NASCAR Truck Series Canadian Debut Smacks of the Coliseum

Chase Elliot youngest driver to win in first road course race in 13 years

Chase Elliot wins the inaugural Camping World NASCAR Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, making him the youngest NASCAR Truck driver to win a race. (Don Clark/DQC Photography)

“I dunno,” said Caesar. “Thumbs up or thumbs down?”

Judging from the  crowd’s size, it’s a “thumbs up” for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series inaugural Canadian event.  

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s 750 acres were simply packed with camper vans this Labour Day weekend—which explains to the uninitiated why the whole series is sponsored by Camping World, a chain of US-based camping supply stores. 

Race fans spent the long weekend camped inside the boundaries of one of Canada’s finest racing circuits. An estimated 50,000 people attended the event, making this event one of Mosport’s best attended in years. 

It didn’t hurt that the weather was absolutely perfect.

The race didn’t disappoint either. This is the first time in thirteen years a NASCAR truck race has taken place on a road course. Watching NASCAR truck drivers turn in both directions for a change made for some pretty exciting driving. 

But somebody got a “thumbs down.”

Chase Elliot may have come across the finish line first, but he failed to impress the crowd. In sight of the finish line, Elliot made contact with Ty Dillon, who had lead the race for nearly the last half, causing Dillon to crash seconds before the checkered flag. 

In the name of Canadian civility and sportsmanship most refused to clap for the victor, and several booed Elliot. I’m not sure how many audibly protested. I couldn’t hear them over my stream of expletives.

Next came the obligatory kerfuffle in pit lane between Elliot, Dillon and their respective crews. 

To add to the ambience, Max Pappis and Mike Skeen, who had been battling for third place, also made contact during the race. The result was some trucks hitting the dirt followed by quality pit lane drama, which culminated in some face slapping worthy of the finest reality TV: Skeen’s girlfriend (or some random woman, we’re not sure) gave Pappis an openhanded slap.

Oh my goodness, did I just dignify that by putting it in print? I’m not sure what the word for that is in American English is, but its spelled “assault” with a “u” here in Canada.

Naturally, reprisals are expected during the next race.

Shenanigans included, the event was a blast. Canadian consensus is “more NASCAR, please!” Here’s how the trucks crossed the finishing line:

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race - Chevrolet Silverado 250
Sunday, September 01, 2013 
1. (94) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 64, $53385.
2. (8) Chad Hackenbracht, Toyota, 64, $41875.
3. (5) Miguel Paludo, Chevrolet, 64, $27920.
4. (9) Darrell Wallace Jr. #, Toyota, 64, $22660.
5. (17) Ron Hornaday Jr., Chevrolet, 64, $19085.
6. (7) Max Papis(i), Chevrolet, 64, $14310.
7. (18) Ross Chastain, Ford, 64, $16060.
8. (15) Timothy Peters, Toyota, 64, $15560.
9. (1) James Buescher, Chevrolet, 64, $17960.
10. (13) Matt Crafton, Toyota, 64, $15835.
11. (24) Bryan Silas, Ford, 64, $14460.
12. (25) John Wes Townley, Toyota, 64, $14285.
13. (3) Mike Skeen, Chevrolet, 64, $14185.
14. (21) Martin Roy(i), Chevrolet, 64, $14085.
15. (12) German Quiroga #, Toyota, 64, $14960.
16. (2) Ryan Blaney #, Ford, 64, $13785.
17. (6) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 64, $13685.
18. (10) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 62, $13585.
19. (22) Dakoda Armstrong, Chevrolet, 61, $13485.
20. (30) Norm Benning, Chevrolet, 57, $14010.
21. (26) Derek White(i), Chevrolet, 55, $12035.
22. (11) Jeb Burton #, Chevrolet, 54, $11935.
23. (28) Jennifer Jo Cobb, RAM, 52, $10735.
24. (23) Max Gresham, Chevrolet, 47, $10635.
25. (14) Alex Guenette, Chevrolet, Oil Line, 45, $10735.
26. (19) Joey Coulter, Toyota, 41, $10535.
27. (20) Brennan Newberry #, Chevrolet, Transmission, 38, $10485.
28. (16) Johnny Sauter, Toyota, 34, $10435.
29. (27) Carl Long(i), Chevrolet, Brakes, 4, $10385.
30. (29) Chris Lafferty, Chevrolet, Clutch, 3, $10835.
Average Speed of Race Winner: 86.767 mph.
Time of Race: 01 Hrs, 49 Mins, 09 Secs. Margin of Victory: 3.147 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 5 for 10 laps.
Lead Changes: 7 among 6 drivers.
Lap Leaders: J. Buescher 1-2; C. Elliott 3-23; R. Blaney # 24-25; T. Dillon 26-33; G. Quiroga # 34-36; M. Paludo 37-46; T. Dillon 47-63; C. Elliott 64;.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): T. Dillon 2 times for 25 laps; C. Elliott 2 times for 22 laps; M. Paludo 1 time for 10 laps; G. Quiroga # 1 time for 3 laps; J. Buescher 1 time for 2 laps; R. Blaney # 1 time for 2 laps.
Top 10 in Points: M. Crafton - 532; J. Buescher - 485; T. Dillon - 469; J. Burton # - 467; M. Paludo - 464; T. Peters - 462; R. Blaney # - 450; B. Gaughan - 444; D. Wallace Jr. # - 426; J. Sauter - 425.