Lubrico Warranty Race 2, Toronto Indy

NEWEY WINS LUBRICO WARRANTY RACE 2



TORONTO, ON (July 20, 2014) - Race 2 of the F1600 Duals presented by Lubrico Warranty was just as thrilling as Race 1, but a reversal of fortune for the top two protagonists.

In Race 1 Tristan DeGrand came out on top after contact with Brandon Newey and grabbed the top spot on the podium, keeping his perfect win record intact. The two young lions came together again, at the same point on the racetrack but this time it was Newey who benefited and recorded his first win in just his second start in the series.

It was DeGrand who lead the field to the green based on his fast time in Race 1 with Chase Pelletier alongside. The entire field made it through the first lap without incident and the top 7 cars started to battle right away.

Pelletier would fall to 4th with Chastain making his way to the front quickly. Newey was chasing down DeGrand who had made one of his signature opening laps and had a 3 car lead.

On lap 4 Reid Arnold and Max Hanratty came together at the end of the long Lakeshore straight, the spot where most of the action was in both races, and damaged his right front suspension and slid into the runoff area unable to continue. Hanratty would continue but near the end of the race suffered a failure ending his day early as well.

The safety car was dispatched on lap 5 after a nasty hit by “B” class points and race leader Connor Wagland on the front straightaway, destroying the right side of his car. He would get out under his own power and was released in good health by medical staff shortly thereafter.

The restart allowed the field to be bunched back up, setting the stage for some drama.

DeGrand and Newey resumed the fight for the lead and stormed down the long straightaway, DeGrand on the outside and Newey on the inside with neither wanting to budge. The inevitable contact had DeGrand in the air and Newey with the lead. DeGrand fell almost to the back of the field, but would recover and storm back to the 11th spot by the end of the race.

Newey had it his way over the final laps and would win by 2 seconds. Behind him the action was furious. Returning Series Champion Jack Mitchell, Jr. was on form and brought his car home 2nd repeating his podium result from Race 1. Zacharie Robichon would grab the 3rd and final podium spot on the second to last lap in an unreal drive from the 14th starting position, some redemption for the talented driver’s frustrating season.

Chase Pelletier was a big factor in the fight all day and brought his car home in 4th followed by Olivier Bedard and Sam Chastain.

Other notable drives were Michel Bonnet, who was as high as 2nd for several laps and fought hard for a 7th and Steve Bamford who raced hard from 15th to 9th.

It was a first time winner in the “B” Class for Amy Castell and her family run team. The cheers were loud and emotions were flowing as she took the top step over Steve Bodrug who had a great run in his first race with the series this season. The “B’ Class IronMan, Mike Lee, grabbed yet another trophy with his solid 3rd place finish.

Next up for the F1600 Super Series is the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres, the last date on the calendar August 7-10. The Toyo Tires F1600 Championship will resume August 22-24.