Colborne, ON – If a racecar driver ever tells you they’re happy with a second place finish, they’re lying.
Linc Brown made his 2013 debut in the Late Model division at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Speedway Saturday, May 18th and since the first green flag of the year, the driver of the #99 Dodge Charger by McColl Racing Enterprises has been one of the best performing machines in a highly competitive field. Along the way, he’s recorded a number of top five finishes, including several runner-up performances. The only thing missing from the Colborne, Ontario driver’s resume has been a main event checkered flag.
After an off weekend, Brown and the rest of the Late Model field were back in action Saturday, July 20th at the half-mile oval north of Bowmanville, Ontario and the 48 year-old father of two was looking move into the winner’s circle. Coming from third in the night’s first qualifying session, he managed a second place showing. The second heat race produced the same results, this time from a fourth place starting spot.
Rolling into the 25 lap feature that would close out the night’s action, Brown was third in track points – trailing the division leader by 31 points – with the driver second in the standings, 10 markers ahead. As the Late Model field came to the stripe for their headline dance, Linc Brown would fire from inside the second row, with his championship rivals a row ahead and alongside at the drop of the green flag. While he wanted to get to the front as quickly as possible, experience has shown the veteran runner that no race can be won on the first lap.
“I’ve tried pushing the car too hard too soon before and it usually translates into some long hours in the shop,” said Brown. “With the point chase as tight as it is, everyone’s looking to gain as much ground as possible. Every position on the racetrack matters and can make a difference in the final standings. I have to race smart and at the same time, race strong. Sometimes, doing both just isn’t possible.”
On the break, the #99 got stuck behind another driver at the front of the pack. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t get past. At the same time, the defending Late Model track champion (and current point leader) Kyle Donaldson had started to put some distance on the rest of the field.
Lap after lap, high or low on the track, nothing seemed to matter, until with about a dozen laps to go when he was able to move into second spot. As the lap counter clicked on, Brown would push his car hard into the corners and gain a little ground but there was no catching the leader. Another second place feature race finish would go into Linc Brown’s racing diary on the page marked Saturday, July 20th.
“As tempted as I might have been to use the bumper a couple of times, I’ve always tried to race people the way I’d like them to race me,” said Brown after the race. “With about 10 laps to go, the car started to feel like there was a left front tire going down. We’ll check it before we load for home, but there isn’t anything we can do now. There’ll be some time work on the car before next Saturday night and we’ll try it again.”
Linc Brown Motorsports would like to thank this year’s marketing partners Kawartha Metals, Don Butt Auto Body, Rousseau Automobile Communications, Mayhew Graphics and Clarke Motorsports Communications for supporting their program in 2013.
The Colour of Money: The #99 was a late arrival at the track for Saturday night’s show, as the driver played the role of supportive father for a karting event on his daughter Bailey’s schedule. While her father finished second in his main event, Bailey celebrated in victory lane during her feature tilt.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
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