US F2000: Bell Captures US F2000 Season Opener Pole

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

HOMESTEAD, FLA-Doug Bell, of St. Albans, England, captured the pole for Round One of the U.S. F2000 National Championship Presented by Speedvision at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jason LaPoint, of Woodburn, Ore. and Memo Rojas, of Mexico City, Mexico, completed the top. The top American Continental Championship qualifier was Billy Hagar, of Tuttle, Okla.

Driving the No. 3 Cape Motorsports Van Diemen Ford, Bell posted a quick time of 1:26.667 (91.799 mph) midway through the session to capture the pole for his first-ever U.S. F2000 race. Bell, who had a difficult time during Friday's practice sessions with mechanical problems, posted his quick time just prior to the second black flag of the session due to a car off course. After a year away from racing, Bell will attempt to give Cape Motorsports its second consecutive season-opener win, after winning the 2000 National Championship opener in Phoenix.

"The car was just brilliant," said Bell. "It was nice to get some laps in after yesterday's problem. We've been very consistent and I thought we'd have a chance at the pole before the session. Hopefully the guys won't have too many passing opportunities in the race, but the track lends itself to an exciting race."

LaPoint, who was quick on both Friday and during the winter test, will start second after posting a fast lap of 1:26.751 (91.710 mph). Driving the No. 89 MARCK Racing/Regency Aviation/TrackMagic Van Diemen Ford, LaPoint posted his time late in the session to jump into second position after being fifth in the early stages.

"I'm really happy with how things went," said LaPoint. "Obviously I would've preferred the pole, especially after reading in the rules you get a point for winning it. We've been quick in all the sessions here, so I feel comfortable going into the race."

Rojas, driving the No. 15 Telmex Van Diemen Ford, will start third after posting a quick time of 1:26.805 (91.653 mph). Rojas enters the race as the top finisher in the 2000 National Championship, sixth, and will be looking to score his first-ever U.S. F2000 win.

"This is a good way to start the season," said Rojas. "We have high expectations this year and thus far I think we are on are way to meeting those expectations. With the competition in this series you have to remember that the pole sitter doesn't always win the races."

Driving the No. 4 Hagar Restaurant Service Van Diemen Ford, Hagar was the top ACC qualifier. Hagar posted a quick time of 1:28.625 (89.771 mph), good enough to start 20th overall.

Completing the top-five starting positions is Marc-Antoine Camirand, of Trois-Rivieres, Que., Can., in the No. 96 www.keymotorsport.com Van Diemen Ford and Peter Gray, of Aberdeen, Scotland, in the No. 2 Cape Motorsports Van Diemen Ford.

Text Provided By Allen Craighead

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