INDIANAPOLIS — Preston Pardus topped a 72-car field to win the Spec Miata race during the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
More than 100 drivers posted qualifying times during the week, and a Last Chance Race was held Thursday afternoon to decide who would fill the final 12 starting positions.
Polesitter Chris Haldeman led early, with Preston Pardus’ No. 42 Danus Utilities/5X Racing/ESR/PR Mazda Miata and the No. 39 Adept/Rossini/OPM/G-Loc Mazda Miata of Danny Steyn in tow. But within only a couple laps, things started to change rapidly and often.
For most of the 19-lap event around the 15-turn, 2.592-mile Indianapolis road circuit, there were as many as six SM challengers who made up the front pack. Contenders throughout included the No. 44 Kessler/Flatout/Carbotech Mazda Miata of Tyler Kicera, the No. 13 Baci Racing/Keenan Transit/Rossini Mazda Miata of Michael Gagliardo, the No. 21 Bravo Trailers Mazda Miata of Daniel Bender, and Michael Carter’s No. 08 Rossini/Carbotech Mazda Miata.
The race, which went without a full-course yellow, came down to the last lap. As the lead pack came down the front straight it was Rollan of Miami, Florida, who held the slightest advantage over Steyn of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Pardus of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Going into Turn 1, Pardus positioned himself outside Rollan and right up against the white, outer cement wall while Steyn moved to Rollan’s inside. Smoke curled up from Pardus’ car as he executed a late-braking maneuver to gain the advantage and the lead — a lead he never relinquished as he went on to become the 2017 Spec Miata Runoffs Champ.
“This is big. This is awesome,” Pardus said after the race. “The historical significance of this track is major. It’s paved the way for the past 100 years. To say I’ve actually got to race here is incredible. And to make it a Runoffs win is even more incredible.”
While Pardus moved into the lead, Steyn managed to maneuver himself into second spot. He looked to be taking a bit of a defensive posture the last half of the final lap, which earned him the runner-up spot in Friday’s race. That’s Steyn’s second podium finish at an SCCA Runoffs.
“I tried. I tried so hard,” a jubilant and satisfied Steyn proclaimed. “It was tough out there. You couldn’t give an inch. But everyone drove beautifully. I’m so proud of this Spec Miata class.”
Rollan brought his car home in third, which clinched a podium sweep for the state of Florida.
“Everyone kind of thought beforehand it was going to be a Texas thing this year,” Rollan joked. “It’s a great thing the three of us from Florida are here. We made it.”
To see full results, turn to the next page.
Source : speedsport.com
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