Danny O’Brien: Brockville Speedway’s Shining 7 Star
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
Is it luck or is it skill? Is it being in the right place at the right time, or just taking advantage of the situations that present themselves? If you ask Danny O’Brien, he probably wouldn’t care. He’s been riding a wave of success that has seen him park his DIRTcar small block modified in Brockville Speedway’s victory lane on 4 different occasions. The 41 year-old from Kingston, Ontario is easily one of 2009’s hottest properties on the entire circuit.
Starting from 13th on the grid, the second generation driver – known as ‘The Pocket Rocket’ – worked his game plan to perfection. He was careful and calculating some laps. Hard charging and aggressive on others. The crew of O’Brien’s #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 has found the hot set-up for Brockville this year and did their homework, giving the pilot a machine that would work well on the high or low grooves.
Just as quickly as the 30 lap main event took the green flag, it was slowed by a yellow. Gino Clair, Pat O’Brien and Steve Bilow came together in the 3rd turn. It was a tough night for the oldest of the 3 racing brothers, as his #6 machine was taken from the track behind a wrecker and finished for the night. With the track back under green flag conditions, Danny O’Brien was mounting a charge. The yellow returned on lap 5 for a 5 car jingle, but by then the bright blue Bicknell was in 7th position. On the restart, he took to the top side of the track to get around the #12 of John Mulder and found his way past the #76 of Ryan Poole just a couple of laps later.
After another pair of quick yellow flags, O’Brien found himself in the 3rd position, but made quick work of Jason Riddell for 2nd spot using his patented outside line. Leader Bill Gill was another story. Dan gained a slight advantage over the Plesis, New Yorker on a few successive circuits, but the #0 machine was up for the challenge. The final yellow of the night was displayed for a 3 car crash in the 3rd turn – and with just 4 laps left on the agenda, it was all the motivation O’Brien needed. Again, he took to the top-side of the track and assumed a lead he’d never relinquish for his 4th 2009 victory. Gill, Riddell, Brian McDonald and Mike Adderley completed the top 5.
“I honestly have no complaints about anything,” said a smiling Danny O’Brien in victory lane. “I’ll just continue to ride the wave. The track was in excellent shape tonight – a bit heavy after the heat race – but this place has the best surface anywhere on the DIRTcar Northeast circuit. My crew never gives-up and that keeps me motivated. Gill fought me hard, just like he should, but we just carried the momentum from there.”
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@kendrickracing.ca
Photo attachment: (Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications)
Danny O’Brien puts the #7 Star machine through its paces Saturday, June 27th at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com
613.968.6410 / 613.922.0654