Pocket Rocket Falls Just Short of a Rare Brockville Speedway Double Dip
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
One lap could have made all the difference. 4 more turns around the Brockville Ontario Speedway layout might have been all that stood between Danny O’Brien and a chance to pick-up a pair of DIRTcar small block modified feature race wins on the same night.
The first main event of the night – a hold-over from the rain delayed Saturday, July 25th show – saw O’Brien’s bright blue #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 machine take the green flag in 14th position , but quickly moved to as high as 6th before heading to the pits to change a flat left front tire. While quick work from his crew kept him on the lead lap, he was forced to re-start at the rear of the field.
A couple of yellow flags may have been bad luck for other racers, but they certainly helped O’Brien’s cause as he worked his way back through the pack in record time. Always fast, he simply ran out of time and finished second to Brian McDonald at the checkered flag.
In the regularly scheduled 30 lapper for the modifieds, O’Brien left the starting blocks in 10th spot. Again, there was an early yellow flag that assisted his march to the front and by the 4th circuit, he was pacing the pack. Just as the capacity crowd thought they were getting ready to hear another verse of an all-too-familiar tune, Mike Adderley’s #99 shot past into the lead. The 2 speedsters engaged in a spirited battle, running side-by-side lap after lap in an all-out dog fight. Each driver enjoyed some time at the front, but neither pulled away until O’Brien found some much needed grip on the outside line and put some distance between him and the Watertown, New York racer. It was his 6th 30 lap feature win at The BOS in just 8 starts. Always gracious, the popular pilot praised his sponsors and crew for everything they do to get him to the winner’s circle.
“I got close to Brian in the first feature because the crew was able to keep me on the lead lap,” said O’Brien after the victory lane photos were finished. “The same people have been with me for years and their experience and dedication shows when we’re under pressure. They make my job easy and I couldn’t do it without them.”
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 Speedways. Learn more about Kendrick Racing by visiting www.kendrickracing.ca.
Contact:
Danny O’Brien: 613.542.1361
Todd Kendrick: 519.871.7000
Rob Hanson (Kendrick racing website admin.) rhanson5@cogeco.ca
Photo attachments: (Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications) #1). Danny O’Brien charges back into action after changing a flat left-front tire in Brockville Speedway’s hold-over feature from Saturday, July 25th. #2). After finishing second earlier in the night, Danny O’Brien celebrates his 6th Brockville Speedway feature win in 8 starts Saturday, August 8th.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com