Federico Racing - TORC Crandon II Report

Federico Runs Well, but Runs Out of Luck ? Ponders Retirement

Wilmette, IL (September 10, 2009) - Always one of the fan favorites at  
Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, Steven Federico and his #24  
Invisible Glass Lost Dunes P.F. Changs Toyota Tacoma was looking to  
put a string of podium finishes to finish the Midwest portion of the  
TORC season on a high note. Before the TORC racing could begin, the  
Friday evening high stakes ?Decision at Sundown? Pro-Light event was  
first on the program.

Friday ? Decision at Sundown
Steven had just freshened up his Goodwin Performance engine just for  
this weekend. The added power showed up on the land rush start on  
Friday evening. The hole shot was won Chad Hord with Goodwin  
Performance powered Toyota drivers, Jeff Kincaid and Steven Federico  
in hot pursuit.

The next eight laps saw an epic battle between Steven and #2 Currie.  
The two racers went to door and traded positions several times for the  
final podium spot. The on the lap before the mandatory yellow, as  
Steven and Currie headed into the Gravel Pit corner, Currie made  
contact with right rear quarter panel of the #24 Toyota, sending the  
Toyota rolling and spinning through the air. When the Invisible Glass  
P.F. Changs Toyota finally came to rest on its roof, all the body  
panels had been thrown off, and a slightly dazed Steven Federico  
waited for track workers to turn the truck over, with the hopes of  
refiring the truck to continue on. Unfortunately, that wasn?t the  
case, as the #24 Toyota was credited with a tenth place finish.

During the mandatory caution lap, USAC officials reviewed the video  
and immediately disqualified Casey Currie and was asked to leave the  
track for the night.

A USAC official commented directly to this writer that the DQ wasn?t  
from the contact, but lack of caution once the initial contact was  
made. He kept his foot on the gas pedal and never lifted during the  
entire incident. The video tape showed his rear tires continued to  
throw large amounts of gravel before, during, and after the contact.

When the car chief for the #24 Toyota, Chris Hanson, approached the  
Currie pit,  heated words exchanged between Hanson, and most of the  
Currie crew.

?Sure Casey and I were rubbing and tapping each other as we were going  
back and forth,? commented Steven Federico. ?But I knew better not to  
make contact where we were going from the fastest part of the track  
into a very tricky corner. You can lean on someone coming out of that  
corner, but not when entering. I had passed Casey twice, and he got me  
once. He knew I was faster tonight? The contact seemed intentional?  
Hey, the truck handled the crash really well. The damage isn?t as bad  
as it looks. Chris, AJ, and Kyle know this truck inside and out and we  
will be ready for tomorrow.?

Saturday ? TORC Round 11
A great start by Steven put the white Toyota Tacoma right in the  
running for a podium finish. The restart after the mandatory caution  
lap saw Steven in fourth place with Marty Hart right on his bumper. As  
the two racers came over the Barn Jump, Hart made contact with Steven,  
the result was a flat tire for the Invisible Glass #24. Now Steven  
limped his way for almost a full lap before he could reach the Hot  
Pits for a tire change. After a very quick stop for a new Hankook  
tire, Steven went a lap down, before he could regain the fray. This  
gave Federico Racing a ninth place finish.

Sunday ? ABC Sport Broadcast/Round 12
Once again Steven got off one of patented great starts, but midway  
through the first lap the transmission wouldn?t shift. This  
immediately put the Invisible Glass Lost Dunes Toyota way behind the  
rest of the field. Somehow Steven got to the Hot Pits and the crew  
quickly fixed the problem, keeping the #24 on the lead lap. A couple  
of laps later the mandatory caution appeared, and this would allow  
Steven to catch up with the rest of the field enabling a opportunity  
for a strong finish.

But for some reason, the pace truck was lapping the track at an  
exceptionally high rate of speed. This made it impossible for the #24  
Toyota to catch up with the tail end of the field. Steven was able to  
complete all the required laps, but never had the chance to challenge  
anyone during the race. His eighth place finish capped off a very  
tough weekend for Federico Racing.

?We came out and competed with the best PRO-Light drivers in the  
world,? commented Steve Federico. ?I?d like to think I?m a member of  
that group. We ran fast competitive lap times, but luck just wasn?t on  
our side. I have to thank my crew, especially AJ, Chris, Kyle, Matt  
and everyone else that put long hours at the track and at the shop.  
Not only this weekend, but all season long. But after looking at my  
finances, this will be my last race at Crandon. It will be my last  
race this year and probably ever. Over the past twelve years we have  
won races, and even won a Single Buggy Championship? Met all kinds of  
great people everywhere we?ve gone and made many friends along the  
way. Special thanks to my sponsors P.F Changs, Ingles Markets,  
Invisible Glass, Racing Optics, TRD, Goodyear and Hankook, Phil?s Inc.  
and especially my family, as well as everyone else that has helped us  
along the way. I think it?s time to go fishing. Seriously!?

- Mike Reusche, mtgraphics@ymail.com - race report
- Jeff Nemecek. www.jnlphoto.com - race photos
- Federico Fishing Team - fishing photos