Danny O’Brien’s Disappointing Weekend Ends on a Strong Note With Second Place Finish in Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Race at Cornwall

The weekend didn’t start the way Danny O’Brien and his 1000 Islands RV Centre team had hoped with a mechanical failure at Mohawk Raceway on Friday night.   The frustrations continued over into Saturday night at Brockville Speedway with another frustrating night at the BOS.  Sunday’s Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series event at Cornwall Speedway was the highlight of the weekend with a strong second place finish.

O’Brien entered Thursday night’s race at Mohawk Raceway with a shot at the championship. The cards would definitely have to fall his way for that to happen, but at the drop of the green flag for the 50 lap Modified feature, O’Brien’s car wasn’t right, and he made his way to the infield, out of harm’s way on the very first lap of the race with a broken valve in the engine.  Any chance of a championship was now gone as he was unable to continue.  O’Brien would go on to finish the season fifth place in points.

Danny’s luck wasn’t much better on Saturday night at Brockville Speedway.  After a fourth place finish in his qualifier, he started the 30 lap main event from 12^th place, and once again was sidelined in the opening laps, this time with front-end damage.  He was unable to continue.  O’Brien, a 10 time champion at Brockville Speedway, would a disappointing season with a seventh place overall finish in the 2012 point standings.

Cornwall Speedway was up next with their 125 lap Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series race which also counted towards the Canadian Nationals Series Championship.  Danny started the night by setting the pace in the opening practice session for his group, and backed that up in time trials, earning a front row starting spot for his heat race.  He won his heat, and made it into the redraw for a top 12 starting spot for the 125 lap race.  Danny drew the 12^th position and would start the race on the outside of row six.  By lap 25, O’Brien advanced his position to sixth place, and soon made his way into the top five.  With 50 laps complete, he was up to third, and was looking real strong leading up to the scheduled 75 lap competition caution.  With 70 laps complete he made the pass for the lead, and held the top spot when the pre-determined caution was displayed to the field.  The pit crew went to work, changing tire and making some adjustments to the car during the 10 minute break.  When the race resumed, Danny would soon lose the top spot when the race resumed, but maintained the runner-up spot over the remaining laps.

“It was a good run for us tonight, we just needed to he just a little better to contend for the win”, says O’Brien.  “After the rest of the weekend that we have had, we will definitely take and move on to the next race”. 

Danny will be back in action at Mohawk Raceway on September 15^th, Brighton Speedway on September 22^nd, and Cayuga County Fair Speedway and Rolling Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on October 4^th and 5^th as part of Super DIRT Week.  He will close out the 2012 season back at Brockville Speedway for the 1000 Islands RV Centre Northeast Fall Nationals October 12^th to October 14^th.

Danny O’Brien would like to thank 1000 Islands RV Centre, Pat’s Rad, BOB FM, Ponte Bros. Masonry, Morrison Racing Engines, Snap-On Adam Way, Wurth, Bicknell Racing Products, and Integra Racing Shocks for their support during the 2012 season.

For more information on Danny O’Brien and the 17D racing team, please visit our brand new website, www.dannyobrien.ca.  The website just received a new look this week.  You can also follow Danny O’Brien through www.1000islandsrvmotorsports.com, a new website recently launched by longtime sponsor 1000 Islands RV.