RON BEAUCHAMP JR. IN THE MOPAR PARTS CHARGER WINNERS AT PETERBOROUGH!

August 22, 2005. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts team tried to be patient during the rain delays, but knowing they had a strong car had them anxious to hit the track at Peterborough Speedway.

After practice and qualifying were completed Saturday, the rain came and the 200 lap main event was forced to wait until Sunday afternoon for the green flag. Early in the race Beauchamp settled into a smooth comfortable pace easily handling the lapped traffic on the tight 1/3 mile oval and moved the Mopar Parts Charger from third on the grid into second position.

When the caution flag waved just past the halfway point the team decided to stick with their strategy of running the entire event without a pit stop, even though a number of the other top drivers came to pit road. “Track position was just too important” said the driver afterwards. “This team gave me a great car to drive, and I knew we could be there at the end”.

Following the restart the Mopar Parts Charger had no trouble staying out front, and building a sizable lead on the competition heading to the late stages of the race. However a late caution flag would bunch the field up for a two lap sprint to the finish.

As the green waved for the restart Beauchamp surged forward in the Mopar Parts Charger, chased from behind he was bumped through the corners, but managed to straighten the car out and hold off the competition for his second victory of the season. “It was a little like dirt tracking out there in those final couple of laps” smiled the driver afterwards. It got pretty sideways, but we held on and got another win. I’m so happy for Mopar, Exide, Mobil 1, and everybody else that helped us out”

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the CASCAR Super Series resume competition on the Labour Day weekend at Delaware Speedway just outside London, Ontario. Beauchamp was the winner in dominating fashion of the spring race at Delaware Speedway and is looking to sweep the two events this season

RON BEAUCHAMP JR. & THE MOPAR PARTS CHARGER CAN’T STOP THE RAIN

August 14, 2005. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts team were rained out at Cayuga Speedway today. The race has been rescheduled as a Saturday night show under the lights on September 10th. Green flag waves at 8PM

The CASCAR Super Series is back in action on Saturday August 20th at Peterborough Speedway. “The points are so tight right now, we have a great chance to move up next week” smiled the driver.

ANOTHER PODIUM FINISH FOR RON BEAUCHAMP JR. IN THE MOPAR PARTS CHARGER

August 7, 2005. Following CASCAR’s annual western swing Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts team returned to the East and round number eight of the Super Series on the tricky half mile oval at Mosport Speedway. Fast right off the truck Beauchamp was able to qualify on the outside of row number one.

Knowing he had a fast car Beauchamp would begin the race patiently and did not get too aggressive when other cars forced him to take a high line for several laps and settle into fourth position. “The car was very fast early, I just tried to stay up front and not work the car too hard early on, this track car be hard on brakes and other parts” said the driver afterwards.

Beauchamp was able to maintain his position in the top five for the first half of the race as the cars became strung out around the track and would creep up looking for an opening. Finding none Beauchamp and the rest of the leaders came to pit road during a caution period near the halfway mark of the event. The Mopar Parts team performed smoother service on the Charger, however in the tight quarters they were forced to maneuver around traffic and dropped several positions leaving pit lane.

During the second half of the race, Ron was able to chase down cars ahead of him and move through the traffic to reclaim positions. In the final fifty laps the handling on the Mopar Parts Charger began to go away. “The car got very tight in the last fifty or so laps” said Beauchamp. “I was really struggling with it and wanted to make sure I could take home a top five”.

Contact between two cars ahead of Beauchamp late in the race resulted in a fortunate turn of events. Ron was able to maneuver around the trouble and pick up even more ground. Now finding himself running in third, Beauchamp knew what to do. “I just wanted to make those last laps really smooth, hit the marks and take the podium finish. I knew we were going to gain points on some guys in the championship”. The CASCAR veteran accomplished the mission claiming his third podium finish of the year.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. also scored the fastest single lap of the race and sits ninth in the overall championship race. The CASCAR Super Series resumes action on Sunday August 14th at Cayuga Speedway. “The points are so tight right now, we have a great chance to move up next week” smiled the driver.

RON BEAUCHAMP JR. SCORES ANOTHER TOP FIVE FINISH IN THE MOPAR PARTS CHARGER

August 1, 2005. After hearing many good things about the facility, Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts team were anxious to get the second half of the CASCAR Super Series season underway at Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon, BC.

The Mopar Parts Charger had a disappointing run in the 100 lap qualifying race claiming a ninth place finish, putting Ron Beauchamp 17^th to start the 300 lap main event. “Being this far back is never ideal but I think we can make some changes to help improve the car” said the driver.

As the green flag waved Beauchamp knew that with 300 laps of racing ahead of him that the keys to success were to stay out of trouble, don’t use up the car, and try to stay on the lead lap.

For much of the race the Mopar Parts Charger was able to accomplish all three goals. Ron Beauchamp Jr. moved the car smartly through the traffic and gained positions in the race. “The car was definitely better in the 300 lapper than the heat race. This crew really got a handle on things it helped a lot”.

Unfortunately Ron would eventually go a lap down to the leader, but with smooth driving throughout the hard fought feature event he was able to score another a fifth place finish. “We didn’t quite have the car we hoped for, but we did get a good finish. Some of the guys ahead of us in the points finished behind us, and that’s all positive, now we just have to improve for the next race”.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. currently sits ninth in the very tight overall CASCAR Super Series points championship.

CASCAR Super Series racing returns to Eastern Canada on Saturday August 6^th and the very challenging ½ mile oval at Mosport Speedway.

RON BEAUCHAMP BATTLES BACK FOR TOP TEN FINISH AT THE MOPAR 300

July 24, 2005. The Mopar Parts team headed west and was looking for success at Race City Speedway in Calgary. The annual CASCAR Western swing began with the Mopar 500 weekend at the half-mile high banked oval.

The weekend began with a thrilling ride for the Mopar Charger in the 100 lap qualifying race. When two competitors ahead of him made contact, Beauchamp pounced and took advantage of the last lap battle to gain a podium finish, and secure the fifth starting spot in the 300 lap main event.

When the green flag dropped Ron was smooth and effective behind the wheel. Settling in and running very solid lap times in the first 100 laps before the first caution period on lap 103. Making their first pit stop of the day the team got the Mopar Parts Charger out quickly, but a penalty call resulted in Beauchamp being placed at the back of the pack. Unfazed Beauchamp quickly began to reel in cars, moving smoothly through the traffic and quickly back into the top ten.

Through the middle and late stages the adjustments made were right on the mark, and the Mopar Parts Charger was among the top contenders. As the laps wound down Beauchamp was sitting in fifth position with a fast car, and sights set on the leaders.

Suddenly, without warning the handling on the car began to slip away and Ron dropped back several positions. “The car just all of a sudden got loose” explained Beauchamp afterwards. With only a handful of laps remaining the Mopar Parts Charger was forced to stop under green flag conditions, a flat right rear tire the problem. Showing great determination Ron was still able to muscle home a ninth place finish.

“This was a better car than ninth place” said Beauchamp. “We were in good position, but got bitten by the same problem that took a good finish away from us at this track last year.

The CASCAR Super Series points battle continues to heat up with six events now complete. With another top ten finish Ron Beauchamp now sits seventh overall, only 23 points out of sixth.

The second half of the CASCAR Super Series racing season begins for Team Mopar with a tough 300 lap event at Sun Valley Speedway at Vernon, BC.

RON BEAUCHAMP JR AND TEAM MOPAR SUFFER DISAPPOINTMENT IN TORONTO

July 11, 2005. The Mopar Parts team was looking to turn things around by turning left and right on the Exhibition grounds along Toronto’s lakeshore for CASCAR’s annual visit to the Toronto Indy.

With a top ten finish at the first road course event the Mopar Part team was confident heading into the weekend schedule. Due to an early incident and subsequent red flag there was only limited practice time available. Still the Mopar Team felt good about their Dodge Charger and Ron Beauchamp Jr. was able to grab the 10^th starting position.

Right from the drop of the green flag the car felt strong with plenty of Mopar power under the hood of Beauchamp’s Charger. As is typical in Toronto there is plenty of jockeying for position early and Ron Jr. was looking to settle in and see what the car could do. Unfortunately the results were very disappointing.

The street circuits are extremely hard on the transmission and clutch and that’s where the failure came. Doubly disappointing was the fact that no tow truck was allowed to retrieve the Mopar Charger and return it to pit lane. Thus the team could not make repairs to return to the action and accumulate championship points.

“This is the type of race that leaves a bad taste in your mouth” said Ron Jr. afterwards. “Our Mopar Charger was fine and then all of a sudden this failure. But we’re going to put it behind us and really get focused on the next stop. The point’s race is still tight, and we’re still in the top ten”.

The next stop for the CASCAR Super Series is Race City Motorsports Park in Calgary and the very popular Mopar 500 weekend. I’ve had some fast cars in Calgary and we’ll be ready again, I really enjoy racing on that track” said the driver.

Thanks to Todd Lewis for the articals and Pictures