A week ago DJ Kennington wasn’t sure how well the Castrol Dodge would be able to perform in the season finale of the 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the Ontario Dodge Dealers Ram 250 at Kawartha Speedway. Though both Kennington and the Castrol Dodge Avenger were bruised from a hard hit, they showed how tough and competitive they can be with a second place finish this past Saturday.
As practice began Kennington and the Castrol Crew were anxious to see how the many hours of work necessary would pay off. They would find out quickly as Kennington put up solid practice laps. “It was a lot of work to get this car ready, but by the end of the night we knew that we got had it fixed right” said the driver. “It’s probably the best we’ve been all year” he added.
Kennington would take a cautious approach with the Castrol Dodge on a slick race track during qualifying and begin the Ontario Dodge Dealers Ram 250 from the eleventh spot “Conditions were pretty tricky and I didn’t want to take any chances, we felt the car was good” said the driver afterwards.
Right from the start of the race Kennington was moving the Castrol Dodge forward in the field and very quickly into the top-ten and approaching the top-five. “We had the set up right in the first part of the race and that helped us get the Castrol Dodge up into contention pretty quickly” said DJ.
Kennington continued to maneuver his race car forward and on lap 62 the team was rewarded for all their hard work as the Castrol Dodge took over the lead of the race. Kennington would continue to hold the point until 105 when a dampening race track also played play a significant role. Looking to find the best racing line for his car in the worsening conditions Kennington moved up higher on the track and the decision cost him. With his skill DJ was able to bring the Castrol Dodge under control but had surrendered the lead. “I was a bit loose in the corner and I thought moving up would tighten the car up a little, and I just hand my hands full gathering it up and that’s when the #3 car got by me”.
Kennington would set out to hunt down the leader but the weather began to worsen and after 174 laps the race was halted. The Castrol Dodge team would have to settle for a second place finish. “I just made a mistake and it cost us a win tonight” said the disappointed driver. “I really figured I could get him back, but then it rained harder and NASCAR stopped it. I’m just disappointed in myself, and I’m frustrated.
While there is obvious disappointment in not winning the race, there is tremendous pride in a season full of accomplishment. The Castrol Dodge team scored an incredible nine top-five finishes and eleven top-tens in thirteen events.
DJ Kennington would wind up the season third in the overall championship standings. Kennington will now concentrate full-time on his Nationwide series ride with MacDonald Motorsports
The NASCAR Canadian Tire series will honor competitors this year at the annual awards banquet on October 25th. The 2008 NASCAR Canadian Tire series consisted of thirteen events on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast. Each broadcast on TSN. More information can be found by logging onto www.djkennington.com and www.nascar.ca
Attached photo: 1. The Castrol Dodge ready to qualify at Kawartha. 2. DJ Kennington (left) on the podium at Kawartha Speedway.
Photo Credit: Todd Lewis // This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
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