The Performance Touring D Championship race had Florida’s Eric Powell in his Mazda Miata starting at the back of the nine-car grid. Powell wasn’t in the back for long as he moved through the entire field and eventually took the lead over pole-sitter Joshua Allan, who also was driving a Mazda MX-5. As the race progressed, Powell and Allan started to separate themselves from the rest of the field. But as the two drivers began to maneuver through traffic, Powell ended up off in The Corkscrew, resulting in being dragged back to the paddock by a tow truck.
This allowed Allan to take the win, with David Vodden earning second place, and Ali Naimi in third, making the podium for PTD an all-Mazda MX-5/Miata affair.
“It was a good weekend. I won both qualifying races and the Championship race,” said PTD winner Joshua Allan. “Eric Powell missed both qualifying races, so he had to start in the back. He was fast. He ran through the field and he got by me. Then we ran into traffic. The race was really a traffic battle. It was all about managing the traffic. Powell got caught up in it in The Corkscrew and ended up off the track. I was able to get around it all and bring my car safely home for the win.”
“I want to thank NASA for a great event,” said second-place finisher David Vodden. “I had a great time here at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.”
“We had to rebuild the car yesterday, so I am happy to be here,” said third-place finisher Ali Naimi. “We got spun out in the first qualifying race and the front wheel snapped in half, so we had to rebuild the whole front suspension. Glad to be on the podium.”
