Yes, this was an unusual Tuesday race as ChampCar rescheduled the original September race weekend to April to get this race completed before the sale and closure of the facility. It was scheduled for 8-hours. Not the longest race we’ve entered but certainly an endurance endeavor.
We approached this race primarily as a test for our car and a [new] driver in preparation of the Watkins Glen race at the end of May. Tuesday’s random start had us near the back of the field at the drop of the green flag. Our little engine puts us in the same class as the Miatas, in which there were many turning fast laps. Out of the 47-teams entered, there were certainly more Miatas than any other car competing. Throughout the day, we slowly and methodically etched upward in position, eventually making our way into FIFTH overall and THIRD in class (Class A includes all those machines with an engine displacement of 1.9 liters and below.)! However, about fifteen-twenty minutes before the checked flag, our driver radioed-in that the electronics in the car were starting to act up. Then, at exactly 12 minutes before the checkered flag, [nearly] all the electronics in the car shut off right in front of the pits approaching turn One and the car coasted into a disappointing stop a couple turns later but still in view. He safely pulled off into the grass and communication eventually halted as there was no more power to run the comm system. Due to the proximity to the end of the long race, race control elected to leave our disabled race car out there so they could end under green flag conditions. Right at the very end, we lost lap after lap as the leaders powered their way to the finish in those last few minutes.
Our little car was fast and was very competitive, but never finished the race. Eventually Dave was flat-towed off the track after all the other competitors passed by the checkered flag. We still consider this race to be successful despite the disappointing finish, or lack thereof… We had no mechanical failures and had smooth pit stops all day long. We didn’t even break any axles, which tended to plague our last car with this same exact drivetrain. 
Our drivers were consistent, got many quality laps, and really enjoyed themselves. We know the car is fast and fun to drive! We met some other great racers/peeps to boot!
We left the track as quickly as we could and arrived back home late last night. Our current theory is that the alternator failed, which should be fairly easy to remedy in the coming weeks. Thanks to the team for their hard work, intelligent heads-up driving, and attentive pit stops! We don’t always epitomize our team name…
-Team Lazy
