Racing Hondas Under the Lights of Lowes

Saturday September 7th brought a new experience for the 27 drivers of East Coast Honda Challenge Round #4. Not only was the race being contested on the high banks and infield of Lowes Motor Speedway, it would also be contested at night. This would be a first time combination for even the most experienced racers in the group. Practice and qualifying were completed during the afternoon hours, and as the Saturday sun set behind the grandstands, the lights came on and the drivers prepared for battle.

Jack Harris was a familiar sight as his red #1 Civic hybrid sat on the pole. The new twist was OPM Motorsports owner and pro racer Tom Fowler sitting on the outside of the front row in an H4 Civic. Harris jumped into the lead on the standing start with Fowler and Warren Wang's H2 Type R close behind. Harris then experienced his first mishap of his so-far flawless year as he spun coming off of turn #3. He recovered quickly, but much of the front of the pack had passed him by. Fowler and Wang continued to battle up front until both were taken out of the race when Wang contacted Fowler's rear quarter panel in turn #6. Jack Harris had recovered well and hooked up with Corey Jacob's H2 Prelude to run back up front for the win. The spin recovery and overall win earned Harris the King Rat Motorsports "Hard Charger Award." Jacobs took the H2 class win behind Harris. Both Harris and Jacobs won again on Sunday, with Jacobs coming up from dead last on the starting grid after missing qualifying due to a mechanical issue. Jacobs' charge to the front was a phenomenal drive that helped him maintain a 3 point championship lead. Harris' wins continue to add punctuation to his already-clinched H1 championship.

Scott Giles and Chris Brinson continued their season-long battle for the H3 championship. Saturday's race saw Giles qualified just in front of Brinson on the grid and the two spent the entire race swapping positions and drafting each other on the NASCAR banks. Giles held a slight last lap lead as the white flag waived with Brinson close behind looking for a passing opportunity. The two exited the infield nose to tail and carried this position all the way around the banks. Brinson made a final effort to run inside off of NASCAR #4, but Giles was able to hold him off for the win. Sunday's race was far less dramatic as Brinson took advantage of an early mistake by Giles to cruise to the win. The two enter the last round at VIR with Giles holding a 3 point championship lead.

After the incident with Wang took Fowler out of the race, the H4 battle was left to Lyonel Kent and James Evans. Evans maintained the lead with Kent pressing hard, but near the end of the race Kent dropped off the track in turn #5 and busted his right rear suspension. Evan's was able to cruise to the win and clinch the H4 championship in the process. A little farther back in the pack Adam Richman and David Rhodes were waging an epic battle for second place. Rhodes edged out Richman at the finish with Richman charging low down into the grass at the finish line. Tom Fowler and the OPM crew were able to get their car repaired for the Sunday race, and Tom surprised nobody by taking the class pole and win.

H5 was a battle on both Saturday and Sunday with Chris Degioanne taking the Saturday win in the OPM Accord over the Integra of Richard Floyd. Floyd returned the favor on Sunday by edging out Degioanne for the win. John Whittaker finished 3rd on both days but maintains the points lead heading into the last round. The H5 championship is open at this point as four drivers are still in the hunt and could leave VIR with the trophy.

The series directors would once again like to thank the NASA Virginia folks for giving us yet another safe and fun weekend. We'd also like to once again thank series sponsor OPM Motorsports for not only coming out to race with us, but also providing track-side technical support throughout the weekend.