By: Clayton Johns/Danny O'Brien Racing
August 31 2016
Inverary, Ontario – Danny O’Brien’s dream season at Brockville Ontario Speedway continued on Saturday night with a runner-up finish at the Eastern Ontario 3/8-mile oval. It followed another second-place finish at Mohawk International Raceway on August 19 and fourth-place finish at Brockville on August 20. O’Brien now has 19 top-five finishes in 21 starts this season.
On Saturday night, O’Brien fell just short of a victory in the 30-lap 358 Modified event won by Chris Herbison.
“We needed half a lap more. We were there, we just couldn’t finish it off,” O’Brien said.
“It was a fast track. We got a restart late and I went from third to second. I gave (Chris Herbison) a run down the backstretch, but couldn’t quite finish it off.”
The battle for the lead was close throughout the race and a handful of cautions kept the field close together. It was a change of pace from the previous week where O’Brien had to race from the back of the field in a green to checkered affair.
“We finished fourth there last week. It was another race with no cautions. It was tough going,” O’Brien said of his race to the front. “This week we had lots of yellows so that made up for it.”
Despite his 21 races so far this season, O’Brien’s car is still in top shape entering the final week of points racing and a number special year-end events.
“We keep on top of the car pretty good. We make sure we have good equipment going in to the year and that helps with the maintenance throughout the year. So far everything is good,” he commented.
For the moment, O’Brien remains focused on a pair of big races this weekend. He’ll first compete in Brockville’s championship night on September 3. O’Brien holds a convincing lead atop the standings in his quest for a third-straight track championship.
Sunday, September 4 he will travel east to Cornwall for the final round of the Canadian Nationals with a 125-lap race on the card. The team has yet to determine an exact schedule for the invitational season following the points finale at Brockville.
“I’m excited for Cornwall. We made some changes and I think I have something figured out,” O’Brien said optimistically. “We’re going to sit down later on this week and figure out what we’re going to do after Labour Day.”
Event details for the Brockville finale are available at www.brockvillespeedway.com while additional information is available at www.cornwallspeedway.com for Sunday’s event.
SEASON STATS
Danny O'Brien 2016 Season: 21 Starts – 4 Wins, 19 Top-5s, 21 Top-10s
UP NEXT
September 3 – 358 Modified Championship Night at Brockville Ontario Speedway
September 4 – 358 Modified Canadian Nationals at Cornwall Motor Speedway
FOLLOW DANNY
Website: www.dannyobrien.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/DannyOBrienRacing (@DannyOBrienRacing)
Danny O’Brien’s 2016 DIRTcar 358 Modified season is supported by several dedicated corporate sponsors, including: 1000 Islands RV Centre, ATC World Class Trailers, Bob FM, Ambush, Pat’s Auto Centre, Bicknell Racing Products, Heather-Lynn Topping, Integra Shocks, Northwood 2 Construction, and Snap-On Adam Way.