Late-Race Incident Relegates Gonzalez to 17th-Place Finish at Road America

Victor Gonzalez, Jr. proved what RAB Racing’s equipment is made of in Saturday’s Sargento 200 at Road America, spending the majority of the race running inside the top 10. Though a late-race scuffle led to a finishing position unrepresentative of the team’s effort, Gonzalez was still able to salvage a 17th-place finish.

In Friday’s dual practice sessions, Gonzalez posted the 21st and 23rd-fastest times, respectively. He found even more speed when he took to the track for qualifying, posting a 17th-place starting position.

 

Though driving in his first Nationwide Series event this season and first ever with RAB Racing, Gonzalez took no time to become accustomed to his Toyota Camry. He passed Nationwide Series regulars one-by-one and had found his way into the top 10 by the one-quarter mark of the event.Gonzalez continued to battle with the leaders throughout the first half of the Sargento 200.

 

As is commonplace at road course tracks, a heated battle for position took Gonzalez out of contention for the win Saturday. As he made the pass for the fifth position after the lap 38 restart, he was spun by a competitor and wound up in the 28th position. But even with damage to the side of the No. 99 Delta Commercial/IMCA Toyota Camry, Gonzalez was able to power back inside the top 20 and finished the day in the 17th position.

 

“The team gave me a great Toyota Camry and working with Scott Zipadelli (crew chief) was awesome,” said Gonzalez.  “He made great calls and our pit stops were fantastic.  We got inside the Top 10 quickly, for the most part by speed and not strategy, which proved how good RAB Racing’s equipment is. On the last restart, everyone was pushing each other. I passed for fifth position, but got a little loose in the corner and hit from the back. Though we ended up back in 28th, I pushed as hard as I could to get it back to 17th. Our Delta Commercial/IMCA Toyota Camry was a top-five car and I don’t have enough words to say to thank everyone at RAB Racing for giving me the opportunity to drive it for them.”

 

RAB Racing PR