For drivers competing at a world-class level, a "championship" is the end-of-season goal that solidifies a team's success in a series. For Scott Tucker and his Boardwalk Ferrari Supercar Life Racing team, this goal is one step closer. In perfect form, Tucker completed the sixth round of the 2009 Ferrari Challenge Series weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park qualifying in first for race 12, leading every lap of the race, setting a new track record and taking over as points leader in the Series standings.
"It has been a dogfight at the top of the points standings," Tucker said. "One race could swing the leader board in any direction. This weekend was proof of that. Things can turn around so quickly; with each race, you have to be on your game. The competition level is unbelievable; the International Finals in Spain will be a fun ride."
Leading up to Saturday's race 11, Tucker showed fans exactly what kind of power the No. 55 machine was capable of. The Boardwalk Ferrari Supercar Life team posted the fastest lap time in practice one on Friday, clocking in at 01:25.700. Tucker was the only driver to post a time in the 01:25's during that practice.
Saturday's main event was a nail-biter. Pole winner Ferrari of Houston's Mark McKenzie was put to the test as soon as the green flag dropped. Ferrari of Silicon Valley's Zak Brown, who had qualified in second, flew past the No. 27 car, taking the lead as the field entered turn one.
Tucker wasted no time in advancing from his fourth place starting position. He quickly maneuvered his way past The Collection's Enzo Potolicchio--a newcomer to the Series--to slide into third.
Over the next laps, Tucker chased McKenzie, who was now in second. McKenzie reclaimed his lead spot on lap five as he passed Brown in turn six.
With 12 minutes remaining on the clock, Tucker buried Brown's No. 99 car. The Boardwalk Ferrari Supercar Life driver was able to make a smooth pass over Brown in turn one to take over second.
Narrowing McKenzie's lead, the two ended the race in a door-to-door duel, lapping the back markers twice in the remaining laps. McKenzie defended his lead to the very end, taking the checkered flag (01:26.134), and extending his points lead in the standings. Tucker followed in second, just 55 points behind McKenzie, posting a time of 01:26.555. Completing the Top Five on the grid were drivers Brown (01:26.394), Ferrari of Silicon Valley's Henri Richard (01:27.032) and Ferrari of Newport Beach's Steve Hill (01:27.378) in third, fourth and fifth positions.
But McKenzie's lead would be short lived. Sunday's race was one for the books. The morning began with Tucker ripping a flyer of 01:24.662 during qualifying, placing him in first on the grid for the afternoon's race. His time was .24 seconds faster than Brown's second place 01:24.902.
When the green flag dropped Tucker charged full speed ahead and left the rest of the field behind. On lap four, Tucker set a new track record in the No. 55, posting a time of 01:25.465. He was a full five car lengths ahead of McKenzie, who had qualified in third position, and was working on his attack on second place Brown. Too eager to pass the No. 99 F430, McKenzie got too close for comfort and hit the back of Brown's car, breaking its rear diffuser. Undeterred, McKenzie kept moving, next aiming for Tucker.
Moments later, the race's first and only full-course caution occurred: The Collection's Carlos Conde and Ferrari of Silicon Valley's Harry Chueng No. 13 and No. 77 cars collided. Taking advantage of the slower field, McKenzie inched his way closer to Tucker, who was still in first.
Meanwhile, Brown was struggling. The rear diffuser that McKenzie hit was now dragging on track, and the No. 99 car was forced into the pits to remove the piece by an official black flag. Brown, who had been in third place in the Series standings, would finish the race in seventh, effectively putting him out of contention for the championship.
With Brown out, Potolicchio, who was running in fourth, settled his No. 98 car into third place.
With two laps to go in the 29-lap race, Tucker held the No. 1 spot securely. It wasn't until the last lap that McKenzie made another attempt to close in on the leader. Unfortunately for Tucker, in turn five McKenzie made another reckless pass attempt, plowing into the left rear corner of the No. 55 and sent Tucker flying off track.
To avoid a late-race accident, Potolicchio drove past the two cars and moved into first. However, a guest of Ferrari North America who was just trying out the Series, Potolicchio's points and place did not count. Determined to take the win, Tucker quickly drove back on track, passing McKenzie and pushing his faster No. 55 Ferrari to a first-place finish that helped him take over sole possession of the North American Ferrari Challenge Series points lead.
But the battle wasn't over yet. Two separate requests for review of McKenzie's driving were filed with Grand-Am officials post race, resulting in McKenzie being penalized for avoidable contact. The one-minute penalty relegated the Texan from second place to twelfth. Ferrari of Silicon Valley's Richard moved into second (01:26.597) with Ferrari of Newport Beach's Hill in third (01:27.747). The Collection's Francesco Piovanetti (01:27.697) and Tucker's Boardwalk Ferrari teammate Ted Skokos (01:28.761) rounded out the Top Five.
Tucker earned 375 points over the course of the weekend compared to McKenzie's 250. This puts Tucker on top of the standings with 1,950 points. McKenzie is now in second with 1,875 points.
"Unbelievable," driver coach Ed Zabinski said. "This race was nothing short of dramatic. The last lap was crucial for Scott. Luckily, we were able to get back on track after the collision and continue to lead the race in its remaining seconds. We are now in first in the standings and couldn't be happier. After this weekend's events, this team is definitely motivated for the championship."
The team will have plenty of opportunities to stay in shape before heading to Spain. Next weekend Tucker will compete in the Sports Car Club of America's National Championship Runoffs at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. In 2008, Tucker and SCCA teammate Zabinski made national headlines when they capped of the racing season by piloting identical Ferraris to two podium finishes and a National Championship at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kan. Zabinski became the first driver to ever win an SCCA National Championship in any class while driving a Ferrari; Tucker followed close behind in third position.
Following Saturday's SCCA race, Tucker will fly to Braselton, Ga. to test the new Le Mans Prototype (LMP) Challenge car at Road Atlanta on Sunday, September 27. Tucker and Grand-Am Rolex Series teammate Christophe Bouchut were invited earlier this month by the American Le Mans Series to test the car. Earlier this summer, the Series announced its planned consolidation of the LMP and GT classes, at the same time introducing a new LMP Challenge class. With the new addition, the Series hopes to bulk up its program long-term into 2011.
The International Finals of the Ferrari Challenge Series will take place in Valencia, Spain November 12-15.
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