Danny O’Brien Gets Sixth Place Finish in DIRTcar 358 Series Race at Mohawk International Raceway; Applefest Weekend Coming up at Brighton

The 2014 season at Mohawk Raceway came to an end this past weekend as Danny O’Brien and his team, along with the LaSalle Motorsports team attended the Mohawk Nationals Weekend featuring a DIRTcar 358 Series race on Friday night and a Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series event on Saturday. O’Brien was back behind the wheel of the LaSalle Motorsports entry both nights.

On Friday night, O’Brien started the night off by timing third fastest in his time trial group, placing him third to start his qualifier. Danny finished the race in third, earning a spot in the all-important redraw for a top 12 starting spot in the 75 lap main event. After drawing position number nine, O’Brien lined up from the inside of row five and for the first 20 laps, it was a struggle. The first and only caution of the race came on lap 20 and O’Brien was riding in the 11th position. When the race resumed, he was finally able to work his way forward and was up to seventh as they hit lap 30. As the race progressed without a caution, passing was tough, but Danny found himself in a great battle for the sixth position over the final stages of the race and he would go on to finish in the sixth position.

“We missed the setup a little tonight, but it was still pretty good”, explained O’Brien after the race. “I really have to thank the crew, and the LaSalle Motorsports team for all their hard work, and allowing me to race their car this weekend”.

Saturday was a very frustrating day for everyone at Mohawk Raceway as drivers and fans alike waited out Mother Nature before the races finally got underway just before 11PM. To compound the frustration, DIRTcar officials elected to start the 100 lap main event with a lineup based on Super DIRTcar Series points, meaning O’Brien would have to come from the rear of the field with his 358 Modified against the more powerful Big Blocks on a very fast race track. O’Brien tried to battle with the Big Blocks, but was unsuccessful and pulled off the track with less than 30 laps complete.

O’Brien will be back in his own 1000 Islands RV sponsored car for this weekend’s events at Brighton Speedway. The track will host the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series on Saturday night to conclude their popular Applefest Weekend. Danny also plans to run some of the satellite shows at Super DIRT Week next month (Weedsport and Brewerton), and will conclude the 2014 season back at Brockville for the 1000 Islands RV DIRTcar Northeast Fall Nationals.

Danny O’Brien would like to thank 1000 Islands RV Centre, Pat’s Auto Centre, BOB FM, Ponte Bros. Masonry, Morrison Racing Engines, Snap-On Adam Way, Bicknell Racing Products, ATC World Class Trailers and Integra Racing Shocks for their continuous support throughout the 2014 season.

For more information on Danny O’Brien and the 17D racing team, please visit our website, www.dannyobrien.ca. You can also follow Danny O’Brien through www.1000islandsrvmotorsports.com, a website launched by longtime sponsor 1000 Islands RV.