Column: Dylan Kirkland Scores Career Best Finish At Brockville Ontario Speedway’s ’21 Opener
Story By: JIM CLARKE / BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY – BROCKVILLE, ONT – Racers live by the adage it isn’t where you start, its where you finish that matters.
Dylan Kirkland’s 2021 season is off to a strong start and Saturday, July 3rd he scored his career best DIRTcar Sportsman-Modified finish with a runner-up effort in the schedule opener at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
Even with his return to the track delayed again by COVID-19, Kirkland took a positive attitude to the new season of action. Like every other local racer, he was anxious to get back to spending time with his friends and enjoying the sport he loves. Kicking the schedule off Saturday, June 19th and Sunday, June 20th with a 2-day show at Cornwall Motor Speedway gave the 25-year-old speedster the opportunity to experience some different track conditions.
“On the first night, things were tacky and fast with plenty of grip. By the time the 2nd round came around, everything had changed because of the amount of racing the layout had seen,” explained Kirkland, an Algonquin College graduate, who works at Benson Truck and Trailer Repair Centre in Brockville. “It was in the same shape for everyone so we had to play the hand we’d been dealt. Coming away from that weekend with a 10th place finish was a real boost for our team.”
Kirkland says one of the toughest things he had to adjust to was racing in front of an empty grandstand. During the abbreviated 2020 season, tracks were limited to only 100 spectators, but to start this year no one was there to watch. That all changed when the province moved into the 2nd stage of the reopening strategy and that step just happened to coincide with the first event of this year’s Ogilvie’s Triple Crown Series – Saturday, July 3rd – at Brockville, where 25% of the grandstand capacity was permitted.
“With a heads-up start for the 40-lap feature, we took the green flag on the front row after winning the night’s first heat race,” said Kirkland. “The car was great from the first turn of practice and we led the first 8 circuits of the main event. No racer ever settles for anything on the track but taking 2nd place at the checkered flag on the first night of the year was a good indication of what this bunch can accomplish.”
Dylan Kirkland appreciates the support of his parents and No. 1 fans Dale Kirkland and Tammie Hurlbert and the hard work and dedication of his friends and crew members during the winter months to get his Kirkland Brothers Racing No. 88k ready for action. His 2021 season is proudly sponsored by Rycon Electrical Contractor, Lasalle Shock Service, Eastern Ontario Eavestrough, King Edward Auto Parts, Dirt Outlaw Apparel, KD Construction, L.A. Knapp Construction, Hodges Flooring, Matco Tools, Maudest Fuel and Dominion Lending Centres.
This weekend, Dylan Kirkland and the team will be back in action at Brockville Ontario Speedway for a night of racing presented by Superior Cellular and Sound, along with J & J Automotive and Race Parts. The first green flag is at 7:00.
