FONTAINE TAKES THIRD PLACE IN 2005 FLORIDA TRIPLE CROWN
FONTAINE TAKES 20TH IN SECOND LEG OF FASCAR FLORIDA TRIPLE CROWN DESPITE WRECK ON LAP 187
AACS 125 TOP 5 FINISH FOR FONTAINE FOILED BY FLAT TIRE ON LAP 123
FONTAINE TAKES THE POLE AND BRINGS HOME 11TH IN LLM 100 AT DESOTO DESPITE GETTING PUT IN THE WALL
FONTAINE BRINGS HOME SECOND IN FORESTER'S RACE FOR THE KIDS AT LAKELAND
REPRINTED FROM KARNAC.COM-LAKELAND, FL Chris Fontaine of Lakeland, FL, driving
the B & H Construction Chevrolet, finished second at USA International Speedway
on Saturday night (Oct. 22nd.) in the FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Series Country
Hearth 100 presented in part by The Fontaine Foundation.
Fast
qualifier Tim Russell of Longwood, FL was the race winner and Rich Clouser of
Palm Bay, FL was third on the three-quarter mile high baked oval. Rounding out
the top five were Jerry Artuso of Ontario, Canada and Mike Hovis of Ft. Myers,
Fl. Russell led 21 cars in qualifying with a time 21.675 seconds or 124.57 mph.
Fontaine and Clouser battled for the second spot during lap 75 before Fontaine
made his pass on the backstretch on lap 95.
"We had a good car, but were not quick enough at race end to catch Tim
(Russell)," said Fontaine. But I tell you one thing our new Progressive Engine
did everything we asked for."
FONTAINE FINISHES 3RD IN AACS 125 AT DESOTO ON 9-24
FONTAINE TAKES 8TH AFTER 18TH PLACE START IN AACS 125 AT DESOTO
After starting at the rear of the 18 car field, Chris Fontaine passed 10 cars to take home a top ten finish with 8th in the AACS 125 at Desoto Superspeedway on Sept. 10th.
FONTAINE TAKES FIFTH IN FASCAR 125 AT COLUMBIA MOTORSPORTS PARK
Fontaine Takes 4th and 15th in AACS Twin 100's at Desoto Speedway Despite Blown Engine
Chris Fontaine drove the BDH Construction #47 to a fourth place finish in the first of two 100-lap legs in the AACS Twin 100s at Desoto Superspeedway on August 20th.
Fontaine's engine let go early into the second 100-lap leg. Fontaine got 15th in the second Twin 100.
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BobbyHamiltonRacing.com |
| No. 4 BHR Dodge Chris
Fontaine Kansas Preview 06-29-2005 | MT. JULIET, TN
Chris Fontaine will make his third NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway on July 2nd. The 23 year-old Lakeland, Florida native will pilot the No. 4 Bobby Hamilton Racing Dodge driven previously this year by Casey Atwood and Timothy Peters. Peters will return to the driver’s seat for the Built Ford Tough 225 at Kentucky Speedway on July 9th. Fontaine brings a variety of Late Model stock car experience to the BHR stables. Fontaine has competed in the NASCAR All-Pro Series, the Hooter’s Pro Cup Series and the All American Challenge Series. Fontaine’s breakthrough Late Model win came against a star-studded field in DeSoto Super Speedway's traditional season opening Icebreaker at the start of the 2004 season. Fontaine bested short track veteran’s Wayne Anderson and Billy Bigley Jr. to capture that win. On Racing at Kansas Speedway? I don't think it will be a problem, but it will be a new challenge with faster equipment. I have competed on other large tracks before, including the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway in an I-Power Dash Series car, and the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway in a NASCAR All-Pro car. It will be a new situation for me with more weight and more horsepower, but I am really looking forward to the challenge." The Heat at Kansas in July? “I have heard it is going to be one of the hottest races of the year, Kansas Speedway is traditionally pretty hot around the fourth of July. I will have to prepare myself this week for that, to deal with the heat. I am looking forward to being in another new place and a new challenge, and I am going to try to conquer it." Notes: Crew Chief Randy Seals on Kansas Speedway: “Kansas is a big fast, really smooth racetrack in which your aerodynamic package will play a critical role. The body attitude as the truck goes around the racetrack is very important to having success. Your aren’t as dependent on chassis adjustments there as you would be on some other tracks because of the role that aerodynamics play. It is so smooth there are no significant bumps or washboards that you would need to adjust to. Chris Fontaine has done a fine job in the two races we have run with him. We had a tire problem at Milwaukee or I feel like we would have had a better finish. We have had three different drivers behind the wheel of the No. 4 this year and they all have their own way of wanting things whether it is the seat belts, the mirrors or how the truck reacts in certain situations. I am proud of all the guys on this team for staying focused and being ready to race every weekend.”
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BobbyHamiltonRacing.com |
| No.4 Chris Fontaine
Milwaukee Race Review 06-27-2005 | WEST ALLIS, WI
Florida native Chris Fontaine continued his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series education Friday night in the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200 at the famed Milwaukee Mile. Fontaine, in only his second NCTS start, witnessed a torrid pace set by pole sitter Jack Sprague and eventual winner Dennis Setzer as they swept away most of the competition in a long green flag run that lasted 143 laps. Before the midway mark of the event, only five trucks were left on the lead lap. The result for Fontaine was a 25th place finish. "That was the longest green flag run I have ever seen or been in,” Fontaine said following the event. “By the end of it, I was definitely ready for a break as hot as it was. It was 103 degrees in the shade. I learned I need to prepare myself better for the heat and drink some more water during the week." Fontaine started the event in the 32nd position and steadily maintained his track position at the start despite it being his first visit to the tricky one-mile Wisconsin fairgrounds track. Crew chief Randy Seals coached him to keep working his arc and roll into the corner. “Milwaukee is a very flat and technical racetrack,” Fontaine said. “One of the hardest tracks I have driven. It is not forgiving at all, and one little mistake entering a turn will ruin your lap, so you have to be very precise and exact with your entry." Fontaine was lapped on lap 33 while running in the 29th position, but he was able to work his way up to the 20th position and then pitted under green on lap 74. His Bobby Hamilton Racing crew executed a near perfect four tire and fuel stop. On lap 83, misfortune struck in the form of a flat left front tire. Fontaine was able to maintain control of his Dodge and make it to pit road without making contact with the wall or another competitor. When Johnny Benson spun to bring out the race’s only caution on lap on lap 144, Fontaine pitted for four fresh Goodyear Wrangler tires and Sunoco fuel. He exited the pits in the 25th position and was able to maintain that spot for the rest of the race. "I started off more slowly than I wanted to,” Fontaine said. “As the race progressed, and we got more laps done, I felt like I learned a lot on the track and I passed some trucks. I proved to our crew I could be competitive. But at the same time, there is a lot more to learn, and I am ready for the challenge." Dennis Setzer won the Toyota Tundra Milwaukee 200, his second win in a row. Jack Sprague, Ted Musgrave, Ron Hornaday Jr. and Brendan Gaughan followed in the top five.
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Chris Fontaine Back Behind the Wheel of the #4 BHR Dodge in Milwaukee
What did he learn from his first NCTS race in Mansfield? "I learned how competitive and tough all the drivers are, and how close they race. I also learned the procedures, and what is expected of me and what is expected of the crew. I am looking forward to going back, and not having to be so timid, do more racing, instead of watching."
The Milwaukee Mile? "I went to Bobby Hamilton's test there, and it looks like a real smooth track. He did really well, and they will translate all of the information from that to all three of the BHR trucks. From the times, it looks like all three of us are going to be pretty fast."
Advice from Bobby Hamilton? "We talked a little bit, and he just said run your own race and be smooth, and I should do pretty well. I just need to be patient and watch the people in front of me, and learn from their mistakes when I catch them."
What his goals and aspirations for the rest of this year, where else does he plan to run in the NCTS? "My goal is to run four more races, and learn how to handle a truck, how the procedure goes, and how to work with Randy Seals, the Crew Chief on the No. 4. I want to learn how to communicate better with him, be able to get faster everywhere we go, and be competitive and run in the top 10. Let's see if we can't get in the top 10 by the last race of this year, and be ready for some races next year. Kansas, New Hampshire and Las Vegas are all possibilities for us later this year."
How big is the learning curve from the cars he has run and the trucks? How do they differ? "The Super Late Models I run feel more like go-karts; faster and dartier. The trucks feel a whole lot heavier because they are. Even though they have more power, their weight seems to hold them back. They feel more like driving a Suburban than a Ferrari, but at the same time, whenever they rub against each other, they move around like hitting a spring wall or something. They really bounce around when you get in to each other. The tires are a big difference also. If the truck gets sideways on those tires, they don't want to come back, and it's harder to control in a slide. I found that out first hand. I thought I was going to put it in the wall during the race, but I caught it. I would like to thank everyone at BHR for all their cooperation, and I look forward to continuing a racing relationship with them."
Notes:
• Fontaine will make his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at
Milwaukee. His first was earlier this year at Mansfield.
• Fontaine got his first major Super Late Model win at Desoto Speedway’s in the
All American Challenge Series on Sunday, February 22, 2004.
• Fontaine competed full-time in the NASCAR All-Pro Series in 2001 and 2002.
• Fontaine will pilot the BHR chassis “Beavis” this weekend at Milwaukee. Bobby
Hamilton won with Beavis at Atlanta in 2004 and Darlington in 2003.
• Fontaine became interested in auto racing after spending three years playing
ice hockey in a junior league in his hometown of Lakeland, FL.
• Fontaine began his racing career at the age of 16 driving mini-cup race cars.
In his first year of racing, Fontaine racked up two wins, and finished in the
top five 13 of 14 races.
FONTAINE TAKES 5TH IN FASCAR SUNBELT SUPER LATE MODEL 125 AT COLUMBIA
After qualifying eighth to start the FASCAR Sunbelt Super Late Model 125 at Columbia Motorsports Park May 28th, Chris Fontaine worked his way up to a 5th place finish.
Fontaine Finishes 17th in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Ohio 250
by Bobby Hamilton Racing
No. 4 BHR Dodge Chris Fontaine Race Review 05-16-2005 Mansfield, OH
NASCAR newcomer Chris Fontaine made the most of his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race by posting an impressive 17th place finish in the UAW/GM Ohio 250 at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway on Sunday.
Fontaine used extreme patience to work his way through the heavy traffic on Mansfield Motorsports Speedway’s tight bullring and was able to dodge the myriad of accidents that invariably happen in a NASCAR short track race. His reward was a lead lap finish and some new found confidence.
“It was important for me to come into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and prove to myself that I could compete on this level and I think we did that today,” Fontaine said following the event. “I tried to give the other competitors plenty of room because I knew that NASCAR would be watching me because it was my first race. I feel like we were able to race these guys clean and hopefully earn a little respect because we want to be able to move forward and race with these guys on some of the bigger tracks in this series.”
Fontaine started the event in the 27th position but had to overcome adversity from the very start. Fontaine’s Bobby Hamilton Racing team could communicate with him but the radio system in his No. 4 Dodge would not allow him to speak to them.
Just a few laps into the event crew chief Randy Seals told his young driver to “weave if the truck is handling OK.” The team then used the traditional racing hand signals to alert the crew on the condition of Fontaine’s Dodge-hand on the roof if it was tight or hand on the door if it is loose.
Fontaine bid his time, feeling out the 36 truck pack over the first 60 laps and was able to steer clear of the many on track incidents.
When the caution flag fell on lap 79 Fontaine had just fallen one lap down to the leaders. Seals quickly called his driver to pit road for four fresh Goodyear Wranglers and a full load of fuel in addition to a chassis adjustment-four rounds down on the track bar and a one pound air pressure adjustment on the right front tire.
Fontaine once again found himself near the rear of the field but was able to race his way into the coveted “Lucky Dog” spot by lap 140.
Fontaine pitted again on lap 143 for right side tires only and then again on lap 145 for left side tires. He then restarted the event in the 25th position. Seals informed Fontaine that his truck had “a perfectly matched set of Goodyear tires.”
The 23 year-old Lakeland, Florida native then did his best driving of the day, picking off 8 positions over the last 80 laps to post a top twenty finish in his first NASCAR Touring Series start.
“I am very happy that we brought the BHR Dodge home in one piece and that we were able to finish on the lead lap,” Fontaine said. “Hopefully this is the start of better things to come. It is great to get that first start under my belt. It was a great day for Bobby Hamilton Racing and I really enjoyed working with Randy Seals and these guys, they did a super job all day long.”
Bobby Hamilton won the UAW-GM Ohio 250 in front of a packed house of 25,000 fans. Following Hamilton in the top five were Jack Sprague, Shane Hmiel, Todd Kluever and Rich Bickle respectively.
Fontaine to Drive the #4 BHR Dodge at Mansfield This Sunday
Chris Fontaine will drive in his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck series race this coming Sunday, May 15.
The race will be televised live on the SPEED channel at 2.00 p.m. Fontaine will be piloting the #4 for Bobby Hamilton Racing.
BHR's pre-race press release on Fontaine:
| No. 4 BHR Dodge Chris Fontaine Mansfield Preview | |
| 05-10-2005 Mt. Juliet, TN | |
Fontaine brings a variety of Late Model stock car experience to the BHR stables. Fontaine has competed in the NASCAR All-Pro Series, the Hooter’s Pro Cup Series and the All American Challenge Series. Fontaine’s breakthrough Late Model win came against a star-studded field in DeSoto Super Speedway's traditional season opening Icebreaker at the start of the 2004 season. Fontaine bested short track veteran’s Wayne Anderson and Billy Bigley Jr. to capture that win. Chris Fontaine on his first NCTS Start: “I hope this is the beginning of what turns into a positive career for me. I have a lot to prove to myself and to others and hopefully this is the first step. This has been a lifelong dream and goal for me to race at this level of NASCAR Competition.” On his expectations at Mansfield: “I expect to drive the truck to its level of competitiveness. If it is a top-five truck then I want to get a top-five finish. I want to drive the truck to the best of my capabilities, get some seat time and learn as much as I can. I am looking forward to competing against great veterans like Bobby Hamilton and Ted Musgrave and following them and learning as much as I can from them. It will be a very good opportunity for me to see how I match up with so many great drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.”
• Fontaine got his first major Super Late Model win in the first race of
Desoto Speedway’s All American Challenge Series on Sunday, February 22,
2004. On working with young drivers at BHR (crew chief Randy Seals): “We have sort of taken on the role of developing young talent for Dodge here at BHR. We think we have found a really good one in Timothy Peters and hopefully Chris Fontaine will prove to be as successful as Timothy has been. Right now most, if not all, of the other Dodge truck teams have veterans driving for them. We are looking at the future for Dodge Motorsports. I really enjoy working with the young drivers. Chris is ready to go, he is anxiously awaiting this weekend.” |
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MORE PHOTOS FROM MANSFIELD COMPLIMENTS OF BHR
THE BOBBY HAMILTON RACING TEAM
FONTAINE RACING THE BHR #4
FONTAINE STRAPS IN TALKING WITH LATE MODEL CREWCHIEF/
TRUCK SPOTTER KEVIN INGRAM
TALKING WITH BHR #4 CREWCHIEF RANDY SEALS THE PIT CREW AT WORK
FONTAINE WAVES TO THE CROWD AT THE OHIO 250 FONTAINE AND TEAM PREPARE FOR THE START
Fontaine and Team Give Autographs and Tshirts at Desoto Speedway
Fontaine prepares to qualify the 47 at Lakeland on April 30, 2005.
Chris Fontaine and two of his crew members chat by the 47 in the pre-race lineup.
Fontaine passes on the inside in turn 3.
Fontaine begins a pass on the outside in turns 3 and 4.
The 11 had Fontaine in his rearview mirror during the last half of the race to the checkered flag.
Broken Rearend Gear Spoils Great Run in All American Challenge Series Race #3
Chris Fontaine captured the pole position for the All American Challenge Series Race #3, but the roll of the dice moved him back to seventh place for the start.
Fontaine and the BDH Construction #47 raced hard with Wayne Anderson in the #84 for the next 96 laps.
On lap 97, on the frontstretch, Fontaine passed both Anderson in the fifth spot, and the fourth place car to take the third spot.
On lap 114, the rearend gear on the #47 broke.
Fontaine was credited with 14th for the race, and he is 12th in the 2005 AACS Series points race.
April 16, 2005 AACS Race #3 at Desoto Speedway
March 19,2005 Icebreaker 150 Race at DeSoto Speedway
Fontaine Finishes Nineteenth in Icebreaker 150 Despite Mechanical Problems
A new twist to the March 19,2005 Icebreaker 150 at Desoto Speedway was pit stops.
Chris Fontaine was 5th fastest qualifying the GGR Roofing/BDH Construction/Frazier Contracting #47, and a roll of the dice inversion moved him to the 3rd starting spot.
Despite having mechanical problems on lap 2, Fontaine got back in the race on lap 37 and did a lot of passing to work his way up to a top 20 finish.
Fontaine starts out the 2005 AACS points chase in 12th place.
RACING ON THE FRONT AND THROUGH TURNS 1 AND 2 AT INVERNESS
PHOTOS FROM FEBRUARY 2005 PETE ORR ORANGE BLOSSOM MEMORIAL 125
Fontaine Finishes Sixth In Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 100
Saturday, February 5, 2005
Samsula,FL-Chris Fontaine qualified the GGR Roofing/BDH Construction/Frasier Contracting #47 seventh fastest for the Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 100 at New Smyrna Speedway, but the field was inverted for the start of the race, putting Fontaine on the pole.
The sixth place finish is Fontaine's second top 10 finish of the three races run to date in 2005.
Fontaine Takes Tenth in First Race of 2005 at Lakeland
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Lakeland,FL-Chris Fontaine started his 2005 racing season with a 10th place finish in the first North-South 100 race of the weekend at USA International Speedway. Fontaine advanced from a 26th place start.
On Saturday, Fontaine took fifth place in the 20 lap last chance qualifier for the 200 lap North-South Showdown. After charging from the back in the 200 lap race, Fontaine spun in oil coming out of turn 2, and was hit by another car, putting him out of the race after 120 laps in 27th place.
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ABOVE PHOTOS FROM JANUARY'S NORTH-SOUTH 100 RACE AT LAKELAND.
PHOTOS BELOW FROM JANUARY'S NORTH-SOUTH 200 RACE AT LAKELAND.
NASCAR
Newcomer Chris Fontaine will make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in
the UAW-GM/Ohio 250 at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway on Sunday May 15th.
The 23 year-old Lakeland, Florida native will pilot the No. 4 Bobby Hamilton
Racing Dodge driven previously this year by Casey Atwood and Timothy Peters.
Peters will return to the driver’s seat for the Charlotte Tailgate 200 at
Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 20th.