Round 2 USTCC
We’re back for Round 2 of United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC). The weather is particularly hot and it will be a challenge to man and machine. There are few changes this week, Team MBO is now joined by past champion, Dave Brown. Andy Chittum from BTM Motorwerks missing Saturday practice and Qualifying to go to his own wedding. Team Prima Racing has both their drivers here and will be sharing the driving duties all weekend. In addition, Prima Racing is also competing in the enduro on Saturday. It is a busy week for Prima Racing, but everyone is up to the task.
Saturday Practice,
It is particularly busy, since all groups are combined. We had over 100 cars at the track in the same time and most of the time it felt like a parking lot out there. We survived the session, but it wasn’t a productive session.
Saturday Qualifying,
Tom Lepper is behind the wheel of #88 Acura TSX for the first time ever. This will be a tall order for anyone to attempt to qualify without any time to get himself familiar with the car. Tom Lepper did a good job regardless and was able to record a decent time and put us third. Curt Simmons in his Dodge Neon SRT-4 is leading the time sheet and in provisional pole, followed by Pete Bovenberg in MBO Honda Civic.
Saturday Practice 2,
Taking over from Pete Bovenberg, Dave Brown is now behind the wheel of MBO Honda Civic and is on the move. He managed to top the time sheet, followed by Hartanto, who is now back behind the wheel for Prima Racing. Simmons is third, followed closely by Vincent Parker in the Mini Cooper S.
Sunday Qualifying,
Team Prima Racing has decided to put Hartanto behind the wheel for the rest of the weekend. While Team MBO has decided to put Dave Brown behind the wheel for Qualifying but Pete Bovenberg will start the race. Brown managed to edge out Hartanto for the pole position with a time of 2:02.028. Hartanto is not far behind with 2:02.203. Followed by Curt Simmons with 2:04.418 and Andy Chittum with 2:04.477.
After qualifying it was discovered that Curt Simmons was running light, and his qualifying times are disallowed. This sent Simmons to the back of the grid and eliminate his chance to be on the podium.
The top five are now Bovenberg at pole position, followed by Hartanto, then Chittum followed by Vincent Parker and Tommy Lo with Team Midnight Performance.
Race,
Everyone expected Chittum, with rear wheel drive of the BMW got a great launch from the standing start and will leap frog the front row to lead onto turn 1. However, this was not the case as Hartanto did a good job and was able to overtake Bovenberg at the start and lead to turn 1. Chittum made a great start and jump to second and immediately on the bumper of Hartanto. Bovenberg did a horrible start and dropped into fourt position right behind Parker in the Mini Cooper S. That however didn’t last for long as Bovenberg made a quick move over Parker to claim third position. Even though the race ended without any more lead changes, Chittum did pressure Hartanto for the win. Unfortunately he couldn’t make the move to pass.
Hartanto claimed the win in round 2. Hartanto is unbeaten so far this year. The podium position is the exact copy of round 1 with Chittum second and Bovenberg claiming the bottom step of the podium. With this win, Hartanto broke the record for series winning streak with the only driver to ever does 5 winning streak.
Thanks for all our sponsors and fans. Without you none of this is possible.
Also special thanks for Prima Racing team member, led by crew chief, Wayne Sausa.
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