Going into round 8 after winning 3 of the 7 races of the Koni Challenge series, Kensai Racing's #76 Acura TSX of Karl Thomsom and (NSX owner) Billy Johnson won the ST class at the world famous Watkins Glen Raceway and reclaim the lead of the championship.
The team's #75 TSX qualified 2nd and the winning #76 TSX qualified in the 6th position, an eerie similarity to the previous race's qualifying positions at Mid-Ohio where bad luck and accidents plagued the race.
Karl Thomson did a great job starting the #76 TSX keeping the car in 5th which pitted around the 30 minute mark where Billy Johnson took over the controls to finish out the race. Billy moved to the front and took control over the race until the #22 Honda of America Racing Team Accord blew past Billy on the back straight to the bus-stop.
A last minute yellow bunched the field leaving only two green flag laps before the checkered flag flew. The #22 Accord driven by Shane Lewis parked the field on the restart to get an early lead. Guy Cosmo in the Fountain BMW 330i passed Billy into turn 1 only to be re-passed on the exit. Going into the bus-stop Billy, Cosmo and the No. 86 BMW Classic-Plano BMW Z4 driven by Toby Grahovic were three-wide. Everyone made it through cleanly but allowing Billy to hunt down the Accord. On the last lap the Accord was half a straight ahead but suffering from brake problems allowed Billy to capitalize and pass the #22 Accord with 5 turns remaining for the win.
"On the last lap I really far behind the Accord and was prepared to take a second place finish. I knew Shane had brake problems but I didn't think I would be able to make up the gap" Johnson continued. "Going into the 'laces of the boot', Shane broke twice as early as normal allowing me to move to the inside for the pass which I held for the win."
This marks a series-leading fourth victory of 2007 for the #76 Kensai Racing Compass360.com/Skunk2/Hawk Brakes Acura TSX of Karl Thomson and Billy Johnson. Thomson and Johnson reclaimed a 2-pt lead over the #95 Turner BMW of Burrows and Hopwood going into the next race at Barber Motorsports Park.
More info can be found at:
http://grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=8628
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/grandam/38602/
I would like to thank Team Kensai Racing (www.kensairacing.com) for building and prepping amazing cars. Of course Compass360 (www.compass360.com) and Acura.
The team's #75 TSX qualified 2nd and the winning #76 TSX qualified in the 6th position, an eerie similarity to the previous race's qualifying positions at Mid-Ohio where bad luck and accidents plagued the race.
Karl Thomson did a great job starting the #76 TSX keeping the car in 5th which pitted around the 30 minute mark where Billy Johnson took over the controls to finish out the race. Billy moved to the front and took control over the race until the #22 Honda of America Racing Team Accord blew past Billy on the back straight to the bus-stop.
A last minute yellow bunched the field leaving only two green flag laps before the checkered flag flew. The #22 Accord driven by Shane Lewis parked the field on the restart to get an early lead. Guy Cosmo in the Fountain BMW 330i passed Billy into turn 1 only to be re-passed on the exit. Going into the bus-stop Billy, Cosmo and the No. 86 BMW Classic-Plano BMW Z4 driven by Toby Grahovic were three-wide. Everyone made it through cleanly but allowing Billy to hunt down the Accord. On the last lap the Accord was half a straight ahead but suffering from brake problems allowed Billy to capitalize and pass the #22 Accord with 5 turns remaining for the win.
"On the last lap I really far behind the Accord and was prepared to take a second place finish. I knew Shane had brake problems but I didn't think I would be able to make up the gap" Johnson continued. "Going into the 'laces of the boot', Shane broke twice as early as normal allowing me to move to the inside for the pass which I held for the win."
This marks a series-leading fourth victory of 2007 for the #76 Kensai Racing Compass360.com/Skunk2/Hawk Brakes Acura TSX of Karl Thomson and Billy Johnson. Thomson and Johnson reclaimed a 2-pt lead over the #95 Turner BMW of Burrows and Hopwood going into the next race at Barber Motorsports Park.
More info can be found at:
http://grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=8628
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/grandam/38602/
I would like to thank Team Kensai Racing (www.kensairacing.com) for building and prepping amazing cars. Of course Compass360 (www.compass360.com) and Acura.
