Daytona Beach, Florida (February 18, 2011) – Canadian J.R. Fitzpatrick will line up 42nd on the grid for Saturday’s ‘DRIVE4COPD 300’, Round 1 of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series, after Friday afternoon’s 45-car qualifying session at the Daytona International Speedway, Florida.
The 22-year-old Cambridge, Ontario racer was eleventh out in the qualifying order piloting the Schick Hydro/Energizer No.27 Baker Curb Racing Ford Mustang around the famed 2.5-mile speedway at Daytona Beach.
Fitzpatrick’s qualifying speed and time, 175.005mph and 51.43s respectively, place him at the rear of the field but having successfully showcased his pace in the draft in the week’s earlier practice sessions, the Canadian knows a much stronger race finish is on the cards in tomorrow’s 300-mile outing.
"I did what I had to do in qualifying, I hit my marks but flat-out pace on our own we knew would be an issue here,” stated Fitzpatrick – the 2006 CASCAR Champion and last year’s NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Runner-Up.
He continued; “We knew the car wasn't going to set a blistering lap out there today, it's not what we’ve been working on. This car is awesome in the draft however, that’s definitely our strength, and I'm feeling pretty confident we're going to have a great race tomorrow once we’re mixing it up in the pack. I can't wait to finally get some racing underway, it's what we've all been waiting on this week!"
Clint Bowyer captured the pole in the No.33 entry with a run of 180.821mph/49.77s with the veteran joined on the front-row by Landon Cassill in the No.1 car having run 180.600mph/49.83s in qualifying.
The ‘DRIVE4COPD 300’ kicks off the 34-round 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule with the race starting at 1:15pm EST, Saturday 19th February.
TSN2 will broadcast the race live in Canada with coverage starting at Noon EST while ESPN2 will carry the event live in the US.
Photo Credit – ‘Canada’s J.R. Fitzpatrick in action at Daytona’ – Eric Gilbert/Motorsport.Com // From Stuart Morrison / SM-PR
