Last year when we were trying to figure out our plans for this year we decided to do the last Formula Race Promotions race of the year at Pittsburgh International Raceway in October. It was my second time racing in F1600 but first in the pro racing series. Overall it was a good experience, running around 10th for the 3 races.
Going back to Pitt meant going back to a track I had some experience at for the first time since Road Atlanta in March. The goals I set for the season are to finish every lap, every race and to run with the lead pack. As a heavy drafting series, staying with the front runners makes a huge difference. If you lose the group, it’s hard to catch up.
I was able to qualify 6th for race 1 in an experienced field. Getting a good start, I moved into 5th on the first lap. I held that spot until lap 10 when I managed to move up to 4th. Working in the draft of the front runners, I had the fast lap of the race on lap 3 and was able to hold on and finish 4th. The top 4 finished under 1 second apart.
Setting fast lap of Race 1 put me on pole for Race 2. I knew the guys behind me were fast, so when they passed at the beginning of the race, I tucked in behind them. An early yellow closed up the field. After a restart where I was in 4th, I was able to pass for 3rd, but was passed on the next lap. On the next lap, I moved back into 3rd and it was a drag race to the finish. I was 0.279 seconds behind 1st at the finish! So close…
It was great to see some of our karting friends who were at Pitt to race and get ready for some bigger races coming up!
But in the final race on Sunday, I was able to put that experience from the morning race to good use. I again started P4 for Race 3. We had a 5 car breakaway for the lead pack, and I was I’m fifth for much of the race before moving into 4th on lap 9. On the next to last lap, I moved up to 2nd as the lead group had dwindled to 3. In the final complex of turns before the finish, I took advantage of an opportunity, made use of the lessons learned that morning, and made the pass for the win. It was a close finish…the gap to 2nd was 0.076 and to 3rd was 0.102 seconds.
It was great to get that first win! Looking forward to Road America…