Doncaster Wins Grand Sport 250 in Thrille

EDITORS NOTE:
Photos and race agate from today's races are available on the Grand American media-specific website at www.grand-am.com/media. 
Additional information may be requested from: Grand American Road Racing Association 
Christie Hyde (386) 681-4182; email: CHyde@grand-am.com
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Doncaster Wins Grand Sport 250 in Thriller

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 22, 2002) -- Doncaster Racing's #76 Porsche GT 3 Cup won the Grand-Am Cup Grand Sport 250, part of Sports Car Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International, in thrilling style tonight. David Empringham passed the leading Powell Motorsports #11 Corvette with only two-laps remaining in the race to capture the checkered flag. 

The Canadian duo of Empringham and co-driver Scott Maxwell had led the race for several laps at the midway point, but lost the lead to Doug Goad in the Powell Corvette on lap 47 of the 73-lap race. The #11 Corvette repeatedly pulled out to a strong lead, but would see it diminished by repeated full-course cautions. Five-times the yellow flag came out during the race for a total of 15 laps. 

When the track returned to green on lap 59, Goad once again began to build a large lead over the second-place Doncaster Porsche, however another Porsche - the lapped Gilbert Racing #25 car - did manage to move past the Corvette to gain back a lap. Without the advantage of a clear track in front of him, Goad's lap times began to slow and Empringham was able to catch back up and pass for the lead on lap 73. 

Though Goad did all he could to regain the lead, Empringham's ability to block each attempt and find the better line in each curve kept the Doncaster Porsche out in front. In a last ditch effort on the final turn of the race, Goad slid in the Corvette off the track and smashed its left front fender into the foam wall. However, he was able to continue the 100 yards needed to secure his second-place finish before the Zoom Motorsports #16 Porsche was able to pass him.  

The Zoom Porsche took third place after fighting to holding off Brent Martini in the G&W Motorsports #81 Porsche in the final laps of the race. 

Max Q Motorsports picked up its second-straight Grand Sport II victory this season. Emil Assentato started the day in the #53 Mustang Cobra R and his teammate Nick Longhi drove it to the checkered flag with a 13-second lead over the second-place Theetge Motorsport team. Jean Francois Dumoulin and Benoit Theetge piloted the #73 Acura NSX to second, with the TF Racing #17 Mustang Cobra R finishing a lap down in the third. 

The Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series will travel to Virginia International Raceway next week for a combined three-hour race. More information the Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series can be found online at www.grandamcup.com. 

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