SCC: Iowa: Subaru Road Racing Team race notes

Subaru Factory Team Racers Maintain Grip on Grand-Am KONI Series Points Lead
-Season's Only Street Race is Next Challenge-

Subaru Road Racing Team drivers Chuck Hemmingson and Kris Skavnes held their lead on the Drivers' Championship points of the Grand-Am KONI Challenge road racing series after a manic weekend racing at Iowa Speedway's 1.3-mile combination oval track and infield road course.

Hemmingson, of nearby West Des Moines, Ia., and teammate Skavnes, Sparta, N.J., finished 10th in their ICY / Phoenix-prepared Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B race car, contending with a track that challenged them at every turn.

"We performed a 'timed' pit stop for both cars a few laps from the finish during a safety car session," said team co-owner Joe Aquilante. "That allowed Kris and Andrew to run the cars hard to the checkered flag. Under no conditions were we just 'hiding' and not taking any risks since we have another race this coming Sunday in Quebec, but we also knew there was no time to do any major repairs."

Finishing 10th in the 45-car race combined with Grand Sport and Street Tuner classes were their teammates, David Rosenblum, Langhorne, Pa., and co-driver Andrew Aquilante, Chester Springs, Pa.

Hemmingson started his #111 Subaru from the 12th spot in the Street Tuner class field, and Rosenblum, Joe Aquilante's partner in the ownership and management of ICY / Phoenix, started from the 18th spot.

"Chuck and David did terrific jobs during their stint," Aquilante said, "and although we didn't have the benefit of having competed at this track last year unlike many of our competitors, our final results earned us crucial series points."

Said James Han, motorsports marketing manager for Subaru of America, Inc., "The drivers focused on solid finishes with both cars intact circulating around a busy race course. Knowing that there is little down time prior to the next round in Canada, the entire team excelled in prioritizing tasks and leaving Iowa with the Drivers' points lead."

-credit: srrt