J. R. Fitzpatrick is NASCAR's Newest North-of-the-Border Star

The North Star, often called the "pole star" is one that is often used for navigation.  It appears due north in the sky and is often used by campers and hikers to find their way back home when they have veered off course.

In NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series, there is a new star on the horizon as well.  And he just happens to come from due north, in fact as far north as Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

This new North Star is J. R. Fitzpatrick, a twenty year old student who just happened to come in fourth in the inaugural Camping World Truck Series race this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

Not only did the young Canadian finish fourth, but he also managed to lead seventeen laps of the NextEra Energy Resources 250 Camping World race.  This race was only his third race in the Truck series and his first at a restrictor plate super speedway.

Fitzpatrick may not be well-known yet in the US racing circuit, but he is a super star in Canadian racing.  He was the youngest driver ever to win the National Stock Car Championship in Canada. 

J. R. has also earned the title of Canadian Stock Care "Racer of the Year".  In 2007, he won the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series "Most Popular Driver" award.

Yet this north of the border star wanted even bigger challenges.  He decided he wanted to go Sprint Cup racing and so has set out on that path by competing in the Truck Series this season.

In 2009, J. R. is racing for TRG Motorsports, driving the number 7 Mammoet Chevy.  The team, owned by Kevin and Debra Buckler, has given Fitzpatrick a chance to drive for at least the first five races in the Camping World Truck Series.

As are many in the series, Fitzpatrick and his team are searching for sponsorship dollars to drive the full season of competition.

If he can get that chance to shine, J. R. Fitzpatrick is also hoping to compete for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the series.  His competition will be up and coming stars including Tayler Malsam, Johnny Sauter, James Buescher, and the GOAT Ricky Carmichael.

Fitzpatrick did indeed have a much better season opening race at Daytona than many of his other Rookie of the Year contenders, as most of them were caught up in a multiple car crash about midway through the race.

J. R. managed to steer clear, doing a masterful job of driving to avoid the carnage.  He stayed competitive throughout the race, careful picking his way through the field.

On a late race caution, his team decided to come in for fresh tires, feeling they had nothing to lose at that point.  When the race restarted, with Todd Bodine and Kyle Busch battling for the lead, Fitzpatrick started to make his move forward.

On his fresh rubber, J. R. made great progress, picking off spot after spot.  He took the checkered flag in the fourth position, a remarkable finish for this young rising star.

With this great start to the 2009 Truck racing season, Fitzpatrick hopes that all the stars will align to enable him to continue to run the full season. 

With the talent and poise that this rookie has shown at one of NASCAR's biggest venues, he surely will shine brightly as he finds his way in the sport.