Bamford First in Close Watkins Glen Race
Watkins Glen, NY – Steve Bamford crossed the finish line at Watkins Glen for his first career F2000 Championship Series race win after a closing stages duel with Sam Beasley. The two traded the lead back and forth over the course of the final three laps, with Bamford separating himself coming to the checkered flag after Beasley went from seventh to first during the 14-lap race. David Grant finished third.
Bamford continues his control of the F2000 Series points lead, as he led the majority of the all-green flag race in the No. 07 Rice Race Prep Citation entry. Bamford started fourth and managed to pass three cars in two laps to take the point. His win at Watkins Glen marks three consecutive podium finishes in three starts.
“I figured Sam might pull away, but I knew we were quicker in some places,” said Bamford, who also took the Masters Class win for the day. “He made a mistake and we were able to capitalize on it.”
Beasley’s No. 4 Legacy Autosport Mygale looked to be the story of the day as the Ohio native charged from seventh on the grid to Bamford’s gearbox. The Road Atlanta winner stalked Bamford for a number of laps before grabbing the lead with three laps to go. It wouldn’t last however, with Beasley bringing his car home second.
“The car has been really good all weekend, I need to thank the team,” said Beasley. “It was a good race; we had a glimpse of the lead and had to go for it.”
Grant started on the outside of the front row in the No. 29 Polestar Racing Group Spectrum, leading the first lap of the race after a dynamic start and run to turn one.
“I had a great start; the car was real good today. Hopefully we can do a bit better tomorrow,” noted Grant.
Austin McCusker put in solid work, moving from eighth to finish fourth in his Dotworks Racing RFR.
Tim Paul completed the top five in his 2015 F2000 debut. It was not the result Paul was hoping for after he started on pole after an entertaining qualifying session in mixed conditions. Paul fell victim to Grant on the run to the green flag, and slipped back to sixth before a late-race move on Eric Filguerias promoted him to the top five.
Filguerias’ Spencer Racing No. 22 would settle for sixth, also slipping back after a third place start.
Quinlan Lall took home some much needed points after issues at the season opener, finishing seventh in the No. 1 for Momentum Motorsports.
Sam Chastain and Dave Weitzenhof completed the top ten, with Weitzenhof, a seven-time SCCA National Champion, taking second place in the Masters Class. Steve Jenks followed closely in 11th, and third overall in Masters.
Dean Baker carved up the field, moving from 23rd on the grid to a 13th place finish behind Al Guibord. Charles Finelli also moved through the field, from 25th to 14th.
Full results are available on www.F2000Series.com under the results tab.
Sunday closes out the weekend for the F2000 Championship Series at Watkins Glen with round four of the 14-race season scheduled for early afternoon, along with a morning qualifying session.