NAPLES, ME :: Throughout New England and the Canadian provinces, race fans have long argued which country had the best short track racers in North America, the United States or Canada? Thanks to the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) and Quebec’s Autodrome Chaudiere, 2013 could be the year that question is finally answered.
This weekend’s Frameco 150 will kick off the first leg of the Autobus La Quebecoise Triple Crown at Autodrome Chaudiere. The Autobus La Quececoise Triple Crown will feature a points fund totaling $30,000 to be awarded to the top 15 drivers who compete in all three events. Additionally, all three races at Autodrome Chaudiere will count towards the overall PASS North Super Late Model Championship.
The Frameco 150 will be the first event held at Autodrome Chaudiere since the facility located in Valley Junction, Quebec was purchased by new owners Dany Lagace and Kevin Roberge. Roberge has been a part-time competitor in the PASS North series for a number of years and believes Canadian fans are ready for the full fendered excitement they will see on Saturday.
“We have invested a lot of money into the track and welcome fans out to see the improvements we have made to the high-banked quarter mile,” said Roberge, who plans to compete as well in the Frameco 150. “The Canadian fans seem to really like the high horsepower race cars with wide tires that compete in the PASS series. We’re excited to get the Autobus La Quebecoise Triple Crown under way this weekend.”
Hallowell, Maine’s Johnny Clark has been a mainstay with PASS since New England’s top Super Late Model tour first began back in 2001. The 6-time PASS North Champion has gone on to be one of the most respected short track drivers in North America over the last decade. Much of his success has come in Canada, capturing six of his 33 career PASS North wins “North Of The Border.” After a dismal start to the 2013 season, Clark hopes some of that Canadian magic will rear itself in the Frameco 150.
“You know, a lot of the racetracks in Canada are similar to where we race in New England and it has seemed to fit my style of driving,” said Clark, a PASS North winner at Autodrome Chaudiere in 2011. “The asphalt seems to be a little different compound than what we see at some other tracks and we have been able to adjust to it a little better than everyone else. We’ve had a terrible start to the year and we’re really focused on winning the Autobus Triple Crown. What better way to get started than with a win this weekend.”
The high stakes associated with the tremendous purse established by the Autobus La Qubecoise Triple Crown is attracting the best drivers from all over North America. Kyle Busch will race in the second leg in August and, with a winner’s share of $10,000 and an additional $20,000 up for grabs in guaranteed lap money, PASS South’s Jay Fogleman and other Southern stars are planning to compete in the final leg of the Triple Crown in September. With eyes focused on this weekend’s Frameco 150, it is easy to see why so many are excited about the upcoming “border war.”
“We’re really proud to have the prestigious Triple Crown at Chaudiere and to have it sanctioned by PASS,” said Roberge. “PASS has established itself as the place to be in short track racing and we know the fans can’t wait to see the best Americans racing against the best Canadians. It’s taken a lot of work to get here and I can’t believe it’s finally time.”
Many of the best racers in Canada have already filed entries including Patrick Laperle, Martin Latulippe, Alexandre Gingras, Marc Andre Cliché, and Donald Theetge. Matt Matheson comes to Quebec from the Canadian Maritimes and will compete against more home province drivers like Steve Cote, Alex Laabe, and Eric St. Gelais.
PASS North’s contingent of top American talent will be led by Johnny Clark and Ben Rowe, winners of an astonishing 10 titles between the two of them. They will be joined by last year’s champion, Travis Benjamin, widely regarded as one of the best when it comes to racing in Canada. Through two races so far, Joey Doiron, Cassius Clark, and DJ Shaw have dominated the headlines and look to continue their momentum. PASS North veterans Trevor Sanborn, Derek Ramstrom, Kelly Moore, Aaron Ricker, Scott Mulkern, and Richie Dearborn return as they look for an early season win. Maine drivers Michael Landry, Corey Bubar, Curtis Gerry, and Chad Dow will make the trip North as well.
Action gets under way for the Frameco 150 on Saturday when pit gates open at 10:30 AM, rotating practice for the PASS North Super Late Models and support divisions will begin at 1:15 PM, followed by qualifications at 5:45 PM and main event racing slated to begin at 7:10 PM.
