Racers Used Indycar Configuration
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, Sonoma, CA – Brett Smrz, of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, captures second win of the weekend. Gregory Liefooghe, of San Francisco, and Thomas Asseo, of Versaille, France, completed Sunday’s podium of the Jim Russell Championship Series at Infineon Raceway.
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School used the Indycar track configuration in advance of the Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Starting from pole in his second race of the weekend, Smrz was caught off guard by Liefooghe up the hill into Turn 2 and slipped to second. Demonstrating patience for the next few laps, Smrz began his attack on Liefooghe. By lap 4, Smrz dove inside in Turn 7 to grab the lead. Smrz drove a flawless race to win round 10 and earn valuable points toward the Championship.
The battle for the lead started with Liefooghe jumping ahead of Smrz up the hill before Turn 2 to gain the top spot. By lap 4, Liefooghe went wide at the entrance to Turn 7 and Smrz dove underneath to take the spot away. With no early pressure from Asseo, Liefooghe set a comfortable rhythm and gained valuable points toward Rookie of the Year.
Asseo, who started on the inside second row, quickly launched ahead of Nick Galante, of Monterey, Ca., but was by himself in the early laps as the leaders pulled away. In several attempts to catch Liefooghe, Asseo wasn’t able to put anything together. At the conclusion, Asseo finished third. Asseo now has finished on the podium in seven races to dominate the Championship points standings.
The battle in the Masters Class took center stage during Sunday’s race as two returning competitors and a visiting competitor donned helmets and gloves. Will Hill, of Walnut Creek, was quick to get by Nick Galante, of Monterey, Ca., early in the race. Hill grabbed a position from Galante at the start and the chase was on. Galante not satisfied with finishing second in the Masters Class put together several aggressive laps in pursuit of Hill. By lap 11, Galante got by Hill and set his sites on Aleks Altberg, of Uppsala, Sweden, but was unable to catch him in the few laps that remained. Visiting racer, Jason Clunie, of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, put together some of his best laps of the weekend. Master Championship points leader, Galante finished first, Hill finished second. Jayson Clunie, rounded out the podium in Masters Class and earned his second podium in two races.
Top three finishers in each class with driver, hometown, and laps completed:
1. Brett Smrz, Coeur d’ Alene, ID, 19
2. Gregory Liefooghe, San Francisco,19
3. Thomas Asseo, Versaille, France, 19
Top three finishers in Masters Class with driver, hometown and laps completed
1. Nick Galante, Monterey, Ca., 19
2. Will Hill, San Francisco, 19
3. Jayson Clunie, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, 19
At the end of five weekends of racing, the points standings for the Jim Russell Championship are as follows:
Thomas Asseo 75
Gregory Liefooghe 61
Brett Srmz 62
Nic LeDuc 58
Aleks Altberg 55
Master Class points standings:
Nick Galante 75
Will Hill 33
Jim Russell will host an exhibition race during the Grand Prix of Sonoma on Sunday, August 23, 2009 here.
