Danny O’Brien Has Mixed Results After Busy Canada Day Weekend

Coming off his second win of the 2013 racing season at Brockville Speedway last week, Danny O’Brien and his team were looking forward to getting back to business this weekend with a full weekend of racing in store beginning with Brockville Speedway on Saturday night followed by a Canada Day Weekend double header at Cornwall Speedway featuring a 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series race on Sunday and a 100 lap DIRTcar 358 Modified Series/Canadian Nationals Series event on Monday.

The forecast for Saturday varied throughout the day on Saturday, and it wasn’t really clear what we would have in store. The rain held off throughout the morning and early afternoon and it looked like it was going to be good for the evening. However, just after the opening practice session a heavy rain hit the track lasting several minutes and track officials were forced to cancel Saturday night’s racing at Brockville Speedway.

Cornwall Speedway was up next with a big Canada Day Weekend event planned. Sunday night was the Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series race. Utilizing his 358 Modified against the more powerful big blocks put Danny at a bit of a disadvantage early in the night and that showed during the time trials as he posted the seventh fastest time in his group and would have to start his heat race from that position. With just five cars transferring from the heat race into the 100 lap feature, Danny came up just short and was relegated to the last chance qualifier. A second place finish locked him into one of the final starting spots for the main event. As the race progressed the dry and slick track became an advantage for the 358 Modifieds and O’Brien made steady progress. By lap 85 he had cracked the top 10 and moved up two more positions over the final 15 laps to score an eighth place finish.

The following day, Danny was back at Cornwall for another 100 lap feature for the 358 Modified DIRTcar Series/Canadian Nationals Series race. After posting the third fastest speed in his time trial group, Danny lined up for the heat race from third place and maintained that position throughout the eight lap race, locking himself into the 100 lap race. When the feature started, Danny fired from the 15th starting spot. With just 40 laps complete, Danny drove to the pits and was unable to continue the race.

This coming weekend Danny will be back at Brockville Speedway on Saturday night for round two of the Ogilvie’s Auto Triple Crown Series with a 50 lap main event.

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, Bicknell Racing Products, and Integra Racing Shocks for their continuous support and we look forward to a very exciting 2013 campaign.

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