Barrie: DJ Kennington race notes

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.

-credit: rmm