Lapcevich livid after late-race wreck ruins strong run

Team press release

July 9, 2011, GRIMSBY, ON – Jeff Lapcevich appeared on his way to a great finish in Toronto when contact on a late restart relegated the Grimsby NASCAR racer to a 13th place finish. The Tim Hortons-sponsored Lapcevich was furious about the situation.

“That was a great example of how not to race somebody,” said the incensed Lapcevich after the race. “I got right up beside Robin Buck, and he drove me straight into the wall. We restart double file in NASCAR, but you can’t run two wide with him. We did it all day with several others.

“There was a lot of chaos behind me when he stuffed me in the wall. Guys were checking up, and it could have been disastrous for a lot of them including Buck, but that’s how he races.”

After spending part of Friday’s practice session atop the leader board Lapcevich qualified only 10th in the stellar 33-car field. Things got worse when the team was penalized for failing to follow NASCAR procedure when making post-qualifying repairs.

“I was so disappointed that we only qualified 10th that being put to the back of the field really didn’t seem so bad,” said Lapcevich. “The car was amazing. I could pass under braking almost at will. We were definitely on the move.”

Lapcevich started on the outside lane in each of the race’s starts and restarts after caution periods. Each time he gained positions by making challenging passes on the outside.

He methodically picked off cars lap after lap moving towards the front. With just a few laps to go he ran seventh right behind a trio of competitors. A full-course caution allowed him the opportunity to restart among the leaders.

NASCAR officials announced the restart would be the only attempt at a green-white-checker finish. The drivers knew this was their only opportunity to make a move.

“The restart couldn’t have worked out better except I had to race on the outside of Buck” said Lapcevich. “I was right up to the fourth place on the outside going into turn one, and then I got wrecked. Usually Robin’s late-race desperation costs him, but this time it ruined our race.

“He’s been wrecking us for a lot of years now. JR Fitzpatrick (fellow NASCAR racer) was right when he said that racing with Robin is like being in a demolition derby.”

“Once I got into the wall I knew we were finished. I hit hard, and the car didn’t feel the same afterwards. The front end was definitely bent. After that it was a matter of just surviving to the finish.”

Lapcevich remains fifth in the season points standings despite his disappointing result. The team will miss the series’ western Canadian swing of two races in favour of competing in ‘The Grands’ with his boys Cayden and Treyten in their quarter midget race cars.

For more information on the Lapcevich racing family visit LapcevichRacing.com.

Related posts:

Noel Dowler Jr. to make NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut Who said stock cars don’t drive in the rain? Best Career NASCAR Finish For Isabelle Tremblay Bourque Battles In Toronto Whissell Gains Tens Positions in Toronto