@andrew_ranger • @NASCARHomeTrack • (September 20, 2015)- Entering the final race for the 2015 season Andrew Ranger and the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge team were vowing to do all they could to fight for a third NASCAR Canadian Tire Series title. However Saturday night at Kawartha Speedway a tough blow early in the 250-lap event left them without the weapons necessary to do battle.
There was plenty of speed in the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge on display during both practice sessions. Track conditions changed after a severe shower passed through the area. Ranger would qualifying in the tenth position for the race but felt he had the car to get up front.
"I was going to let the race come to me," explained Ranger. "I knew the car was quick and the key was to be in a good position in the final 50 laps".
As the green flag waved all competitors were quickly on the charge and Ranger was quickly able to move the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge forward in the field. The aggressiveness in the early going however also made for an early race incident and Ranger was hit by another car.
"It was the worst possible thing to happen," said Ranger. "He hit me on the left side and knocked the toe out on the car and it was very difficult to drive after that" he added.
The Roxton Pond, Quebec driver soldiered on as best he could in the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge the rest of the night. During the scheduled pit stop for tires and fuel the team also worked to improve the handling of the car to help the driver. They would make several stops but could only do so much during the race.
"The damage was too severe to completely fix during the race," said a disappointed driver.
Ranger would cross the finish line in the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge in tenth position, exactly where he started.
While they didn't capture the title, Ranger and the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge team did have a 2015 season of consistently high performance recording ten top-10 finishes including a victory at the Autodrome St. Eustache event in the 11 series races to finish third in the overall championship.
"I have to first thank the entire Mopar Motorsports Team for all the hard work this season. The guys fought right to the end to give me the best car they could every weekend. And I want to thank all the fans for all their support this season, we had great crowds every weekend and it will be a big motivation to work hard in the off-season to prepare for 2016".
Broadcast Info: Fans can tune in to watch the season finale from Kawartha Speedway Saturday October 3rd at 1PM ET on TSN and Thursday October 22nd at 7PM ET on RDS2.
Race fans can also get more information and follow the #27 Mopar Parts Dodge team all season by going to www.mopar.ca and clicking on Motorsports.
This release prepared by, TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618
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