Brandt Graham Keeps LOSC Point Lead with a Strong Sauble Showing
Brandt Graham Keeps LOSC Point Lead with a Strong Sauble Showing
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Just a week after sweeping both portions of twin 50 lap features at Flamboro Speedway for his first wins of the 2017 Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series season, Brandt Graham and the Graham Racing team returned to action Saturday, July 8th at Sauble Speedway. Getting back to the venue where he captured the 'Boss of the Beach' bonus for scoring back-to-back main event wins on the way to his 2016 championship, the #14 crew was looking for another solid effort.
Things started off on a high note, as the team took the pole position in time trials and selected the 5th place starting position in the 'Fast 5' redraw. From the drop of the green flag, the 19 year-old, second-generation speedster from Orono, Ontario settled into a rhythm, before starting to make his march through the field. Graham was picking-off cars one at a time and when he got to the runner-up spot, the caution flag flew. Using the outside line on the restart, the youngster dropped-back a few spots and then mounted a new run for the lead. With about 25 laps on the scoreboard, he took control of the field with a nice pass on the leader; just as another yellow flag waved.
"The cautions are a part of the sport," the driver said. "Sometimes they can help your race, while other times they'll hurt you. It seemed like every time we started to catch a break, we had to regroup. My Dad did a good job on the radio to keep me calm and we just took things as they happened. There really wasn't anything else to do."
Graham battled hard, but it seemed like every time he'd almost complete the pass, there would be another yellow. With a couple of laps left to go and an exciting finish to come, the #14 and another car got together. Brandt restarted 5th and after a green-white-checkered restart, made it back to 3rd. The second-place finisher beat him to the line by just a couple of inches.
"It would be great to win every race, but being in a position to win is just as important," Brandt Graham said. "The team always gives me a great car and no matter what, we'll always do our best to represent our sponsors, fans and friends at every show. We're leading the points, heading into the next race – Saturday, August 12th – at Peterborough Speedway. We have a lot of experience there and it's the closest event to 'home' on the schedule, so I'm looking forward to a great run."
Brandt Graham's 2017 Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series Schedule
Saturday, May 13th: Flamboro Speedway
Time trialed 3rd, started 4th (after fast 5 redraw). Finished 2nd.
Saturday, July 1st: Flamboro Speedway
Time trialed 2nd, won both 50 lap segments.
Saturday, July 8th: Sauble Speedway
Time trialed 1st, started 5th (after fast 5 redraw). Finished 3rd
Saturday, August 12th: Peterborough Speedway
Saturday, August 19th: Flamboro Speedway
Saturday, September 16th: Flamboro Speedway
Graham Racing is pleased to have sponsorship support from Full Circle Automation, Arcade Pools, J & M Restoration, Hot Rod Swag, Goat Transportation Inc., Mayhew Graphics and DJD Graphics for this year's program.
Follow the team behind the scenes and at the track by checking @Graham_Racing on Twitter and the Graham Racing page atwww.facebook.com. Look for www.graham98racing.com, an Image Factor web-site. Clarke Motorsports Communications is proud to support the 2017 season for Graham Racing.
Photo attachment: Graham Racing collection
Brandt Graham turned-in another strong performance, finishing 3rd in the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series event – Saturday, July 8th – at Sauble Speedway. The tour returns to action at Peterborough Speedway August 12th.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
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