From Marc Patrick Roy
New Smyrna Beach, Florida - 2009-02-12 – Canadian Patrick Laperle crashed violently while participating in the sixth of sevent ASA / Crate Late Model stock car feature event taking place as part of the 43rd World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing championship held at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Laperle, from St-Denis, Québec, Canada, started the race from the third starting spot and had been battling Stephan Nasse of Pinellas Park, Florida. On the tenth circuit Laperle came out ahead of Nasse out of turn 3, but as they crossed the stripe contact between the two cars sent Laperle spinning down the long front stretch and came to a brutal halt driver's side first in turn number one outside wall.
"I don't understand. Everyone came to me Wagner, Cassill, Maynard and they all told me how great it was racing with me as I could have run them high or dumped them and I didn't. Tonight and it's not only me saying it, but a dozen of spotters and car owners: I got dumped" said Laperle.
"We will work on it all night if we have to. The list of things that are junk is pretty long: shocks, lower control arms, rear end, front and rear clip show damage. We will do everything to keep Patrick in the championship" declared twin-brother and crew chief Eric Laperle.
After the restart, the race went green the rest of the distance and David Wagner scored his first World Series victory after knocking on the door every other night of racing. Behind him was Stephan Nasse, Kyle Menard, Joey Gase and Eric Chase rounded out the top five. Laperle was credited with the 22nd finishing position.
The championship standing after the event is now: David Wagner (246 pts) who is leading Patrick Laperle (222 pts) by 24 points. Stephan Nasse (182 pts), Joseph Gase (182 pts) and Landon Cassill (178 pts).
With only one 50 lap race remaining, tonight at 7:00pm the championship can only go to Wagner or Laperle as mathematically they are the only two who have a chance. For Laperle to win the championship he must overcome his 24 point deficit over Wagner which means he must finish no worse than fourth in tonight's race. Meanwhile Wagner needs to be tenth or worse.
"We knew the risk. We had planned a conservative finish to secure the points towards the Championship. With the car patched up as best as we can we don't know what is going to happen for the 50 lap race. One thing is for sure we came here with the expectation to showcase what we can do and with 3 wins, a 3rd place finish I am going home with my head high." said Laperle.
For more information please contact Marc Patrick Roy 514-942-6843 (cellular phone at the track) or via email: mproy@lesentreprisesmproyinc.com.
Picture credit: Marc Patrick Roy // Additional pictures can be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/marc.patrick.roy
43rd World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing Facts:
Laperle performance:
Position Finished Position Started Cars entered in competition
Feature race event #1 (2009-02-06) 7 4 28
Feature race event #2 (2009-02-07) 3 8 26
Feature race event #3 (2009-02-09) 1 4 27
Feature race event #4 (2009-02-10) 1 5 25
Feature race event #5 (2009-02-11) 1 1 25
Feature race event #6 (2009-02-12) 22 3 23
Feature race event #7 (2009-02-13) Tbd Tbd Tbd
Championship Standing
Position Driver City, State Points Behind
1 David Wagner Akron OH 246 Leader
2 Patrick Laperle 222 -24
3 Stephen Nasse Pinellas Park FL 182 -64
- Joseph Gase Cedar Rapids IA 182 -64
5 Landon Cassill 178 -68
