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Pocket Rocket Shoots for the Top
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
You’d have to forgive Kingston, Ontario DIRTcar 358 modified stock car driver Danny O’Brien for feeling like he was experiencing deja vu. Exactly a year ago, he was sitting second in the Mr. DIRTcar championship trail points, heading into the final event of the season at Middletown, New York’s Orange County Fair Speedway. In 2007, he was 67 points in arrears to St. Edmond, Quebec’s Mario Clair. This year, the 40 year-old from the limestone city sits a scant 32 points back of Pete Bicknell of St. Catharines. Chad Brachmann is 3rd, 68 markers off the pace. Rookie Larry Wight is 164 points behind in 4th. This could very well be the second consecutive year the Mr. DIRTcar small block modified title holder will hail from north of the border.
Coming off his 3rd consecutive points championship at Brockville Ontario Speedway and a huge payday at Drummondville Speedway’s late season 150 lapper, the 2nd generation speedster – the middle son of 3 racing brothers – has set his sights on another strong run for the top of the 358 modified heap.
“At the start of the year, we weren’t really going to follow the series”, offered O’Brien. “This was supposed to be Patty’s season to chase a championship (the brothers have an unwritten rule to tour on alternating years to spend time at the family’s business) but we put some solid finishes in the books and realized we had a shot at it again. The penalty at Merrittville (the opening event of the tour) hurt us a little, but that’s all in the past”.
Some drivers have their best runs when they start toward the front of the pack, but O’Brien has found just the opposite to be true. During a recent 2 night swing through Central New York, the pilot of the 1000 Island RV Centre/Pat’s Radiator/103.7 BOB-FM/Stover Bus Lines #17D did it the hard way. Thursday, October 9th at Brewerton Speedway O’Brien finished 4th in his heat race – just outside a qualifying spot. That forced him to run the night’s first last chance (consolation) event. A 2nd place run got better, when winner Stephen Planck was disqualified. O’Brien started the main event 19th, but finished 8th. A great run, but unfortunately his championship rival Bicknell was 3rd at the checkers and carried away a 35 point advantage.
The next night at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, New York O’Brien again ran just outside of a qualifying spot in his heat race and needed a 4th place finish – right behind 2007 champion Mario Clair – in the 2nd consi to get to the 100 lap feature. The team did their homework and the driver took the field to school, charging from a 28th place starting position to 9th, 1 spot ahead of Bicknell.
“I love it when we can give the fans a show,” said a smiling, sweaty and tired O’Brien after the Rolling Wheels run. “Look at Drummond. We had to qualify through the consolation event, then came from deep in the pack (21st) and held-off Pat for the win. The victory was sweet, but finishing ahead of the #6 car was the icing on the cake”.
Bicknell and O’Brien are 32 points apart heading into this weekend’s tour stop at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York. The Eastern States Weekend show is usually the end of the season for the 358 teams, but a rainout Wednesday, October 8th means the series won’t end there. A 75 lapper has been scheduled for Saturday, October 25th (a 4:00 start) at Lafargeville, New York’s Can Am Motorsports Park.
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