Top: Jates, Knee, this whole race Flop: Cilantro, Ringer
-------------------------------------
Lester gets fourth career win, second one on fuel mileage
It's taken a while, but he's finally back.
Three years and eight months removed from his last win in the Amp Energy Racing Series, Casey Lester found himself in the right spot at the right time once again. His first win at the Boston International Speedway was based on fuel mileage. His second win at Delaware the following week, however, was on the basis of a strong car. The season-ending round in Saskatchewan ended under caution, but Lester found himself at the front all day. The inaugural Québec 200 at Circuit du Val-d'Or saw the same story as a stroke of luck hit the 87 team after a flurry of unfortunate events that have taken him out of contention to win multiple races so far in the 2018 season. Jack Jefferson's Delta-sponsored #52 Charger sputtered and ran out of fuel in the final few corners, allowing the New York native to drive past and steal the win away, ironically towing Jefferson's teammate Greg Knee into second place, the best finish of Knee's career.
Following burnouts on the frontstretch, Lester climbed on top of his car to the jubilation of his crew who showered him with beverages in the winner's circle. This might not have been the best of ideas as Lester had to later sit atop the podium outside of the garage area later that afternoon for post-race festivities. He celebrated as per usual and got back down to floor level to accept his interview.
"It really did feel like Christmas morning, go and tell Rob [Correll] that", Lester said when asked if Correll's call of the finish was accurate. "Man, what a car. I was really confident coming in - I'm sure plenty of people saw what I said on FaceSpace - but that was because I felt we had a shot and this was the only way we were pulling this one out. Before [my crew chief] Gordon radioed in about the fuel situation, I figured we would settle for 4th again and just thought, like "man, when can I win one of these things again?". I saw Jared [Kash] run out and I had this feeling of dread that we were gonna run out and we'd be heartbroken again, but I guess the racing gods threw me a bone, so to speak. Gotta thank the fans, my team, my sponsors... all our sponsors, of course. This isn't the way I imagined we'd win it, but you don't watch motorsports and sports in general just to watch what you already expect. You have to expect the unexpected and I, needless to say, didn't do a good job of that today. What an awesome day."
Lester moves just 20 points within Caine Dwyer for the points lead, asserting himself as a contender once again for the AERS championship as he did back in his rookie campaign. Entering his third full-time season in the AARO's top category, his best points finish was 3rd in that same season of 2014 where he posted all three of his prior AERS wins.
"And another thing, Nate", Lester added in a post-race press conference later in the day joking with rival Nate Smith. "Tell Allie Knight that you also know what blocking late is."
Alex Jates out “month-to-month” following scary wreck at Val-d’Or
Alex Jates looked like he had one of the best cars in the field in the Quebec 200, leading the first 11 laps and holding off the arguable best car in the race in Herb Cilantro early on. Cilantro was very aggressive, and concerning amongst the #1 team radio communication. On lap 12, coming off the final corner on the Circuit Du Val-d’Or, Cilantro and Jates made contact, sending the Buffalo Wild Wings Ford into the inside guardrail. The initial impact, while a hard one, wasn’t the concerning part, however, as Jates was pummeled by rookie Seth McGuire upon his re-entry into the racing line, a drivers door impact that immediately brought out a red flag and had fans and crew members all concerned.
McGuire climbed out of his #6 car and was quickly taken to the infield care center where it has been confirmed he has suffered no major injuries. Jates, however, was airlifted to a local hospital. He was fully conscious and alert, albeit shaken up and concerned with injuries in excruciating pain. Before he was helped out of his racecar, he did radio to his crew, “I’m not okay, I have no idea where I am or what just happened.”
The extent of Jates’ injuries are relatively unknown, but it has been confirmed he suffered a severe concussion, along with a broken collarbone and an abdominal injury. He has been ruled out month to month by KGI representatives.
Kenny Gerrelds, Inc. released a statement hours after the Quebec 200:
“Alex Jates will be sidelined month to month following his injuries at the Circuit Du Val-d’Or. We are deeply thinking about his family, and wish him a speedy recovery. Alex is a class act and one of the most thoughtful and wonderful human beings in the garage area each week. If his season or career is in jeopardy, we want to thank him for the absolute character, class, and dedication we have received from him and his family, it is second to none. With this, we have announced Derek Lanigan will drive the #1 for the entirety of the injury, and we have signed Alex Underwood as a reserve driver on-loan for the remainder of the 2018 season.”
Cilantro will have hearing for aggressive driving following Quebec 200
Following the Quebec 200, the AARO has announced it will schedule a hearing for Herb Cilantro to appeal the suspendable aggressive driving violation he has been given by AARO officials. Rumors saying the suspension is likely to be one race, but could also not even happen at all.
Steven Cortez finishes 3rd in Quebec 200
It was a career day for rookie Steven Cortez, who piloted his #96 McDonalds Chevy to a 3rd place finish in the Quebec 200. Cortez was very quiet all race, and found himself in 3rd after fuel milage took a toll on a good chunk of the field.
“It was a great call by my crew chief Pat Sheets, I’m incredibly happy with this, especially at a road course. It’s awesome to have this crowd of reporters all trying to talk to me, it’s just surreal for me right now. We’re kind of in a weird situation but at the same time, I feel like we can really do some damage here if we keep this up. It doesn’t matter how you do it, fuel milage, or what, just if we do it. I’m proud of this team”
vbooy57 Racing Legend
Posts : 420 Join date : 2012-10-22 Age : 28 Location : Pittsburgh/State College
Subject: Re: 2018 AERS Race 9 - Val-d'Or (Québec 200) Fri May 11, 2018 10:17 am
"somebody get a hold of this man"
7 Forum Founder, Admin
Posts : 7740 Join date : 2009-05-16 Age : 28
Subject: Re: 2018 AERS Race 9 - Val-d'Or (Québec 200) Fri May 11, 2018 11:23 am
I have added Jates, Cilantro situation and another article or two to the main post.
Weatherman Hall of Famer
Posts : 795 Join date : 2009-06-23 Age : 32 Location : Sunrise, FL
Subject: Re: 2018 AERS Race 9 - Val-d'Or (Québec 200) Sat May 12, 2018 1:10 pm
Spoiler:
Jack Jefferson completely distraught after running out of gas in last few corners, going from potential winner to 23rd. Greg Knee thrilled with career run, comments on Cilantro hearing. Silver Cody in his debut gains experience and a lot of spots, going from 37th to 14th. Jerry Richson stays out of trouble, keeps his nose clean but doesn't do anything, going from 27th to 18th.
An emotional Jack Jefferson climbed from his car, but unlike the last time instead of tears of joys, he had tears of anguish. "I seriously thought we could have made it and to come up completely dry with 2 corners left, this one hurts it really hurts. Overall, I have nothing to be upset with the team or the race, the race was fantastic and I was having a blast. Team told me it was going to be close and I was pushing too much too early and just came up short at the end. I do want to say congrats to Casey Lester because he's a good guy and he's had his fair share of heartbreak over the past few years so good win for him and I heard Greg [Knee] got second and it would have been great to get another road course win for JRM but I'm sure he's happy so props to them for making fuel mileage work."
Greg Knee, went over to give Jack Jefferson a hug because he saw how distraught Jefferson was after coming up dry but after Jefferson walked away, Knee gave his interview on his best career run in his young AERS career and also commented on the Herb Cilantro incident with Alex Jates. "If only I was a little closer, this finish would have been more interesting then it already was. It stinks for Jack [Jefferson] but holy crap man, we got 2nd. We had a terrible qualifying effort and if you would have told me I would be coming out of here with my best career AERS finish, I would have thought you were lying to me. Really proud of our team and I just heard we are 10th in a the points. We missed the first races and I was forced to sit out one cause of my temper but we are a serious contender and it feels incredible. Oh and I saw the replay between what happened with Alex and Herb and as someone who got benched for aggressive driving and causing a major accident, I have seen it a few times and I don't see how Herb can get suspended. They were fighting for the lead, one went up, the other went down and unfortunately it resulted in a pretty bad accident and I hope Alex will be back sooner then later but I don't see how Herb can or deserves to be suspended, he didn't try to kill people after the checkered like I did. Thank you very much."
Silver Cody, gained 23 spots, going from 37th to 14th. Jerry Richson, who only went from 29th to 18th was seen talking with Silver and despite not being interviewed, they were both smiling and seemed pleased with their runs.