“Moderate” is not a word generally used in the SCCA’s Spec Miata class, but it perfectly describes last weekend’s 70th running of the SCCA’s June Sprints, the penultimate stop on the Hoosier Super Tour. Rather than the extremes of a chilly/rain mix or temperatures climbing into the upper limits of Elkhart Lake’s Road America, the weather vacillated between 50 and 70 degrees, perfect for racing, which was clean with only local yellows in the double-points race.
The Chicago Region’s decision to alter the two-race format, which had been in place for over ten years, led to lower car counts; however, the competition was anything but moderate, starting with Spec Miata’s first qualifying session. The pit lane filled up faster than Turn One as drivers waited for their partners, a smart move considering that the draft is immensely important at the 4.048-mile track.
Brett Kowalski and Preston Pardus of East Street Racing took the first two positions in the first session, followed by Wheels America Racing’s Logan Stretch and Max Stallone, with Jason Knuteson rounding out the top five.
The second qualifying session saw cooler weather and faster times, with Stretch and Stallone moving into the top two spots. Sneaky Moose Motorsports made their presence known as Senter Smith took third, divided by Kowalski in fourth and new team member Sean Varwig in fifth place.
With the grid set for the Advanced Autosports Challenge and double points on the line in the 13-lap race, the Mazda Miatas bunched up for a near-perfect start as coverage by the SCCA and Driver’s Eye Live began. Of special note was the at-track return of Jim Drago after a horrific accident in the Kink last year, providing insight and commentary throughout the race.
Stretch initially led the pack into Turn One, but by Turn Five, Kowalski strategically maneuvered into the lead. Stretch, not one to give up easily, attempted to push Kowalski away from the five-car lead pack, which included Stallone, Pardus, and Varwig. The race was intense, with Sneaky Moose Motorsports defying their name as four of their drivers soon found themselves in the top 10, including Andrew Devoto and team owner Tyler Brown.
Pardus made a move on Stallone for P3, returning to teammate Kowalski and P2 coming out of Turn Five. Stretch made a move on Kowalski that did not pay off, as he got shuffled back by an eight-car pack. This allowed Varwig to move into P3 with Devoto hot on his tail.
Try as they might, Pardus and Kowalski were unable to shake Varwig, and the top-five shakeup continued as Devoto pulled into the pits the next time around.
Varwig moved into second place, separating the East Street teammates, and soon Varwig moved into the lead with a run coming out of Canada Corner. However, Pardus proved resilient and, by Turn One, was in the lead. The next lap saw Kowalski move into the lead at Turn One as he and Pardus finally began to pull away. The momentum was short-lived as Pardus began to experience issues exiting Turn Three.
With two laps to go, the dance cards were shredded as a majority of the top five were racing without team partners. Only a couple of local yellows ensured that the action was relentless for the final lap.
The race culminated in a thrilling finish. Kowalski, executing a perfect run coming out of Turn 14, secured the win for East Street. Varwig, displaying exceptional skill, took second for Sneaky Moose, and Stallone, with a strong finish, claimed third for Wheels America.
Next up is the final race on the Hoosier Super Tour, Watkins Glen International, from June 27 to June 29, before drivers return to Road America for the Runoffs from September 29 to October 5.
