To gain ground in the track championship standings, you need to finish ahead of your closest rival. While Brandon Watson remains in the hunt for the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model title at Kawartha Speedway, he continues to chase the back bumper of his biggest challenger.
Starting 8th in the 30 lap main event, Watson’s goal was to get 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-Bowman Fuels Chevrolet to the front of the pack. He usually finds his car handles well in either lane of Kawartha Speedway’s 3/8th mile layout, but Friday, August 28th the upper groove was the best part of the track for the talented youngster.
“There was just something about the top that made the car come to life,” said Watson. “We used pretty much the same set-up as we always run, but it really got to stretch its legs running the high side.”
The Stayner Collegiate student took over the top spot on the 16th lap, which meant he had to re-start on the inside lane when contact between Ken Downer and Owen Smith brought out a yellow flag with 20 laps complete. With his championship rival Dan McHattie in second place, the #71 got the jump on the green flag and that allowed Watson’s #9 machine to drift back to his preferred groove. The pair ran side-by-side for a few laps, treating the fans to some thrilling, edge of your seat action until Sean Cronan brought out a late race yellow for his solo spin in turn #4.
“When the #18 went around, I got to re-start up-top again,” continued Watson. “It took a while to get the car off the track and I had to make sure my tires were clean for when the green came back out. I was likely only going to get one more shot at McHattie and with just 6 laps remaining, I had to act fast.”
The top 2 runners in Kawartha’s late model point’s race run hard, fast and clean. The closing laps were a door-to-door thrill ride, but at the checkered flag Brandon Watson’s Chevy was second best for the second straight week. Chris Morrow, Larry Jackson and Kelly Wood completed the top 5. Watson is 45 points behind the front-running McHattie.
Brandon Watson’s weekend plans include a regular stop at Kawartha Speedway Friday, September 4th and the APC Late Model 300 Saturday and Sunday, September 5th and 6th at Delaware Speedway. Watson has also earned a guaranteed starting spot for the inaugural ACT Invitational Saturday, September 19th at Loudon, New Hampshire’s New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Keep up to date with all Brandon’s racing at www.brandonwatsonracing.com.
Photo attachments: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
#1). Brandon Watson waits to take his #9 machine through tech at Kawartha Speedway.
#2). Watson and Dave Morgan run side-by-side down Kawartha Speedway’s back stretch.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
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