Heartland Park Miata Cup race two report

TOPEKA, Kan. (Oct. 18, 2003) -- Christian Miller, of Newark, Calif., first win of 2003 came in the second East vs. West Mazdaspeed Miata Cup Presented by Hankook Tires race of the day at Heartland Park Topeka. Nick Coello, of East Troy, Wis., and Jon Davies, of Hood, Ore., rounded-out the top three.

Miller, who qualified seventh on the grid, took advantage of an early mistake by polesitter Chip Herr, of Litiz, Pa., and second-place Payton Wilson, of Gainesville, Va., on lap one. Herr and Wilson made contact heading into turn 12 forcing both drivers off the track, which allowed Miller to advance up to fourth. Miller eventually took the lead on lap 11 and wasn't really challenged for the position until the final lap when Davies and Coello tried to make it three-wide in narrow turn 12. But, in the end, Miller's No. 5 Mazda Miata was able to hold its position down the front stretch to win by 0.376-second at an average speed of 71.019 mph.

Coello, who won the first Mazdaspeed Miata Cup race earlier in the day, was riding in the third position coming out of the final turn heading down the front stretch and was able to power by Davies to finish second. Driving the No. 81 Mazda Miata, Colleo made his eighth trip to the podium this season.

Davies qualified his No. 67 TC Dream Motorsports Mazda Miata fifth on the grid and took the lead on lap seven, only to be overtaken by Miller on lap 11. Davies then spent the next 12 laps trailing Miller, but lost the position just as he reached the finish line to finish third.

Pratt Cole finished fourth for the second straight race and Shawn Dewey, of Townsend, Del., grabbed his second top-five finish of the day.

Dewey also won the Sunoco Hard Charger award for advancing eight positions throughout the race, starting 13th and finishing fifth.

-scca pro racing-