Top-five finish exceeds all expectations

Ayr, Ontario – Adam Martin stunned racers and fans alike with a stellar fourth place finish in his NASCAR Pinty’s Series debut Saturday night. The Ayr, Ontario, teenager battled a star-studded field of stock car racers to score the impressive result.

“Everything about today was surprising,” said Martin following the 300-lap event at Sunset Speedway in Innisfil, Ontario. “We were fast in practice, and I was shocked how fast we were in qualifying. These drivers have so much experience, and it’s all new to me.”

Martin qualified his Johnsonville-sponsored Ford sixth fastest in the 19-car field stacked with talent. The qualifying result in itself would be reason to celebrate, but following that up with 300 nearly flawless laps to finish fourth had the 18-year-old Bluevale High School graduate close to speechless.

“The car was so good all night long I knew I just needed to avoid trouble and things would go well,” said the soft-spoken Martin. “Don Jacobson was our crew chief tonight, and he was amazing to work with. Our crew did a great job today including a very quick last pit stop. This is definitely more than I had hoped for this weekend.”

Progressing from 2-stroke karts to full-sized stock cars at Sunset Speedway just three short years ago Martin hopes to compete in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series full time come 2017. Adam and his team planned to contest four events this season starting with Sunset. The remaining three events on their schedule are road racing events at Circuit ICAR near Mirabel, Quebec, the Pinty’s Grand Prix of Toronto, and the final road race of the year at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park’s big NASCAR weekend.

The outing this weekend may cause the Martins to change their plans.

“I’m so proud of what Adam did tonight,” said the proud father Brad Martin. “We may have to explore another oval race or two. We’ll start to discuss the possibilities this week.”

Saturday’s race was won by Alex Tagliani. Tagliani was fresh off his run in the Indianapolis 500 last month. Cayden Lapcevich and Larry Jackson completed the podium finishing just ahead of Martin.

“I was excited just to be competing with these great racers,” said Martin. “To finish on the lead lap as well as we did is just amazing.”

Martin will return to action in Mirabel, Quebec, in July with Johnsonville Sausage, Olivier’s Chocolates and Candies, Reser’s Fine Foods, Secure Drive, STIHL Canada, Little Potato Company and Legacy Auto Leasing as sponsors. -

ABOUT ADAM MARTIN RACING: Eighteen-year-old Adam Martin is in his third season of stock car racing competing in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series along with the NASCAR Whelen Series at Sunset Speedway, near Barrie, Ontario. Affiliated with the successful Micks Motorsports NASCAR team, Martin plans to be competing in four NASCAR Pinty’s Series races (2016) along with several Late Model starts at Sunset Speedway. Thank you to our partners, Johnsonville Sausage, Olivier’s Chocolates (Candy Tree), Reser’s Fine Foods, Secure Drive, STIHL Canada, Little Potato Company and Legacy Leasing. For more information about Adam Martin, call the team at (519) 658-7447.

ABOUT JOHNSONVILLE SAUSAGE: Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, Johnsonville is the most popular brand of sausage in the United States, and is available in 30 other countries, including Canada. The company’s headquarters are in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Their award-winning product lines include Brats, Italian, Smoked, Breakfast, and Snack sausages. More information about Johnsonville products and recipes featuring the products can be found at www.Johnsonville.ca.