More Questions Than Answers

Interrupted Before We Could Get Going

Friday’s four practice sessions never really got going. Sessions 1 and 2 each lasted only two laps before another car broke down, bringing out the black flags. Then Practice 3 came to an abrupt end when one of the heaviest downpours I’ve ever seen hit the track. I had just made it back to the paddock as the storm rolled in, and I couldn’t see a thing.

The Drafting Games

After practice I felt decent heading into qualifying, but then the drafting games began.

With Watkins Glen’s long straightaways, getting the right tow is critical. Throughout both qualifying sessions I spent more time trying to set up push laps than actually completing them. I kept getting caught behind slower traffic, searching for cars running a similar pace, and waiting for the right tow.

More than once, the cars I was following backed out of their laps, forcing me to reset and start over. Then, on what looked like my best opportunity, I made a mistake in the Bus Stop and blew my chance, leaving us to start both races from P12.

A Strong Race 1… For Two Laps

Race 1 couldn’t have started much better. I moved from P12 to P9 in the opening two laps and felt like we had a car capable of moving forward.

Then a car crashed heavily exiting Turn 1, and that was it. The safety car was deployed, and after a lengthy cleanup the race was called with 18 minutes still remaining. Absolutely frustrating.

A Good Start, Then the Pace Fell Away

Race 2 got off to another good start as I worked my way into ninth and tried to stay with the lead pack. Unfortunately, I found myself on my own as the front group drafted away while the cars behind continued battling each other.

About halfway through the race, my pace began to fall off. The front pack disappeared, and before long I couldn’t keep the group behind me. I gave it everything I had, but I had no confidence with the car on corner entry and quickly lost pace. I ultimately finished P12.

A Tough One to Look Back On

Looking back on this weekend, I realize just how difficult everything was. Not much went our way. There’s a lot I’ll learn from moving forward. But you can only learn from the past, not change it.

Next Up: Mosport

Now it’s time to turn the page. This weekend I’ll be heading to Mosport near Toronto for an endurance race, and you can follow the entire weekend live from my onboard camera using the link below.

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