Orono, ON- It was nearly a three race winning streak, beginning Saturday, August 2 in Dart Heating and Air Conditioning victory lane at Peterborough Speedway, but a fifth place effort the next day at Sunset Speedway, just north of Toronto got in the way. The next checkered flag came Wednesday, August 6 at Capital City Speedway in Stittsville, with another Saturday, August 9 at Sunset. The Capital City and Sunset wins were the first career main event victories at each venue for the driver known as “The Show Stopper”.
Sunday, August 10 Benedict made another start at his former weekly home of Kawartha Speedway, running the second OSCAAR sanctioned Mini Stock Nationals. After a solid run in his qualifying event, he started the afternoon’s 30 lap main event from the pole position with some strong competition from a variety of different speedways making-up the starting grid.
The #54 Mustang led the opening laps, but the hot slick track conditions made it tough to find a racing line that would work consistently over the long haul. After an early caution flag, Benedict elected to restart from the outside line and although the car was still strong, another pair of drivers – including eventual race winner Andy Kamrath – were able to slip past. In the closing stages, he’d get close to the leader’s back bumper, put there weren’t enough laps left on the scoreboard to complete the deal. Father, crew chief and car owner Doug Benedict says he was pleased with the outcome, even though his car crossed the line in third spot.
“What he might lack in life experience, he certainly makes up for in track smarts,” said Doug Benedict, in praise of his son. “There might have been an opening or two in the last couple of laps to add another win to his 2014 resume, but it would have meant moving someone out of the way. We’ve always tried to race other drivers the same way we’d like them to race us and I think Danny earned a lot of respect by accepting a third place finish, instead of taking out half the field while going for the win.”
Throughout a stretch where he ran six feature races at a variety of different tracks, Danny Benedict’s worst finish was fifth. Saturday, August 16, he’ll be back in action at Peterborough Speedway for the year’s third and final Toonie Spectator Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Night.
For complete details, see www.peterboroughspeedway.com.
The #54 Benedict Racing Mini Stock team is proudly supported by Don’s Auto Shop, Integrity Driven Solutions, Wallace Auto Supply – Carquest, Mayhew Graphics, Mark Rainford of Roger Swan Auto Sales, Camsport Truck Caps & Accessories, B & W Enterprises, Kim Irwin of Irwin Tax and Baudo Auto Services, with promotional services by Clarke Motorsports Communications.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com
613.968.6410
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