Scott Tucker dominated the Road Atlanta track this weekend, capturing the checkered flag in races three and four of the 2009 Ferrari Challenge Series season. Driving the No. 55 Boardwalk Ferrari Supercar Life F430, Tucker took full control of the 2.54-mile circuit both days, posting a fastest lap time and setting a new track record for the fastest race lap of 01:29.352, leading every lap of the race and earning his fourth win out of four this season on Sunday.
Coming off yet another successful race weekend, Tucker reminded Ferrari Challenge Series fans and drivers why he is a leading contender for this season's championship title.
"Going into the race weekend I had come down with the flu, I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to race," Tucker said. "After completing race three and taking the checkered flag, and then doing it again on Sunday, it was well worth it. My great Boardwalk Supercar Life Ferrari team and the amazing machine they give me make all the difference-especially on a weekend like this."
Coming into the Series' second doubleheader weekend at Road Atlanta, Tucker and his Boardwalk Ferrari team had high hopes of a repeat of the sweep they made two weeks ago at Homestead-Miami Speedway. With wins posted in both of Road Atlanta's Saturday and Sunday races, those hopes were realized.
Posting a qualifying time of 01:27.023 for race three, Tucker took third position on the starting grid. When the green flag dropped it was second position starter, Zak Brown, who moved into the lead passing pole winner Richard Fant. By lap two, Tucker had been pushed back to sixth.
The fast pace of race three continued in true Series style, as Tucker watched for an opportunity to take the lead. During lap eight, Ferrari of Beverly Hills' Sunny Yu lost grip and crashed into the wall going into turn 10, breaking his foot and almost taking out Tucker and the No. 55 car. For a look at the close call, checking out the Ferrari Challenge video link below.
Tucker emerged victorious with Brown (01:28.511) coming in second. Drivers Henri Richard (01:28.012), John Farano(01:29.020)and Mike Zoi (01:29.965) rounded out the Top Five.
Sunday's race four was a quieter sequel to Saturday's race three action; it also saw Tucker atop the podium after regaining a lead over Brown. Sunday's action began with race three runner-up Brown posting a qualifying time of 01:26.673 to take the pole position. Tucker followed close behind with a time of 01:26.860, and Ferrari of Houston's Mark McKenzie secured third position, clocking in at 01:27.531.
Rain began to fall just as the 45-minute race four went green, elevating the drama, as the entire field had gridded with slick tires. Brown missed a beat when the flag dropped, which gave Tucker a jump on the start. In slick track conditions, Tucker led the field going into turn one, ahead of Brown by four car lengths-a huge margin for the No. 55 car.
Looking to redeem his slow start, Brown hounded Tucker during the opening laps, letting Tucker be the guinea pig on untested track conditions while searching for every opportunity to pass. But his persistence was denied; the No. 55 Supercar Life Ferrari F430 was too quick for the No. 99 car from Silicon Valley.
Most of the action stayed at the front of the pack between Tucker and Brown. The rest of the field ran a wire-to-wire race without much change in position until close to the end of the race, when Guy LeClerc in the No. 91 car lost control approaching turn three, getting stuck in the gravel. A full course caution slowed the pace of the field. Lapping the cars at the back of the pack, Tucker extended the gap between himself and Brown while maneuvering through the slow traffic for the last few laps. He had established an 8.5-second lead over Brown when the safety car came out. Though the safety car's appearance allowed Brown to narrow Tucker's margin, the No. 55 still took the checkered flag under full course caution, finishing .5 seconds ahead of Brown (01:29.852).
Drivers Mark McKenzie (01:29.214), Steve Hill (01:29.550) and John Farano (01:29.496) put in fast and consistent drives to capture the third, fourth and fifth place positions.
After the weekend's two wins, Tucker has stretched his lead at the top of the Series standings. With 800 points, he is 200 points ahead of McKenzie, who is in second (600 points).
"This team has really hit its stride; I can't thank Boardwalk Ferrari and everyone on the team enough for all their hard work and time they have put into this car," said Tucker. "Come end of the season, I hope to be on top of the podium at the world finals, taking that title championship."
"Coming out of Homestead we knew what we wanted to accomplish at Road Atlanta," said Team Manager David Stone. "Here we are, doing it again. Tucker swept the competition in both races giving a great race performance. We came out of the race weekend claiming as many points as possible, helping to extend our lead in the Series standings."
With the weekend's two wins at Road Atlanta concluded, Tucker heads to the next round of the Grand-Am Rolex Series in the No. 55 Daytona Prototype at Virginia International Raceway April 26. The Bosch Engineering 250 will air on SPEED TV at 2:30 p.m. EST. Races five and six of the Ferrari Challenge Series follows at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., May 1 through 3.
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