This weekend in Toronto, the biggest name in the world of motorsports will have a presence at Canada\u2019s top racing show. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be on-site for all three days of the 5th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo. The show runs Friday, Jan. 21 through Sunday, Jan. 23 at the International Centre, adjacent to Toronto\u2019s Pearson Airport.<\/p>\n
The main NASCAR display will feature the same massive hauler that is the hive of activity at every NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race. Series Director Brad Moran and more than two dozen race and technical officials will be on hand at the CME to give showgoers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in a real NASCAR \u2018tech lane\u2019 and working garage. A total of three Canadian Tire Series stock cars will also be part of the display.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very excited about participating in the Canadian Motorsports Expo, one of the top, if not the top, racing shows in Canada,\u201d said Moran. \u201cThe show is a great showcase for Canadian racing and we\u2019re looking forward to giving the fans a close look at what takes place, each race weekend, in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series\u2019 \u2018tech lane\u2019 and garage. We\u2019re going to be offering some limited tours through the series hauler on Saturday and Sunday, so the fans can experience something that can\u2019t happen on raceday when everybody is busy getting ready for the event.\u201d<\/p>\n
The show will also prominently feature a strong contingent of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racers, many of whom will be participating in the Canadian Tire Series Driver Autograph Session, live on the Keystone Light Stage, starting Saturday at 4:45 p.m. While signing autographs for the fans, the drivers will also be participating in a casual, Q&A session, talking about their individual racing programs. So far, reigning NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champ DJ Kennington, Don Thomson Jr., Mark Dilley, Jason Hathaway, Jason White, Robin Buck, Dexter Stacey and Caitlin Johnston are confirmed.<\/p>\n
Later that evening, two of these NCATS drivers will also be receiving Inside Track Readers\u2019 Choice Awards, live on the Keystone Light Stage. Be sure to be there Saturday at 7:15 p.m. to find out which two will receive these coveted awards, as voted by the readers of Inside Track Motorsport News.<\/p>\n
Also on hand at the NASCAR display, throughout the weekend, will be Chris Davy, co-owner of Robert Yates Racing Engines. The company was recently announced as the new exclusive SPEC engine supplier to all of NASCAR\u2019s touring series. Davy will there to talk with current and prospective NASCAR racers about the new SPEC engine program. Similarly, Moran and his team of race officials will be available to discuss general issues, rules and procedures pertaining to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. They will also be prepared to provide paperwork for racers and teams to start the registration process for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fans attending the CME will also be in for a special treat as Canadian Motor Speedway is presenting Jeff Gordon\u2019s newly-unveiled #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet Impala showcar. NASCAR Canada, another longtime supporter of the CME, is presenting Dale Earnhardt Jr.\u2019s #88 AMP Energy Chevrolet Sprint Cup showcar.<\/p>\n
Current NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Brad Keselowski will be on hand Sunday at the CME to participate in an on-stage Fan Q&A \/ Autograph Session. For 2011, he will be driving Roger Penske\u2019s legendary #2 Miller Lite Dodge in Sprint Cup.<\/p>\n
As well, popular racer \u2018Mad\u2019 Max Papis \u2013 who will be competing full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2011 \u2013 will be at the CME on Saturday to meet the fans and sign autographs. Papis finished second to Boris Said in the thrilling NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Montreal\u2019s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve last August, and will be competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, one week after the CME.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really have to offer a huge thanks to Brad Moran and the people at NASCAR and NASCAR Canada for their support of the Canadian Motorsports Expo,\u201d said the CME\u2019s Greg MacPherson. \u201cNASCAR is the pinnacle of the sport and to have them coming to the show to connect with the fans and racers \u2013 in such a big way \u2013 means a lot. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
ABOUT THE CME<\/strong><\/em>: The Canadian Motorsports Expo is a three-day celebration of Canadian racing that runs January 21, 22 and 23, 2011 at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga). The show is powered by Inside Track Motorsport News. In addition to booths and racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, the show is loaded with seminars and forums to entertain and inform racers and fans alike. Star drivers, including reigning IndyCar Series Champion and Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, rising NASCAR Sprint Cup star Brad Keselowski, Canadian racing champions Ron Fellows, Junior Hanley, DJ Kennington and many others, will be at the CME to sign autographs and meet the fans. Please check the show\u2019s website regularly for updates and changes.<\/p>\n