The final race scheduled for the weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – today’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event – made the history books. As the commentary described it, it was the first ever NASCAR points race to be run on grooved rain tires. This was only partially true however, as other series’ governed under the NASCAR title, such as the Canadian Tire Series, have been known to run in the rain when the need calls for it. Though from the main three branches of NASCAR – Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck – this was indeed a historic first.
As expected, most of the race was dominated by the “road course ringers”, with several of the nine Canadians entered giving an exceptional performance. In the end however, the NAPA Auto Parts 200 had to be called early due to heavy rainfall. The track conditions became too dangerous for the drivers to continue racing, so the end of the event was officially called 26 laps early.
The leader when the race was officially called was Canada’s own road-racing veteran, Ron Fellows, who celebrated his win indoors. “That was different,” Fellows said, recalling the race. “This is incredible.” The win marked his fourth victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In second place was another road-racing ace from Canada, Patrick Carpentier, followed by Australia’s Marcos Ambrose in third.
NAPA Auto Parts 200 Results:
No Driver Make Laps Status
1 Ron Fellows Chevrolet 48 Running
2 Patrick Carpentier Dodge 48 Running
3 Marcos Ambrose Ford 48 Running
4 Ron Hornaday Chevrolet 48 Running
5 Boris Said Ford 48 Running
6 Carl Edwards Ford 48 Running
7 Jason Leffler Toyota 48 Running
8 Greg Biffle Ford 48 Running
9 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet 48 Running
10 Steve Wallace Chevrolet 48 Running
11 Scott Wimmer Chevrolet 48 Running
12 Brad Keselowski Chevrolet 48 Running
13 David Ragan Ford 48 Running
14 Landon Cassill Chevrolet 48 Running
15 Mike Wallace Toyota 48 Running
16 Jacques Villeneuve Toyota 48 Accident
17 Joey Logano Toyota 47 Accident
18 David Reutimann Toyota 47 Running
19 Mike Bliss Chevrolet 47 Running
20 Max Papis Chevrolet 47 Running
21 Brad Coleman Ford 47 Running
22 Scott Pruett Dodge 47 Running
23 Jason Keller Chevrolet 47 Running
24 Kelly Bires Ford 47 Running
25 Stanton Barrett Chevrolet 47 Running
26 Alex Garcia Chevrolet 47 Running
27 D.J. Kennington Dodge 47 Running
28 Andrew Ranger Dodge 47 Running
29 Scott Gaylord Ford 46 Running
30 Brian Simo Chevrolet 44 Running
31 Kenny Wallace Chevrolet 42 Electrical
32 Wheeler Boys Chevrolet 37 Brakes
33 Justin Marks Toyota 19 Transmission
34 Trevor Boys Chevrolet 13 Transmission
35 Burney Lamar Ford 8 Ignition
36 Jeff Fuller Chevrolet 7 Vibration
37 Morgan Shepherd Chevrolet 7 Handling
38 Brandon Whitt Ford 7 Brakes
39 Stan Barrett Chevrolet 7 Brakes
40 Don Thomson Jr. Chevrolet 2 Ignition
41 Scott Steckly Chevrolet 2 Transmission
42 Dale Quarterley Chevrolet 2 Handling
43 Derrike Cope Chevrolet 1 Brakes
