Friday VIR F2000 Notebook
Alton, VA - The latest from the F2000 Series paddock at VIR, including a new weekend entry and catching up with some of the key players in the paddock.
McDonough to Race
Matt McDonough will pilot the No. 69 Radon/Zetec in F2000 Championship Series competition at the 2017 season-opener at VIR. The 2006 F2000 Champion last raced at Watkins Glen in 2016, where he won in the wet, driving the same Radon.
McDonough was behind the wheel of the car in Thursday practice, and has now confirmed, along with the team, that he will contest the weekend in Virginia
"I'm excited to be in the Radon this weekend, I ran the test day and we made some significant progress with the setup on the car," he said. "So, the team made a decision that I'd continue the weekend. VIR is one of my favorite tracks and I've won here in the past, so we'll see how the weekend goes."
VIR 2016 Winner
Bob Reid is looking to continue the form that saw him win the 2016-season ending F2000 Championship Series race at VIR in the No. 12 entry.
"The target will be to see if we can get close to the pace of the Citation chassis. They are good everywhere and the drivers are all top notch," said Reid. "Our challenge for the VIR weekend is to make sure the changes we have made work they way we hoped. We are only doing a quick shakedown run prior to the VIR weekend so we are keeping our fingers crossed."
Weitzenhof Looking for Win
Dave Weitzenhof, a seven-time National Champion, said he hopes not only to finish in the top five in the final point standings in 2017, but also score at least one overall victory.
"Our goal is to qualify and run in the top five and to have a shot at a win this weekend," said Weitzenhof. "How? Keep out of trouble and drive fast! "
D'Addario Targeting Modest VIR
Davy D'Addario is back with Magnum Motorsports for the first time since August of 2016, when he competed in the No. 37 in F2000's doubleheader weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
"We're approaching this weekend to set the tone for our 2017 season," said D'Addario. "Our targets are a bit modest as it's my first time in the car since New Jersey 2016 and we had some mechanical issues there. Our first goal is that we want to minimize mechanical issues this weekend and concentrate on driving and car set up. I'm also very much thinking about how we will compete at VIR as well. Our second goal is putting together a top-five finish.