FTR Shootout Series Season One Complete
- NR2k2
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- Fast Track Racing Shootout Series
June 21st, 2002 (Sears Point Raceway)
Everything was on the line in the last Fast Track Racing Shootout Series event of the season at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California. Going into the race the top 4 drivers in the standings (Gilles Mourette, Bill Fuller, Billy Murphy, and Rick Everett) were only separated by a mere 27 points to decide the Season 1 crown.
But when the checkers flew, it was Eric Leblanc who drove the #88 Delana Stevens Taurus to victory lane with an impressive run. This was his second career Shootout win.
Leblanc qualified for the race in 3rd, then at the drop of the green flag he was able to take second position away from Rick Everett who got a slow start off the line. He then looked to try and get by the pole sitter and leader, Gilles Mourette. But Mourette, who is one of the most proficient road course drivers in the series, seemed to be pulling away from Leblanc in the first three laps. Then on lap #4 Mourette got in the grass slightly on turn 10, making a rare mistake for him at road courses. This sent his VRW Magazine Dodge sliding sideways, and by the time he could get it going straight again, Leblanc had passed and pulled away to a 6 second lead.
With still over 10 laps to go Leblanc surely had to realize that he must drive flawless to stay ahead of the hard-charging Mourette. But, he never faltered under the pressure and drove consistent laps until the checkered flag dropped. Mourette was able to get back to within a couple seconds of Leblanc, but never made a solid challenge for the lead.
This was Leblanc's second career Shootout win, and he moved up to 4th in the final standings, edging out Billy Murphy by only 6 points.
Gilles Mourette finished in second place, 4.81 seconds behind Leblanc, and easily secured the Season 1 Championship by 32 points.
The following are excerpts from the post-race interview with the Champion Gilles Mourette:
FTR reporter: Gilles, how does it feel to win the inaugural Fast Track Racing Shootout Series Championship?
Mourette: "Several drivers had to miss a couple races and some joined mid-season, so getting the most points at the end does not mean too much, but I am really pleased with my runs at Michigan, Dover and Lowe's. The battle up front was fierce, and winning on my teammate Everett is always sweet... (laughing)"
FTR reporter: Your season started off slowly with a couple of crashes and poor finishes, but you won the last 3 out of 5 events. What do you attribute you success in the second half of the season to?
Mourette: "Murphy stopped showing, that was a huge break...(laughing)... Seriously, I just got some bad luck early on, like at Tally, or plain stupid moves like in Richmond when I hit the pit wall exiting 4 and totaled the car. I think Martinsville is a race I could have won too, I was lacking confidence maybe. Tires played a big role in our three wins too, I think we did a good job saving them."
FTR Reporter: Any thoughts on next season Gilles?
Mourette: "I am really looking forward to the next season. These Shootout races are exciting, and I hope to see more drivers making the field on a regular basis. I also hope John O'Hearn and Darrell Young will be back soon. I miss you guys!"
Finishing the race in third was Rick Everett. Everett's season started off slow as he missed the first two events, but he made a strong run towards the top the entire season, while he also scored a victory at Pocono. He finished 3rd in the final standings. Look for this driver to challenge for the Championship next season.
Bill Fuller finished the race in 4th which was enough to give him second place in the point standings. Fuller's season went without a win, but consistency and top 5 finishes kept him close the top. He led the league with 10 top 5's in the 12 races, and he also completed every possible lap (560).
Fuller commented on the last race, "I knew there was no way I could I beat Gilles at Sears Point, but I thought if I could just stay on course the entire race with some consistent laps, then I might get lucky if he had some misfortune. I accomplished my goal, but he still beat me even after getting off course once. I congratulate him on a great season."
Billy Murphy ended up finishing the season in 4th place. After leading the majority of the series, late season provisionals, and a hard crash at Sears Point left him looking forward to Season 2. However, Murphy still had a great season as he picked up two wins and 3 poles.
Buzz Cox finished the race in 5th to give him his 5th top 5 on the season. He wound up 7th in the final standings, but impressive late season runs earned him respect on the track, and his fellow competitors will now be keeping an eye on this up and coming rookie.
John O'Hearn finished the race in 7th, and with only 3 starts on the season, he finished 13th in the final standings. This veteran driver will be making a return to racing full-time very soon which will add another top contender making a run for the Season 2 Championship.
The series will now take a one week break and Season 2 will begin at Daytona on July 5th.