An article was done last week in the Toronto Star by Norris McDonald and it featured the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Year in Review wrap up . The video along with the full wrap up was on TSN this past weekend and is on again today at 8 :30 pm on TSN 2! Check it out!
http://thestar.blogs.com/autoracing/2011/11/best-kept-secret-in-canadian-sports.html
September 24,
2011-Fraserville, Ontario– Jason Hathaway, in this #3 Snap on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge had high hopes of finishing up the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tires Series schedule at Kawartha Speedway with a strong showing and capture the highly contested 8th place in the Driver Points Championship.
The car practiced well and Hathaway was comfortable with his race machine heading into the 250 lap event. “We like this track and it has been good to us in past years. We are starting from a good spot in the field tonight and we are looking forward to the race tonight!” Said Hathaway during the fan favourite autograph session trackside.
Starting 9th in the deep 26 car field, in true Hathaway form, Hathaway got to work right away with the drop of
the green flag. By lap 10 Hathaway was already on the move. On lap 90 Crew Chief Craig Masters brought Hathaway’s race machine to the attention of his over the wall crew; changing left side tires and filling it with race fuel.
Hathaway went back out 15th on the grid and put the hammer down working his way up the running order and by lap 100 was up to 11th place. Hathaway’s car was working well and the Team was looking for a solid finish.
The Teams’ luck took a drastic turn on lap 142 when an accident in corner 2 collected the #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge and forced Hathaway behind the wall for front end repairs. The Team worked feverishly on the car replacing the radiator and the braking system on the car. The Team caught a break when the caution flag flew on the on track activity. This gave the team some more time to get their job complete. Hathaway rolled back out on the track in only 22 laps and went to task to earn driver points. Hathaway ran quick laps and made up some
positions, finishing 21st in the field. Hathaway and his #3 Snap-on Tools/ Rockstar
Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge finished 9th in the Driver Points Standings.
Hathaway summed up the Team’s night and year. “This is a hard way to finish off this season. The boys really worked
well together tonight and got our repairs done pretty fast. Their hard work really showed what kind of team we have! This season we have had great cars each and every week and our cars looked great on the track and on the TSN TV coverage. The cars handled well, the crew worked on them to fine tune them and my Crew Chief Craig ran a great box during the race. We ran into some bad racing luck, like everyone has had every once and a while. After I got my cast off from my hand and wrist injury, our luck turned and Barrie was really a great race to show what we were capable of a team. Thank you to all of our sponsors for their support this season. It really meant a lot to us.”
The Kawartha 250 will air in a 90-minute special season finale on Saturday October 15 on TSN at 12:30 pm.
Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.
Photo: Jason Hathaway and his crew
Left to Right & Hometown
Jason Hathaway ( Driver)- Appin, Ontario
Don Brock (Tire Carrier)-Oshawa, Ontario
Craig Masters (Crew Chief- Tire Changer)-Ingersoll, Ontario
Derek Stone-( Tire Carrier) Buckhorn, Ontario
Phil Arnold( Spotter)- Oshawa, Ontario
Bryan Watts ( Jackman)- Uxbridge, Ontario
Ed Hakonson (Owner)- Stouffville, Ontario
Missing:
Josh Arnold (Tire Changer)- Oshawa, Ontario
Jamie Hakonson (Team Manager)- Uxbridge, Ontario
Rich Hischer (Fuel ) Havelock, Ontario
For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
905-642-1010
[email protected]
September 17, 2011 – Antigonish, Nova Scotia – Jason Hathaway, in this #3 Snap on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge took his race machine to the fast high banked 1/3 mile oval at Riverside Speedway hoping to continue the team’s momentum after his 2nd place finish at Barrie Speedway the weekend before.
Hathaway’s car practiced well. The cool weather however played havoc with his qualifying effort posting an 11th place starting spot for the 300 lap race.
“Our car is good and I’m pretty confident about our chances to rally towards the front later today.” said Hathaway during the autograph session trackside before the race.
When the green flag dropped once again Hathaway wasted no time taking his car toward the front. The Team took on fuel on lap 108 and turned Hathaway loose on the field in the 3rd spot. A miscue on pit road pit put Hathaway a lap down to the leaders on the Team’s tire stop on lap 144 As the race unfolded, the field saw long green flag runs without cautions. This prevented Hathaway from getting the lucky dog award and denied him the opportunity to get back on the lead lap. That didn’t deter Hathaway as he raced hard with the cars vying for every position on the track and earned a hard fought 7th place finish in the field. This finish tightened the point’s battle that has ensued between him and Jason White for the 8th spot in the Drivers Points Championship.
“Our car was great tonight, but with the green flags run and being down a lap it was hard to get a run at the leaders. Our car was strong and we could have tangled up at the very fornt for sure if we had been able to catch a caution. The fans here are great every year and the exposure out here is amazing.” Said Hathaway after the grueling 300 lap race.
Jason Hathaway and his #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge will be back on track for the season finale on Saturday, September 24th for the Kawartha 250 at the always exciting Kawartha Downs Speedway. The Komatsu 300 will air on TSN on Saturday September 24th at 2:30 pm.
Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.
For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 Red
905-642-1010
[email protected]
September 10, 2011 – Barrie, Ontario – Jason Hathaway, in this #3 Snap on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge played an awesome game of strategy coupled with some phenomenal driving to earn the Teams’ first podium of the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season.
This track has always been a favourite track of Hathaway’s and that was evident in practice when he ran some awesome lap times, earning 2nd place on the speed charts during practice. Hathaway went out early in the qualifying order Saturday afternoon and recorded a mid pack 11th place starting spot.
Hathaway wasn’t too fazed by his starting spot. “The car didn’t come in as fast as we needed it to during qualifying, but I think we will be in good shape heading into the race tonight.”
With a reputation for being a high action, high caution event at the tight ¼ mile oval, Crew Chief Craig Masters and his driver knew they needed to get to the front in the early going to stay out of trouble and have their equipment in one piece for the end of the race. Hathaway didn’t waste a single lap making his move on the inside of his competitors going into the first corner on the first green flag lap of the Wild Wing 300.
In a race laden with some 12 caution periods, Hathaway used each one to gain potions. Bringing his #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge to the attention of his over the wall crew, Hathaway took on fuel and the crew made a chassis adjustment to keep up with the changing racetrack. Going out 12th in the running order, Hathaway put the hammer down and worked his way up to the 6th spot. The crew made another strategic pit stop on lap 127 and Hathaway put on a driving school taking his car towards the front again.
Hathaway took command of the race on lap 177 and lead for 48 laps. The handling of the car tightened up so Hathaway dropped back to 4th and brought the car into the pits for a splash of fuel and another chassis adjustment on lap 248. On the restart, the racey #02 car spun Hathaway. Hathaway gathered his car back up and got back at it starting from the 8th spot. He battled the #17 car for a number of laps and pulled into the 6th spot. A late race caution with only 3 laps to go set the field up for a green, white, checkered finish. Hathaway re-started amongst the lead pack including his teammate #8 Don Thomson Jr and the two E.H.R teammates battled it out down to the very end. Hathaway crossed the line with a fabulous 2nd place finish.
A pumped up Hathaway was proud of his team. “I have to first of all thank Snap-on Tools, Rockstar and Vortex and all of our sponsors for sticking with us these last few races. We have been working hard, but have had some really bad luck and it feels so good to finally break free of that. We have Napoleon here tonight at the track to share this with us and we are so excited!! Thanks to my Crew Chief Craig, who ran an awesome race and my crew for getting me in and out of the pits every time without fail. Barrie always promises some great racing and tonight was no exception. The fans got a great show and we thank them for coming out to see us!”
Jason Hathaway and his #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge will be back on track Saturday, September 17thfor the Komatsu 300 Presented by Wilson Equipment on the fast and Hathaway favourite Riverside Speedway in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The Wild Wing 300 from Barrie Speedway will air on TSN on Saturday September 17 at 12:30 pm. at 1 pm.
Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.
Click here to listen to Jason’s post-race interview.
For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
905-642-1010
[email protected]
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE HAMILTON
Montreal, Quebec- August 20, 2011 – Jason Hathaway and this Ed Hakonson Racing prepared #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge had another top 5 run going until the rear end let go on his race machine with only 6 laps to go
in front of a sold out crowd in Montreal.
Hathaway and his team took their road course race car to the world famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on the Island of Montreal with high hopes to finish the last road course of the year off in typical #3 car fashion!
Practice on Thursday afternoon and qualifying proved tough for all the teams as thunderstorms and heavy rain hampered the Teams’ practice efforts.
Hathaway started in the 22nd spot in the extensive field of competitors on Saturday morning. The sun was shining and the car was handling well. Hathaway wasted no time moving his way to the front and on a single lap moved up 3 spots. Hathaway’s #3 Snap on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge worked through the technical and tight track and was recording fast lap times as he knocked positions off one by one.
Hathaway was the only driver lap after lap that was moving up positions and making his way up the running order.
An accident in the tricky hairpin turn track caught Hathaway and he fell back in the running order to 30th. This didn’t deter him and with little damage on his car he worked his way back up the 11th spot in the running order and was again making huge gains on the leaders. With only 6 laps to go, he felt the rear end give way in his car. Hathaway limped his car off into a runoff area where he would stay until the finish of the race.
“We had a great car today, it handled really well and we were super competitive. We battled back after the accident we got caught in in the hairpin and the car was feeling awesome. When the rear-end let go my heart sank. Such a letdown, for what looked like was going to be a great finish for this team this weekend! We will get our group together here and get ready for the three last races of the season. Our team is strong; we will battle back for sure! “said Hathaway after the conclusion of the race on Saturday morning.
Hathaway and his team will be looking forward to the next event on the schedule September 10, 2011 at Barrie Speedway for the Wild Wing 300 as the tight 1/3 mile oval. A replay of the live coverage of the NAPA Autopro 100 will air on Thursday August 25th on TSN2 at 3:30 pm.
Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.
Media Contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
905-642-1010
[email protected]
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE HAMILTON
August 7, 2011 – Trois-Rivieres, Quebec – Jason Hathaway, in this #3 Snap on Tools/Vortex Brakes Pads/Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge had to battle through a rain storm this weekend at the 10 turn road course at Trois-Rivieres.
With his right hand still in a fiberglass cast for his high speed crash at Mosport International Raceway in June, Hathaway elected to start at the tail end of the starting field of 33 drivers of the main event on Sunday afternoon.
The rain that had threaten to dampen the day’s activities Sunday morning finally started about 1 hour before the race and changed the race from a dry track to a wet track. The NCTS racers have limited experience on wet race tracks and so the cars were brought into the pits to put on grooved rain tires. The 42 lap race got underway in heavy rain conditions and Hathaway laid back to stay out of the spray of cars in front of him. With limited visibility on the track he decided to bring his race car in to the attention of his crew for additional rain gear and to clear the windshield. The track was super wet and in many of the corners they were covered in large puddles would fill the cars as they ran across them.
Just around the half way point, the rain lightened and allowed Hathaway a rare opportunity in the wet conditions to make some clean passes without running the chance of wrecking the car. The rain came down once again with 15 laps to go and Hathaway relegated to sit back and play it safe. He finished a tough 26th in the running order.
“That was a crazy race out there. You could not see 3 feet in front of you and neither could the guy racing beside you so it was pretty dangerous out there. Picture yourself on the 401 doing 100 kms/hour and having to turn right and left with no windshield wipers or a defrosters in the pouring rain. That was nuts, but we wanted to be safe and not hurt our car or any on else. We will be ready for Montreal in a few weeks and show our stuff again.” Said a wet and frustrated Hathaway after the race.
The next event for the Team will be 2 weeks away when they take to the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve on the beautiful shores of Montreal, for the Autopro 100 August 20,2011. The race this weekend was live tape delayed across the country on TSN on Sunday afternoon and will broadcast again on Friday August 12 on TSN.
Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.
For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
905-642-1010
[email protected]
Photo Courtesy of Joe Hamilton
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – July 27, 2011 – Jason Hathaway, in his #3 Snap on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brakes Pads Dodge finished his 2nd race of the western swing back in true familiar form by recording a top 10 at the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway.
Returning to one of his favourite tracks Hathaway was confident that they could start the last half of the 2011 schedule with a strong finish at Saskatoon.
Practice went well for the Team as they cruised to a steady 6th place on the speed charts heading into the afternoon qualifying session. Hathaway’s car was a little loose in the short 2 lap qualifying effort, but posted a 9th place starting spot.
“We really like this track and we usually run well here. There are 2 lanes so there is some great side by side racing. I think this would be a good night for our team.” Hathaway said after qualifying.
The 250 lap race at the fast 2 lane wide track always promises some great side by side racing and the Teams did not disappoint this Wednesday night. Only 10 laps in the event the leaders bunched up and everyone checked up causing damage to a number of cars including Hathaway’s race machine. Crew Chief Craig Masters used his resources around the outside of the track to have a good look at Hathaway’s car without bringing him into the pits. That call paid off in spades as Hathaway dug in and fought a great door to door battle with fellow team–mate Don Thomson for the 4th position. Their battle went back and forth until lap 50 when the caution flew on the track for a 2nd time.
On the restart Hathaway made an awesome move and put his car to the outside lane where it worked well and pulled into the 3rd spot. A little bump and run by the #02 car relegated Hathaway back a few positions to the 5th spot.
The Team took fuel on lap 186 and took the lead on the restart of the race on lap 204. Earning 5 bonus points in the driver standings Hathaway fought off the hard charging #7. Hathaway came to the attention of his crew for the last time on lap 176 for right side tires to take him to the end. As the final laps wore down the tires went away and Hathaway muscled his car to a great 6th place finish.
“This was a great chance to for us to shake the bad luck we have been having the last little bit. It feels good to bring the car home with a top 10 finish. The damage we suffered at the beginning of the race turned out to be minor and that was good luck! I am proud of our Team for sticking together the last few trying weeks. Our sponsors have been great and have supported us and we really appreciate their enthusiasm. It was a packed house here tonight, another sold out race for us and we love coming here.” Said Hathaway after the race.
The next event for the Team is 10 days away at the road course of Trois Riveries, Quebec, August 5th, 6th and 7th. The
Velocity Prairie Thunder 250 will air on TSN on Saturday, August 6 at 1 pm EST.
Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.
For additional information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 Red
905-642-1010
[email protected]
Photo: Autograph session at ACMS
July 23, 2011 – Vernon, British Columbia – On track trouble dashed Hathaway’s ability to repeat his 2010 podium finish in his #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge on Saturday at Motoplex in Vernon, British Columbia.
Hathaway struggled with a tight race car in practice and qualifying, but managed to post a respectable 11th place starting spot on the grid. The Cruisin the Dub A & W 300, the first of two races in western Canada, got underway on Saturday night at Motoplex just outside of Vernon, British Columbia. The team was confident that they could adjust on the car and make it handle better as the race got underway.
Hathaway started to make his move to the front right off the drop of the green flag and by lap 40 of the gruelling 300 lap race Hathaway was up to 6th in the running order. On the restart after a caution on lap 56, the Teams’ luck ran out. Starting behind their team-mate Don Thomson Jr., on the outside line a number of cars in front of the team-mates checked up and Hathaway swerved to avoid Thomson. When he did he caught the rear of Thomson’s car and was shot up into the wall. With front end damage, Hathaway quickly brought his car to the attention of his team and they went to work on repairing the damage and bent steering components. With some hard work and great determination they got the #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge back out on to the track to pick up valuable driver points. The Team posted an 18th place finish at the end of the night.
“This was a bad break for our team tonight. The car was starting to work better and on that re-start everyone bunched up and I was trying to stay clear of Donnie and not hit him. Our team usually runs really well here and we were looking forward to a great day.” Said a disappointed Hathaway.
The next race for the #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge will be at Auto Clearing Motorspeedway in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Wednesday July 27th. The Cruising the Dub A & W 300 will be broadcast on TSN on July 30th at 2 pm EST.
Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.
For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
416-560-6103
[email protected]
Toronto, Ontario- July 10, 2011 – As a precaution, after Jason Hathaway suffered a fractured wrist and his hand in a cast from last race at Mosport International Raceway, the team lined up veteran driver Kevin Dowler to be on call should Hathaway decide to climb out of his race machine.
The Streets of Toronto 100 at the Honda Indy is always a fan favorite and the teams didn’t disappoint the fans. Practice on Friday was quick paced as Hathaway worked through the bumpy 11 turn temporary street course. Hathaway practiced for only 4 laps before he switched seats with Dowler to allow him to get comfortable in the car. Hathaway qualified the car in the 22nd position in a stout field of 33 competitors.
“Our qualifying effort is not typical of this team, but with my hand in the cast we wanted to be strategic in our starting spot and get in the best position time wise if we need to make a change during the race.” Said Hathaway after qualifying on Friday.
The action got underway early as the green flag flew on the 36 lap main event on Saturday afternoon. The cars were 4 wide doing into the first turn. Despite his injury to his shifting hand Hathaway did a great job and worked his way through the first lap congestion and moved up the 18thrunning position in short order. Hathaway recorded 11 laps behind the wheel, gathering valuable driver points, before handing the driving duties over to Kevin Dowler. Dowler finished up the race with long green flag runs posting a 20th place finishing spot.
“I had a lot of fun today. This team has a great race car and I was honoured that they considered me to back them up when they needed some help. Jason did an awesome job this weekend with his injury and I have to give him so much credit. I can’t wait to see Jason back behind the wheel of his cars out west.” Said Dowler after climbing out of the #3 Dodge.
Hathaway and his team will be looking forward to the annual 2 race western swing for the Canadian Tire Series coming up in two weeks time beginning at Motoplex in Vernon, BC for the Cruisin’ The Dub A&W 300 July 23rd. The Streets of Toronto 100 will air on July 17th at 5 pm EST.
Bowmanville, Ontario- June 26, 2011– Jason Hathaway and this Ed Hakonson Racing prepared #3 Snap-on Tools/Vortex Brake Pads/Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge had another top 5 run going until Hathaway found himself in the corner 2 tire wall, ending his day.
Hathaway and his team took their road course race car to the first of two back to back road course races in three weeks, this weekend at the Vortex Brake Pads 200 at Mosport International Raceway. The Saturday afternoon qualifying session was cancelled due to rain so the starting grid was set by
owner’s point standing, positioning Hathaway in the 6th starting spot.
Hathaway got right to work with the drop of the green flag making a pass for position entering the first turn of the 12 turn road course. The crew brought the car into the pits to top up the fuel on lap 14 and again on lap 15 for 4 brand new tires. With new rubber and a tank of fuel Hathaway made his way up from 20th in the running order after his pit stop back up the 8th running position by lap 23. Hathaway continued to record fabulous lap times and made some great on track passes positioning himself inside the top 5 by lap 35.
Caution came out on lap 38 of the 51 lap event. On the restart, Hathaway held his own going into corner 1 and on the entrance to corner 2 his brake
pedal when to the floor as he tried to slow down for the turn. With no brakes, Hathaway was on a wild ride straight for the tire barrier. The impact ended his day and relegated him to the 21st place finishing spot.
“We had a great car today, it handled really well and we had a front running car. I hit the brakes going into
the corner and there wasn’t anything there to slow me down. We found a broken brake line when we got the car to the trailer after the race; disappointing for this team. They work so hard and we were in line to reward them with a great finish this afternoon.” Said a shaken Hathaway after the race.
Hathaway and his team will be looking forward to the next event on the schedule July 8th & 9th on the streets of Toronto at the Honda Indy. The Vortex Brake Pads 200 will air on TSN Saturday July 2nd at 1:30 pm EST.
Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.
For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
905-642-1010
[email protected]
