Sideways with Bubba
In his first two seasons of sprint car competition, Bubba Broderick had always seemed to run well at some point in a night at Ohsweken, but never had the great finishes to show for it. With one final opportunity to gear up before this year's Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, he found his way to the front and stayed there despite bad luck trying to intervene.
With 38 cars in attendance for the second ASCS vs. Corr/Pak Challenge at Ohsweken, just making the show was a task. After drawing fourth for his heat race, Bubba had a quality starting spot in a show without passing points, but would have to take on a number of strong competitors.
"It was a different feeling without having passing points," noted Bubba. "I normally try to win every time but now I knew I had to be in the top three. We had a great hot lap session with a new setup and were anxious to get out there."
The Brookfield, CT driver would move into third early on and begin to challenge for the lead with Kyle Moffit and Dustin Daggett, each of whom had already won a race at Ohsweken earlier in the year. Only needing to finish in the top three to earn a redraw spot, Broderick focused on holding off Alain Bergeron to earn his chance at starting on the front row.
"The car was really stable in the heat. I ran the top most of the time and once Daggett peaked underneath me I had to pull a slide job to get in a redraw spot. After I settled into third, I saw the scoreboard and knew Bergeron was behind me so I focused on finishing third, which we did."
The 20-year-old would grab the outside pole for the feature and was ready to make the most of his opportunity. He and Travis Cunningham would battle hard for the lead on the opening lap, with Broderick settling in to second.
"Before the race, I figured the top was the place to be but the polesitter was really strong on the bottom. The car was good, but the bottom was better."
On the second lap, Dustin Daggett began to challenge the No. 5 Eagle, but Bubba held steady on the top for two laps, before finally heeding way to the No. 2M. Daggett would go on and pick up the win while Bubba did what he could to finish in the top five.
"Daggett pulled the same move he did in the heat race to get by me. It amazed me how I felt I ran a perfect corner and he still went by. He was definitely hooked up. It was his feature to win."
While battling for third midway through the race, the No. 5 hit a rut and suddenly the car suddenly began to act violently for Bubba.
"I thought the rear end was falling apart. I was going to pull off because it was vibrating so badly I couldn't even see. It was all a blur."
The only stoppage of the race came out on lap 19 for a flip. Under the red flag, a track crew member discovered that the right rear wheel had broken and had packed with mud. It seemed to dissipate on the restart, but it happened once again with five laps to go, making it a living hell to the finish.
"I was pleased with the fifth, but I know we had a chance to finish in the top-three without that issue. It was great to see the new setup work. We have a good book to work off of for the Canadian Nationals now."
The next night the team travelled over to Merrittville Speedway, where the night was cancelled after hot laps due to rain. It was a disappointment for the Broderick Racing Team, as another opportunity to feel out their new setup was squashed.
The Ohsweken showing was his first top-five finish since July 3 and sets him up perfectly for a chance to sweep the events at Stateline this Saturday.
"I don't like that track just because I won there, I like it because it is really racy. The bottom can be fast, but you can make the top line work as well. As long as the track has a top line, I think we will be good."
Broderick also has an opportunity to claim the Insinger Race Fuels King of the Southern Tier Series Crown. He will need some help for that to happen, but considering how strong he is at the 1/3-mile oval; it is not out of the realm of possibilities.
Broderick Racing is supported by Northeast Carpet, Brownie's Towing, Pink Money Water, Eagle Motorsports, Mike Emhof Motorsports, Fyne Line Construction, Campbell's Painting, Jim's Welding Supply.
For more information, be sure to visit www.BroderickRacing.com.
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