By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
He finished second to Mario Clair in 2007 and was runner-up again when Pete Bicknell claimed the Mr. DIRTcar championship in 2008. After dominating Brockville Ontario Speedway’s recently concluded regular season with 8 wins and a 9th 358 modified track championship, Kingston’s Danny O’Brien had set his sights on a first ever Mr. DIRTcar title.
Heading into a scheduled stretch of 3 events in as many nights, the 41 year-old driver of the Global Warranty/1000 Islands RV Centre/Pat’s Radiator/Stover Bus Lines/103.7 BOB-FM/Jackson’s Landscaping & Property Maintenance/Murdock’s Cement Finishing/Kendrick Racing #7 Star Bicknell was sitting 3rd in the overall standings.
When the first show – Wednesday, October 7th at Can Am Speedway – was rained-out for the second straight year, the team made plans for the next night at Brewerton International Speedway. O’Brien qualified 7th fastest during the night’s time trial session, but needed to use his guaranteed starter provisional after finishing 5th in a heat race where only the top 4 advanced to the 100 lap main event. He started 24th in the feature and finished 16th. Worse still, Dale Planck and Pete Bicknell, his main championship rivals 12th and 5th respectively while another contender; Larry Lampman was 6th and moved into 3rd place in championship points.
“I’m beginning to think it isn’t meant to be,” said O’Brien with a smile. “We finished second 2 years in a row, but it doesn’t look like it’s in the cards for this year either. Patty (older brother, Pat O’Brien) has 4 championship trophies at his house. Maybe he’ll let me have one...although I’d definitely rather earn my own.”
Before Brewerton’s Thursday night show, O’Brien ‘pocketed’ his 100 show-up points by recording the 39th fastest time at 107.073 miles an hour on the mile oval at the New York State Fairgrounds. He didn’t return to run the race, choosing instead to stay within his comfort zone at the satellite events. With the 100 lapper at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park also washed out, O’Brien will now have to rely on his own good luck – and the competition’s bad luck – at his home turf of Brockville Ontario Speedway during the Northeast Fall Nationals, October 17th and 18th if he is to gain any ground.
“I don’t want anything bad to happen to Dale, Pete or Larry but I’d be okay if they decided to stay home,” chuckled O’Brien. “This weekend will be the biggest event Brockville has ever hosted, so I’m sure there will be a big crowd on both sides of the fence. The show will close-out the 40th anniversary season, so we’ll just have to show-up and hope for the best.”
Postscript: With a pair of rainouts in his 3 race Super Dirt Week odyssey, O’Brien was looking for a racing fix. He travelled to Rolling Wheels Raceway Saturday, October 10th and finished 9th in the annual ‘Win and You’re In’ 25 lap feature event.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications: A strong run at Brockville Speedway’s Northeast Fall Nationals could help Danny O’Brien gain some much needed ground in the Mr. DIRTcar 358 modified championship chase.
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