By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
There have been just 2 feature race winners this season in Kawartha Speedway’s headline NAPA Auto Parts Late Model division. 16 year old Brandon Watson’s triumphs – June 5th and 19th have left the talented youngster hungry for more. The 2008 rookie of the year from Stayner, Ontario is doing everything he can to find his way back to victory lane and Friday, July 3rd he came up just a little short.
The driver of the #9 McColl Racing Enterprises-Shear Metal Products-Ken MacKinnon Construction-Plumtech Plumbing-W. Gethons Pumping-Simcoe Building Centre-LaFarge Concrete-Clearview Custom and Collision-AKN Automotive-Torbram Electric Supply-Huronia Landscaping Chevrolet started the 30 lap main event in 7th spot and after a late race caution flag, ended-up glued to race winner Dan McHattie’s rear bumper as the pair crossed the line under the checkered flag.
“I scraped the wall once coming off turn 4,” admitted the young hot-shoe while pointing to the right front fender. “I don’t think it caused any serious damage to the car, but it slowed me down a bit. The restart with 2 to go made things close, but obviously I’d rather win than finish second.”
Earlier in the night, the car was loose during one of the practise sessions – but changes made by the crew took things in a completely opposite direction. Cloud cover replaced the sunshine and the car got very tight. The young driver pulled his ride to the infield until the session ended, then headed back to the pits where the team attacked the bow-tied beast.
“We changed the rear brake pads.” said Brandon’s team owner, father and crew chief Tim Watson. “It was time – especially when you consider they’d been on the car since the start of the year. Brandon is pretty good when it comes to car control, but it doesn’t matter how fast you’re going if you can’t get the car to stop when you need it to.
At one point, the car was on jack-stands in the pits and there were legs sticking-out from each corner of the yellow, red and blue #9. The team keeps detailed notes on changes made – as well as weather and temperature conditions. Whatever they learn each night could be something that’ll help a few weeks or possibly a few months down the road. With Kawartha Speedway’s ACT Summer Sizzler on the agenda for Sunday, July 12th, the team is looking for everything they can find to gain an advantage against the full-time travelling racers.
Sunday, July 5th Brandon Watson finished 5th and 1st in his qualifying heats at Peterborough Speedway. The talented teen was second in the ‘Chase for the Colours’ late model/limited late model feature event.
Brandon Watson Racing is pleased to welcome Huronia Landscaping to their sponsorship team for the balance of the 2009 season.
For details on Brandon’s progress, see www.brandonwatsonracing.com.
Photo attachments: (Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications)
#1). Brandon Watson waits while the crew makes adjustments to his #9 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
#2). Brandon Watson battles the #26 of John Donahue during Kawartha Speedway’s 2008 ACT Summer Sizzler.
#3). At barely 14 years of age, Brandon Watson made his Kawartha Speedway Late Model debut at the 2007 ACT Summer Sizzler.
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