Category: Season 16

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.