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Pocono Double National - August 4-6,
2006 The next race up for Team GGS was at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA. This is the same track that hosts the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series twice a year; however, SCCA uses a different configuration that uses a 2.5 mile road course. Pocono is known as a very fast track, with two long straightaways located on the NASCAR layout and also a fast sweeping right-hander, which coming the other way is known as NASCAR turn one. This was the first time Team GGS has raced at Pocono this season, and it was also my first time on the track. Needless to say, track time was very valuable and with no test day before, the team had its work cut out. On Friday there were two qualifying sessions, which resulted in a 3rd place starting position in FP for Saturday’s race. We finished 4th in a very competitive field in FP for Saturday’s race, a good result for my first time at Pocono. We qualified for Sunday’s race on Sunday morning, resulting in the 4th starting position for the afternoon race, however still picking up lower lap times from Saturday. Sunday’s race was eventful to say the least, including a full course yellow flag halfway through. We ended up 2nd in FP after the Porsche of Les Handley was disqualified for passing under the yellow flag. Our fastest time of the race was the fastest we had run all weekend, and was right on the previous track record for FP. The team was extremely happy with the result and it certainly put a good ending to a great weekend. I would like to thank everyone who came out to support Team GGS Racing including: Paul and Lynn Kilker, Diane and Henry (our newest sponsor!), Jim and Jane Carpenter, Jon Kilker and Stacey Robinson, Kristi Seitz, Katie Kint and especially crew chief Ron Kint. I could not have done it without all of you; thank you very much! Now on to my favorite track VIR with a shot at the FP Northeast Division Championship! |