Danny O’Brien’s Second Place Run Earns a Place in Brockville Speedway History
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications

There aren’t many racecar drivers that would be happy with a second place finish and most nights, Danny O’Brien’s name would be at the top of that list.  The 41 year-old DIRTcar small block modified chauffeur from Kingston, Ontario has dominated the 2009 season at Brockville Ontario Speedway – recording 3 wins in 4 starts.  Saturday, June 20th the driver known as ‘The Pocket Rocket’ equalled his worst finish of the early season, crossing the line glued to the back bumper of his older brother Pat – with his younger brother Tim hot on his tail.

Danny O’Brien picked-up the win in the night’s 3rd and final qualifying heat, but with handicapping used to determine feature race starting spots, he’d take the green flag from 14th spot once the small block modified main event made it to the track.  That position – behind some heavy hitters including Todd Stewart, Dave Heaslip, Kyle Dingwall and both of his brothers – meant his charge to the front would hardly be a walk in the park.  Early on, O’Brien, Stewart and Brian McDonald took the field 3-wide through the first and second turns.  By the time the lap counter had clicked-off 10 completed circuits, O’Brien was running 7th, but watched his older sibling take over the top spot just 2 laps later.

The O’Brien family charge continued as Danny put the #7-Star Global Warranty/1000 Islands RV Centre/Pat’s Radiator/Stover Bus Lines/ 103.7 BOB-FM/ Jackson’s Landscaping & Property Maintenance/ Murdock’s Cement Finishing/Kendrick Racing Bicknell into 4th spot on lap 15 and then worked his way to 3rd – behind younger brother Tim – a lap later.  The trio of second generation racers ran tightly together until a yellow flag appeared for a lap 23 spin by Kyle Dingwall.  During the caution laps, Danny took his machine to the loose clay at the top of the track in an effort to cool his tires.  When racing resumed, he quickly disposed of the yellow and blue #88 car piloted by one brother and set-off in pursuit of the red #6 ride driven by the other.  A lap 27 caution period gave Danny O’Brien just one more shot at the top spot.

He took his bright blue blast to the extreme high side of the track – his patented groove – with just one goal in mind.  Getting around his brother.  The 3 drivers are fast friends off the track, but fierce competitors once the green flag waves.  Danny gained some ground on Pat and even got a wheel alongside a couple of times, but a race win was just out of reach.

In Brockville Speedway’s 40th anniversary season Pat, Danny and Tim O’Brien added a new page to the track’s history books with their finish in the top 3 positions.  Adam Moore and Todd Stewart rounded-out the fast 5 finishers.

Global Warranty is based in London, Ontario and has been offering a variety of automotive and recreational vehicle warranty packages for more than 20 years, these warranties meet and exceed the needs of today’s drivers. They offer their warranty packages through your local automotive and RV dealer.  Ask for details when making your purchase.  Their 7 plans offer the ultimate in driving protection.  For details, call 800.265.1519 or visit www.globalwarranty.com.

Kendrick Racing is a family run racing team, operating for more than 45 years and calls Merrittville Speedway their home-base.  The team has campaigned cars for a number of drivers over the years, including Tim Jones, Scott George and Boyd McTavish.  Tim Jones will run the Global Warranty car for Kendrick Racing at Merrittville Speedway and selected special events.  Danny O’Brien will campaign the team’s cars at Brockville Ontario Speedway and selected tour stops.  Todd Kendrick will run the team’s #55 car at Merrittville and Humberstone, with both drivers joining O’Brien when Brockville Ontario Speedway hosts a Global Warranty night Saturday, August 1st.  Learn more about Kendrick Racing by visiting
www.kendrickracing.ca.

Contact:
Todd Kendrick:  519.871.7000
Rob Hanson (Kendrick racing website admin.) rob.hanson@kencrikracing.com

Photo attachments:
Pat O’Brien (centre), Danny (left) and Tim (right) gather in victory lane at Brockville Ontario Speedway.  The trio entered the history books by becoming the first brothers to finish in the first 3 positions in the Saturday, June 20th DIRTcar 358 modified feature.  (Rick Young – www.rickattheraces.com)