xcel
09-12-2009, 08:59 PM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg From wet to dry, the diesels were hauling @$$ :) (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=232439)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/VW_Jetta_TDI_Cup_19_Thompson.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Sept. 12, 2009
#19 Jake Thompson in deep concentration on route to his first Jetta TDI Cup win earlier this year.
A weekend full of challenges for 26 drivers competing in the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series races at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Today brought a new challenge - dry conditions.
The drivers hit the track yesterday for the qualifiers but all-day rain forced everyone to run rain tires. Today's dry conditions turned the tables marking the first time the group had the opportunity to navigate the 14-turn, 2.225-mile road course on racing slicks.
To give an idea as to what a difference a day makes, yesterday’s fastest qualifier in the rain was Andy Lee with the fastest lap speed of 77.931 mph. Today’s dry roads and racing slicks added 10 mph with the fastest lap achieved by Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle on lap 15 at 87.206 mph.
Pole sitter, Andy Lee held on to his position early in the race and built nearly a four-second lead at one point. The trio of Jake Thompson, Timmy Megenbier and Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle became a growing presence in his mirrors as the race wore on, and three of the four drivers led laps in the closing moments of the race.
On lap 17, Sierra Lendle passed Lee for the lead going into turn one, but Lee was able to regain his position one lap later. Then, it was Thompson's turn on lap 18, as he dove underneath Lee in Turn 1 to move into the lead with one lap left. The Calgary, Alberta native never looked back before taking the checkered flag in the #19 Oakley car for the second time this season. Lee placed second, and Megenbier came in third for his seventh podium finish of the season.
"What a crazy race today," Thompson said. "My strategy coming it was to be cautious since none of us had been able to run on a dry track this weekend. At first, it felt like I was starting to go backwards, but then guys ahead of me started going off track a lot, so my patience was rewarded. About halfway through the race, it felt like I was stuck in fourth place, but I was eventually able to find a few spots on the track where I was better than the guys in front of me, and I timed my passes really well. After winning during our first race weekend, it's great to finally get back to the top of the podium, and I hope to make the same climb tomorrow."
The race results didn't have a major impact on the Championship points standings. With two races to go, Megenbier has 306 points, a 31-point lead over second place Lee (275). Joey Atterbury (255), Thompson (251) and Pombo (214) round out the top five spots.
Top 5 - (Round 8)
Position|Car Number|Driver|Hometown|Sponsor|Time (min:sec)
1|19|Jake Thompson|Calgary, Alberta – Canada|Oakley|31:10.631
2|27|Andy Lee|Maricopa, AZ|Castrol|31:11.125
3|17|Timmy Megenbier|Melrose Park, IL|Chicagoland VW|31:11.525
4|23|Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle|Pueblo, Mexico|Castrol|31:11.921
5|14|Joey Atterbury|Renton, WA|Hyperfuels|31:21.588
VW Jetta TDI Cup - Overall Standings (through 8-rounds)
Position|Car Number|Driver|Hometown|Sponsor|Points
1|17|Timmy Megenbier|Melrose Park, IL|Chicagoland VW|306
2|27|Andy Lee|Maricopa, AZ|Castrol|275
3|14|Joey Atterbury|Renton, WA|Hyperfuels|255
4|19|Jake Thompson|Calgary, Alberta – Canada|Oakley|251
5|20|Mark Pombo|Duluth, GA|VW Parts & Accessories|214
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series returns to action at tomorrow for Round 9 at 10:55 AM EST.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/VW_Jetta_TDI_Cup_19_Thompson.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Sept. 12, 2009
#19 Jake Thompson in deep concentration on route to his first Jetta TDI Cup win earlier this year.
A weekend full of challenges for 26 drivers competing in the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series races at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Today brought a new challenge - dry conditions.
The drivers hit the track yesterday for the qualifiers but all-day rain forced everyone to run rain tires. Today's dry conditions turned the tables marking the first time the group had the opportunity to navigate the 14-turn, 2.225-mile road course on racing slicks.
To give an idea as to what a difference a day makes, yesterday’s fastest qualifier in the rain was Andy Lee with the fastest lap speed of 77.931 mph. Today’s dry roads and racing slicks added 10 mph with the fastest lap achieved by Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle on lap 15 at 87.206 mph.
Pole sitter, Andy Lee held on to his position early in the race and built nearly a four-second lead at one point. The trio of Jake Thompson, Timmy Megenbier and Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle became a growing presence in his mirrors as the race wore on, and three of the four drivers led laps in the closing moments of the race.
On lap 17, Sierra Lendle passed Lee for the lead going into turn one, but Lee was able to regain his position one lap later. Then, it was Thompson's turn on lap 18, as he dove underneath Lee in Turn 1 to move into the lead with one lap left. The Calgary, Alberta native never looked back before taking the checkered flag in the #19 Oakley car for the second time this season. Lee placed second, and Megenbier came in third for his seventh podium finish of the season.
"What a crazy race today," Thompson said. "My strategy coming it was to be cautious since none of us had been able to run on a dry track this weekend. At first, it felt like I was starting to go backwards, but then guys ahead of me started going off track a lot, so my patience was rewarded. About halfway through the race, it felt like I was stuck in fourth place, but I was eventually able to find a few spots on the track where I was better than the guys in front of me, and I timed my passes really well. After winning during our first race weekend, it's great to finally get back to the top of the podium, and I hope to make the same climb tomorrow."
The race results didn't have a major impact on the Championship points standings. With two races to go, Megenbier has 306 points, a 31-point lead over second place Lee (275). Joey Atterbury (255), Thompson (251) and Pombo (214) round out the top five spots.
Top 5 - (Round 8)
Position|Car Number|Driver|Hometown|Sponsor|Time (min:sec)
1|19|Jake Thompson|Calgary, Alberta – Canada|Oakley|31:10.631
2|27|Andy Lee|Maricopa, AZ|Castrol|31:11.125
3|17|Timmy Megenbier|Melrose Park, IL|Chicagoland VW|31:11.525
4|23|Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle|Pueblo, Mexico|Castrol|31:11.921
5|14|Joey Atterbury|Renton, WA|Hyperfuels|31:21.588
VW Jetta TDI Cup - Overall Standings (through 8-rounds)
Position|Car Number|Driver|Hometown|Sponsor|Points
1|17|Timmy Megenbier|Melrose Park, IL|Chicagoland VW|306
2|27|Andy Lee|Maricopa, AZ|Castrol|275
3|14|Joey Atterbury|Renton, WA|Hyperfuels|255
4|19|Jake Thompson|Calgary, Alberta – Canada|Oakley|251
5|20|Mark Pombo|Duluth, GA|VW Parts & Accessories|214
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series returns to action at tomorrow for Round 9 at 10:55 AM EST.