The third annual NASA Eastern States Championships presented by Toyo Tires completed day two of qualifying races at the historic Watkins Glen International raceway.
Under perfect racing conditions, 65-degrees and sunny, the NASA Championships competitors took to the track for a second day of qualifying races. The competition on the track was fierce all day with each class setting their respected grids for tomorrow’s NASA Eastern States Championships presented by Toyo Tires races.
GTS
Coming back from a tough qualifying race on Friday, Edward Baus drove his No. 25 Porsche GT3 to the race win this morning. Having cut a tire in yesterday’s qualifier, Baus is poised for good rest of the weekend.
“It was a great race this morning,” Baus said. “We adjusted on the car in warm-up. There is a lot of good competition in the GTS4 class. With a little bit of good luck and some speed I was able to take the class win today. I am thrilled to have a good run. We will start about mid-pack tomorrow for the championship race due to my issue yesterday. I have my work cut-out for me. I am up the challenge and we will see how it goes.”
Spec Miata
In Spec Miata, Tyler Kicera took the qualifying race win on the day. Early contact sent him back, but he was able to drive is No. 44 Mazda Miata back to the front and take the race win.
“The first lap was pretty crazy going up through the esses,” Kicera said. “I got together with Preston Pardus into the Bus Stop and both of us spun to the outside. I got back going in about 11th place and just tried to make up as much ground as possible. I tried to be efficient in picking the guys off. I ran with Chris Haldeman a little bit and we were able to get some separation and go on to the win. I am looking forward to tomorrow. I will start in the top three.”
944 Spec
After a tough start, Jason Stanley drove his No. 60 Porsche 944 to the 944 Spec win.
“I got swamped at the start,” Stanley said. “The outside pole sitter got me going into Turn 1 and I followed him up through the esses. I was able to get a good run at the exit of the Bus Stop, he gave me an avenue to come by and I was able to make the pass into the Boot. I was then just focusing on clean, quick laps. When the first yellow came out I had my spotter letting know when the green flag dropped. I got a good jump and put some Spec E30 traffic me and them and I was able to get the win.”
ST1
In ST1 Don McMillon drove his No. 51 Corvette to the race win this afternoon after overcoming some early weekend mechanical issues.
“I had a great run this afternoon,” McMillon said. “The caution came out in the middle and took away my gap. On the restart I was able to get a good run into Turn 1 and hold my lead until the checker. We had a tough start to the weekend we had to pull the transmission and rear-end out and change the torque tube so that set us back a little. I have a good crew.”
American Iron
Steve Nichols used his drag racing skills to drive his No. 14 Ford Mustang to the American Iron win in his qualifying.
“We don’t do that many standing starts in the mid-Atlantic region,” Nichols said. “The last time I did that was in comp school, I come from a drag racing background. It worked out really good for me. Flim Flam Speed and Cortex Racing gave me a good set-up. The Mustang handled good and ran well all race. For tomorrow there is a lot of tough competition out there, so I am looking for a good race.”
NP01 – powered by Mazda
In the all-new NP01 category, Matt Rivard drove his No. 06 Elan NP01 to the qualifying race win in a tight battle with yesterday’s winner Jeremy Croiset.
“It is exactly how I planned it,” Rivard said. “I had the pole and I knew I had to run a strong pace. The only concern was when we got to traffic, Jeremy was on my tail he would close up on me a little. He got alongside me and made an attempt to pass, but I was able to hold him off. I will start second on the grid tomorrow so it will be a little more work.”
PTD
Dillion Dexter was able to overcome a tough start to take the PTD qualifying race win in his No. 84 Mazda Miata.
“I had a fantastic run aside from losing two out of my three mirrors,” Dexter said. “The start was not ideal. I lost several positions and had to battle my way back. All-in-all I was able to get by some cars and Charley Hayes in the Bus Stop for the win.”
Spec Iron
In Spec Iron, Robert Miller put his No. 20 Ford Mustang at the point and never looked back.
“It was too short,” Miller said. “I went faster than I ever went here before so I am happy. The car is fast, no dents and I am ready to go tomorrow. I will start from the pole and that is hopefully where I’ll finish – on the pole.”
CMC
The No. 67 Camaro of Bob Denton came home first in CMC.
“It was interesting,” Denton said. “I started third and there was a lot of debris on the track, so Russ Carter and I took off down the right side of the track. I took the lead and there was more debris through the esses. A little slippery on the first lap. Russ is awful fast so I will be racing him hard tomorrow.”
NASA Championships presented by Toyo Tires Saturday Qualifying Race Winners:
GTS4, Edward Baus, No. 25 Porsche
GTS3, Hugh Stewart, No. 122 BMW
GTS2, Zach Arnold, No. 55 BMW
GTS1, Mike Mallais, No. 944 Porsche
Spec Miata, Tyler Kicera, No. 44 Mazda Miata
944 Spec, Jason Stanley, No. 60 Porsche 944
Spec E46, Robert Gagliardo, No. 609 BMW
Spec E30, Robert Grace, No. 74 BMW
Spec3, Robin Sparrow, No. 92 BMW
Super Unlimited, Brian Faessler, No. 018 Ford Mustang
ST1, Don McMillon, No. 51 Chevrolet Corvette
ST2, Adrian Wlostowski, N0. 619 Chevrolet Corvette
ST3, Rob Hall, No. 55 Thunder Roadster
AI, Steve Nichols, No. 14 Ford Mustang
AIX, Paul Faessler, No. 11 Ford Mustang
HPD Challenge 1, Michael Kanisczak, No. 54 Honda S2000
HPD Challenge 2, Robert Paszkiewicz, No. 101 Acura Integra
PTB, David Schotz, No. 34 Pontiac Formula
PTD, Dillon Dexter, No. 84, Mazda Miata
PTE, Brian Henderson, No. 28 Mazda Miata
CMC, Bob Denton, No. 67 Chevrolet Camaro
Spec Iron, Robert Miller, No. 20, Ford Mustang
