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Bresnahan's Switch To Dirt A Success

Jack Smith/Karnam.com

Mike Bresnahan, out of Lecanto, has three Citrus County Speedway Championships at his self-proclaimed home track.

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By BILL GREEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 11, 2008

Few longtime asphalt track champions change to dirt racing with success, but Lecanto's Mike Bresnahan is one of the few exceptions.

Bresnahan, 31, has won three championships on the asphalt at Citrus County Speedway, his home track, but currently is enjoying the United Dirt Late-Model Challenge Series at his new dirt home, Ocala Speedway.

"I was lucky enough to win my very first dirt race at Ocala Speedway this year, but it hasn't been easy, even then," Bresnahan said. "The dirt is a lot of fun and much easier on the equipment. Plus, I get to spend more time with my boys, Blaise and Chase, on Crystal River enjoying our boat."

Starting in go-karts at age 12 and moving into a Bomber class in 1994, Bresnahan found success early.

"I won that year's championship," Bresnahan said of the Bomber division. "I'm pretty sure I was the only guy in high school with a stock-car racing championship. Nowadays, I would imagine it's much different."

Getting into late models was like following in the footsteps of his dad, Pat Bresnahan. Pat was a winning racer through the 1980s, and he and wife Pat are now always found at the race track where their son is racing.

"They're my biggest fans, by far," Bresnahan said. "I am very proud of my racing through their eyes, especially in 2002 when Citrus County Speedway held their series of $5,000-to-win late-model races and I won eight of 10 events."

Recently, the United Dirt Late-Model Challenge Series staged its first dirt-car event on asphalt. Bresnahan, using his asphalt experience, took second in a stellar field. The most amazing thing he remembers was the speed of the cars and quickness of the race.

"Dirt cars do not drive as well on asphalt as they do on dirt, but I was surprised at how well they did handle," Bresnahan said. "We completed the 50-lap main event in just 13 minutes, no cautions, no wrecks, no stopping. That was very, very, intense racing."

The dirt on asphalt experience has Bresnahan talking of asphalt late-model cars with dirt-car rear suspensions, to free them up. With the hope his boys will continue the family racing tradition, such an innovation could come in handy.

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