Dumoulin claims victory at Riverside
After an all cars pit stop with just more than 60 laps to go, L.P. Dumoulin took control of the Bumper to Bumper 300 at Riverside International Speedway and raced to the checker flag.
The race was held on the afternoon of Aug. 19 after being postponed, due to heavy rain, from the previous evening.
The win continues a successful season for Dumoulin and his team, and their number 47 Weathertech Canada/ Bellemare Dodge, in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series. They broke a 40 race winless drought to start the season and have five top-five finishes in eight races so far this season on the circuit.
“Awesome” was the word Dumoulin was using to describe the win.
“It was a team win; my guys did an awesome job,” he said, moments after the trophy presentation. “It’s just the way the team has been working all year, so far.”
It was noted the team used a risky pit strategy by saving fresh tires until the very end before mounting a late attack. A very successful attack as it turned out.
“We got the tires for the end, that was the deal, and it worked out well for us,” Dumoulin said.
The 47 car grabbed the lead on lap 240 from Kevin Lacroix’s 74 car and never looked back. With the victory, the 39-year-old driver from Trois-rivieres, Quebec notched his third win of the 2018 campaign and first at the .333-mile oval in James River; becoming the seventh different winner at Riverside, in this race, since 2012.
Cole Powell and DJ Kennington finished second and third respectively. Interviewed after the race, Powell joined Dumoulin in praising race organizers, the track, and, especially, the fans for their patience and enthusiasm with a race pushed a day later than scheduled.
“This place is awesome; this is a lot better than street racing for sure,” Powell said.
“I just want to thank the fans for coming back out today … it was amazing,” he added, noting, graciously, Dumoulin and his team were just a little better than his, on the day.
“This race track is awesome, the organization is awesome … I just love it here,” Dumoulin said.
Antigonish’s Donald Chisholm, the 2014 champion, had to retire after 137 laps due to leaking fluid.
The Bumper to Bumper 300 will air on TSN2 this Saturday, (Aug. 25) at 1:30 p.m., and on RDS2 on Sept. 11, at 10:30 p.m.
Legends series
Prior to the Bumper to Bumper 300, the Maritime League of Legends took to the track for the Celtic Air Services 50.
Cory Hall took the checkered flag for his third series win on the season. Rookies Austin Macdonald and Sam Rogers finished second and third, respectively.
For a complete list of finishes for both races, visit the Riverside International Speedway website at Riversidespeedway.ca.
The track’s season will finish Sept. 8 with the Lucas Oil 150 for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, along with championship races for both the Napa Sportsman Series and the Mjs/prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock Tour.
For ticket information, visit the aforementioned website.