Scott Smithson encores at Road America
After claiming his maiden TC America victory in Saturday’s Race 2, Scott Smithson encored in today’s second race at Road America. The DXDT Racing’s driver led home VGCM Racing’s Victor González in a Honda Civic 1-2, while Roy Block finished third in one of the KMW Motorsports Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars. It was a consolation for the team that had seen their hopes for victory vanished when the other Giulietta of Tim Lewis retired from the lead for the consequence of a collision with Smithson.
The championship leader Tyler Maxson, who had scored his ninth victory in Friday’s Race 1 and had his winning streak disrupted in Saturday’s Race 2 because of a technical issue, never had the pace to fight for the top positions.
A pile up at the start in the field of the TCA class meant the race was red-flagged in its first lap. When racing resumed, the KMW Motorsports Alfa Romeo cars of Lewis and Block led from Smithson and González. But on lap 5, the pace of Block’s car faded, and he dropped to fifth, behind Maxson. However, quickly the Alfa was back at speed and Block repassed Maxson for P4.
The Honda duo of Smithson and González put a huge pressure on Lewis, until Smithson hit the Giulietta into Turn 1 at the beginning of lap 8. Lewis was able to stay on the track, but soon afterwards slowed down and eventually retired with a broken rear suspension.
The final part of the race was enlivened by the battle between Smithson and González that ended with the former beating the Puerto Rican under the flag by 1.4 seconds, with Block completing the podium ahead of Maxson.
TC America will resume on 18th/20th September at the Circuit of the Americas, in Texas.
Race 3
1. Scott Smithson (DXDT Racing, Honda Civic Type R), 17 laps
2. Victor González (VGMC Racing, Honda Civic Type R), 1.401
3. Roy Block (KMW Motorsports, Alfa Romeo Giulietta), 20.033
4. Tyler Maxson (Copeland Motorsport, Hyundai Veloster N), 24.835
5. Olivia Askew (DXDT Racing, Honda Civic Type R), 37.854
Championship standings
1. Tyler Maxson 237 pts; 2. Victor González 150; 3. Scott Smithson 132
Picture: SRO Motorsports
