PRO SPEC RACER: Scharf holds off Rehkemper to win round five at Chicago
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
July 9, 2001
CICERO, Ill. -- 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.
Text provided by Kelby Krauss
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