What Is 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was the sixth season of Canada's premier stock car racing series, featuring 13 races from May to October 2012, with Scott Steckly winning his fourth series championship.

Key Facts

The 2012 season consisted of 13 races held between May and October
Scott Steckly won his fourth series title, becoming the most decorated champion
Defending champion JR Fitzpatrick finished second in the final standings
The series used V8-powered stock cars based on NASCAR's national template
D.J. Kennington won the 2012 season finale at Kawartha Speedway

Overview

The 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series marked the sixth full season of Canada’s top-level stock car racing competition, sanctioned by NASCAR. It served as a developmental and national showcase series, bridging grassroots racing and the U.S.-based NASCAR national tours.

The season emphasized Canadian circuits and drivers, though it welcomed select international participants. With a focus on affordability and regional accessibility, the series maintained a tight schedule of 13 events across nine provinces, culminating in a dramatic championship finish.

Thirteen races were held from May 26 to October 21, 2012, making it one of the most compact yet competitive seasons in series history.
Scott Steckly claimed his fourth NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship, surpassing all other drivers in title count and cementing his legacy in Canadian motorsports.
Defending champion JR Fitzpatrick finished second in the standings, narrowly missing back-to-back titles despite strong consistency across 12 races.
D.J. Kennington won the season-ending race at Kawartha Speedway, a half-mile oval in Ontario, securing his second victory of the 2012 campaign.
Eight different drivers won races during the season, highlighting the competitive parity and depth of talent in the series.

How It Works

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series operated under a points-based championship format similar to other NASCAR-sanctioned series, with performance, consistency, and race finishes determining the champion.

Points System: Drivers earned points based on race finish, with 40 points for a win and incremental decreases down to 1 point for last place, plus bonuses for leading laps and winning stages.
Chassis Specifications: All cars used Generation 6-style bodies modeled after American NASCAR designs, powered by 358 cubic inch V8 engines producing approximately 650 horsepower.
Race Format: Events ranged from 200 to 300 kilometers, typically divided into two or three segments with mandatory pit stops and tire changes to test strategy.
Driver Eligibility: Competitors needed a NASCAR license and had to meet safety standards, with most participants being Canadian or U.S. drivers with regional racing experience.
Team Structure: Most teams operated on limited budgets, relying on local sponsorships and part-time schedules, distinguishing it from full-time national series like the Xfinity Series.
Track Diversity: The series raced on a mix of ovals, road courses, and short tracks, including circuits like Circuit Trois-Rivières and Delaware’s Delaware Speedway.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series with its U.S. counterparts and other regional NASCAR-sanctioned series:

Series	Races in 2012	Champion	Car Type	Championship Format
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series	13	Scott Steckly	Gen 6-based stock cars	Points + consistency
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series	36	Brad Keselowski	Gen 6 NASCAR Cup cars	Chase playoff system
NASCAR Nationwide Series	33	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Lower-downforce stock cars	Full-season points
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East	14	Ryan Gifford	Compact body styles	Regional points
ARCA Racing Series	20	Frankie Kimmel	Steel-tube frame stock cars	Full-season standings

The 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series stood out for its regional focus and cost-effective structure, allowing drivers to compete without the massive budgets required in U.S. national series. While it lacked the media exposure of the Sprint Cup, it provided a vital platform for Canadian talent and helped develop future cross-border competitors.

Why It Matters

The 2012 season was pivotal in shaping the future of stock car racing in Canada, proving that a national series could thrive despite limited resources and regional challenges.

Scott Steckly’s fourth title set a benchmark for excellence, inspiring younger drivers to pursue long-term careers in stock car racing.
The series served as a proving ground for Canadian drivers like D.J. Kennington, who later competed in NASCAR’s U.S. national series.
Local sponsorships and community support were essential, demonstrating how motorsports could integrate into regional economies.
The use of standardized rules helped level the playing field, reducing technological disparities between well-funded and independent teams.
Tracks like Circuit Trois-Rivières attracted international attention, boosting tourism and media coverage for Canadian motorsports.
The season’s success encouraged NASCAR to continue investing in Canadian development programs through 2017, before rebranding the series.

Ultimately, the 2012 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series highlighted the passion and resilience of Canadian racing, leaving a lasting legacy in North American motorsports history.