FREELTON, ON- Just days after a top-3 finish in the Canadian Vintage Modified season opener at Flamboro Speedway, Rookie of the Year contender Darren Dryden is ready to get back on track in Round 2 of the tour at Sunset Speedway on May 23rd.
“Finishing on the podium in our first start of the season was the absolute best way to start off the year,” says Dryden. “We came out just wanting to race conservative and keep the car in one piece, and managed to chase down some of the fastest cars on the tour. It gives us a lot of confidence for what the rest of the season has in store”
Dryden goes on to explain that the team managed the top-3 finish despite developing an overheating condition late in the 25-lap feature.
“I noticed the temp gauge was starting to climb pretty early in the race,” explains Dryden. “It didn’t really concern me until lap-20 when we were hitting 260 degrees. At that point I knew that I should probably back off a little and try and cool down. From there, we were in full out conserve mode. The fact that we managed a podium finish is incredible – because I was doing all I good just to feather it until the end of the race”
With their overheating issues behind them, Dryden is ready to return to Sunset after an impressive showing at last September’s ‘Velocity 250’ weekend.
“We don’t have a ton of laps at Sunset, but we’ve been good there in the past,” says the freshman contender. “When we were there in September, I got hooked up on the outside and went from 17th to 6th in 25-laps. If we can find that outside groove again, I think we have a car fast enough to give these guys some problems”
“We’re rolling into Sunset ready to race for a win,” continues Dryden. “I’m still doing everything I can to adapt to this series, but the car has been strong every time I’ve sat in it. Our program is top notch and our equipment is as good as anything we could ever ask for. Now, I just need to find a way to deliver the results that my guys deserve.”
Details for Saturday’s event, including gate times and ticket prices, can be found at www.SunsetSpeedway.ca.
18-year old Darren Dryden’s 2015 efforts are supported by Dryden Autobody, DJD Graphics, Sharpie Art by Darren Dryden, M&L Testing, EPIC Racewear, Lucas Oil, Line-X, Hi-Tec Welding, Retail Design Group, Robson Technologies, Flamboro Machine Shop, Hypervibe, Jessica Dryden Illustration & Photography, State Farm Insurance and A-1 Auto Parts.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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