NASCAR Action

If you drive twenty minutes north of Bowmanville on a hot, Summer weekend you will hear thunder over the hills of Concession Road 10 coming from a pack of focused drivers and their cars screaming with horse power. If you follow this sound you will come across a multi-track motorsport venue called "Canadian Tire Motorsport Park". This remarkable place was designed and built in the mid 1950's. It had it's first major event on June 25, 1961, The Player's 200. A sports car race that attracted dozens and dozens of drivers from all over the world... and it did not disappoint.

Recently there have been renovations, construction, and changes made to CTMP and it appears that the spectator's experience is being heightened every year, at the 2.459 mile road course in particular. However, the loss of the half mile oval formerly known as Mosport Speedway was a devastating blow to the fans that enjoy the good old Saturday night short track racing. A half mile oval with a maximum of 6 degrees of banking in each corner made it an exciting experience for both the die-hard fans and the drivers. Not to mention that the King of the Hill Tournaments was always an exciting attraction to have in between the Heat races at half time. Simple, bring a helmet and gloves, pay $20, sign some papers, and race one on one until you lose. I have witnessed cars spin out, trucks smack the wall, and some cinderella story winners.

Any time the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was in town the grand stands were packed, the line at the beer tent was ridiculous, and the intensity on the track couldn't get any higher. Whether it was some road course wrestling or some Saturday night sluggin' it was the place to be. Before, during, and after the races on the legendary road course the fans have access to the Garage/Race Team Haulers area which allows anyone that isn't shy to take close-up, stellar photos and even get autographs from the drivers. I had the privilege of shaking the hands of roughly a dozen NCTS drivers on multiple occasions.

JR Fitzpatrick won both road course events at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2014. He has some very impressive statistics on this track. When the 2014 season came to an end Fitzpatrick had earned himself three victories but narrowly missed the championship by three points as L.P. Dumoulin won his first NCTS title.

In 2013 Scott Steckly won four races including the season finale at Kawartha Speedway to win his record-setting third NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship. That entire #22 team seem to be consistent every year earning solid finishes throughout the season.

DJ Kennington displayed a phenomenal amount of talent, confidence, and patience in 2012 winning seven of the twelve events. DJ set a series record for winning five races straight mid-way through the season on his way to winning his second career championship. He now holds the record for most wins in series history.

The level of popularity of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is rapidly increasing every the year. Two things that have really contributed to this is Boots n' Hearts and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competing on the road course once a year. The size of the crowd that the country concert extravaganza and the 36 trucks driven by world class drivers attracts is fantastic. You always leave wanting to come back next year. That is the kind of experience that legendary racer and owner of CTMP Ron Fellows and his partners want you to have.

The excitement was overwhelming throughout the first two truck series races. Everyone in the racing community was talking about Chase Elliott (son of former Sprint Cup Series champion Bill Elliott) wrecking Ty Dillon (grandson of team owner Richard Childress) on the final turn to win the road course race in 2013.

Back when I had a serious injury I was spectating a race at the half mile oval with my mom for my 19th birthday in a wheel chair. A young man named Brad Stevenson was famous for winning many races and kindly giving a lucky fan his trophy. Stevenson got out of his car, grabbed the trophy, left the track, and began jogging in my direction.
"Thanks so much for coming out man, here you go", is what he said to me.

I was fortunate enough to wave the green flag for a stock car race at the oval circuit for the beginning of the race with my mother up in the flag stand with me. I had the privilege of meeting Ty Dillon after he competed in a Canadian Tire Series race on the road course finishing 6th. Some of the best days of my life happened at this magical place that I like to call Heaven.






List of Canadian Tire Series Champions
2007: Andrew Ranger #27 Ford
2008: Scott Steckly #22 Dodge
2009: Andrew Ranger #27 Ford
2010: DJ Kennington #17 Dodge
2011: Scott Steckly #22 Dodge
2012: DJ Kennington #17 Dodge
2013: Scott Steckly #22 Dodge
2014: L.P. Dumoulin #47 Dodge


Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is a great place to spend a weekend in the Summer. A cold cooler, a hot grill, and fast cars is enough to spice up anyone's day. Memories are made and dreams come true not only for the drivers and race teams, but for the fans.

Written by: Tyler McMurter
Bowmanville, ON.
CanadianTireMotorsportPark.BlogSpot.com
Tyler.McMurter@Hotmail.com