Full Throttle

In the Great tradition of the American West when Wagon Trains rolled west from Missouri and all points East on their way to California Big Bill France took his road show West into California more than 50 years ago.

At Riverside Raceway and short tracks up and down the Left Coast drivers such as Hershel McGriff, Parnelli Jones, Ray Elder, Jack McCoy, (who scored a record 54 victories in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West) and four-time champion Bill Schmitt all made their mark on stock car racing because of the foresight of France the elder.

Today’s NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series starting fields are dotted with west coast drivers who can point to NASCAR’s heritage as the reason they first had a chance to view NASCAR stars up close and personnel, in many cases race side-by-side with them and eventually move up to The Big Time.

As I write this the practice times are in for the first ever NASCAR foray into Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Aside from the Mexico Busch event it’s the first time any of NASCAR’s top series’ have ventured outside of the contiguous 48 states. (Some are still hoping for the Nome Alaska 500 Presented by Toyota Tundra Pick-ups - ed)

Taking the long view it will be interesting if NASCAR’s Canadian presence will spawn an influx of driver talent from the north as it did from America’s west coast.

In the near term, through Saturday’s event, the NAPA Auto Parts 200 entry list shows a combination of long-time “Canuck” road course specialists, a couple Buschwhackers, a Chip Ganassi duo of a Grand-Am driver (Canadian Michael Valiante) and Scott Pruett making his second Busch Series start of the year and local favorite Patrick Carpentier in the #22 Fitz Motorsports Dodge.

Not surprisingly Canadian road racer, and frequent “NASCAR Invader,” Ron Fellows topped the first practice session with a time of 1:43.198 at the wheel of the Kevin Harvick Incorporated #33 Chevy.

Robby Gordon was second fastest of the day, 0.194 seconds off of Fellows and (Busch Series regular) Australian Marcos Ambrose timed in at third. Series points leader Carl Edwards turned in the eighth quickest time.

“Oddly” enough a very familiar name is missing. Jacques “Motor Mouth” Villeneuve, son of Gilles who the circuit is named for is MIA. After a couple months of self generated rumors of Jacques being on the verge of having a ride for this race he’s no where to be found.

Maybe his singing “career” has kept him too busy to compete. Or his mouth “motored” off into Fantasyland. As usual.

As a side note, and in keeping with the venue of this weeks event, the image above is a very famous hockey goalie’s mask. If you can successfully name it’s owner it proves two things. 1. you’re a true hockey fan. 2. You’re older than dirt!

Enjoy!

UPDATE: Also hockey related, New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will be part of Biffle’s pit crew for the day, wearing the team suit as he holds up a board to indicate where to pull in on pit stops. Brodeur’s efforts are part of a campaign to raise funds for the Breakfast Club, which provides meals to needy schoolchildren in Quebec.

In a sign the partnership of Evernham Motorsports and George Gillett owner of the Montreal Canadiens is close at hand Rays two cars will sport the logo of the Montreal Canadiens on their flanks in Montreal.