Everything was lining up perfectly for Jerry Gascon on Victoria Day weekend.
The 55-year-old, who captured the 2014 Prince George Auto Racing Association street stock crown, was excited to get the season underway, one that begins today, especially after he had just installed a brand new engine into his 1979 Monte Carlo SS.
He had also brought aboard a brand new sponsor for the season - the WHL's Prince George Cougars.
But first things first, it was time to take the prized street stock car to the oval speedway Monday afternoon for some hot-lapping to test the new engine.
As he wound his way lap by lap on the track, things looked good. Until the first corner of lap nine at around 2 p.m. and the engine died. The diagnosis: valve failure.
With double points on the line tonight in the Canadian Tire Street Stocks, Gascon, a Canada Bread franchise owner, realized his chances to defend his first career title this season were ruined.
"I'm pretty much toast for the championship," he said Friday. "We pushed it back (off the track and) onto my trailer and it was a sad day. I wasn't mad, I was just really disappointed. There's no warranty on race motors and I didn't know where I stood. I wasn't ready to quit racing and the thought of selling my car and not racing was really heart-breaking. My car is not flesh and blood, but you get really attached to something when you find something that fits you."
After the engine blew, Gascon brought the car back into town.
The Monte Carlo is one he's owned for the last five years and finished in the top-three overall standings in the last four years.
It's now in the shop at Custom Auto Rebuilding getting a new engine.
It won't be ready in time for today. Instead of Gascon vying to win another checkered flag tonight, he'll be sitting in the stands as a spectator with his two young sons.
He hopes to have it ready in time for PGARA's next race on June 13. He's also competing in three of the four (Williams Lake, Prince George, Quesnel) events in the Tri-City Race Series.
Gascon accumulated 259 points last season in six races en route to the street stock title.
Wayne French competed in five of the six races and finished second overall with 212 points.
One of Gascon's best friends, Dave Adrian, who was named rookie of the year, finished third overall.
Prior to winning the championship, Gascon, who's been racing for 10 years, finished second in the overall standings twice and third once. But last year was different.
"Last season, I was consistent," he said. "I was always the fastest in qualifying and I stayed out of trouble. And the ones I didn't, I finished every single race. I had the points lead half-way through the season."
And because of double points at stake tonight, which will play a huge factor in determining the 2015 champion, he's out of the running for winning it again.
"It happens to people, even in Nascar," he said. "I'd still like to end up on the podium this year. This year is all about having fun, it won't be about racing."
Gascon got into the sport 10 years ago when one of his friends started building a race car. He didn't start with the smaller hornets or mini-stocks - it was the street stocks right from the green flag.
His ascent to the top of the standings last year wasn't easy.
"My first year, it was rough. I was scared," he said. "But the people at the (PGARA) track, are really helpful. They may be competitors on the track, but off the track if you need a part, they'll help you. After two years, my confidence started to build."
And he started doing better. It's now become his passion.
And when he bought the Monte Carlo five years ago, things just took off.
"Racing is so much fun, it's intense. And I'm still wired after I get home on race days. But if I'm not having fun, I'll quit."
Gascon knows he'd still be idling in the pits without the support of his sponsors.
The Cougars two-year sponsorship was finalized earlier this spring.
It came about after Gascon, a long-time Cougars season ticket holder and fan, had just registered his sons for the Cougars hockey school last fall at CN Centre. Cougars president Greg Pocock introduced himself to all of the parents, including Gascon, which impressed him.
Gascon sent in a proposal and eventually a sponsorship deal was in place.
And Gascon couldn't be happier.
"I'm just so proud the Cougars have come on board, they're such a classy organization," he said.
Other sponsors include Custom Auto Rebuilding, Can You Dig It Contracting, Curtis Cannon Mortgage Group, Gascon Distribution and Elk Point Burger Bar.
Besides the Canadian Tire street stocks, tonight's races also feature the hornets and Chieftain Auto Parts Mini Stocks.
Qualifying begins today at
6 p.m. and racing follows at 7 p.m.
