INDY LIGHTS: PacWest's Wheldon and Dominguez finish 1-2 at Gateway

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

August 27, 2001

Race recap: PacWest lights drivers Dan Wheldon and Mario Dominguez finish 1-2 in an 80-lap shoot out in St. Louis, round 9 of the Dayton Indy Lights Championship. Starting third, Wheldon got a great start and moved into second almost immediately, then tried to catch Townsend Bell for the first 69 laps. When Bell went out of the race on lap 70 with mechanical problems, Wheldon took the lead for good and won his first ever Lights race by a margin of 23.822 seconds over teammate Mario Dominguez. Dominguez started this race in fourth position and, because a great start, was running third for most of the race. While running second after Bell went out, Halliday passed him with about 5 laps to go, but Mario fought back for the position and finished this race in second place. The results kept Wheldon in third position in the championship with 103 points, just six points away from second, while Dominguez moved into fourth position in the championship with 95 points.

DAN WHELDON - #1 GEMSTAR PACWEST LIGHTS

Starting position: 3rd Finishing position: 1st Laps: 80

"I'm very happy we finally got a win," said Wheldon. "We got a great start to the race and pretty much followed Bell for most of the day. We got the break we needed when Townsend went out with a mechanical problem on lap 70. I took the lead and coasted from there. My car was so good today and I want to thank my crew for all of the hard work they've put in this year. I never thought I would go so long without a victory, but the slump is over. We're not out of the championship by any means, and I think this win can give us the confidence we need to push this championship fight to the last race in Fontana."

MARIO DOMINGUEZ - # 17 DEL VALLE CORONA TELEVISA PACWEST LIGHTS

Starting position: 4th Finishing position: 2nd Laps: 80

"We had a pretty tough fight today, but thankfully we came away with another podium and second place points," said Dominguez. "Danny and Townsend pulled away early, but I fought hard to keep third position until Bell went out and we both moved up. Towards the end, Halliday passed me for second and I almost lost it, but he was on the rev-limiter on the straight so I knew I had a chance to pass him again. When I got my position back, I knew I couldn't catch Dan, so I held on for second. I'm happy with the result, but now it's my turn to win."

Text provided by Tom Hollett

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