NA-F2000: VIR round two race notes

VAN SICKLEN WINS WET F2000 CHAMPIONSHIP RACE AT VIR
The wild race featured multiple race leaders sliding off-course

ALTON, VA. (April 15, 2007) - Keegan Van Sicklen emerged the victor in Round Two of the F2000 Championship Series following a wild race at Virginia International Raceway on Sunday. Joining the VS Racing pilot on the podium were returning driver Rob Nicholas and series newcomer Tim Minor.

Following a very wet qualifying session just after lunch, it appeared that second F2000 Championship Series race of the weekend would be run in dry conditions. Unfortunately this proved not the case, as a severe rain shower arrived just prior to field lining up on the false grid. Given the track conditions, series officials elected to start the race in single-file. Starting from the pole position, GTP Motorsports driver Matt McDonough got a controversial jump on the rest of the 38-car field when the race began, easily leading into the first turn. Behind the early race leader, it was not long before chaos erupted. Numerous cars spun off-course, including race one podium finishers Terrick Mansur (Andersen Racing) and Jason Byers (St. Clair Motorsports), as well as front-runner Doug Prendeville (PMC Racing).

Well in front of the incidents, McDonough immediately began posting some very fast laps despite the conditions, extending his lead over an ever-fluctuating top-five. Entering the closing stages of the race, it appeared the Round One winner would leave VIR with two wins under his belt, when disaster struck. Pushing a little to hard, the reigning series champion went off-course losing several positions. With the error, Greisiger Motorsports driver Doug Kniffin, having started sixth, was promoted into the lead ahead of Van Sicklen, Nicholas, Minor and Brendan Puderbach. Given the one-finger signal at the starter's stand on the following lap, Kniffin only needed to complete a trouble-free lap to score his first-series win. Making for a wild finish, the Zetec driver was unable to accomplish the feat, sliding off-course.

Van Sicklen, unaware he was running in second, assumed the lead. Keeping all four wheels on-course the entire final lap, the young driver received the checkered at the start/finish line, capturing his first career win in the series. Overcoming a brief off-course excursion, Nicholas behind the wheel of Kevin Firlein Motorsports car finished second, ahead of longtime SCCA Club Racing standout Minor. Completing the top-five in the chaotic race were Greisiger Motorsports teammates Puderbach and Kniffin.

Rounds Three and Four of the 2007 F2000 Championship Series will be held at Road Atlanta, May 11-12.

-credit: F2000 Championship Series