Fellows leads practice at Montreal
Canadian drivers topped the first day of practice for the Busch Series NAPA Auto Parts 200 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, in a day dominated by the road-course specialists
Ron Fellows emerged fastest overall after setting a time of 1:43.198 during the second practice session of the day. He is driving this weekend for Kevin Harvick Incorporated in the No. 33 RCR-engined Chevrolet.
"It's a bit tricky," Fellows said about the track. "Certainly, with these big cars, having to slow down as often as we do at high speed, it's going to be a tough one on Saturday, trying to maintain some relative cool on the brakes."
Robby Gordon was second fastest of the day, 0.194 seconds off of Fellows. He is one of six Nextel Cup drivers who will be on double duty this weekend, racing at Montreal on Saturday and at Pocono on Sunday.
Australian Marcos Ambrose, who was fastest among the Busch Series regulars, ended the day third fastest, only 0.020 seconds off from Gordon and just over two-tenths away from the day's benchmark.
"The track is good; it's a lot of fun," Ambrose said about the layout. "It's got some high speed parts but really technical as well and all the change of directions. We're really pumped to be here. It's a great track."
Scott Pruett, making his second Busch Series start of the year, was fourth in the No. 41 Ganassi Dodge. He had been second in the first practice session, and will also be competing in the Grand Am race at Montreal tomorrow.
Local favorite Patrick Carpentier topped the first practice on his maiden NASCAR official outing driving the No. 22 Fitz Motorsports Dodge. He finished the day as fifth fastest overall, 0.334 seconds off his fellow countryman Fellows.
Max Papis, another driver also competing in the Grand Am race, was sixth fastest ahead of Andy Lally, while Busch Series regular Carl Edwards was eighth fastest and probably the best of the non-road course specialists.
Canadian Michael Valiante was ninth fastest in the second Ganassi car, also making his NASCAR debut. Boris Said, one of the favorites for the day, rounded up the top ten in the No. 9 Evernham Dodge, although he was more than a second and a half slower than Fellows.
There will be two more practice sessions on Friday, with qualifying and the race taking place on Saturday.
Pos Driver Car Time 1. Ron Fellows Chevrolet 103.198 2. Robby Gordon Ford 103.392 + 0.194 3. Marcos Ambrose Ford 103.412 + 0.214 4. Scott Pruett Dodge 103.424 + 0.226 5. Patrick Carpentier Dodge 103.532 + 0.334 6. Max Papis Chevrolet 103.949 + 0.751 7. Andy Lally Ford 103.963 + 0.765 8. Carl Edwards Ford 104.450 + 1.252 9. Michael Valiante Dodge 104.481 + 1.283 10. Boris Said Dodge 104.632 + 1.434 11. Brad Coleman Chevrolet 104.660 + 1.462 12. Stephen Leicht Ford 104.687 + 1.489 13. Andy Pilgrim Chevrolet 104.771 + 1.573 14. Michel Jourdain Jr Ford 104.853 + 1.655 15. Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 104.858 + 1.660 16. Niclas Jonsson Chevrolet 104.868 + 1.670 17. Jeff Burton Chevrolet 105.079 + 1.881 18. Jorge Goeters Ford 105.130 + 1.932 19. Steve Wallace Dodge 105.270 + 2.072 20. Ron Hornaday Chevrolet 105.414 + 2.216 21. Greg Biffle Ford 105.473 + 2.275 22. Kyle Krisiloff Ford 105.475 + 2.277 23. Aric Almirola Chevrolet 105.553 + 2.355 24. Jason Leffler Toyota 106.233 + 3.035 25. Stanton Barrett Chevrolet 106.271 + 3.073 26. David Ragan* Ford 106.776 + 3.578 27. Mike Wallace Chevrolet 106.808 + 3.610 28. Bobby Hamilton Jr Ford 107.107 + 3.909 29. J.R. Fitzpatrick Chevrolet 107.370 + 4.172 30. Alex Garcia Chevrolet 107.372 + 4.174 31. Brent Sherman Chevrolet 107.441 + 4.243 32. Brandon Miller Chevrolet 107.855 + 4.657 33. David Reutimann Toyota 107.864 + 4.666 34. Todd Kluever Ford 109.210 + 6.012 35. D.J. Kennington Dodge 109.530 + 6.332 36. Richard Johns Ford 109.931 + 6.733 37. John Graham Toyota 109.971 + 6.773 38. Mike Mackenzie Chevrolet 111.438 + 8.240 39. Scott Gaylord Ford 112.125 + 8.927 40. Trevor Boys Chevrolet 115.688 +12.490 41. Jerick Johnson Chevrolet - - 42. Joe Fox Chevrolet - - 43. Morgan Shepherd Dodge - -
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