Newfoundland's Brad Forward edges Guy Gagnon to win NDC at Fraser Downs

View Online videos of all 8 National Driving Championship races at Fraser Downs


From the StandardbredCanada.ca website:

Eight of Canada's best drivers converged at Fraser Downs on Saturday afternoon for a chance to represent our country in the World Driving Championship and with two wins, a second and three thirds, Brad Forward earned the 2009 National Driving Championship title with a total of 65 points.

Going into the final leg, representatives from each region including Gilles Barrieau, Brad Forward, Guy Gagnon and Kelly Hoerdt had earned enough points to remain in the running for the NDC title.

In the last race, Forward secured the title with a win in rein to Kg Mattattack, who survived a first-over journey to triumph in 1:55.4 ahead of Geraint Hanover (Daniel Potvin) in a photo finish while Popular Demand (Guy Gagnon) rounded out the top three.

Forward said he tried not to look at the scoreboard during the challenge and he did not know that he had won the title after the final leg.

“I'm really stuck for words,” said Forward following the official NDC presentation. “It's been an amazing experience. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without the support of my family.”

Fifteen members of Forward’s family including his wife, Sandra, and three daughters, Kaitlyn, Melissa and Jessica, were in attendance to cheer him on throughout the eight-race challenge. Forward’s parents, siblings and nephews travelled across the country from Newfoundland to support the Ontario representative.

Forward will represent Canada in the World Driving Championship scheduled in Norway from May 14-20.

Full article on NDC at Fraser Downs including videos of all the races at www.standardbredcanada.ca