|
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
Dorothy got there in the Wizard of Oz. E.T. connected via the phone. It may have taken a week longer than most had expected – but Saturday, May 23rd Danny O’Brien raced his way home. The 41 year old DIRTcar small block modified driver from Kingston, Ontario found his way to Brockville Ontario Speedway’s victory lane.
A week after all-day rains delayed the intended start of the season, The BOS kicked-off their 2009 campaign with a packed pit area and a standing-room only grandstand. By virtue of their wins in the night’s first 2 qualifying events, John Mulder and O’Brien started on the front row. On the drop of the green, Mulder’s #12 bobbled slightly and bunched the pack behind the leaders. Todd Stewart and Dave Heaslip were involved in a tangle on the exit of turn 2, with just a lap in the books. A flat left rear tire on Steve Bilow’s #20 machine delayed the re-start, but when the pack returned to action Danny and Tim O’Brien would pace the hungry field.
Another yellow would come quickly, as Stewart’s #72 machine stopped on the high side of the backstretch with a flat right front tire. Dan O’Brien jumped-out to a dominating lead, with his younger brother hot on his tail. Skip McKenzie brought his #12 to a stop on the 8th circuit and the #75 of Joe Banks looped in turn 2 with 15 laps in the books. When racing resumed, it was still O’Brien and O’Brien, with Adam Moore holding 3rd spot.
Banks lost it again in turn 4. Mulder slipped high on the exit of turn 2 and there was a final yellow for Bill Gill’s spin in turn 2, on lap 27. That gave Tim O’Brien a final chance to get to the back bumper of 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. He’d get close, but close only counts in horseshoes. Dan O’Brien, Brockville Speedway’s 8 time champion – and winner of the last 3 consecutive titles – picked-up the opening night win.
Climbing from his car in victory lane, O’Brien took a quick look at a left rear tire that was slowly losing air, then thanked his fans and supporters, while praising the efforts of his young brother.
“I love winning, but Timmy drove a heck of a race,” said O’Brien while a crowd of supporters waited to join him for victory lane photos. “Not to take anything away from our own operation, but fans needs to keep an eye on that #88 car. They’re going to win a race before the year is out.”
Eric Gauvreau, Adam Moore and Ryan Poole followed the O’Brien brothers across the line.
Finish line follow-up: Earlier in the evening, O’Brien revealed that the Sunday, May 17th win at Cornwall Motor Speedway was done on just 5 cylinders. The car’s alternator had stopped charging and the driver said that if the race had been 3 or 4 more laps it would’ve had an entirely different outcome...Friday, May 22nd, the 7-Star team towed to Can Am Speedway at Lafargeville, New York. Double modified features were on the agenda. O’Brien finished 3rd in the first big block/small block combined event, but didn’t complete the second...After logging some extensive laps on the highway as well as the racetrack – including a Victoria Day Monday trip to Merrittville Speedway – O’Brien said the team will be concentrating strictly on Brockville for the next month or so.
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:
Danny O’Brien: 613.542.1361
Todd Kendrick: 519.871.7000
Rob Hanson (Kendrick racing website admin.) rhanson5@cogeco.ca
|
|
