Performance Tech Motorsports driver Jon Brownson was the lone highlight for the team in Round 10 of the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda Sunday at Road America. After three podium finishes on Saturday, confidence was high going into the second race of the weekend at the 14-turn, 4.048-mile road course, but a series of unfortunate incidents led to disappointing finishes for a majority of the Performance Tech drivers.
Jon Brownson raced his way from 23rd to sixth overall to capture second place in L1 Masters.
“It was a thrilling race. Thanks to the Performance Tech Motorsports crew, I had a beautiful car. I was able to work my way through the field. I was hoping to move further up than I did, but we’ll take this for sure. I’d like to think it was my cat-like reflexes and a lot of good luck that kept me out of trouble out there today.”
Joel Janco, who ran sixth for most of the race finished a respectable eighth after being spun at the end of the race.
“It was my best race ever. I was running in sixth place for most of the race. Then some other drivers became overly optimistic. I was first hit in Turn 5 and spun and then was hit again in Turn 6 and spun again. So I wound up eighth but I certainly didn’t finish where I thought I should, but I’m looking forward to VIR.”
Hayden Duerson was set up for a podium finish, maintaining a hold on first after a great start. Duerson, 22, had car issues towards the end of the race causing him to slide off at Turn 14 and end his day early.
“After a penalty we were assessed for a restart procedure yesterday we finished fifth today. We had a great start, came out of the first turn in third and slowly worked our way to first. We slowly made our way to first and led for about half the race. Novich started to catch up to me and was able to pass me at one point. We ran really well together and then something happened in Turn 14. We honestly don’t know what it was but it was a very big failure. At that point I just became a passenger. I’m just glad to be okay and hope to get the car together for VIR.”
Also ending his day early was Robert Alon. Like Duerson, Alon was running with the leaders but after an on-track incident he ended his day 15th in the L1 class.
“Performance Tech gave me a great car. It was a podium car and I was up there battling and had a chance, so it’s frustrating to go out like that.”
Craig Duerson was not able to start the race due to car issues before the green flag.
“Not a lot you can say about today. We had a good run yesterday so it’s disappointing not to be able to go for another podium, but the team is really trying to get us there.”
Team Principal Brent O’Neill was frustrated by the day and lack of results, especially after a successful Race 1.
“It was just not a good day,” O’Neill said. “That’s what it comes down to. It seemed like all of our guys just got punted out there. Some of it’s just racing, but we have a lot of damage all around and it’s just not how we want to end any race.”
Performance Tech Motorsports’ next Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda race weekend will be Aug. 22-24 at Virginia International Raceway in Danville, Virginia. For event details, check imsa.com/series/prototype-lites/schedule.
About Me: Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of travelling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week. Adam has spent the last three years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.Be sure to tune in for his weekly sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network.
- NHRA announces eight-race schedule for 2024 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series - January 17, 2024
- Forgeline and Pratt Miller Motorsports Announce New Multi-Year Partnership - January 17, 2024
- TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein converts narrow pole to commanding win in the Season 10 opener of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the 2024 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix - January 16, 2024