Race Runs on Indycar Configuration
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, Sonoma, CA - Brett Smrz, of Coeur d' Alene, ID, races from green to checkered flag earning his third podium in just as many races. Aleks Altberg, of Uppsala, Sweden, and Thomas Asseo, of Versaille, France, completed Saturday's podium of the Jim Russell Championship Series at Infineon Raceway.
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School provided an opportunity for its racers to experience the Indycar track configuration in advance of the Grand Prix of Sonoma. Continuing his dominating run in the FJR-50, Smrz was quick to grab the pole during morning qualifying. Smrz opted to lay down several quick laps early during the qualifying session and conserve his tires. When the green flag fell, Srmz was on a mission to earn the checkered flag. Srmz jumped ahead early and never looked back. While the battle raged for second place, Smrz drove a flawless and fast race to take the win.
Behind Srmz, Gregory Liefooghe, of San Francisco, was quick to fall in line with rookie Altberg close behind in third. By lap two, Altberg was ready to made a move to pass Liefooghe in Turn 9. Altberg attempted the pass again in Turn 11. This time, Altberg made it stick. Then came pressure from Asseo, who was in the fourth spot. Alterg was able to withstand pressure from Asseo for the remainder of the race and finish on the podium. It was Altberg's best finish of the season.
Asseo collected a third-place finish and his third podium finish in just as many races. Asseo made his move on Liefooghe on lap 3 in Turn 2, taking the position away. The rest of his race was spent chasing Altberg. In the end, Asseo settled for the third spot.
In the Masters Class, Nick Galante, of Monterey, Ca., showed his experience in the FJR- 50, by keeping Will Hill, of Walnut Creek, Ca., his closest competitor, behind him. Galante and Hill raced each other in an accordion fashion, but Hill was not able to close the gap to his benefit. Master Championship points leader, Galante finished first, Hill finished second. Visiting racer, Jayson Clunie, of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, rounded out the podium in Masters Class.
Top three finishers in each class with driver, hometown, and laps completed:
1. Brett Smrz, Coeur d' Alene, ID, 16
2. Aleks Altberg, Uppsala, Sweden, 16
3. Thomas Asseo, Versaille, France, 16
Top three finishers in Masters Class with driver, hometown and laps completed
1. Nick Galante, Monterey, Ca., 16
2. Will Hill, Walnut Creek, Ca., 16
3. Jayson Clunie, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, 16
Round 10 runs on Sunday, Aug. 16, 200
