Ever since Andrew Ranger broke his 22-race winless drought last time out at Autodrome Chaudiere, he has been nothing short of dominant. He continued his strong start to the season by winning the Pinty’s Grand Prix of Toronto Saturday at Exhibition Place.
Ranger’s No.27 Mopar Dodge raced nose-to-tail with Alex Tagliani all race long before making a bold move to take the lead during NASCAR Overtime. Ranger was able to pass Tagliani in Turn 1 on the restart and score his third win on the 1.755-mile street course and second consecutive victory this season.
The 31-year-old driver from Roxton Pond, Quebec also padded the margin in his all-time series wins total in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series. His win on the streets of Toronto extends his win total to 24 career wins. But Tagliani didn’t make it easy, leading wire-to-wire in regulation before losing out to Ranger in NASCAR overtime.
“Those overtimes makes me nervous,” Ranger said. “It’s very technical and very fast. I was behind Alex and couldn’t pass him during the race. Green-white-checkers. He opened the door a little bit, and I jumped on the inside, drove deep.
“It worked, and it was the only chance I had, because he was very fast.”
Tagliani led from the pole until being passed on Lap 36 — the first of NASCAR overtime rules. He then held off a hard-charging JF Dumoulin and wound up finishing second despite suffering heavy body damage, notching his second podium finish of 2018. In all, a good points day when he needed one the most.
“It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t close out,” Tagliani said. “But honestly, this is a race I’m proud to finish second because with NASCAR overtime, it’s a crapshoot. The restart leads into a funnel and you’re showing the braking zone, and they’ll use you to turn the corner. It’s so slippery into Turn 1 and honestly, I would have done the same. I would have been equally as opportunistic.”
He wasn’t as understanding about Dumoulin’s move.
“He tried to follow and he tore up my car, so I was just happy to even finish. Big picture, the points, the pole and the most laps led, it was a great points day. It could have been worse so to score a second place ahead of the western swing is a really good day.”
Gary Klutt and LP Dumoulin completed the top five with Marc-Antoine Camirand and Josten’s Rookie of the Year candidate James Vance finishing sixth and seventh, respectively.
D.J Kennington, Donald Theetge and Peter Shepherd III rounded out the top-10.
Last year’s winner Kevin Lacroix’s bad weekend continued after he made contact with barrier in Turn 5. Ending his day early and bringing out the caution that forced NASCAR Overtime.
With this win Andrew Ranger sits tied with LP Dumoulin with 167 points, Ranger takes the points lead based on his two victories this season. Marc-Antoine Camirand sits third -9, followed by Powell and Kennington -14.
Read more Short Track Scene:
Pingback: QUICK LOOK BACK: Andrew Ranger Adds To Already Impressive Resume at Toronto – NASCAR Home Tracks