Watkins Glen race report

Stilwell Goes Flag To Flag At The Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (July 15, 2001) Warren Stilwell, of Hartville, Ohio, led all 15 laps Sunday to win Round Six of the SCCA Pro Racing Pro Spec Racer series at Watkins Glen International. Keith Scharf, of St. Louis, Mo., and Steve Rehkemper, of Chicago, Ill., completed the top-three.

The excitement started early as Neil Tilbor, No. 8 Taiyo Edge R/C Spec Racer, lost both second and fourth gear after taking the lead from Stilwell on lap one.

Stilwell, No. 28 Stilwell Racing Spec Racer, managed to avoid the incident and take the win, while making up crucial ground on series Championship point leader Keith Scharf.

After opting to sit out the last race and only oval event of the season at Chicago Motor Speedway, Stilwell felt he was very fortunate to have finished this well.

"My Biggest concern going into the race was the draft on the back straight because the guy in first is in the worst position," said Stilwell.

"On the start, Neil [Tilbor] took the lead and I was second. Coming out of the boot, he had a problem and I was able to swerve around him to get into first, but the cars behind slowed to miss him. So I got a lead on the rest of the guys. That big lead was a gift, and I could maintain it by running good laps by myself. I worried about seeing the double-yellows at all the turn stations, because restarts make for drafting on the back straight. When the yellow came out, I knew I had to get a good restart. Fortunately, I did, and was able to keep my lead to the end."

Chris Dyson, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., and Richard Spicer, of Laurel, Md., completed the top-five.

With the much-needed victory after an absence at Chicago two weeks ago, Stilwell now trails Keith Scharf in the Championship point standings by just nine, 75 to 84.

James Goughary Jr., who came into the race third in points, had a disappointing afternoon as he saw his No. 29 Red Line Oil Spec Racer fall out of the race will fuel problems. Goughary Jr. finished 31st.

John Black, No. 17 Ascent Racing Spec Racer, fell from fourth to sixth in the point standings after an off-course excursion on lap 12. Black lost fourth gear and finished 27th, but managed to turn the fastest lap of the race with a 2:14.034 (91.320 mph).

The KML Greased Lightning Award of $300 went to No. 43 Herb Sweeney. Sweeney started from the 13th spot, fell all the way to last on the opening lap and managed to finish 15th.

-SCCA/SCCA ProRacing-