Andrew Ranger turned in an impressive performance Sunday coming home third in the NASCAR Nationwide Series NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
The popular Canadian driver drove his No. 11 Ridemakerz.com Toyota Camry to the podium finish behind race winner Carl Edwards and second place Marcos Ambrose.
"I had another great run today," said Ranger, who finished second in Saturday's NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event in Montreal. "Finished third, it was fantastic. The car was amazing. The pit stops were great. The battle with the big guys was pretty impressive. I was definitely impressed about myself. I'm really happy. I think for the fans in Montreal, its pretty fun to finish on the podium like that."
Ranger, a former open wheel driver who made the move to stock cars last season, was in the middle of a lot of the wild action down the stretch in Sunday's third visit by the Nationwide Series to the track.
"I was right in the front and guys were hitting a little bit to each other in the restart," he said. "Everything worked pretty good and I was able to find a place and stay there. I'm really happy."
One of the day's highlights for Ranger was his torrid battle with eventual race winner Edwards.
"The two laps, Andrew Ranger and I went side by side into Turn 1 (on Lap 75)," said Edwards. "He pinched me off into the grass—which I probably would have done if I was him, too—and I just drove into his door, and we came off of Turn 2 banging doors."
While Edwards wasn't familiar with Ranger before Sunday's race, his performance definitely left an impression.
"He's unreal," Edwards said. "The first time he got by me I said, 'well I never heard of him, he'll probably screw up here and I'll get right back by him. Little did I know that guy is a driving machine...I don't know what he races normally but he has a very high skill level."
NOTE: ANDREW RANGER WILL BE A GUEST WITH MIKE BAGLEY AND PETE PISTONE ON TUESDAY'S EDITION OF "THE MORNING DRIVE" ON SIRIUS NASCAR RADIO CHANNEL 128.
