Category: Lotus79

It was Rafeal Rodrigues that led the field to the green flag from pole and as often is the case at the Brickyard, the racing was fierce and fast from the get-go. A few crashes thinned the field and some of the faster drivers were unfortunately not spared in some of those crashes. Forrester and returning driver Patrick Day went a lap down, but about 2/3rds into the race they got lucky and got their lap back. With the field losing even more drivers, it was Breuning, Day and Forrester on the lead lap together. Fuel was a bit of an issue, because the latest yellow came just about 2 laps too early. But the three drivers saved enough and opened the battle with 3 laps to go. On the final turn of the race it was Breuning, Day and Forrester. But the draft is always strong and Forrester times it perfect; He got by, took the win from Day by 0.005 of a second, with Breuning in 3rd at 0.027. One of the closest finishes at the Brickyard in Retro CART League history.

It was the maiden win in the series for Andrew Forrester, known for his “wait and see’ approach, that already has paid dividends in many good points finishes. Now he can add a win to that list – At Indy, no less.

Though Jordan qualified on the pole, he started from the back of the grid. He wasted no time working his way forward and took the lead on lap 14. Breuning was no match for him up front and lost more time when a back marker spun in front of him, but luckily both drivers were able to continue. Bill Smithem dropped back after an early incident but kept going in a steady pace and brought it home in 3rd, ahead of Rod Potgieter and Larry Eaglen.

Don Warren led the field to the green flag from pole, with alongside him Mike Erter, who quickly took the lead away from him. Breuning worked his way forward from starting 6th and started mixing himself in the fight for the lead. After the first yellow, it was Smithem that was first out of the pits followed by Breuning. When trying to pass into turn 1, Breuning touched wheels very slightly with Smithem – unfortunately enough for Smithem to bend the suspension. Breuning was unscaved. After another yellow, the fight up front was between Erter and Breuning, with the former holding a low line perfectly, making it almost impossible for Breuning to pass. At the end, Eaglen, Ian Wilson and Andrew Forrester were closing in on the fun, unfortunately a slight touch with Eaglen ended Wilson’s ambitions. At the line, Erter held on by 0.020 over Breuning, with Forrester snatching a podium finish from Eaglen and Les Bentz rounding out the top 5.

Retro CART League’s inaugural event at St. Petersburg saw the #61 car guide the field towards the green. Though initially followed by Warren and Smithem, Breuning slowly pulled a formidable lead and remained there until the 40 laps were completed. Warren fell victim to the walls about mid race, leaving Smithem to finish 2nd and Phil Peterson 3rd. Rookie Brandon Wimmler was 4th despite an unfortunate speeding penalty in the pits and Larry Eaglen had to overcome a few incidents as well on his way to grab 5th.

Taylor Jordan, already crowned S15 champion, led the field to the green flag flanked by Breuning, but it was Warren that grabbed 2nd place. At the end of lap one, Jordan out braked himself in the final turn and dropped to fourth.

Warren and Breuning raced for it until Breuning took advantage of a mistake Warren made and he took the lead.

Jordan worked his way forward and when Breuning went wide going up the hill to the corkscrew he took over. Breuning had to pit with minor damage. When the pitstop cycle was done, he found himself leading, because of a lengthy pitstop by Jordan. Back markers prevented Jordan from becoming the leader again and it was Breuning that took the win ahead of Bill Smithem. Peterson scored a solid third, with Jordan scored in 4th and Eaglen in 5th.