Saint-Eustache, Quebec- September 10, 2016– Jason Hathaway and his #3 Raybestos/Fast Eddie Speedwear Chevrolet had an eventful race at the flat Autodrome Saint-Eustache oval near Montreal, Quebec.
Hathaway’s car came off the trailer pretty stable and he practiced well, gaining 7th place in the first session and 4th place in the second session. The looming rain finally came in the late afternoon just before the qualifying session and the starting field was set by the times established in the first practice.
The excitement started with the drop of the green flag as the 16 car field-barrelled into corner one. A rookie driver sailed into the corner and spun Hathaway causing damage to the car. Crew Chief Craig Masters brought the car down pit road and the team cleared away the damaged fiberglass. Coming back into the race, Hathaway started 14th in the field and worked his way up to 7th place. The caution flag was brought out as Hathaway was once again spun by the 18 car, putting Hathaway a lap down to the leaders. NASCAR then suspended the race due to rain.
An hour later, the race got back underway and the team made some more repairs to the car and focused on getting themselves into a position to earn their lap back. The chance finally came on lap 115. Once they were back on the lead lap, the Team didn’t look back. Hathaway was a man on a mission and drove his way up to 2nd place by lap 177.
With 5 laps to go, Hathaway was spun again by the 18 car, the same driver that spun him earlier in the race. The wreck put the team back to 10th position. With a green-white-checkered finish, Hathaway drove his way back to 6th place. Hathaway was assessed an aggressive driving penalty under caution and was scored 10th in the official finish.
Hathaway was frustrated with their great night being hampered by one driver the entire race. “We had a great car tonight,” he explained. “It’s a shame that some drivers can’t just be patient and smart all at the same time. When you come up on one driver every lap and wonder how he is going to race you or wreck you, it isn’t good for the sport. NASCAR can only officiate so much and the rest is up to us as drivers to settle on the track. Our team did an awesome job dealing with what was put in front of us and I’m proud to have them behind me. They showed class and caliber.”
The Lucas Oil 250 will air on TSN on Sunday, September 18th and 1pm EST.
Jason Hathaway and his NASCAR Pinty’s Series team will return to the track for the final race of the 2016 season on Saturday, September 17th, 2016 for the Kawartha 250 at Kawartha Speedway.
