July 17, 2010. Calgary’s Jarrad Whissell and the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team were hoping to rebound from a disappointing first outing in the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. During round four at the Toronto Indy weekend they once again faced significant performance challenges.
The #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team difficulties began during the practice session when an electrical fire ended their only practice time early. “Even though one of the track marshals doused the fire quickly our session was over” said Whissell. “Then we had to scramble and make repairs just to have the car running for qualifying” he added.
The #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team completed the job and Whissell with his limited track time managed to claim the nineteenth starting position. “I brushed the wall during qualifying and not only did that affect the handling of the car, but also cracked our dry sump system so we had a late night of repairs to be ready for the race” said the driver.
As the race began Whissell took a cautious approach. “We didn’t really have a very good car during the race” said the disappointed driver. “Knowing that the car was a handful I just tried to do the best I could” he added.
Whissell would use his driving skills to not only maintain his position but also gain spots during the 100km event. “I’m pretty pleased that we did gain a few spots and finish sixteenth” said the driver. “And I am also pretty happy that we finished the race on the lead lap. It was great to be part of the Toronto Indy event for the first time and to have our race air live on television for the first time good news for the series, and helps us give greater exposure to our racing to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society” he added.
Whissell and the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team are quickly putting this race behind them and now looking ahead. “It’s unfortunate that we had the problems we did in practice, and that never allowed us to find the right set up on the car” summarized Whissell. “But now we get to head back to Edmonton, a track that’s a little more wide open and a track I’m more familiar with and I’m confident we’ll have a better performance” he concluded.
The five NASCAR Canadian Tire Series road course events are a part of some of the largest race weekends in
Attached Photo: Jarrad Whissell in the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford exiting pit lane in Toronto.
Photo Credit: Todd Lewis
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