Series Lime Rock race report

Buffomante Goes All The Way For Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Lime Rock Park Win

LAKEVILLE, CT 29 May 2010 - Starting from the pole position, Tony Buffomante led from flag to flag at Lime Rock Park to score his third career Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race victory, crossing the line just 1.2 seconds ahead of Kyle Gimple. Championship leader Jason von Kluge moved up from sixth on the grid to take the final podium position for round four of the 2010 Mustang Challenge championship.

Buffomante got the jump on fellow front-row starter Dan Aweida at the green as Richard Golinello moved up to second place, earning him the GREENFilterusa.com "We're Going Green" Award. Aweida slotted into third place as Steve Fillips was fourth in the early laps.

Rookie Golinello's strong run ended sooner than he wanted as a fuel delivery issue stranded him on course, cutting short an impressive performance and bringing out a yellow flag. This was not what Buffomante, who had established a firm lead on the field, had hoped for. But on the restart, he held onto the lead spot as another rookie made his own assault on the front when Kyle Gimple moved to second place. Jason von Kluge moved steadily forward to take third at the checkered flag.

Aweida notched another top-five finish with his run to fourth place as Steve Phillips got the first part of his double-header race day off to a good start with his fifth place finish.

Pratt Cole also showed forward progress, moving up to score sixth on the day. But it was Cole's fellow Utah resident Ben Crosland who emerged with the BFGoodrich "Take Control" award as he moved up to score seventh at the finish ahead of David Rosenblum. Brad Adams, took eighth in the Who Dat machine as John Scarlett posted another top-ten result in his rookie campaign.

"This feels great because it is the first win for the Capalid Racing guys in Mustang Challenge, and I have to have these kinds of days with maximum points if we are going to get back into the championship fight," said Buffomante. "My dad was so good on the radio, as always. He keeps me calm, and I feel like I know everything thats going on around me with him calling the race. Congrats to Jason on getting up to third, thats key for the points of course. We had the car over the long run and I was able to get just enough of a gap to get the guys out of my mirrors and just focus forward. Thanks to the Capaldi Racing guys for the weekend. Now I can enjoy a nice Memorial Day weekend with my family at home, and be ready to go at Watkins Glen next weekend."

While it was Golinello who had the hot hand early in the race, it was another rookie who closed out the day closest to the front.

"I was doing everything I could to keep von Kluge behind me so I'm really happy to be up here on the podium," said Gimple, who also collected his second consecutive Sunday Group Management "Rookie of the Race" award as the top finishing rookie and will have $150 donated in his name to the Austin Hatcher Foundation. "We weren't set up as well for the long run, so we didn't really have anything for Tony up front but I'm happy to be up here with these guys today after a good close race."

After winning the three first races of the year, von Kluge had been hoping to grow his points lead, but still had to be happy with his podium performance in his debut race visit to the track.

"I was pushing pretty hard and ran the wheels off in the dirt a few times!" said von Kluge. "But that is what can happen when you are pushing that hard. I was hoping to be on the top step again, but its good to be up on the podium and hopefully we can do it again next week at the Glen."

Lime Rock Park Special Awards:

BF Goodrich Tires "Take Control" Award: Ben Crosland GREEN Filters Fast First Award:Richard Golinello Sunday Group Management "Rookie of the Race" Kyle Gimple will see a $150 donation made in his name to the Austin Hatcher Foundation after the series debutante scored second in just his second-ever Mustang Challenge race.

The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge will be back in action next weekend at Watkins Glen International. Thanks to the corner workers and staff at Lime Rock Park, and have a great Memorial Day weekend!

-source: Ford Racing Mustang Challenge