(Track map of the Classic Boot layout at Watkins Glen)
The third race of the Sim Racer's Edge Alpha IR18 Series Season 4 presented by Ecency.com was held on the "Classic Boot" layout at Watkins Glen, a track with a long and storied history. The track has hosted Formula One, NASCAR, IndyCar, and numerous types of sportscar racing throughout it's lifetime, and always seems to put on a good show. The "Classic Boot" layout avoids the "Inner Loop" on the long straight before the "Outer Loop" corner, meaning cars would be travelling at a top speed of over 180mph before the fast right-hander that leads into the "Boot".
Qualifying would be intense, with all cars on-track for a 10-minute session in what is known as "group qualifying". Finding an open space on track would be key to a good lap, with the goal being to avoid the dirty air from any cars in front. The early laps poured in quickly, with Butch Davis being the first driver to set a time, but that time was quickly eclipsed by several drivers. Nate Siefker held the early edge in the battle for pole position, with a lap of 1:26.597.
In the closing moments of qualifying, Butch Davis would lay down a lap of 1:26.515 to claim pole position, followed closely by teammate Chad Simpson in P2 with a lap of 1:26.576. Nate Siefker would end up P3 with a time of 1:26.592, a mere .016 off of Simpson's time, and starting alongside in P4 would be his teammate Kris Walker with a time of 1:26.783. The top 4 in qualifying were the only drivers to run laps under the 1:27.000 mark. Row 3 would see Rick Ravon starting in P5 alongside young gun Jake Walsh in P6. Starting in row 4 would be Lyle Swearingen in P7 alongside Chris Simard in P8. Row 5 would see Jeffrey Bogan grid up in P9 alongside Darin Gangi in P10, Gangi making his season debut. Bentley Glaser would start P11, followed by Dale Weiser in P12. Kevin O'Brien would start P13, next to FBR Motorsports' Jeffrey Rollete in P14. Brett Beasley would roll off in P15, next to Jose Viguera in P16. Ernie Ludwig would start P17, alongside Jari Bruppacher in P18, the last car to set a time in qualifying. The remaining grid was set by iRating, with Jeff Hollingsworth starting P19 in his season debut, alongside Dan Brasington in P20. Timothy Bates would start P21, next to Shane Loveridge in P22.
(Davis leads the field to green to start the race!)
As the drivers pulled away from the grid behind the pace car to start the pace lap, tire choice and fuel usage would be talking points. On road courses, drivers have an option to use one of two tire compounds. The first, known as the "primary" and usually referred to as "blacks" due to their lack of color on the sidewall of the tire, is a harder and more durable compound, but with longevity and consistency comes a loss of speed over the course of a single flying lap. The "alternates", also known as "reds", are softer tires that offer more grip but a lesser lifespan, and have a red ring that runs the circumference of the sidewall, making it easily distinguishable to drivers and viewers alike. The top two on the grid opted for the "blacks", while the next 3 drivers in line opted for the "reds". Before the green flag flew, strategies were already in motion and would play a huge role in the outcome of the race. O'Brien played an even bigger strategy move, opting to start from pit lane hoping to avoid any potential turn 1 carnage. On the fuel side of things, drivers had to push the limits of their fuel capacity to run 13 laps under green flag conditions, meaning the 54-lap event would have to be approached strategically to minimize time lost either on pit road making a fourth pit stop or on track stretching the fuel to only make three pit stops. The pit road "delta", which is the total time spent entering the pit lane plus the time traversing the pit lane to the pit box plus the pit stop itself plus the run to pit exit and getting back up to racing speed, was around 32 seconds. Those who could avoid that fourth pit stop would essentially gain 32 seconds on the rest of the field, but could that be done without losing that much time or more while saving the fuel?
(The field roars into turn 1 on lap 1!)
As the green flag flew, Davis jumped out to a quick but narrow lead into turn 1, with Siefker quickly slotting himself into P2. Behind the top 2, Simpson fought side-by-side with Ravon through turn 1 and into the Esses, with Ravon coming out in P3. As the leaders exited the Esses onto the long back straight, Ravon had a huge run, but nowhere to go with the momentum and Davis and Siefker were side-by-side. All of the drivers made it through turn 1 without any contact, which was a shocking but welcome scenario. Bruppacher was the man on the move, up three positions from P17 on the grid to P13 before exiting the Esses. Into the Outer Loop, the 5 leaders were under a blanket, with Siefker taking the lead on corner entry, while Walker jumped to the inside of Simpson for P4. Ravon also took advantage of the "reds" that he started on, shooting around the outside of Davis in the middle of the Outer Loop to relegate Davis to P3. The relief of making it through tun 1 would quickly turn to sorrow as the midfield entered the Outer Loop. Bentley Glaser made a daringly late move to the inside of Jeffrey Bogan, and the two drivers made contact resulting in both cars veering off track and hard into the outside tire wall and barriers, just barely escaping further contact from other cars as the drivers behind ducked and dodged to avoid the wreck. The impacts would put Glaser out of the race, while Bogan was able to limp to the pits for what would be very lengthy repairs. Walker would quickly get around Davis as well, making a move to the inside on the corner following the Outer Loop. At the end of lap 1, Siefker led Ravon, followed by Walker, Davis, and Simpson rounding out the top 5. Walsh was holding strong in P6, with Swearingen, Simard, Gangi, and Weiser close behind rounding out the top 10. Rollette was still P11, but struggling on the black sidewalled tires, with a hard-charging Bruppacher now up to 12th on the faster red sidewalled tires. A gap had formed between 12th and 13th place, the latter of which was occupied by Beasley, with Ludwig, Hollingsworth, Viguera, and Brasington comprising the rest of that pack. There was another sizable gap back to Bates in 18th, with Loveridge and O'Brien still regrouping from their "take it easy" approach to lap 1.
(Up through the Esses they go!)
Davis would continue his fall back through the field on lap 2 as he gave up P4 to his teammate Simpson as the entered the Outer Loop. Simard made a great inside pass on the following corner to get by Swearingen for P7, with Gangi making an inside pass of his own on Swearingen in the next corner to move himself to P8. Loveridge would gain a position to P17 as he got around Bates in the same corner. Lap 3 would see Ravon use the push-to-pass button exiting turn 1 to close the gap to leader Siefker, making a strong move to the outside entering the Outer Loop and taking the lead for the first time this season. Hollingsworth would use the tow from Ludwig to dart to the inside as they entered the Outer Loop, making the pass to move into P14. On lap 4, Bogan returned to the track after extensive repairs in the pits, and Brasington finally made a move to Viguera's inside as they entered turn 1, completing the pass to move up to P16. Lap 5 saw the top 3 stretch their advantage over the chasing pack to 3.5 seconds, as Ravon continued to lead Siefker and Walker. The field would settle down and seemingly settle themselves in at their current positions. Walsh would try to make a pass on Davis on Lap 6, but was unsuccessful as Davis was able to hold him off on the outside of the Outer Loop and into the Chute. Hollingsworth attempted a similar move, successfully completing the pass on Beasley to move up to P13. Simard had a poor exit to turn 1 on lap 7, surrendering P7 to Gangi in the Esses. Loveridge made slight contact with Viguera as they exited the boot, sending Viguera spinning but avoiding any major damage to either car and Viguera rejoining in P20. Lap 8 saw Siefker get a great run on Ravon as they exited turn 1, moving to the outside as the exited the Esses and going side-by-side through the Outer Loop. Siefker completed the pass to regain the lead as they entered the boot. Lap 10 saw Walker dive to the inside of Ravon as they entered turn 1, moving Walker up to P2 behind teammate Siefker, with the leader beginning to stretch his lead over the battle for P2. Gangi had a great run out of turn 1 and through the Esses, pulling to the left of Walsh on lap 11 as the headed down the long back straight, completing the pass and moving up to P6 before they entered the Outer Loop. At the end of lap 12, Siefker would be the first to dive to pit lane for tires and fuel. Walker stayed out to assume the lead, while Ravon followed Siefker into pit lane. Simpson, Davis, Gangi, and Walsh also stayed out, while Simard dove into the pits. Weiser and Swearingen passed pit lane entry, while Bruppacher dove in late. Hollingsworth, Rollette, Brasington, and Ludwig opted to stay on track, while Beasley pitted from P16. Loveridge, Bates, and O'Brien also opted to stay out. Viguera was the final car on the lead lap in P20, and after the spin earlier, opted to come to pit lane for new tires and fuel. All of the drivers who passed pit lane at the end of lap 12 dove to pit lane at the end of lap 13, with the lone exception being O'Brien, who was saving fuel and pushed the fuel to the limits to make it to the end of lap 14 before stopping. Gangi had a slow exit from his stall, and alongside Walsh, spun the tires as he switched off the pit limiter and slammed into the left guardrail on the pit exit access road. It was a horrible way to end what was an absolutely amazing drive for Gangi up to that point. O'Brien finally completed the pit cycle as he entered at the end of lap 14, having used the strategy to move up to P8 before his stop. After the pit cycle, the order was Siefker, Ravon, Walker, Simpson, Davis, Walsh, Simard, Weiser, Swearingen, and Bruppacher completing the top 10. Hollingsworth was now running 11th, followed by Rollette, Brasington, Beasley, Ludwig, Loveridge, Bates, and O'Brien in 18th. Viguera was now 19th, one lap down, and Bogan 20th, 3 laps down. With the pit cycle completed, the field was a little more spread out as strategies came into play.
(Through the Outer Loop on lap 1. Bogan and Glaser sliding off!)
(Siefker stretching his lead. Davis falling back.)
Lap 17 was unkind to Hollingsworth, as connection issues ended his night early while he was running a strong P11. Lap 18 saw the renewal of the battle for P2 between Ravon and Walker, with Walker making a move to the inside down the long back straight and into the Outer Loop. Ravon was masterful in fending off Walker, retaining P2 as they entered the boot. Walker would attempt the same move on the following lap, with the same results as Ravon defended well. Walker adjusted his mode of attack, getting to the left of Ravon on the long straight and finally making the pass stick for P2 as they entered the Outer Loop. Ravon immediately retaliated, making a move to the inside of the Toe and completing the pass in the Heel. Walsh was pushing a little too hard and got into the grass with the back end as he was accelerating on the exit of the boot, spinning and making hard contact with the front end of the car against the left guardrail. Walsh was able to limp the car back to the pits, but lengthy repairs were in store for the young driver that would put him a lap down. Ravon would overshoot the turn 1 entry on lap 22, allowing Walker the opportunity to attack on exit and retake P2 as they entered the Esses. Ravon again retaliated right away, moving to the inside of Walker as they approached the Outer Loop and completing the pass. Meanwhile, all of the battling for P2 allowed Simpson to reel both drivers in, moving to within a second of the battle for P2. Walker would use Ravon's tow down the back straight on lap 23, moving to the left and holding strong on the outside of the Outer Loop, putting him on the inside line for the Toe where he completed the pass, once again moving back into P2. Ravon dove into the pits at the end of lap 24, handing 3rd place to Simpson. Simard would follow Ravon into the pits, giving up P6 to do so. Beasley would also dive in, giving up P13. Siefker would jump to pit lane a lap later, followed by Walker and Bruppacher. Simpson would lead the next group into pit lane on lap 26, though Davis stayed out to lead a lap and collect the bonus point for leading a lap. Following Simpson into pit lane would be Weiser, Swearingen, Brasington, Viguera, Rollette, and Loveridge. Davis would finally pit at the end of lap 27 after leading a lap, with Bates and Ludwig eventually following. O'Brien would again be the last car to make a pit stop as he continued to stretch his fuel longer than anyone else, his stop coming at the end of lap 28. With the second round of pit stops now completed, Siefker maintained his large lead over 2nd place, now occupied by Walker. Ravon was 3rd, a little over a second behind Walker. Simpson and Davis rounded out the top 5. Simard was running P6, with a battle raging between Weiser and Swearingen over P7/P8, with Swearingen making a pass stick on the back straight to claim P7 on lap 29. Bruppacher was holding steady in P9, with Brasington in P10, Rollette in P11, Loveridge in P12, Beasley in P13, Bates in P14, Ludwig in P15, and finally O'Brien in P16 and the last car on the lead lap. Walsh was P17, one lap down just behind Siefker. Viguera was P18 and Bogan P19, both multiple laps down.
(Simard up the inside of Swearingen!)
(Gangi makes the inside pass on Swearingen next!)
(Contact!! Loveridge sends Viguera spinning!)
Ludwig would make a late braking pass on the inside of Bates as they entered the Outer Loop, and quickly pulled away. Bates would see his night get worse as he missed his braking point at the very next corner entering the Boot, sliding off track and into the barrier on the outside of the turn. Unfortunately for Bates, the damage was terminal and his race was unceremoniously over. Lap 32 would see Loveridge with a great run out of turn 1 that turned into momentum to pass Rollette for P11. Lap 33 would see the renewal of the battle for P2 between Walker and Ravon, with Ravon making a pass on the back straight to move to P2 holding position until his pit stop at the end of lap 36. Walker would make the move to pit lane a lap later for a longer than normal stop to repair some minor left front wing damage, handing P2 over to Simpson, who had closed the gap yet again while Ravon and Walker battled. Loveridge would also head to pit lane at the end of lap 37, followed closely by race leader Siefker who was now at the end of lap 38 and had now lapped the field up to P11 where Loveridge was running. Beasley would follow Siefker in as well. Simard made the hard right into pit lane on lap 38 as well. Strategies were now in full swing, and in full view for all to see. Drivers knew the typical fuel stint would be between 12-13 laps, but Simpson was now pushing to maximize his fuel conservation, making sure he stayed out long enough once Siefker, Ravon, and Walker made their pit stops to get the bonus point for leading a lap. Bruppacher and Brasington both entered pit lane on lap 39, with Simpson stopping not long after, now at the end of his lap 40. This handed the lead to Davis, though it was short-lived as Siefker caught Davis down the long back straight and made the pass as they entered the Outer Loop to retake P1. Swearingen, Weiser, and Rollette would dive into pit lane at the end of lap 40 as well, with Davis not far behind, though he was now on his lap 41. Ludwig would also pit at the end of his 41st lap, followed closely by Loveridge. O'Brien would be the last car to pit again, having made great progress through the field since the start of the race while also conserving more fuel than any other driver. With the third round of pit stops completed, Siefker maintained the lead of the race, with Ravon in P2, Simpson in P3, Walker in P4, and Davis in P5. Simard was in P6, Swearingen in P7, Weiser in P8, Bruppacher in P9, and Brasington in P10.
(Ravon to the lead early and leading the 3-car breakaway!)
(Heartbreak for Gangi on the pit road exit!)
Lap 42 would see the first flinch as strategies began to really play out. Simard dove to pit lane for a final time to top off the fuel cell and make his run to the checkered flag, but in doing so, gave up P6. Beasley would follow Simard into pit lane not long after for his final stop. On lap 44, Weiser carried too much speed and missed the apex for the very tricky Toe turn, sliding off track and making heavy contact with the tire wall. Ravon would be the next of the lead lap cars to flinch, diving to pit lane at the end of lap 47. Walker would do the same on the next lap, knowing he wasn't going to be able to stretch the fuel to the end of the race. Siefker would make his final stop at the end of lap 50, handing the lead over to Simpson but coming out of the pits only 2 seconds adrift of the new leader and on fresh reds. As the leaders began lap 52, Simpson now had a less than one second lead on Siefker in P2, with Davis now promoted to P3 thanks to fuel strategy, Ravon in P4, and Walker in P5. Swearingen was now up to P6, Bruppacher in P7, Brasington in P8, Simard in P9 as the last car on the lead lap, and O'Brien completing the top 10 as the first car one lap down. Simpson defended both respectfully and masterfully through lap 52, holding a narrow margin to start lap 53. Siefker's fresh tires and overall pace were just too much to overcome for Simpson, who finally gave up the lead on the back straight heading into the Outer Loop. It was a courageous and valiant effort, but one that was always going to come up just a little short. Siefker would grab his second checkered flag in a row after his victory in Nashville, followed by Simpson, Davis, Ravon, and Walker. Swearingen held on for P6 with Bruppacher close behind in P7. Confusion and disbelief surrounded P8 and P9, as Brasington had a decent lead on Simard. Coming to get the white flag just ahead of race winner Siefker, Brasington was running out of fuel and trying to limp the car back around to complete the final lap, which he was unsuccessful in doing. Behind him, Simard lost concentration as he saw Brasington going so slowly and thought the race was over, pulling off at turn 1 and stopping. Luckily for both drivers, they would maintain their P8 and P9 finishing positions by virtue of O'Brien being a full one lap down in P10.
(Monumental slugfest between Walker and Ravon!)
(Not the way Bates wanted to end his race!)
(Weiser into the tire barriers late in the running!)
Siefker's win makes it two in a row for the Season 1 and Season 2 champion. Simpson's 2nd place finish gets him back on the podium where he spent most of Season 3. Davis' 3rd place finish helps him maintain his points lead and keeps the streak of podium finishes going for this season. Rounding out the top 5 were Ravon in P4 and Walker in P5, both with exceptional races undone by strategy. Swearingen gets his season heading in the right direction after two tough opening rounds, finishing P6. Bruppacher was the last car on the lead lap in P7. Brasington's fuel woes saw him finish P8, the first car one lap down to the leaders. Simard finished P9 after slowing on the final lap thinking the race was over, a potentially costly mistake for the two-time season podium finisher, depending on how the season points shake out. O'Brien held on to P10, with Rollette just behind in P11. Ludwig took the checkered flag in P12, followed by Loveridge in P13, Beasley in P14, and Walsh in P15, the last car that was one lap down. Viguera finished P16, two laps down, with Bogan soldiering on to come home P17, three laps down and the last car running at the finish. Weiser finished P18, seven laps down, with Bates in P19, Hollingsworth P20, Gangi P21, and Glaser P22.
(The pass for the lead in the closing laps!)
(Siefker with a burnout on the front straight after a solid victory!)
Next up for the league is a date at Iowa Speedway on February 24th. See you there!