Every racecar driver looks forward to their first main event win and while some might wait their entire career for that sweet taste of success; Brad Martin became one of the fortunate few with his triumph Friday, July 15th at Kawartha Speedway. Quiet and intense – quick to blame himself for anything that goes wrong with the car – the pilot of the Bio 2000 Pressure Wash/JJ Stewart Chrysler/Xtreme Motorsports/Rhino’s Roadhouse/Kennedy’s NAPA, Cobourg/ Kawartha Metals/Canadian Industrial Service/Stacey Dismantling/ Ron McGuire/Keith Brown #53 Dodge Neon was the class of the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock field on this night – winning his heat race, semi feature and the 50 lap main event – and enjoyed a moment the sophomore runner felt was long overdue.
“There were a couple of hiccups during the year, but overall I don’t think things could have been any better,” said the 25 year-old. “With our division running most of their main events without a caution flag, almost anyone had a chance to win on any given night. The 10 race schedule forced us to make sure we were ready for action the moment we rolled through the tunnel into the pit area.”
Brad Martin calls the quiet town of Plainville, Ontario home and says he’s lucky that almost everyone there is a racing fan so they don’t get too upset when he and his father, along with crew members Robert Andrews and his brother Craig Martin work on the car. At the track, his mother Lynne Martin, his sister Kelli Martin Westlake and girlfriend Melissa Graham are the team cooks and his biggest fans. Not content to rest on the merits of a solid season, the employee of Blake Construction took the opportunity to participate in the Richard Petty Driving Experience during a summertime stop at Kawartha and has a goal coaching his young nephews in the sport, while eventually becoming an owner/driver in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
The mini stock division at the Fraserville 3/8th miler is an exciting blend of youth and experience. In just his second year of competition, Martin feels that he and his team learned a lot and could look at putting together a thunder car program in 2012. Brad Martin and his father Chuck attended a late October rules meeting and will likely spend the off-season putting their ducks in a row to arrange some extra sponsorship support and procuring equipment before they finalize their plans for the new season.
“Moving into a different division would be exciting, but would mean starting from scratch where set-up notes and car performance are concerned,” said Martin. “The drivers in every class are always friendly and eager to help but when the green flag flies, everyone wants to win. I doubt there are too many guys out there who’ll show you everything in their bag of tricks – especially if they feel you have a chance to beat them on the track.”
Martin says he loves the speed, the feeling that comes with even a heat race win and all the great people he’s had the chance to meet on and off the track. Fans can learn more about the team by checking-out www.facebook.com/martinmotorsports.
Be sure to visit www.kawarthaspeedway.com for details on the on-line voting for most improved and most sportsmanlike drivers in each of the 3 regular divisions. Winners will be announced at the annual awards banquet Saturday, January 14th. The 2012 season kicks-off Sunday, February 5th with the 3rd edition of the Long John 200 Endurance event. Kawartha Speedway will also be part of the Canadian Motorsports Expo – presented by Inside Track Motorsport News – February 10th, 11th and 12th
In his second season of competition, Brad Martin finished 4th in Kawartha Speedway’s 2011 Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock point standings.
Release and Photo by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
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