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DJ Kennington and the MacDonald Motorsports 81 crew started the weekend a little rough. After a starting the weekend 36th on the grid for the Camping World 250, Kennington assured the crew that the qualifying position was no indication of the position they would finish in.
The St Thomas, Ontario, Canada native was not to proven wrong as he immediately climbed into the top 30. "The car was pretty tight there at the beginning and we caught some good breaks with a few long runs and cautions." By the midway point, Kennington had the Mahindra Tractors, NPP, MC2 Energy Drink Dodge firmly in a racing pack in the 27th position.
"We were racing with some of strong cars like Steven Wallace, Kevin Lepage, and Brad Coleman, so we knew we could run with the pack." Kennington was correct as by the time the 81 crew made his final pit stop, Kennington was among the fastest cars on the track. "We really had it stuck in the track like no other on the last run. We definetly found something at the end and was able to gain some more spots." Kennington finished the race in 24th and was again a career high at the Milwakee Mile.
"The great thing about running this season for me, is its all new. We raced here last year, but wasnt nearly as competitive. Each week is another new track for me or one that I can better my performance on." During the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Kennington has seen a new track 14 of the 17 races. In addition, DJ has improved on his previous performance each time he straps into the car. "Its all about seat time,", he adds. "Its a learning curve for not only myself but this team. I feel really good about how we will compete as the season hits the last half of the schedule."
Kennington's 24th place finish at Milwaukee moved him back into 22nd in the drivers standings and the team just 5 points from the 26th position in Owner Points. "We are gaining on the teams and drivers we want set our goals on. Our team has 1/4th the employees and resources but they cant match our heart and desire."
Kennington rallies to 24th at the Milwaukee Mile
DJ Kennington and the Castrol/ MC2 Dodge just seem to keep finding the way to the front of the field at Barrie Speedway. Kennington swept the two events last year at Barrie Speedway and claimed a podium position in round three of the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire series.
In a brand new race car Kennington and the Castrol/ MC2 Dodge showed good pace throughout the practice session and claimed the fourth starting spot for the 300 lap main event. “Starting up front is important at this place” said Kennington. “Things happen so quickly it’s definitely the place you want to be”.
Through the early stages Kennington maintained a consistent pace to stay in the top-five. “The car was good early but in the middle stages of the race it really wanted to run up high and that’s not good if you want to get your nose under guys to try and move up”
Kennington held his own in the Castrol/ MC2 Dodge but as the race laps ticked away it became clear they didn’t have the car necessary for a podium finish. “I knew we didn’t have the car to win at that time, I thought we might be fifth so we decided to take a gamble and go for the win”. It was agreed that they would make a second pit stop for tires and some handling adjustments to try and improve their fortunes.
The gamble paid off. The performance of the Castrol/ MC2 Dodge improved and Kennington was again moving up through the field and as the checkered flag waved claimed his third consecutive podium finish at Barrie , and his second of this season. We’ll take this one; it’s a good run for Castrol, MC2 and everybody that helps us out. Dave White and the rest of the boys do such a good job handling things up here when I’m down south too it really makes things easier for me.
With his second straight podium finish Kennington moves into fourth in the overall driver standings, just three points out of third spot.
NASCAR Canadian Tire series competition resumes this coming Saturday July 5th with the rescheduled event for Autodrome St. Eustache. The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire series will consist of thirteen events on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast. Each race will be broadcast on TSN.
MORE SUCCESS FOR KENNINGTON AT BARRIE SPEEDWAY
