CART Autox # 6: Child Abuse by Ray Covino

CART held its 6th points event on June 21st, 2009, which was also Father's Day. The foreboding weather forecast, combined with the holiday, led to fewer than normal competitors. A total of 45 drivers braved the rain to drive.

The course was laid out in anticipation of rain, resulting in a fairly open, swift course. A short straight at the launch led into a slight left / right chicane. From there you dove into a high speed friction circle, then back out along the back of the track for a fairly tight three cone slalom into a hard left, short straight, sweeper right, into a tight left into the finish box. Luckily, however, the rain held out until the end of the day. This resulted in the day progressing very fast.

In A Stock, John Williamson "the helmet guy" took first over Charles Aucoin "Chucky". Being fathers day, Chuck's son Jason let his father take second place. Yaro finished up the class in fourth. E Stock actually had its own class at this low turnout event. James Duphiney took first in his Miata, a full 0.8 seconds over his co-driver for the day, John Lachioma. Andy Pyle in his new old rusty toy, a Mazda RX7, finished up the class. G stock was once again dominated by Brad Snow in his mini. Tom Duran was able to give Brad a very close chase, finishing only 0.226 seconds behind. John Westermann was a scant 0.077 seconds behind Tom. Watch out Brad - they're gunning for you.

CSP was absolutely dominated by Paul O - Paul, give the guys a break, you took the lead by two and a half seconds! Dewey Tsang finished behind Paul in second place, followed by our illustrious photographer Kevin FitzMaurice in his Miata. Matt Skibisky gave his father 4th place, finishing 5th in class. Bob Nogiec, with his brand new 230k mile engine, rounded out the class.

B-Prepared was a bump class, with BP, BSP, and CP cars competing. Jim Velgot gave one to Ray Covino on his last run, winning the class by 0.4 seconds. Ray tried to catch Jim on his last run, and was successful in spinning his car as a reward. Dennis Polio drove his Corvette to third place, and Mark Boerma rounded out the class in his Mustang.

D-Mod had its closest competition yet with Chris Zelle somehow coming in both first and last place at the same time. Chris was driving a very modern looking mister2. E-Mod had the unfortunate luck to have Tom Mak driving in this class. Tom took first by a full second. Jay Bode put up a very good show in second place, and even managed to show Bob Doiron that he didn't need his last run, when he decided to take a very quick run, and spin right at the finish. That'll teach Bob! Tyler Bostwick drove a " Subaru Legacy " which looked like a half pickup truck / half subaru / all pirate ship to round out the class. Tyler took the "Ugliest Subaru" award.

Street touring was dominated by the madman, Warren Elliot, who somehow was able to drive his pushmonster Evo to first place with a 0.7 second gap. Great run, Warren. Tom Lough finished in second place, followed by three more subarus. Warren - nice job eating the scoobies.

Street Modified was NOT won by Nick "Quick Nick" Fandacone. That was not a typo. Kyle Bishop showed up, and showed up Nick by taking first place by two tenths. Justin Baltrucki finished in 3rd place in his supercharged miata. Jeff followed Justin in fourth place in his downright evil mazda. Kurt and Kevin rounded out the course in the Legacy GT, and 240SX, respectively.

Z-novice almost became a bump class. We only had 4 novices running. David Motta decided to not give his dad the fathers day present of a win, being his dad James by 1.4 seconds. Nice Job, Dave! William finished third in his "real" mini cooper, and Gregg rounded out the class in his 72 Saab.