Tim O'Brien Cashes In At 7th Annual Applefest Shootout

For Immediate Release – Saturday September 24, 2011

BRIGHTON, ON – By Greg Calnan / OntarioOval.com - After rain washed away the Friday portion of Applefest Weekend at Brighton Speedway the teams and fans returned to the track with the sun finally shining. The main attraction on the evening was the Goodyear Automotive Services Applefest Shootout Presented By ImageFactor.ca. With two-time and defending winner Pete Bicknell not able to race due to recent back surgery and the other two previous winners not in attendance it left the door wide open for a new winner.

A total of 24 cars from across the province were on hand for the 50 lap event. Mike Bowman and Cody McPherson would redraw themselves onto the front row and led the field to the green. Bowman quickly jumped out to the lead until fellow Merrittville regular Mat Williamson got by for the top spot. As the field worked through traffic Travis Braun worked by Williamson for the lead and led until his car had mechanical issues under caution. Bowman, Williamson, Tommy Flannigan as well as brothers Tim and Danny O'Brien all races closely for the top position through the middle portion of the race until a spin by Danny O'Brien would bring out the yellow and send the 'Pocket Rocket' to the tail of the field.

In the closing laps Tim O'Brien would grab the top spot as brother Danny began to carve his way through the field and work his way to the top five. Contact between Danny and Mat Williamson sent the the #6 into a spin and to the tail of the field. The caution tightned up the field and set up an epic duel for the win. Tim O'Brien led the way while Bowman, Flannigan, Danny O'Brien and Brian McDonald all followed closely in his tire tracks. The five drivers all had a legitimate shot at winning the race on the last lap and created a fantastic finish at the line. Tim O'Brien held on for the victory while brother Danny narrowly grabbed second from Bowman by inches. Flannigan finished a very close fourth while McDonald finished fifth. After finishing second twice to former winner Pete Bicknell it was finally O'Brien's turn to taste victory at Brighton. "I've followed Pete enough times around this place, I learned a few tricks from him" said O'Brien.

Although the weekend was cut in half by weather it was still a great success at Brighton Speedway with some of the best feature finishes of the season. The speedway has one remaining event on Saturday, October 1st as they open the gates for the Eve of Destruction. For more information and complete results visit http://www.brightonspeedway.com/.

Rresults from Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Goodyear Automotive Services Applefest Shootout 50 lap feature:
1. 88T Tim O'Brien, 2. 17D Danny O'Brien, 3. 71 Mike Bowman, 4. 72x Tommy Flannigan, 5. M96 Brian McDonald, 6. 88 Shayne Pierce, 7. 35 Adam Moore, 8. 19H Brandon Hagen, 9. 28 Gary Llindberg, 10. 7 Cody McPherson, 11. 72 Brent Bigolo, 12. 52 Jessica Powers, 13. 73 David Austin, 14. 32 Doug O'Blenis, 15. 6 Mat Williamson, 16. 20 Steve Bilow, 17. 77 Lee Miller, 18. R70 Ryan Arbuthnot, 19. 21 Jeff Ciglich, 29. 24B Roger Levesque, 21. 72M Larry Czinege Jr., 22. 76 Travis Braun, 23. 92 Adam Turner, 24. 75J Joe Banks