Series News - Skip Barber National Wrap Up At VIR

Lakeville, May 4, 2011: With Rounds 3 and 4 completed at Virginia International Raceway, this was the first time on the 3.27 mile track for several of the young drivers. Heading into the weekend, 18-year old Brandon Newey held a two point lead over 19-year old Thomas McGregor, but by the end of the weekend, McGregor advanced to claim the top position with a two point lead. After a difficult race in Round 3, the drivers returned to put on another great race event in Round 4 of 16. The series next races May 27-30 in conjunction with Grand-Am at Lime Rock Park.

Round 3

Round 3 got off to an uneasy start as the field was finishing the pace lap. In an effort to find the right speed to start the race, the front of the field unexpectedly slowed, forcing the back of the field to check up. This caused Skip Barber Cup drivers Greg Strelzoff and Pat Daly to have contact, resulting in Daly launching over the back of Strelzoff’s car, rolling, then landing right side up. The race was immediately black-flagged and all the cars came to a stop on the back straight. Both drivers involved in the incident were unable to continue and inspected and cleared by medical staff at Virginia International Raceway.

The race officially started with ten laps to go, and after exiting turn one, Scott Anderson grabbed the lead from California Scents pole sitter Sebastian Ordonez. Anderson quickly increased his lead with Brandon Newey and MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver Trent Hindman fighting to stay close behind. Newey stayed close and grabbed the lead, while further back, Skip Barber Cup driver Brian Cook spun, went four wheels off track, and continued.

Heading into turn four, Newey and Hindman had slight contact, but both continued. In the next turn, Newey went off course, but again was able to continue back on track. Just a few turns later in the esses at VIR, Remo Ruscitti and Shelby Blackstock became involved in some close racing, resulting in Ruscitti going off course and the race going back to yellow.

For the third time in the session, Sebastian Ordonez led the field to the green flag, gaining a two car length lead. Scott Anderson wasted no time in making a pop for the lead, and Thomas McGregor followed, with Ordonez back in third and MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver Danilo Estrela in fourth. McGregor’s day came to an unfortunate end when he went four wheels off course into the wall at turn fifteen. This course of events caused the officials to black flag the race, ending the session early. At the wave of the checker flag, Scott Anderson held first position, with Sebastian Ordonez and Danilo Estrela rounding out the top three.

Round 4

The second race of the weekend fared far better than the previous, starting with Round 3 race winner Scott Anderson leading the pack to the green flag. With the momentum of the previous day’s race win, Anderson swiftly created a five car length lead over Newey and the rest of the field. Starting third, MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver Trent Hindman worked his way up to battle side-by-side for second with Newey. Fellow MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver Danilo Estrela and Brian Cook both went four wheels off course but avoided contact and continued.

Meanwhile, Thomas McGregor and Shelby Blackstock also battled for third position, a battle McGregor won. These battles allowed for Anderson to continue extending his lead. McGregor then made a pop on the front straight for second position over Newey. With the side by side battles over, McGregor, with Newey, Blackstock, Ordonez and Remo Ruscitti in tow, were able to creep back up on the race leader. McGregor, Ordonez and Anderson went three wide for the lead in turn one, resulting in Ordonez grabbing the top position. His lead was short lived, as shortly after in the lap, Anderson quickly regained the lead. For the next several laps, Anderson and McGregor traded the lead back and forth, battling hard and close.

Meanwhile, Newey and Hindman fought over third position. The top seven cars raced nose-to-tail as the white flag waved, with McGregor leading. McGregor held the lead to the checker, earning his second win of the season with Anderson and Newey finishing second and third.