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F2000: Lacy, Hanson share Road Atlanta podium; Justus gets F2000 National Title

3 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Ian Lacy of North Las Vegas, NV and James Hanson of Leeds, England captured the final two rounds of this year's United States Formula 2000 National Championship presented by Speedvision at the Road Atlanta Motor Sports Center Saturday and Sunday.

Aaron Justus of Crestline, Calif., with third and fourth-place finishes respectively, earned the National Championship to go along with the USAC "Oval Crown" title he clinched a week earlier.

Lacy, who finished as the National points runner-up, trailed early leaders Justus and Hanson for the first five laps of Saturday's 20-lap race before making his winning move on lap six. He led the rest of the way in his WorldBestBuy.com Van Diemen Ford to beat Hanson, Marc-Antoine Camirand, Justus and Andrew Davis.

Hanson, who secured the Greg Moore "Rookie of the Year" Award for 2000, trailed Lacy on the opening lap of Sunday's 18-lap race, then escaped a three-abreast run down the front straight on lap two to lead the rest of the way in his DuPont Van Diemen Ford. Lacy took second ahead of Justus, Memo Rojas, Jr. and Davis.

Justus won the pole for both races on the 2.54-mile circuit, giving him a record-tying eight for the season and 12 for his career. David Besnard won eight poles on his way to the 1998 National title and 1992 and 1993 Eastern F2000 Champ Chris Simmons scored a dozen poles during his career.

Tom Dyer of San Rafael, Calif. emerged as the ACC Class Champion with finishes of ninth and 10th respectively in the two events.

USAC F2000 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL POINT STANDINGS

1. Aaron Justus 294
2. Ian Lacy 244
3. Marc-Antoine Camirand 237
4. James Hanson 218
5. Peter Walsh 202
6. Memo Rojas, Jr. 158
7. Daniel Muniz 132
8. Jeff Harrison 130
9. James Eaton 107
10. Billy Asaro 94
Piero Rodarte 94
Arie Luyendyk, Jr. 94

Text Provided By Dick Jordan

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