CANADIAN STOCK CAR RACING CHAMPION J.R. FITZPATRICK REALIZES HIS DREAM AS HE PREPAPRES TO RACE AT DAYTONA

January 15, 2009.  Canada’s youngest ever stock car racing champion, John Ryan (J.R.) Fitzpatrick is set to realize a childhood dream next month when he gets behind the wheel to race at the World Center of Racing, Daytona International Speedway.  J.R. Fitzpatrick will pilot the #7 Chevrolet Silverado for TRG Motorsports in the NextEra Energy Resources 250 on February 13th the opening round in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Fitzpatrick is pumped up, smiling from ear to ear and ready to race at the most storied NASCAR track.  “This has been a dream come true” said J.R. Fitzpatrick.  “Every racers dream is to compete at Daytona and that’s what we’re going to do.  The TRG guys have done an awesome job preparing the trucks right from our first test.  I know we’ll be strong in the race.  I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel”.

It has been a whirlwind few months for the 20 year old Ayr, Ontario racer, who only jumped into a TRG prepared truck for the first time last September for a test session at Iowa Speedway.  Impressive in that outing, Fitzpatrick then competed in the final three Truck Series races in 2008 and qualified an eye opening sixth at the tricky Phoenix International Raceway, only his second event.

Preparing for the high banks and drafting of Daytona began with a test session in an ARCA stock car and J.R. Fitzpatrick demonstrated his ability to get up to speed quickly.  On day two he was second quickest and led most of day three before the TRG team decided they could pack up their Chevrolet early.  “Running in the draft is so much fun, I just loved it” Fitzpatrick enthused.  “Learning to get the feel of how the cars behave and working with teammates, you find out very quickly how different it is from other tracks”.     

Right from the very beginning overseeing J.R. Fitzpatrick’s progress from the first test session with TRG Motorsports is Crew Chief Butch Hylton.  Hylton’s impressive resume includes 20 race wins in Sprint Cup & Nationwide races along with two NASCAR Championships.  J.R. Fitzpatrick is thrilled to have someone with that kind of experience helping him move up the racing ladder.  “You learn so much from just spending time and talking with Butch Hylton and having that reassuring voice on the radio really helps” he stated.

As the February 13th NextEra Energy Resources 250 race date draws closer preparations continue and complete details on J.R. Fitzpatrick’s 2009 race schedule will be finalized.  The plan includes select NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races along with several NASCAR Nationwide Series events.  Sponsorship details are being finalized and more announcements will be forthcoming prior to the Daytona event. 

J.R. Fitzpatrick is the youngest ever national stock car racing champion in Canada having claimed the CASCAR Super Series title in 2006 at age eighteen.  J.R. participated in three Truck series races in 2008, qualifying an impressive sixth at Phoenix International Raceway.  He also raced in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series last season, claiming one victory and five top-five finishes in Canada’s highest profile championship that features events from coast to coast on oval tracks, road courses and temporary street circuits. 

For more information regarding J.R. Fitzpatrick including sponsorship opportunities contact Jason A. Sharpe.  (416) 838-0039  info@jrfitzpatrick.com 

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618