Saskatoon: DJ Kennington race report

KENNINGTON SCORES THIRD WIN OF THE SEASON

August 5, 2010. DJ Kennington, driver of the #17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors/Hitachi Tools Dodge continued his momentum from the weekend through round number seven of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Kennington would pick up his third pole position of the season setting a new track record in doing so at Auto Clearing Speedway in Saskatoon. He would then go on to claim his third victory of the season and reclaim the overall point standings lead.

Right from the first practice laps the #17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors/Hitachi Tools Dodge showed the kind of pace it has all year on oval tracks, it was simply fast. "This car has been so strong right from the first race of the season" said Kennington. "Just some fine tuning is all we've done during the practice session" he added.

Rolling out third for qualifying Kennington posted a lap time of 14.824 seconds in the #17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors/Hitachi Tools Dodge setting a new fast lap record for the 1/3 mile oval that no one could touch. "I wasn't positive it would hold up but it did and first spot is where you always want to start" summarized Kennington.

When the green flag waved for the 250 lap feature event Kennington would relinquish the lead for the first few laps but would have the #17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors/Hitachi Tools Dodge back out front on lap seven. "Just like the last race this car was just a pleasure to drive right from the start of the race" said the driver.

Following a long green flag run that took the race past the 200 lap mark Kennington relinquished the lead. During only the second yellow flag caution period he would make his scheduled pit stop for fuel and tires for the #17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors/Hitachi Tools Dodge. "That pit stop is what won the race for us" said Kennington emphatically. "I've got the best team in this series and they ripped off a pit stop that got us back out front and I just had to keep it there" he said.

Kennington would be challenged during the remaining laps but never relinquished the lead of the race. He would bring the #17 Castrol Edge/Mahindra Tractors/Hitachi Tools Dodge to the checkered flag and claim his third win of the seven races run so far this season. "I was driving it pretty good at the end" said the very happy driver. "A couple of times they tried to get a run on me but we were able to hold them off. We had a great finish at Vernon and to follow that up with a win here is going to make for a pretty good ride back home" he concluded.

Of note: Following a NASCAR imposed penalty on the #3 car following the event at Motoplex Speedway Kennington was awarded second place in the final results of that event. Coupled with his victory at Auto Clearing Speedway he has retaken the overall championship lead by fourteen points.

The series returns to eastern Canada and road racing for round number eight during the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres on Sunday August 15th.

-source: djk racing