ANOTHER PODIUM FINISH FOR DJ KENNINGTON AND THE CASTROL DODGE!

September 18, 2006. As CASCAR Super Series teams made their way to Kawartha Speedway for the final race of the season, Castrol Dodge driver DJ Kennington and the team were set to continue the momentum gained last weekend. Mission accomplished.

It was at Kawartha Speedway last year that Kennington dominated and claimed his fourth victory of the season. The Castrol Dodge was just as strong right away and Kennington was able to snag the pole position with the quickest qualifying lap. “This car was really good right off the truck” said DJ. “My dad gave me a great motor as always and we really had a good lap”.

As the Dodge Charger 250 main event began Kennington edged ahead of the field on the opening few laps. Challenged for the lead DJ maintained his quick pace and began to pull away from the competition. “The car was really solid at the start, being in front was an advantage for sure, I could run where I wanted to on the track”

Kennington would maintain his lead for the first 100 laps of the race until his scheduled pit stop. The Castrol crew would make two stops during the same caution period to complete tire changes and some other minor adjustments. “The guys did a good job as usual” said Kennington. “We were back in the pack but we knew it would be our only stop of the day and as things cycled through we would be back up front”.

As predicted things began to play out just as the Castrol Dodge team expected and with laps winding down Kennington was among the top cars on the track. “The car was fast” said DJ “but we couldn’t really run the bottom groove. When I ran up front I could dictate a little more where I wanted to be, but as we had to battle through the traffic and got forced to run on the bottom that would cost us”.

DJ Kennington would bring the Castrol Dodge home in third spot. “It’s good to have another strong finish right at the end of the year, especially in the Dodge Charger 250 race” said Kennington. “In the last two events we showed what we’re capable of and I think that really gives us something to build on over the winter and to get ready for next year when NASCAR takes over”.

You can watch DJ Kennington and his strong runs at Kawartha & St. Eustache along with the rest of the CASCAR Super Series races on Rogers Sportsnet all season. Check your local listings for times in your area. To follow the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca

DJ KENNINGTON PUTS THE CASTROL ON THE PODIUM AT ST EUSTACHE

September 10, 2006. Castrol Dodge driver DJ Kennington has endured some unfortunate racing luck during the CASCAR Super Series racing season. But during round ten at St. Eustache Kennington was able to change the momentum and claim a second place finish.

Whether it was a cut tire or contact, this has been a frustrating season for DJ Kennington and the Castro Dodge team. At the Autodrome St. Eustache DJ and the team knew they could get the job done. “We’ve won at this track before and I knew the car would be good” said the driver. “During the practice time I only ran a few laps because we were right on with the set up so there was no use burning up tires”.

Just missing out on the pole position, Kennington would qualify the Castrol Dodge on the outside of row one for the 200 lap main event. A starting spot up front is important but doesn’t guarantee that you can avoid trouble. “The start of the race was okay, but after an early caution we kind of got caught up in some other guys fighting for position and we fell back a few spots” said the driver. “But the car was good and I knew we just had to pick our spots and we’d be okay”

The Castrol Dodge continued to post some of the quickest lap times and Kennington moved through the field to challenge for the lead. “The car was good, in fact it felt better than the driver” said Kennington. “I don’t know what it was, maybe a new visor I was using but I really started feeling terrible, with an awful headache”.

Kennington would not only battle the other competitors but his illness and claim the second place finish. “I’m not sure I had enough to challenge Ronny tonight but this is a great finish for us” said DJ afterwards. “We really wanted this one for Castrol and Dodge and all of our sponsors who support us, this hasn’t been the kind of season we expected but this one is nice”.

DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge team will immediately begin preparations for the final event of the 2006 season at Kawartha Speedway this coming weekend.

You can watch DJ Kennington and his strong run at St. Eustache along with the rest of the CASCAR Super Series races on Rogers Sportsnet all season. Check your local listings for times in your area. To follow the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca

*Attached picture caption: DJ Kennington, runner up at St. Eustache beside winner Ron Beauchamp Jr. and third place Mark Dilley. Picture courtesy Greg MacPherson

CUT TIRE COSTS KENNINGTON AND CASTROL DODGE A GREAT FINISH

September 4, 2006. Castrol Dodge driver DJ Kennington was looking to build on the strong effort his team put together last weekend at Cayuga Speedway in round nine of the CASCAR Super Series. However one flat tire would take away any chance of a top finish.

Kennington was among the quickest cars during practice and qualifying and lined up for the 200 lap feature at the 5/8 mile oval on the inside of row five. “The car felt really good all day” said Kennington. “We just worked on trying to be ready for the changing conditions”.

Even with several caution periods in the early going Kennington was able to assess the condition of the Castrol Dodge as being too loose. While he was able to run amongst the leaders, experience had taught him that an early pit stop for tires, fuel and a handling adjustment was necessary. “We didn’t have a winning car at that point, but we knew what changes to make” said Kennington.

The Castrol crew had a solid stop and returned DJ to the battle. “The car was much better after Dave Whyte and guys did their work” said the driver. “Now it was up to me”

As pit stops for the rest of the competitors cycled through Kennington worked through the race traffic and had the Castrol Dodge up into third position just past the half-way point in the race. “We were in good shape, out strategy was really working and we were set to run the rest of the race”.

It was just after another caution period and green flag racing had resumed that DJ detected a problem with the Castrol Dodge. “I knew it right away, the handling wasn’t there and we had a right front tire going down”. After losing several positions Kennington was forced to make a green flag stop for a new tire.

“After we went down a lap it was all over” said the frustrated driver. “We just tried to do our best, but had to settle for a finish outside the top ten”.

Kennington and crew will now ready the Castrol Dodge for the next event at St. Eustache. “I’ve won at that track before” said DJ “hopefully we’ll have some luck on our side next week”.

KENNINGTON RACES TO THE TRACK & SCORES TOP FIVE FINISH IN CASTROL DODGE

August 28, 2006. For Castrol Dodge driver DJ Kennington half the race was getting to Isle Notre Dame and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for round eight of the CASCAR Super Series. The other half was climbing through the field toward the front of the field with only 23 laps of racing. The result was a top five finish.

Through much of the week heading into the event DJ Kennington was south of the border working toward the opportunity to qualify for the NASCAR Busch Series race at Bristol Tennessee. “It all came happened pretty fast, I got the call it was a great opportunity to get some time in the car. With 50 cars trying to qualify including a bunch of Cup guys we knew it was a long shot, but one I gladly accepted.”

While Kennington worked in the south, Crew Chief Dave White and the rest of the Castrol Dodge crew got the car ready for Montreal. “Whitey and the guys did a good job, and Kenny Forth turned some laps in the car to make sure it was ready to go and he was ready to race if I was held up” said Kennington.

While DJ didn’t make the show in Bristol, he did successfully race to Montreal in time to qualify the car and started the race in 12th spot. Without much seat time on the challenging road course, Kennington took a cautious approach that paid off.

Moving the Castrol Dodge steadily through the field he picked his way past the competition and would come home with a fifth place finish. “I just tried to take it easy and it worked out” said Kennington. “We didn’t have the chance to show how good the Castrol Dodge was on road courses in Quebec earlier this month so we did here. I really have to thank everybody for helping out this weekend, they made it possible, and Castrol is just so supportive of me and this race team I’m really fortunate. We’re back into the top ten in points and have some real momentum heading into the last few races of the season”.

DJ Kennington and the CASCAR competitors return to oval track racing on the famed Cayuga Speedway track this coming weekend. Practice and qualifying heat races are Saturday with the main event Sunday afternoon.

You can watch DJ Kennington in all the CASCAR Super Series races on Rogers Sportsnet all season. Check your local listings for times in your area. To follow the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca

KENNINGTON & CASTROL DODGE MEET MECHANICAL MISFORTUNE

August 13, 2006. As the defending Champion of the Mosport 200, CASCAR Super Series Iron man DJ Kennington anticipated a successful night on the half-mile Mosport Speedway oval. It turned into a day and night of frustration for the Castrol Dodge Team.

After only a hand full of practice laps during the afternoon session Kennington and the Castrol Dodge team felt trouble in the transmission. The crew went to work quickly to make the change to a new transmission and it appeared to solve the problem. “After we made the switch things seemed fine” said the driver “although I was hoping for a better qualifying time than ninth”.

When the green flag flew Kennington was running strong immediately and set his sights on the leaders. Only a few laps into the race however the Castrol Dodge Charger would be hit with more hard luck. “I just felt a little bobble going into three and then right front was gone” said Kennington. The wheel hub broke releasing the tire and damaging the right front fender. Undaunted, the Castrol crew responded.

“I eased around to pit lane and my guys did a great job to get a new tire on, tape down the fender and get me back out only one lap down” said Kennington. “It was so early I knew we could make it up”. The Castrol Dodge restarted inside the leader and Kennington was flying as the green flag waved to restart the race and he quickly jumped ahead of the leader. Another quick caution and DJ was back on the lead lap.

As Kennington was working his was way back through the field more mechanical problems would surface. Again without warning the Castrol Dodge would begin to slow along the front straight and Kennington would be forced to pit lane. The team determined that a drive train problem was terminal and their night was finished.

“What a frustrating day” said Kennington. “This team worked so hard right all day and I really appreciate their effort. I was hoping this would be a real bounce back race for us but we’ll just have to wait a couple more weeks I guess”.

The CASCAR Super Series teams resume action on the weekend of August 25-27 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal as part of the Champ Car Grand Prix of Montreal.

You can watch DJ Kennington in all the CASCAR Super Series races on Rogers Sportsnet. Check your local listings for times in your area. To follow the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca

DJ KENNINGTON PUTS CASTROL DODGE ON THE PODIUM AT THE CASTROL 300

July 17, 2006. The CASCAR Super Series teams traveled west to Sun Valley Speedway near Vernon, British Columbia and round number four of the 2006 season, the Castrol 300. Thirty four drivers would take the green flag, and DJ Kennington knew that as the defending race champion all eyes would be focused on his Castrol Dodge Charger.

“We sure got a lot of attention this weekend” said the St. Thomas, Ontario driver. “We got bumped in the 100 lap qualifier and we had some body damage early in the Castrol 300 as well”.

Forced to start back in the 17th spot Kennington knew it would be almost impossible to keep the car clean and make it to the front. It wasn’t long before Kennington was forced to bring the Castrol Dodge to pit road for repairs during a caution period. “The guys did an awesome job to make some cosmetic repairs and get rid of some dangling fiberglass and get me back on track without losing a lap. That allowed me to get after it”.

After moving through the traffic toward the front Kennington had no trouble maintaining pace with the leaders. “We hit the set up, that’s for sure” said DJ afterwards. Because the car was handling so well and our tire wear was good, we made the decision to go with just one pit stop for two tires. Other guys had to stop a second time and that helped us out too”. The Castrol crew did their job beautifully providing routine service and had Kennington back on the track again. As the pit stops cycled through DJ was up front battling with the leaders.

In the closing laps a late caution period bunched the field up. Re starting with 15 laps to go Kennington and the Castrol Dodge had to fight with some lapped cars along with the rest of the front runners. “It got a little hairy and the 19 car slipped by me” said Kennington. “It was just like last year unfortunately we couldn’t get the win this time, but I’m definitely happy that the Castrol Dodge came home second in the Castrol 300. It’s nice for Brad Graham to be able to get his first win”.

CASCAR competitors take flight this weekend at Edmonton City Centre Airport runways as part of the Grand Prix of Edmonton weekend.

You can watch the Castrol 300 on Rogers Sportsnet on Saturday July 29th. Check your local listings for times in your area. To follow the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca

DJ KENNINGTON & CASTROL DODGE HAVE PODIUM FINISH TAKEN AWAY

July 3, 2006. DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge crew were hoping for better results at Barrie Speedway as the CASCAR Super Series made their second visit of the season to the 1/3 mile oval for the Mopar Canada Day 300 presented by the Dodge Dealers of Ontario. However, once again due to circumstances beyond his control Kennington was relegated to a finishing position that didn’t reflect his performance.

With qualifying heat races rained out Kennington lined up 8th for the 300 lap feature event based on time trials. “The car was solid right through the weekend, I knew we’d be there at the end” said the driver.

For the first half of the race Kennington and the rest of the competitors dodged problems and traffic on the tight oval trying to put themselves into a good position for the end of the race. “With about a hundred laps to go we were right where we wanted to be” said DJ afterwards. “The car was in the top five, and it was getting better as the race went on”.

As the caution flag continued to fly regularly Kennington took advantage on restarts. During the late stages he made two very skillful moves for position moving into third and eventually second place when the yellow flag waved with five laps remaining. With cars bunched up and jockeying for position on the restart Kennington was looking to grab the victory, he inadvertently tapped the bumper of the front running car but was quickly off the throttle allowing the front runner the opportunity to recover. Unfortunately, contact from behind the #17 Castrol Dodge again pushed Kennington into the first place car sending him spinning into the wall and out of the race.

CASCAR officials made the decision to black flag DJ Kennington for the incident and instead of a sure podium finish the car would be scored 11th. “It’s unfortunate that once again we had a really good race car and didn’t get the results at this track” stated Kennington afterwards. “We were all trying to get the jump on the restart, but there’s no way I would deliberately spin the leader, that’s not the way I race”.

CASCAR teams will load up and head west in the coming days for the annual western swing which stops first at Sunset Speedway in Vernon, BC. Even with the disappointment still fresh in his mind the always upbeat Kennington was quick to look ahead to the next event. “I can’t wait to get to Vernon” he said. “That was the start of our run of three in a row last year and I’m looking forward to another good race there and I like Edmonton a lot to when we ran there a few years ago we were very good”

To follow the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca You can see the Mopar Canada Day Shoot Out presented by the Dodge Dealers of Ontario July 15th on Sportsnet.

DJ KENNINGTON JUGGLES ILL HANDLING CASTROL CAR TO A TOP TEN FINISH

June 19, 2006. DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge crew were all set for another strong outing on the challenging Mosport International Raceway Road course. They accomplished that goal but not without a few side trips along the way.

During Saturday’s qualifying session there was a sense of confidence in the Castrol Dodge crew as DJ Kennington clocked in the fourth quickest time and claimed a second row starting spot for Sunday’s race.

Those throughout the CASCAR community know of DJ’s close relationship with his father Doug. As the cars were completing their pace laps DJ keyed his radio and wished his dad a Happy Father’s Day and said he was glad to have him here at the track to see him race.

DJ had the Castrol Dodge Charger up among the quickest cars through the early part of the Clarington 200 but then the car began to feel quite uncomfortable. Knowing the cars handling characteristics as well as he does, Kennington understood that it was a serious issue that wouldn’t go away.

Following pit stops the crew diagnosed the problem as a broken shock mount on the left front. The choice was simple. Stop to make lengthy repairs or put the results for the day in the hands of the driver. The reigning CASCAR Super Series Iron man did not disappoint.

Through the rest of the race DJ Kennington showed a heroic effort to control an ill handling race car and still remain competitive. As the race wore on attrition also began to help out the Castrol Crew as several competitors were knocked out of contention or out of the race completely. Kennington persevered and not only finished, but claimed a sixth place finish.

“Boy I’m certainly happy with how things turned out today” exclaimed DJ Kennington afterwards. “This could have been a horrible day, but I’m going to take this one and run. When you’ve got a car that’s hurting that badly and you get this kind of finish you’ve done okay.”

DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge Team return to action at the CASCAR Super Series next event, scheduled for the Canada Day weekend at Barrie Speedway.

To follow the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca. All of the 2006 CASCAR Super Series races will be televised on Rogers Sportsnet. You can see the Clarington 200 from Mosport on Sunday June 25th at 2PM.

DJ KENNINGTON AND THE CASTROL DODGE TEAM SENT SPINNING IN BARRIE!

May 23, 2006. As expected DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge crew were well prepared for round number one of the 2006 CASCAR Super Series racing season and were in good position to come out of the opener with a podium finish, however the work of others got in the way of that accomplishment.

The Castrol Dodge Charger was strong right from the first practice session and DJ Kennington had no trouble posting quick qualifying laps. “We knew what we had right away” said Kennington “and we just wanted to get a good starting spot and be there for the end of the 250 lap main event”. The first goal was easily accomplished. Kennington was able to run the car without pushing too hard and secure a second place finish during the 50 lap heat races that set the starting grid for the feature. “I was pretty happy with that part of the weekend, to run up front like that in the first race was great, plus we get second place points for the championship”.

Kennington would start the rain delayed 250 lap main event from the third spot, directly behind defending champion Don Thomson Jr. “He’s the guy we have to knock off, and I had him right in my sights for most of the race” said a somewhat frustrated Kennington afterwards. The Castrol Dodge was running second for the first half of the race with very little difficulty. “We just wanted to make some laps and get through our pit stop and see where things stood for the second half” said the driver.

Kennington would make his scheduled stop for tires and fuel and fight back through the tight traffic on the short over to climb back into the top three. “It was shaping up like one of our race wins last year, we’re in good position, not having to push the car too much, we’re two thirds through the race and now it’s time to look at moving up, however it was trouble from behind that caught us” said the driver.

Running third with his sights set on moving the Castrol Dodge Charger up to the top position Kennington was bumped from behind by another competitor with only a handful of laps remaining and sent spinning out of contention. “It’s so frustrating” said the driver. “Through no fault of ours we get dumped, and with so few laps left we had no chance to recover. We had a car capable of winning, but instead of being in the top three finishers in the race and the championship we’re knocked back. It puts extra pressure on us as we head to St. Eustache for the next race, but we’ve been in worse spots, we’ll bounce back”. DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge would finish the 250 lap event in 11th place. They sit tied for 8th in the overall points battle.

To follow DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge on the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca. All of the 2006 CASCAR Super Series races will be televised on Rogers Sportsnet, beginning with the opening event on Saturday, June 10th at 2:30PM.

DJ KENNINGTON AND THE CASTROL DODGE TEAM THINKING CHAMPIONSHIP AS NEW SEASON OPENS IN BARRIE!

May 17, 2006. DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge crew are all set to open up the 2006 CASCAR Super Series racing campaign, and they plan to start this year they way they finished season.

As always the reigning CASCAR Iron man will have some of the best prepared equipment in the CASCAR field with father Doug Kennington providing the horsepower while DJ does much of the work himself. “Our cars are all set, our crew has been working on pit stops, and now we’re just anxious to get the new season started” said DJ Kennington. “We finished on such a high last year, winning the last race of the season, plus taking three wins in a row, our team was about as good as you can get at the end of last year. The winter didn’t slow down our enthusiasm at all we’re very excited about getting under way this weekend”.

In addition to the full CASCAR Super Series schedule that will take Kennington and company across the country this summer, DJ is also participating in a weekly racing series at Delaware Speedway. “I’m just the driver for that” smiled Kennington. “I was presented with the opportunity and liked the idea of getting more seat time, it’s amazing what you can learn from it”. If it helps keep me sharp through the season and pushes me toward that Super Series Championship then I’ll be happy. That’s the goal I’m really focused on”

The 2006 CASCAR Super Series begins competition this weekend at Barrie Speedway with time trials and heat races on Saturday, with the 250 lap feature event scheduled for Sunday evening. “This is a tough track” stated Kennington. “We really had to battle and watch ourselves last year, but we came out with a third place finish, and that kind of success will help push us off in the right direction this season”.

You can get more information about scheduling and directions to the opening event of the CASCAR Super Series at www.barriespeedway.com. To check out the complete schedule and follow DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge on the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca. All of the 2006 CASCAR Super Series races will be televised on Rogers Sportsnet.

DJ KENNINGTON AND THE CASTROL DODGE HIT THE TRACK AT BARRIE SPEEDWAY! 

May 1, 2006.  DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge crew were at Barrie Speedway last Friday to go through the pre season routine of pictures, preparations and to turn a few laps at the Cottage Country Speedway to get ready for the 2006 CASCAR Super Series racing season. 

One of the first events of the season for Kennington and all Dodge Charger drivers is the annual Mopar Day that Rick Williams and Bill Steel put together for all the competitors” said Kennington.  “We get a chance to hear all the details about this year’s program, we take all of the hero card pictures and the most fun is getting out on the track for a few laps” said the driver of the #17 Castrol Dodge. 

These are not the first laps that Kennington has put on his Castrol Dodge Charger this season and won’t be the last prior to the opening event later this month.  “We’ve run a few laps just to make sure that everything is right and did that again on Friday” reports Kennington.  “I’ll get some more time on the track with this car in the next couple of weeks”.   

DJ will also get plenty of seat time running in the Weekly racing series at Delaware Speedway just outside London, ON.  “It’s just another way to stay sharp” said Kennington.  “I’m not preparing those cars at all, I’m just the driver, but I really think it will help me this season in CASCAR”.     

DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge Charger rolled to four victories in 2005 including a sweep of both Western Canadian events in Calgary, Alberta and Vernon, BC.  Kennington maintained his domination on the track back in the east with a win on the Mosport oval and at the season’s final event at Kawartha Speedway.   

The picture included with this email is the Castrol Dodge with the 2006 paint scheme. 

The 2006 CASCAR Super Series racing season begins on the Victoria Day weekend at Barrie Speedway.  Qualifying and heat races take place Saturday May 20th with the 250 lap main event on Sunday May 21st.  DJ Kennington finished third in last years race at Barrie.  You can get more specific information about the opening event at www.barriespeedway.com  To check out the complete schedule and follow DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge on the CASCAR Super Series all year long check out www.cascar.ca