May 29, 2011 – Bowmanville, Ontario – Amidst troubles with his #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge, NCTS driver Jason Hathaway persevered to bring home a hard fought 6th place finish in the Dickies 200 presented by Vortex Brake Pads at Mosport Speedway on Saturday night.
The first event of the season got underway yesterday for the Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 Red race team with the season opened at Mosport International Raceway. During practice the team adjusted on a loose handling race car and made final preparations for the 200 lap race. Hathaway posted his best ever Mosport qualifying effort during his 2 lap qualifying session with a 6th place starting spot.
Trouble started early in the 200 lap main event for Hathaway when he reported a miss in the engine to the team’s Crew Chief Craig Masters. A long green flag run did not allow Hathaway to bring his race machine to the attention of his crew until lap 113 after being under powered and going 2 laps down to the leaders, including team mate Don Thomson Jr.
After falling back to 13th place with an ailing race car, Hathaway was given a boost by his pit crew with a quick pit stop for right side tries and fuel. Fresh rubber helped Hathaway and he made his way up to the 11th running position.
With only 20 laps to go Hathaway was the recipient of the Lucky Dog Award and earned his way back onto the lead lap. Hathaway made his way through traffic up into the top 10 and into 7th place. A green white, checkered finish gave Hathaway one last chance at gaining more track position and he did just that, avoiding a last lap tangle coming home in 6th place.
Hathaway was excited by their finish to what started out as a tough race. “I am really happy with our finish today.” Said Hathaway. “The guys did awesome in the pits and Craig made some great calls on the car set up and adjustments. Our team mate Don Thomson Jr is on the podium tonight in 3rd place so this is a great way to open the season.”
“I’m really impressed with the way Jason dug deep and rallied with the engine problems he had tonight. To come all the way back up to the front when he was deep in the running order with only 20 laps to go was awesome.” Said Team owner Ed Hakonson
The next race for the #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge will be their inaugural appearance at the Circuit ICAR located in Mirabel, Quebec, north of Montreal, Sunday June 5. The teams will take to the 3.4 kilometre road course on Friday afternoon for testing, Saturday for qualifying and main event on Sunday afternoon. The Dickies 200 with be broadcast on TSN on June 4 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.
For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
905-642-1010
jamie@team3red.com
