SCHARF HOLDS OFF REHKEMPER TO WIN PRO SPEC RACER ROUND FIVE AT

SCHARF HOLDS OFF REHKEMPER TO WIN PRO SPEC RACER ROUND FIVE AT
CHICAGO
 
CICERO, Ill. (July 08, 2001) Keith Scharf, of St. Louis, Mo., held off
Chicago native Steve
Rehkemper to win Round Five of the SCCA Pro Racing Pro Spec Racer series at
Chicago Motor
Speedway. Jeff Tillman, of Lake Ozark, Mo., completed the top‑three.
     Piloting the No. 82 Tech Hyper‑V Spec Racer, Scharf was heavily
involved in a race‑long
dual with Rehkemper that saw the two trade the lead numerous times. The two
drivers separated
themselves from the field early and put on a great show in the only oval
event of the season.
     "It's really exciting to win another one," said Scharf. "These cars
aren't really designed to run
on ovals, but it always makes for a great race when we get a chance to run
them here. I had a
great battle throughout the race with Steve [Rehkemper] and we put on a
show."
     Rehkemper, in the No. 7 Rehkemper Racing Spec Racer, took the lead from
Scharf with only
three laps to go, but couldn't hold on as Scharf grabbed it back for good on
lap 48 to secure the
victory.
     "This is my first podium in the Pro Spec Racer series and it feels
great," said Rehkemper.
"Keith had the better car down the stretch and he raced me clean. It's
always great racing with
him and all the other drivers in the series."
     Jeff Tillman, No. 99 Team Duke Racing Spec Racer, recorded his first
ever podium finish
in a race where he started from the seventh spot.
     "I developed a little problem toward the end of the race and that
contributed to me not being
able to run with the top‑two," said Tillman. "This is my first career podium
finish and it felt
awesome to run at the top."
     Johnny Meriggi, of Woodlands, Texas, and Clint Lindburg, of St. Louis,
Mo, completed the
top‑five. While earning his sixth career victory, Scharf now has the
Championship point
standings lead, 68 to 56, over Jim Goughary Jr.
     The KML Greased Lightning Award of $300 went to No. 51 Jim Nelson.
Nelson started from
the 16th spot and clawed his way through the field to finish 9th.

 
(CICERO, Ill.) ‑ Race results for Saturday's 50‑lap, 50‑mile Pro Spec Racer
Round Five
race at Chicago Motor Speedway, part of the Chicago 200 Weekend, with
finishing position,
starting position parenthesis, driver, hometown, car, laps and reason out.
 
  1. (2), Keith Scharf, St. Louis, Mo., Spec Racer, 50.
  2. (5), Steve Rehkemper, Chicago, Ill., Spec Racer, 50.
  3. (7), Jeff Tillman, Lake Ozark, Mo., Spec Racer, 50.
  4. (10), Johnny Meriggi, Woodlands, Texas, Spec Racer, 50.
  5. (11), Clint Lindburg, St. Louis, Mo., Spec Racer, 50.
  6. (8), Robey Clark, Dallas, Texas, Spec Racer, 50.
  7. (12), Richard Doty, Haddon Heights, N.J., Spec Racer, 50.
  8. (9), Charlie Shears, Houston, Texas, Spec Racer, 50.
  9. (16), Jim Nelson, Westminster, Colo., Spec Racer, 49.
 10. (15), Greg Farrar, Columbia, Tenn., Spec Racer, 48.
 11. (17), Amid Shayesteh, Richmond, Ind., Spec Racer, 48.
 12. (14), Doug Farrar, Carpenterville, Ill., Spec Racer, 48.
 13. (13), Jeff Bedell, Austin, Texas, Spec Racer, 39, Mech.
 14. (6), Chris Funk, Kansas City, Mo., Spec Racer, 0, Crash.
 15. (3), Neil Tilbor, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Spec Racer, 0, Crash.
 16. (1), John Black, Tahoe City, Calif., Spec Racer, 0, Crash.
 17. (4), Kelly Toombs, Prairie Village, Kansas, Spec Racer, 0, Crash.
  
Time of race: 38 minutes, 6.841 seconds.
Average speed: 78.711 miles‑per‑hour
Margin of victory: 1.145 seconds
Lap leaders:    1‑ 18     # 82 Keith Scharf
                       19‑21     # 99 Jeff Tillman
                       22‑26     # 82 Keith Scharf
                       27‑45     # 7 Steve Rehkemper
                       46‑46     # 82 Keith Scharf
                       47‑47     # 7 Steve Rehkemper
                       48‑50     # 82 Keith Scharf
Fastest race lap: Keith Scharf, 0:37.259 (96.620 mph)
Cautions: One for six laps.
 
‑30‑
 
___________________
Kelby C. Krauss
Public Relations Manager
SCCA Pro Racing, Ltd.
9033 East Easter Place
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 694-7223
(303) 588-5328 (Cell)
(720) 489-7751 (Fax)
kkrauss@sccapro.com