Joey Doiron: PASS North Series
Speedway 660 Race Preview
THE STORY
Joey Doiron of Berwick, Maine, heads two one of his favorite PASS North Series tracks when the series competes in the PASS 200 at Speedway 660 in Geary, N.B., on Saturday, June 11. Doiron tested at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway last weekend by competing in a pair of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series 40-lap events at the track near his home. Last season, Doiron debuted at Speedway 660 and is anxious to return this weekend for the 200-lap event which will be split into a pair of 100-lap segments.
THE FACTS
WHO: Joey Doiron, Berwick, Maine
TEAM: No. 73 JBJ Machine/Dale Shaw Race Cars Chevrolet
CREW CHIEF: John Doiron, Berwick, Maine
BEST CAREER SPEEDWAY 660 FINISH: 25th (June 2010)
LAST RACE AT SPEEDWAY 660: 25th (June 2010)
WHAT: PASS North Series PASS 200
WHERE: Speedway 660, Geary, N.B. (.333-mile oval)
WHEN: 7 p.m., Saturday, June 11
PASS North Series
LAST RACE: May 7, Star 150, Star Speedway, Epping, N.H. (10th)
NEXT RACE: June 25, Dany Lagace 150, Autodrome Chaudiere, Vallee Jonction, Que. (.25-mile oval)
CURRENT POINTS POSITION: 11th
DID YOU KNOW?
Joey Doiron jumped from 16th to 11th in the PASS North Series standings last month at Star Speedway – despite having his night cut short just a few yards shy of the checkered flag.
In his spare time, Joey Doiron competes in go-kart races both indoors (during the winter) and outdoors.
Joey Doiron completed just seven laps the last time the series visited Speedway 660, the result of being collected in an accident not of his doing.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
JOEY DOIRON, Driver of the No. 73 JBJ Machine/Dale Shaw Race Cars Chevrolet, On heading to Speedway 660: “I look forward to going to Speedway 660, I really do. It reminds me of a cross between Star (Speedway) and Beech Ridge, two of my favorite tracks.
“It’s got the banking of Star, but it drives like Beech Ridge. The fans are great there. It’s always cool to race in Canada, and it’s one of the nicest facilities we go to.”
On whether he feels the track owes him for last year: “If anything, this is a race we gave away last year. I really think it was our best chance to win a race last year – we haven’t had a car that good since. I would just like to see if I can knock Johnny (Clark) off. It feels like he’s won everything there in the last four years, and it would be good to beat Lonnie (Sommerville) at his home track.”
On competing at Beech Ridge last weekend: “We got all the bugs worked out of it, and we were able to find a little motor problem. That was a good thing. We didn’t get the finishes we wanted, but that wasn’t the point. The big picture was to get ready for this week.
“I’m excited after that, especially to be going to this track. I like it here, so this is something I’m looking forward to.”
On having a halftime break in the 200-lap event: “The first 100 laps, you just want to avoid the wrecks. Last year, it seemed there were quite a few in the first half and then the last 100 went caution-free. You just try to put yourself in position for the halfway break, and hope when you come out with two new right side tires you’re where you were before. Then you go for it from there.
“I like the break. We don’t really have a pit crew the way some other guys do, but I think it would be better with 200 laps on same set of tires we started on. Lap 150-200 is when you really notice the tires falling off. That would really separate good handling cars from someone that just had a good motor. With the break, it’s almost like it’s two races – 100 laps for basically nothing and then 100 laps for everything.”
UP NEXT
The PASS North Series will head back to Canada for the Dany Lagace 150 at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallee Jonction, Que., on Saturday, June 25… Joey Doiron competed previously at the track in an ACT Late Model car in 2009.