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| Drew Brannon gets 3rd at Orlando | By Bill Green, From BehindTheMIC
Orlando, FL (April 27th, 2007) Miami young gun, Drew Brannon brought the Brannon Specialties Race Team to Orlando Speed World for the FASCAR Goodyear Challenge Series Super Late Model 100 on Friday Night. Pulling out “Old Blackie” the #08 challenge series car and getting practice laps in on Thursday night to get a look at the Bithlo, FL track before the big show.
Friday’s qualifying came up first, with Drew going next to last in the 24 car field. Drew did a great job in qualifying, getting the 4th quick spot behind fast qualifier (16), (2), and Justin Larson’s #88. The number 3 pill was drawn, putting Larson on pole and leaving Drew outside row 2.
Racing 100 laps is approached differently than 50 or 35 lap features. You have to think about saving something for the end. Drew, along with crew chief Bobby Beauthemin, did just that. At the initial start, the 08 was stuck on the outside trying to get down until a hole opened out of turn 4 on lap 2. That settled Brannon into the 7th spot for the early run. Behind Brannon was the 46 War Eagle Racing car pressing for the position. Just as it looked like Drew would fall a spot, trouble up front as the 119 machine lost a right rear tire out from under the car taking several top runners with him.
Oh this restart the leader Currelli, took the green, but was having a problem with the motor and pulled into the infield out of turn 4. Brannon was back up to 6th now, with the laps clicking off as he tried to help his tight race car by learning a later entry line into the corners. Changing to a new line mid-race is what veterans do from experience, Drew Brannon would begin lesson 101 in making the car work for you, even when its off just a fraction.
At about lap eighty of the one hundred, the 73 of Sam Watts, makes a move on the second place 16 of fast qualifier Keene. There was contact and the 16 spun. Both, were sent to the rear and Drew inherited fourth. Now if he could just hang on for the last 20 laps or so. Drew went back to working on entry and exit points after this final restart. Staying close to fellow driver and friend Joe Winchell, Drew continued his new line education. Sometimes a little to close for Joe’s comfort, as the kid was getting across the middle of the corners better than the 57 and made contact several times.
Finally the white flag waved and Brannon made his move for third. Out of turn 2 and down the back stretch Winchell slip up half a car width and Brannon pounced. Driving deep into turn 3, leaving the 57 no choice but to give some room. Brannon exited turn 4 looking at the checkered flag in third. An amazing result that earlier this year would have been only a top 10 at best, now sees the crew chief and driver working as hard as a team can to get the best result possible out of the car.
The third place finish was an added bonus to a lesson well learned. Now on to Charlotte County for some extra seat time and the test of a rookie crew chief.
We’ll See You At The Races!
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