It could be the beginning of a brand new yr, however some issues by no means change as Matt Brabham, Robby Gordon, and Gavin Harlien, all Stadium Tremendous Vans champions with a mixed six titles of 9 given out, swept the rostrum for Race #1 on the Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seashore.
Brabham, holder of probably the most titles in collection historical past with three, began midpack in sixth after a troublesome qualifying on Friday however reached the rostrum after simply two laps. After passing Ryan Beat in a while the third lap, he ran behind pole-sitter Invoice Hynes by means of the primary competitors warning. Hynes misplaced the lead shortly after the restart when he practically slid into the flip seven tyre barrier, however saved the truck from contact.
Beat was not as lucky a circuit earlier when he drifted into stated tyres, inflicting him to lose third to Robert Stout and Gordon. Gordon cleared Stout for second on lap six. He couldn’t catch Brabham after a powerful restart by the latter on the second competitors yellow.
The win is Brabham’s twenty-fourth in SST and fourth at Lengthy Seashore, with earlier triumphs from 2017 to 2019. All three podium finishers have gained on the California road circuit earlier than, with Gordon being the reigning victor and Quickest Qualifier.
Stout was unable to carry off Harlien because the reigning champion handed him on the skin in flip 9 with two laps remaining.
Trey Hernquist was the best finisher of the 4 rookies in eighth, one spot forward of Bruce Binnquist. The latter had an extended day as he went into the tyres off flip three on lap two after a bump from behind by Myles Cheek, adopted by tapping the flip seven barrier. Joshua Thomas and Dave Bernstein each elected to begin on the rear regardless of the sector invert and completed in the identical positions, with Thomas spinning out at one level.
“My spinal wire flip to oatmeal in regards to the third lap and the gang was cheering me louder than they had been cheering anyone,” wrote Bernstein on social media after the race. “I requested all people who gained after I got here in and no person knew however they had been screaming for me. Thanks a lot. Each one in every of you followers are the very best! I’m going to get me a again bracelet goes for my ankles to my tongue they usually’ll put me within the truck tomorrow. I’ll be there!”
Race #2 will happen on Sunday at 3:30 PM Pacific Time following the NTT IndyCar Collection race.
