Anthony Lazzaro Daytona race report

Lazzaro dominates early at Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach, Fl. (29 December 2009) -- "Anthony Lazzaro returned to Daytona International Speedway 18 years since his last WKA World Championship.

Driving the P1 Autosports No. 42 Margay Parilla, Lazzaro started late in the day only to have two 10 minute practice rounds to be the fastest B-Stock with one timed lap at a 2:03.439 seconds on the 3.56 mile circuit in Daytona Beach.

"I was asked to come down and help set up the kart for the owner and with traffic and other work commitments I was only able to make it in for two 10 minute rounds of practice late in the day and not being here in a kart since my last win 18 years ago was a treat. It also meant the pressure was sure on stepping in like that and only my second timed lap I was the fastest in class says Lazzaro".

Returning to his roots where it all started for Lazzaro is a chance for meeting old friends and preparing for his role in the upcoming Rolex 24 with the Mazda Speed Source No. 69 and a chance for one more win at the fabled.

Lazzaro started 6th determined by registration in the 45 minute race to jump out to a comfortable lead by 9 seconds over the closest competitor with a comfortable race pace in the 2:06 range despite struggling with a brake bias issue that is non adjustable on the fly.

"I had to drive fast but conservative in the opening laps opting to start on old tires and making the bias change after practice which was had too much front brake in the kart. Running laps in the 2:06 range was fairly easy for me to maintain said Lazzaro.

After the lead Lazzaro built up after 15 minutes of the 45 minute race Anthony made a radio call about a body rub said team owner Kevin Kann. We have never had a body rub here said Kann so I knew it was not right and after a lap Lazzaro called back of a left front tire going down and a lap later made the stop for a new front tire. Once the stop was made we determined the left front upper spindle bearing failed ending Lazzaro's day early.

"I was driving an easy race knowing my gap the entire time. If not for this rare component failure I thought the win was ours for the taking". "It was unfortunate to have happen for as quickly as we were running". "Coming back to run karts were a real pleasure and hope to do more races with the WKA Dunlop Road Racing Series.

-source: P1 Autosports