Full Race Report - Rounds 7/8 - Watkins Glen

Breaking News: #77 Alex Mayer wins Round 7 and Round 8 of the 2017 North American Formula 1000 Championship presented by American Racer Tire. :checkered: :checkered:

The North American Formula 1000 Championship raced into Watkins Glen for Rounds 7 and 8 of the Inaugural season, and weather was once again on everyone’s mind. A downpour of rain during qualifying-one washed out any chance of a fast lap, and drivers chose to sit out the session and roll the dice for better conditions in qualifying-two. Luck being on their side, 75 degrees and sunshine arrived for Saturday morning qualifying.

Putting his #77 Technotecs / Wilwood Brakes - Suzuki powered JDR on pole, Alex Mayer was closely followed by Charles Livingston in his #33 Moon’s Super Cycle - Suzuki powered JDR with the #13 Sunrise Solar Solutions - Suzuki powered Firman of Doug Hertz rounding out the top three. The #14 G-labels - Suzuki powered Galmer of Jose Gerardo and #93 CSI Leasing - Suzuki powered JDR of Steve Hamilton made up the top five for go fast day.

With the green flag waving on Round 7, the #14 Galmer of Jose Gerardo went wide around the outside of turn one and moved into second place. Gerardo’s weekend came to an end less than one lap later while passing a car from another class, touching wheels and sending Gerardo’s Galmer airborne. At the end of lap two, the #13 Firman of Doug Hertz retired to pitlane with mechanical issues, leaving the top three to the #77 of Alex Mayer, the #33 of Charles Livingston, and the #18 Waterfall Security Solutions - Suzuki powered Firman of Tim Pierce. Lap after lap the #18 of Tim Pierce and the #93 of Steve Hamilton battled wheel to wheel for third place, with #93 Steve Hamilton coming out ahead in the end.

Taking the checkered flag under double yellow behind the safety car, due to an incident in another class, the #77 Alex Mayer lead #33 Charles Livingston and #93 Steve Hamilton, with #18 Tim Pierce taking home the Wilwood Brakes Tough Break award for 4th place. After fighting his way from 8th to 5th, the #9 Kawasaki powered Citation of Jason Slahor took home the Sunoco Hard Charger award and $200 cash for improving the most positions.

Official Results
Round 7 - Watkins Glen

1. #77 - Alex Mayer - Technotecs / Wilwood Brakes - Suzuki powered JDR
   
2. #33 - Charles Livingston - Moon’s Super Cycle - Suzuki powered JDR
   
3. #93 - Steve Hamilton - CSI Leasing - Suzuki powered JDR
   
4. #18 - Tim Pierce - Waterfall Security Solutions - Suzuki powered Firman
   
5. #9 - Jason Slahor - Slahor Racing - Kawasaki powered Citation
   
6. #111- Mike Meyers - Philly Motorsports - Suzuki powered DB-F1000
   
7. #31 - Dave O’Leary - Oleary Motorsports - Suzuki powered Mygale
   
8. DNF - #14 Jose Gerardo - G-labels - Suzuki powered Galmer
   
9. DNF - #13 Doug Hertz - Sunrise Solar Solutions - Suzuki powered Firman

Sunday afternoon showcased Round 8 of the 2017 championship, and once again #77 Alex Mayer lead the F1000 field to the green flag. As the good luck was shining on Mayer, the monkey on the #13 of Doug Hertz continued to cause trouble as Hertz came into contact with a car in a different class and was forced to retire on lap two, for the second day in a row. The remaining positions on the NAF1000 5-spot post race podium appeared very similar to the Saturday race, with #77 of Alex Mayer taking the top step, #33 Charles Livingston and #93 Steve Hamilton on each side, respectively. Taking the Wilwood Brake Tough Break award for the second day in a row, the #18 of Tim Pierce came home in fourth with #9 Jason Slahor again winning the big $$$ from Sunoco Racing Fuel for the Hard Charger Award.

Official Results
Round 8 - Watkins Glen

1. #77 Alex Mayer - Technotecs / Wilwood Brakes - Suzuki powered JDR
   
2. #33 Charles Livingston - Moon’s Super Cycle - Suzuki powered JDR
   
3. #93 Steve Hamilton - CSI Leasing - Suzuki powered JDR
   
4. #18 Tim Pierce - Waterfall Security Solutions - Suzuki powered Firman
   
5. #9 Jason Slahor - Slahor Racing - Kawasaki powered Citation
   
6. #111 Mike Meyers - Philly Motorsports - Suzuki powered DB-F1000
   
7. DNF - #13 Doug Hertz - Sunrise Solar Solutions - Suzuki powered Firman
   
8. DNS - #14 Jose Gerardo - G-labels - Suzuki powered Galmer
   
9. DNS - #31 Dave O’Leary - O’Leary Motorsports - Suzuki powered Mygale

The next event will be held on July 22 and 23 from New Jersey Motorsports Park. All qualifying sessions, races, and post race celebrations are broadcast live on Facebook.

Visit the NAF1000 Championship YouTube Channel for full coverage of all F1000 races. Like the Facebook page for up to the minute information on series drivers and teams.