The 2016 US Formula 1000 Championship Fueled by Sunoco finished out the regular-season schedule with rounds 7 and 8 at Watkins Glen International last weekend. Alex Mayer came into the weekend with a huge points lead and hopes to extend his three race winning streak. Jeremy Hill came into the weekend only eight in the points but hoping to break Mayer’s winning streak..
After qualifying, it looked like Mayer would get his wish as Hill was struggling to get up to speed. Mayer took the pole by almost three seconds over Hill.
Grid for round 7:
1. Alex Mayer-1:47.352
2. Jeremy Hill-1:50.155
3. Doug Hertz -1:53.262
4. Pete Frost-1:57.644
At the start of the race, Mayer was able to stay ahead of Hill but within the first lap the full course caution came out for a two car crash in another class. The caution only lasted for two laps and the green came out on lap 3. This time Hill was ready and took the lead into turn 1. It was short lived as Mayer pulled alongside entering the heel of the boot. Both drivers drove in deep under braking, resulting in Hill flat-spotting his tires. Mayer made the pass stick and Hill was forced to nurse his tires for the remainder of the race, never challenging for the win. Behind them, Doug Hertz ran a solid third.
Final race results- round 7:
1. Alex Mayer
2. Jeremy Hill
3. Doug Hertz
4. Pete Frost
Prize payout- round 7
Hoosier Tires
1st- 4 tires -Alex Mayer
2nd-2 tires-Jeremy Hill
3rd-1 tire-Doug Hertz
Taylor Race Engineering
1st-$250 product certificate- Alex Mayer
The grid for round 8 was set by each driver's fastest lap throughout the weekend, including the race. Nobody improved their qualifying time during Saturday’s race so the grid remained unchanged for Sunday’s race.
When the green flag flew for round 8, it looked like Mayer would sweep the weekend once again, taking the lead into turn 1. Hill shadowed Mayer for most of the race, never letting him pull away. Finally, on lap 10, Hill made a move entering the bus stop and took over the lead. It was short-lived as Mayer pulled the same move just two laps later to reclaim the lead. Hill stayed glued to Mayer’s rear wing until the last lap when he duplicated his earlier pass in the bus stop. Hill’s rear tire contacted Mayer’s front tire as they entered the turn. Hill got crossed up but straightened out, while Mayer spun and took a little time to get restarted. Hill cruised to the victory, snapping Mayer’s winning streak at four races. Mayer was able to recover in time to hold on to second place. Behind the lead duo, Hertz was running another solid race until lap 13 when he got wide in turn 1 and cut a tire on the new curbing.
Final race results- round 8:
1. Jeremy Hill
2. Alex Mayer
3. Doug Hertz
4. Pete Frost
Prize payout- round 8
Hoosier Tires
1st- 4 tires - Jeremy Hill
2nd-2 tires- Alex Mayer
3rd-1 tire- Doug Hertz
Taylor Race Engineering
1st-$250 product certificate- Jeremy Hill
Sunoco
Hard Charger Award-$200- Jeremy Hill
As the regular season comes to a close, each driver drops his worst two races and only counts his six best finishes. Mayer’s six best finishes were all wins. With a maximum of 56 points available at the national championship finale, nobody will be able to catch Mayer meaning he has clinched the 2016 US Formula 1000 Championship Fueled by Sunoco! However, behind him, the battle for second is wide open and could come down to the final lap at the championship finale at Mid-Ohio.
1. Alex Mayer-165
2. Pete Frost-107
3 Jose Gerardo-91
4. Jeremy Hill-82
5. Glenn Cooper-63
6. Shane Prieto-41
7. Nicho Vardis-40
8. Doug Hertz-36
9. Joel Haas-35
10. Kevin Roggenbuck-31
11. Dave O'Leary-28
12. Gary Hickman-18
13. Mike Meyers-14
14. Jason Slahor-0
15. Jason Bell-0
