Watkins Glen - July 2013 (Race 9 & 10)
Lawrence Loshak Wins the 2013 US Formula 1000 Championship East!
For the final two round of the US Formula 1000 Championship East presented by Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels, George Dean Racing Engines, Jongbloed Racing Wheels, Hyperco, LS Motorsports, Geartronics, and Neo Sport Camera, the series moved to Watkins Glen International and almost all of the contenders followed. Because each driver scores his best eight finishes, the championship could come down to the last race. Glenn Cooper had a strong lead going into Watkins Glen by virtue of finishing every series event and winning both rounds at Virginia International Raceway. However, Lawrence Loshak was coming on strong after winning both Road Atlanta rounds and round 7 at Road America. Alex Mayer, Nicho Vardis, and Richard Franklin followed and were ready to take advantage if Cooper or Loshak ran into trouble. Nicholas Ortiz was in the hunt but was unable to attend Watkins Glen because of a New York law that prevents minors from participating in auto races.
Saturday's Race
In qualifying for round 9, Loshak made it clear he wasn’t going to make it easy for Cooper, winning the pole with a lap of 1:48.847, just shy of the track record of 1:48.669. He was joined on the front row by the owner of that track record, Jeremy Hill. Cooper qualified 3rd but within striking distance.
Unfortunately, when the green flag flew, Cooper was not on the grid. Loshak jumped out to an early lead but Hill got shuffled down the order in chaotic race start, allowing Jason Slahor, Alex Mayer, and Nicho Vardis to get by. After a couple full course yellows caused by cars in other classes, the race ran green for the remainder, allowing Hill to claw his way back to second. On the second to last lap, Hill was able to get around Loshak who then spun on the last turn and slid all the way back to fourth, handing the easy win to Hill.
Full results-Race 9:
1. Jeremy Hill
2. Jason Slahor
3. Alex Mayer
4. Lawrence Loshak
5. Nicho Vardis
6. Jason Bell
7. Richard Franklin
8. Anthony Autiello
DNS Glenn Cooper
DNS Tyler Thielmann
DNS Charles Livingston
Fastest race lap: Jeremy Hill- 1:50.174
| Prize Fund for Race 9 |
| 1st Place |
Jeremy Hill |
4 Hoosier Tires,
1 pair Hyperco Springs,
$100 Jongbloed Certificate,
$750 Geartronics Certificate |
| 2nd Place |
Jason Slahor |
2 Hoosier Tires,
$50 Hyperco Certificate,
$500 Geartronics Certificate
|
| 3rd Place |
Alex Mayer |
1 Hoosier Tire,
$25 Hyperco Certificate
$100 Cash payout,
$75 Jongbloed Certificate,
|
| 5th Place |
Nicho Vardis |
$50 Jongbloed Certificate |
| Pole |
Lawrence Loshak
(1:48.847) |
1 Hoosier Tire |
| Random Drawing #1 |
Charles Livingston |
1 Hoosier Tire |
| Random Drawing #2 |
Glen Cooper |
1 Hoosier Tire |
| Sunoco Hard Charger |
Jason Slahor |
$150 Cash payout (moved up 2 positions) |
Sunday's Race
Qualifying for round 10 was an even stronger statement by Loshak. He eclipsed Hill’s track record and secured the pole with a lap of 1:48.172. He was again joined on the front row by Hill. The final grid was determined by the qualifying session OR each driver’s fast lap in Saturday’s race. Because Cooper didn’t run on Saturday, he slid down the grid to 5th allowing Slahor to take the 3rd spot and Mayer the 4th spot.
At the green flag, Cooper got a stellar start and slotted into third behind Hill, relegating Slahor and Mayer to 4th and 5th. However, Cooper’s race would end on lap 4 along with his title hopes. As soon as the race reached the halfway point, Loshak, who was still leading Hill, had clinched the Championship. He didn’t back off and continued to hold off Hill as the two swapped fastest race laps. On lap 10, Hill suffered a puncture and was forced to pit lane, ending his race. Loshak continued unchallenged to the checkered flag, putting an exclamation point on his championship with a race win. Slahor and Mayer waged a battle for most of the race, with Slahor taking the second step on the podium and Mayer taking 3rd. Vardis followed them home in 4th and Richard Franklin moved up 4 spots from his 9th place starting position to finish in 5th and win the Sunoco Hard Charger.
Full results-Race 10:
1. Lawrence Loshak
2. Jason Slahor
3. Alex Mayer
4. Nicho Vardis
5. Richard Franklin
6. Jeremy Hill
DNF Glenn Cooper
DNS Anthony Autiello
DNS Jason Bell
DNS Tyler Thielmann
Fastest race lap: Jeremy Hill- 1:49.425
| Prize Fund for Race 10 |
| 1st Place |
Lawrence Loshak |
4 Hoosier Tires,
1 pair Hyperco Springs,
$100 Jongbloed Certificate,
$750 Geartronics Certificate |
| 2nd Place |
Jason Slahor |
2 Hoosier Tires,
$50 Hyperco Certificate,
$500 Geartronics Certificate
|
| 3rd Place |
Alex Mayer |
1 Hoosier Tire,
$25 Hyperco Certificate,
$75 Jongbloed Certificate,
$250 Geartronics Certificate |
| 5th Place |
Richard Franklin |
$50 Jongbloed Certificate |
| Pole |
Lawrence Loshak (1:48.847) |
1 Hoosier Tire |
| Random Drawing #1 |
Anthony Autiello |
1 Hoosier Tire |
| Random Drawing #2 |
Jason Bell |
1 Hoosier Tire |
| Sunoco Hard Charger |
Richard Franklin |
$150 Cash payout (moved up 4 positions) |
| Neo Sport Camera Random Drawing |
Richard Franklin |
|
|
|