The second event of 2018 NASA Great Lakes Thunder Roadster Series took place at the famed Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio with the series standouts ready to do battle. With an unseasonably cool spring thus far in the Midwest, the drivers were greeted with pleasant, sunny, and seasonal temperatures which made for a fast track throughout the weekend.
Saturday’s race was a battle of champions. Three-time series champion, Brian Bohlander, is starting to get a handle on his new roadster as he took the pole on Saturday over defending series champion Jason Oehler.
In the race, Bohlander inched out to a lead, but Oehler stayed within striking distance. A late race caution bunched the field, giving Oehler an opportunity to get back to Bohlander’s bumper but at the finish, Bohlander went on to the win 5.174 seconds ahead of Oehler. Phil Gehlhausen rounded out the podium. With the help of all the Thunder Roadster Series participants, newcomer Tom Byrns was able to get a cracked rear end housing repaired in time for the race, finishing fourth.
Sunday, the series moved to the club course configuration, adding the track’s original bus stop. Traffic was heavy with more than 55 cars on track for the race, but the outcome was the same as Saturday. Bohlander took the win over Oehler and in the process lowered the track record to 1:38:762 and finished second overall in the race. The best battle of the day was between Gehlhausen and Oehler who traded second position for the first half of the race, but Oehler was able to secure the position in traffic. Tom Byrns finished fourth and continues to close in on another podium finish.
Jason Oehler continues to lead the series standings over Phil Gehlhausen as the tour heads back to Mid-Ohio Memorial Day weekend and then to the resort town of South Haven, Michigan in late June for the next race at Gingerman Raceway.
