Tim O’Brien Scores Applefest Shootout Victory at Brighton

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Tim O’Brien Scores Applefest Shootout Victory at Brighton Speedway; Top Ten Finish in Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series at Cornwall
Craig Revelle – Finish Line Web Design

September 27, 2011



It is safe to say that Tim O’Brien is quite fond of Brighton Speedway posting second place finishes in 2008 and again in 2010. This year, he was hoping to finish one spot higher as he returned to Brighton Speedway on Saturday night for their annual Applefest Shootout for the 358 Modifieds. O’Brien also had a Mr. DIRTcar Series event on the schedule for Sunday afternoon at Cornwall Speedway that was originally set on Labor Day Weekend and was postponed after time trials due to rain.



The 358 Modified make just one appearance a year at Brighton Speedway, and the past two events O’Brien finished the race in second place. In 2008 he was second, there was no race in 2009 as racing was canceled due to rain, but he continued the streak last year with another strong performance. This time around, O’Brien finished second in his qualifying heat race, and hoped that he would have the car to beat this time. At the drop of the green flag, O’Brien realized he had a strong car. After making the pass for the lead, O’Brien held off several challengers in a string of late race cautions to pick up the biggest win of his career.



“I have followed Pete (Bicknell) around this place the last few years, I think we learned some tricks from him”, says O’Brien in victory lane after the race. “I really enjoy racing here, Id like to come back here more then just once a year. I also have to thank the crew for all their hard work this season”.



At Cornwall Speedway on Sunday, O’Brien began the night with a fifth place finish in his qualifying heat race taking the final transfer spot into the 125 lap Mr. DIRTcar Series main event. He started the feature from 18th place and held his own through the first 75 laps. After lap 75 the caution was displayed and a 10 minute break was given to the teams to come out on the track and refuel the cars and change tires and make adjustments to the cars. As the race stopped for the break, O’Brien had made it into the top 15. When the race resumed for the final 50 laps, O’Brien moved up through the field, and by lap 100 he was up to eighth place. O’Brien finished the race in eighth.



Just a week earlier, O’Brien also had a fantastic run in the Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified series event at Mohawk International Raceway leading early, and bringing home a solid third place run.



Plans for the rest of the season are still up in the air, but O’Brien hopes to make the Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified series races at Cayuga County Speedway on Wednesday, October 5th and Rolling Wheels Raceway on October 6th.



“We are not sure what we are doing yet, next weekend is the Outlaw 200 at Fulton, and we would like to do the Series races during Super DIRT Week, but we haven’t really decided for sure what we are doing, other then the Fall Nationals at Brockville in mid October”.



Tim O’Brien would like to thank all of the sponsors for the upcoming season. These great companies include; Jim’s Performance Plus, Pat’s Radiator, Windmill Construction, Tom Henderson’s Custom Meats, Allen Bell & Associates, Parcoll Products, Rust Check, S.G. Wells Ford and J.A.T. Maintenance. For more information on Tim O’Brien and the Jim’s Performance Plus Race team, please visit our website, www.timobrienracing.com.