News

Canadian Team Makes “Great American Race” for Second Consecutive Season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2018) – Gaunt Brothers Racing (GBR) and D.J. Kennington secured the 30th-place starting spot in Sunday’s Daytona 500, marking the second consecutive season in which the Canadian owner, driver and sponsors, Lordco Auto Parts and Castrol (Wakefield Canada), will participate in The Great American Race.

Kennington piloted his Toyota Camry to a 15th-place result in the second of two Can-Am Duel qualifying races Thursday evening at Daytona International Speedway in what proved to be a battle of attrition as most competitors encountered loose handling conditions that ultimately led to accidents.

“The car is in one piece,” said GBR owner Marty Gaunt. “After what we saw in the first Duel, where cars got loose and free, we’re glad we’re going back in the garage in one piece. Now we can work on it and get ready for the 500.”

GBR approached the qualifying race with a conservative game plan; Kennington was instructed to avoid the big packs that often trigger accidents on the 2.5-mile oval. That trepidation was shared field-wide in the second qualifier, where 17 percent less laps were completed under caution, compared to its counterpart.

Kennington, who will become the sixth Canadian to make multiple Daytona 500 starts, is ready for more action.

“I’m looking forward to our next practice,” said Kennington. “We were really, really tight tonight. We learned what we had to learn, though, and still have a good car to go racing on Sunday.”

About Gaunt Brothers Racing: Gaunt Brothers Racing, owned by Ontario, Canada native Marty Gaunt, operates out of Mooresville, N.C. The Toyota team competes in select Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, where they secured a starting spot in the Daytona 500 in 2017, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. GBR previously fielded teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Pinty’s Series, for drivers Alex Bowman and Jason Bowles and Canadian racers John Gaunt and D.J. Kennington, recording a victory in the Toyota All-Star Showdown and a track record qualifying time on the Toronto street course.

For more information, please visit gauntbrothersracing.com.

About Lordco: Lordco Parts Ltd. is the largest independent distributor and retailer of automotive parts and accessories in British Columbia. Lordco incorporated in 1974 and has since covered most of the province with their 100-plus locations, which include wholesale and retail stores, warehouses and machine shops. Lordco prides itself on providing fast, reliable service to their customers. With 11 product divisions, which include Automotive, Chemicals, Engine Parts, Equipment, High Performance, Import, Paint & Body, RV/Marine, Tool, Truck Accessories and Welding, Lordco has you covered.

Follow @lordcoparts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest product and make sure to visit us online at lordco.com.

About Castrol: With well over 100 years of experience and 13 R&D centers worldwide, Castrol is a global technology leader.

Castrol is more than oil; it’s liquid engineering, which provides lubricants and support for passionate race teams and consumers. As the number-one brand in Canada, Castrol Edge Synthetic dominates the market providing performance and strength for your engine.

Today, Castrol operates in over 60 countries. In Canada, Castrol lubricants are marketed, manufactured and distributed by Wakefield Canada, a privately owned, entrepreneurial company focused on Automotive, Heavy Duty and Industrial lubricants.

For more information please visit castrol.ca