Over the Counter – June 2002: Super Series Race Report Rookie Graduates with Honors

Last year’s CASCAR Super Series Rookie of the Year, Robbie Thompson, won his first ever series race at the opening round of the 2002 CASCAR Super Series, the Mopar 250.

Thompson wrapped up the victory at Delaware Speedway in a car that could only be identified as a Dodge Intrepid by checking the race program as so much of its bodywork had been shed throughout the race.

Miraculously, the fiberglass damage to the Logel’s Auto Parts car was purely cosmetic and didn’t hurt the car’s speed or handling. Over the closing laps, the Southampton, Ont., driver was concerned about the amount of fuel remaining in his gas tank, but the high number of cautions, 16, many to clean up the bodywork that had been shed from his and other cars, allowed him to stretch out his mileage, and make it to the end in the lead.

As he did when he accepted his rookie award last fall, Thompson dedicated the achievement to his late mentor and friend, Don Biederman. The Canadian racing legend was recently posthumously inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Second place went to Exide Pontiac driver Pete Vanderwyst. The St. Thomas, Ont., resident was able to drive underneath the NTN Taurus of Mark Dilley as they exited turn 4, on the last lap, to win a side-by-side race by inches.

Three-time Super Series champion Dave Whitlock was fourth, in his Fast Lane Taurus, ahead of the A-DOR Construction Pontiac of London’s Mike Alguire.

CASCAR SUPER SERIES SCHEDULE

May 18-19–Delaware Speedway

Winner: Robbie Thompson

May 25–Peterborough Speedway

June 1–Autodrome St Eustache

June 15-16–Mosport Int’l Speedway (Road Course)

June 22–Mosport Int’l Speedway (Oval)

June 30–Cayuga 2000 Speedway

July 5-6–Molson Indy Toronto

July 19-20-21–Race City Calgary

July 26-27–Molson Indy Vancouver

August 11–Autodrome Montmagny 2000 Speedway

Aug 18–Kawartha Speedway

Sept 27-28-29–Delaware Speedway

For more information, log onto www.cascar.com

Robbie Thompson took his first win at the inaugural 2002 CASCAR Super Series event, the Mopar 250.

Robbie Thompson’s Dodge Intrepid was only half the car it was when the race began, a fact that didn’t seem to slow it down.