ST-EUSTACHE, QC (September 8, 2018- DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team got back in action for round number 11 of the 2018 NASCAR Pinty’s Series this past Saturday at the Autodrome St. Eustache just outside Montreal, Quebec. Kennington is a former winner at the tricky oval track but this year had to summon all his talents to keep his season long string of top-ten finishes intact.
The first challenge for the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team came during the afternoon practice session when an issue with the transmission caused Kennington to spin in corner one.
“Something just locked and it turned us around,” said the driver. “We hustled and changed the transmission before qualifying,” he added.
With no opportunity to test the new parts Kennington mustered his best efforts and qualified the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge in the ninth position. Shortly after the green flag waved on the 250-lap event under the lights he was on the move and soon found his way into the top five.
The competition rules for this event had two scheduled breaks where competitors could take fuel and or change tires if they wished. The team had Kennington keep the #17 Castrol Edge Doge on track during the first opportunity at lap 90.
“We’d moved into the top five, the car wasn’t perfect but I knew we’d have another change to make adjustments and we definitely wanted to save tires for later” he explained.
Kennington would bring the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge to pit lane during the second break for fresh tires and a splash of fuel. He then proceeded to make another surge toward the front. “As sometimes happens other racers get a little over aggressive and Kennington was spun around on track by another driver.
Thinking quickly DJ got the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge turned in the right direction without losing a lap. However the opportunity for their deserved finish was lost. Kennington would claim a seventh place finish in the race.
“We had at least a top five car tonight” he said afterwards. “One of these days we’ll catch a break for us. It really stinks to have someone get into us and drop us back late in the race without time to recover” explained the driver “but we’ll keep digging”.
Kennington sits fourth in the overall championship standings with two races remaining.
DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team are back in action next Saturday September 15that New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire as the series races outside of Canada for the first time.
Race fans are encouraged to keep up to date with the latest team news during the off-season in several ways. Race fans should bookmark the team website www.djkracing.caand follow them on twitter, @djkracing and Instagram. Fans should also “like” the DJK Racing Fan Page on Facebook. Also follow @CastrolCanada on twitter and Facebook.
Prepared by Todd Lewis and TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com(239) 961-2618
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