There is nothing like the drama of overtime in sports. Added time or innings have produced some of the best finishes in sports and Riverside International Speedway saw evidence of that Aug. 17 as Jason Hathaway used an added two laps because of late cautions and re-starts to secure a dramatic victory in the Bumper to Bumper 300.
The race is part of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series.
Hathaway’s number 3 car edged out D.J. Kennington’s number 17 and Alex Tagliani’s 18 car for the win, which left Kevin Lacroix’s 74 car off the podium despite dominating much of the race.
Hathaway talked about the battle he had with Lacroix, who led for 195 laps, in the late stages of the race.
“That was really crazy, I wasn’t even sure we were going to get the lead; Kevin was really good,” Hathaway said. “It was a battle. Lacroix got into the back of me in turn three and four and I paid him back in one and two. I was expecting it and I’m sure he was expecting it too.”
Local driver Donald Chisholm, who led for 74 laps and spun out a couple of times late in the race which led to the restarts, finished ninth.
Hathaway, who led for 16 laps including the most important one, talked about the race, describing the performance by his car and team as “awesome.”
“We were quick all day; right off the trailer. We were quick in practice and everywhere else,” he said.
Hathaway noted it was his first time in this car at Riverside, but added he “loves” the track and racing in James River, Antigonish County.
“I’ve come here probably eight times, I have a lot of friends here,” he said. “You get to know a lot of people; it, kind of, feels like a second home coming here to Riverside Speedway in Antigonish [County]. So it’s pretty awesome to win.
“And Riverside has the best trophies in the series … so to come here, win a trophy and get to celebrate tonight — wow.”
He talked more about the intense battle with Lacroix.
“Had to lay the bumper to the 74; he put it to me a little bit … it’s just the way it goes. I expected it from him and I’m sure he expected it from me; that’s short-track racing,” he said.
Hathaway thanked his sponsors — Kubota/Premier Bulk Systems/Fast Eddie Racewear/Choko Authentics Chevrolet — and when asked about his team’s season overall in the series, said “we’re coming.”
“We had a few mechanical issues to start the year but we’re coming. Second in Edmonton, sixth last week at Trois Rivières, a win here tonight, so we’re gaining on them.”
The race, which aired on TSN Aug. 24, will air again on RDS2 Friday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 p.m.
Other weekend results
Braden Langille won the 50-lap Maritime League of Legends race earlier in the day, with Craig MacDonald and Corly Hall finishing second and third respectively.
The previous day, the Henry’s Autopro 100 Napa Sportsman Series race took place with Dale Richardson taking the victory followed by Colby Smith and local driver Jeffrey Breen.
Breen and another local driver, Daniel Delorey, won the heat races.
Andrew Warren won the Passione Flooring East Coast Mini Stock Tour 50 race with Tim Webster and Cody Byrne finishing second and third.
