Coming off of a five month in season layoff between races Scott Bradley managed to extend his points lead in the Star Mazda Series North American Championship with a solid fourth-place finish at Sears Point Raceway in support of the American Le Mans Series. Bradley, driving the #14 Polycom/Shames Construction Mazda, had to battle series newcomer Moses Smith and a car set up for longer runs in what would be a caution-filled race, to extend his lead to seven points over his closest rival Chad Block .
“I’d have to say that this was one of the most difficult weekends I’ve had in the series,” Bradley said afterward. “We were always towards the front of the field, and we topped the charts the session before qualifying, but the car needed a few laps to get the tires to their optimum temperature and the cautions kept cooling us off. Fortunately, we were able to finish ahead of Chad and maintain the lead in the championship for our sponsors.”
The race was originally scheduled for 22 laps around the famous 2.5 mile circuit, but four separate caution periods would force race organizers to call for a timed race of 45 minutes due to local noise restrictions, further shortening the event. “We lost a couple of laps there because of the timed race situation and we could’ve used it as I was working on Moses and could’ve made it by if there had been enough time.”
Fellow World Speed pilot Rick Waddell in the #17 Northwest Speedwerx Mazda had a much more enjoyable race this year at Sears Point bringing his car home in 23rd position in the 44 car field. Last year Waddell was collected by Bryan Selby going into turn seven and sent flying off track, however this year he was able to move up through the grid and avoid the incidents taking place around the track.
Frank McCormick driving the #16 Onyx Pharmaceuticals machine was also moving up through the field at the onset of the race, however, a balky shift lever halfway through the event left fourth and fifth as the only accessible gears and he eventually finished 31 but managed to remain on the lead lap.
The Star Mazda Series resumes its action in two weeks at Portland International Raceway, which will mark the Pro Series debut of World Speed Newcomer David Stover in the #15 World Speed Star Mazda effort.