Under cool conditions but sunny skies, Radical Cup North America teams and competitors took to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for a pair of practice sessions and qualifying on Friday. With more than half of the race season in the books, all eyes are staring at the championship point battles in all three classes. Starting their weekend off on the right foot were Clint Field, Jordan Missig, and Chris McMurry as they all earned their respective class pole positions for race one tomorrow.
Platinum
In two practice sessions, the name of Jon Field (ONE Motorsports) was at the top of the time charts as he handily had the speed to fight for the Platinum class pole position come Saturday afternoon. The Field name continued at the top of the charts in qualifying. However, Clint Field (ONE Motorsports) stole the pole position from Jon Field on the penultimate lap to earn the preferred inside front-row starting position for race one. Jon Field was able hang on to the second position ahead of Chip Romer (ONE Motorsports) in third. It was Gregg Gorski (EVR Motorsports) who was the best of the rest in the fourth position, turning his fastest lap on lap six. Wayne Williams (ESSES Racing) continued his trend in the top-five, earning the fifth position for the start of race one.
Pro 1500
Nicholas d’Orlando (GRP) followed a similar path as Field as he led both practice sessions, heading into the only qualifying session to set the grid for race one on the weekend, but it was his Graham Rahal Performance teammate who found his way to the top of the charts. Jordan Missig (GRP) put in a monstrous lap that not only earned him the Pro 1500 pole position but also was the third-fastest lap overall beating out many of the Platinum competitors. d’Orlando made it a GRP one – two with the second-fastest lap of the session, with Evan Slater (EVR Motorsports) in third. Austin Riley (Racing with Autism) had one of his strongest qualifying performances of the year slotted into P4 on the results sheet, just ahead of Matt Romer (ONE Motorsports).
Pro 1340
It was a familiar name at the top of the charts in practice one with Chris McMurry (Crown with Apex) leading the way, but Mike Anzaldi (RYNO Racing with Team Stradale) would claim that honor in practice two. After a Road America crash destroyed his Pro 1500 machine, Anzaldi had no interest in sitting on the sidelines as the team prepped his 1340 for the California sun. McMurry remained true to his form in qualifying, securing another pole position, with Blake McGovern (Crown with Apex) in the second position, Anzaldi was able to keep his name near the top of the charts, qualifying third in class, just ahead of the second McGovern, Keith McGovern (Crown with Apex). Evan Wolf (Crown with Apex) rounded out the top-five.
Radical Cup North America will return to the track today for a pair of wheel-to-wheel races. Race one will take place at 11:20am while race two rolls off the grid at 4:55pm PDT. Follow LIVE on the Radical Motorsport YouTube page.
Follow the Radical Cup North America social media pages for news, information, photos, and results from the event weekend.
Radical Cup North America events are open to local and regional Radical racers of all ages with eligible cars to participate. More information, including links to register for events and obtain licensing, can be found at www.radicalmotorsport.com. Stay tuned to the Radical Cup social media pages for the latest series news and updates.