June 13, 2010. Ron Beauchamp and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team were looking to round number two of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Mosport International Raceway this past weekend to help propel them forward in the overall championship standings. However even with a quick race car the circumstances encountered during road course events can work against you.
During the Saturday practice sessions the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries wasn’t the fastest car but the entire team was confident they had a car to contend with during the race. “This car will be a good car for the race” said a confident
As the green flag waved Sunday for the main event the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team had planned a race strategy that was somewhat aggressive but didn’t appear to be risky. “We thought that we would come in early whether there was a caution period or not and get fuel and then take tires later in the race” explained the driver. When the second caution period came before lap twenty of the scheduled fifty one all appeared to be going smoothly. “We did just as we planned and came to take on fuel” said Beauchamp.
The trouble for the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team was that would be the final caution period of the day. As the laps ticked away under green the team could not ask their driver to make another stop as it would force him to give up far too much track position. “Everyone expected there would be an opportunity to pit later, but it just didn’t happen” said the disappointed driver. “I knew that I’d just have to hold on as best I could. But with others having newer tires it became very difficult” he stated.
Beauchamp would use all his skills trying to maintain position and as the checkered flag fell he would be classified thirteenth. “It’s a tough pill to swallow” he stated. “With older tires I just couldn’t hold off some of the other cars” he added.
Of Note: The #60 Team received very sad news on Sunday when they learned one of the driving forces behind Mopar Parts enormous involvement in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and their close friend Rick Williams had passed away suddenly. Rick not only oversaw the Mopar Motorsports involvement in NASCAR and before that CASCAR for many years but took a personal interest in and touched each an every member of the racing community he came in contact with. Everyone at Beauchamp Motorsports would like to send their prayers and condolences to the surviving members of Rick’s family. Rick truly was a friend to everyone in the racing community and he will be deeply missed by all.
Attached photo: The #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge out for practice at Mosport
Photo Credit: Todd Lewis
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