August 11, 2013. Castrol Edge Dodge driver DJ Kennington claimed his first victory of the 2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres on Sunday. Kennington made a dramatic pass on former Formula One Champion Jacques Villeneuve to take the win and tighten up the championship battle.
During practice on Saturday the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge was nearly flawless and Kennington posted the second quickest time. In afternoon qualifying DJ claimed the eighth fastest time and would line up for Sunday’s feature event on the outside of row four.
“The car was really good, we hardly changed a thing” said Kennington.
As the green flag waved in front of a sellout crowd in Trois-Rivieres, QC Kennington immediately began to look for opportunities to improve his position. The #17 Castrol Edge Dodge driver steadily gained positions on his own and as others ahead of him had difficulties.
“It was a really tough race” explained the driver. “Everybody was pushing really hard and there was plenty of bumping going on.”
Kennington would make steady progress forward and found himself in second position getting to the late stages of the race. On lap 38 when the leader, Former IndyCar and Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve left an opening Kennington boldy pushed the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge ahead and into the lead.
A late caution period set up a dramatic green, white, checker run to the finish.
Kennington in the lead hunted by Villeneuve and four time Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres winner Andrew Ranger. Encouraged on the team radio by Crew Chief Dave Wight, Kennington executed a flawless restart and built an insurmountable gap on the two challengers. He would go on to claim the victory, his first of the season, third career win on a road course and his 19th series win.
It was an emotional victory for Kennington who was thinking of his family afterwards.
“(Father) Doug Kennington you are the man. And I’m so happy to share this first win with my son Chase, Jaimie my wife and this whole Castrol Edge Dodge team. They’re my family too. What a race! I’m so happy to win this prestigious event” he stated.
After eight events DJ Kennington has closed to within four points of top spot in the overall championship standings.
DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team are back in action next on Saturday August 17th at Riverside Speedway in Antigonish, NS.
Race fans are encouraged to keep up to date with the latest team news in several ways. Race fans should bookmark the team website www.djkracing.ca and follow them on twitter, @djkracing and fans should also “like” the DJK Racing Fan Page on Facebook.
Prepared by Todd Lewis & TL Sports & Entertainment, todd@tlsportsent.com (239) 961-2618
{fcomment}
Discussion about this post