By: Dumoulin Competition
July 17, 2014
Louis-Philippe Dumoulin first in the driver standings
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Behind the wheel of the #47 Dodge WeatherTech Canada/ Bellemare Louis-Philippe Dumoulin has earned his first victory yesterday on the oval track of the Auto Clearing Motor Speedway. The only Quebecer featuring twice on the podium during the trip to Western Canada, the team comes back strong as they head home leading the driver championship. In partnership with crew chief Mario Gosselin, King Autosport, the potential and racing talent of Louis-Philippe Dumoulin are undoubtable, whether it’s on road circuit or oval track.
“Our first victory on oval circuit, we’ve been anticipating it for a long time. We’re proud to offer this first place worth of our major partners, WeatherTech Canada and the Bellemare Group. It is the first year with the new preparation team in King Autosport, and I’m very happy for the boys who have been working hard since the beginning of the season,” shares the only NASCAR Canadian Tire driver with five appearances in the top 5 in five races, including two podiums since the beginning of the 2014 season.
Race summary
Before the 241st lap of the Velocity Prairie Thunder 250, nothing could lead to believe that the #47 Dodge WeatherTech Canada/ Bellemare would cross the finish line in first place.
On the starting grid in fourth place, adjustments had to be made and required a first pit stop as soon as the 37th lap. “We had a capricious car and we had to apply adjustments and prove our tenacity throughout the race in order to keep up the pace and make sure we could be in a good place in the final laps; everything turned in our favor,” explains the driver of the #47 Dodge WeatherTech Canada/ Bellemare. Back on the track in 17th place, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin has rapidly climbed up the ranks to reach the top 10, oscillating between 13th and 6th place. On the 241st lap, the final yellow flag was waved and the leaders entered the pits (241st to 248th lap). Mario Gosselin has strategically decided to remain on the track, despite the tires being at the very limit of their usability. “We had the choice to enter the pits with the leaders or not. We made the right choice and we knew that it would be a very close end to the race,” mentions Mario Gosselin, crew chief (King Autosport). Second during the last restart, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin has given it all he had to earn the victory during the final two laps.
“An oval victory in Saskatoon for L.P. Dumoulin and his crew has been one of the most exciting events for the race team and WeatherTech Canada. A great day for The WeatherTech brand, I am very pleased that I was able to be at the track with my friends from Grandwest. For the past three years, we’ve seen L.P. evolve on oval track and become more and more confident, and yesterday, he proved once again that he is a winner,” mentions Tony Page, president of WeatherTech Canada.
Back in Québec leading the driver championship with a ten-point lead over the second, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and the #47 WeatherTech Canada/ Bellemare team will be back on track this upcoming July 26 on the oval circuit of Autodrome St-Eustache for the sixth event of the 2014 season of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series.
Fin Str Car Driver Team
1 4 47 L.P. Dumoulin WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare Dodge
2 5 3 Jason Hathaway Pro Point/Rockstar Energy Drink Chevrolet
3 1 22 Scott Steckly Canadian Tire Jumpstart Dodge
4 3 27 Andrew Ranger Mopar/Exide Dodge
5 6 18 Alex Tagliani EpiPen/Dicom Express Dodge
6 8 25 Joey McColm Canada’s Best Store Fixtures Dodge
7 12 84 J.R. Fitzpatrick Autism Speaks/Equipment Express Chevrolet
8 11 17 D.J. Kennington Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors Dodge
9 7 5 Noel Dowler EMCO/MFP/Praxair Dodge
10 17 72 Erica Thiering * Travel Alberta Dodge
11 15 24 Stefan Rzadzinski * Goldmark Diesel/Christenson Dvlpmts. Dodge
12 14 51 Nick Jewell Prairie Dodge Dealers Dodge
13 13 56 Larry Jackson AVMIC/Stratafax/B&B Decals Dodge
14 10 2 Mark Dilley Johnsonville/Leland/BDI Ford
15 2 48 Steve Mathews MidWest Combustion/ Bill Mathews Chevrolet
16 18 57 Dennis LaForce * LaForce Construction Chevrolet
17 16 28 Ian Admiraal * Alberta Cancer Foundation Dodge
18 9 14 James Van Domselaar Steel-Craft Door Products Chevrolet
19 19 97 Jason Hankewich * Paririe Storm Const/Get A Grip/Direct Buy Chevrolet