Grant Closes Season with Win
Alton, VA - From pole, David Grant ran a frantic pace in the season finale Atlantic Championship Series race to win a narrow contest over Ryan Norman and Keith Grant at VIRginia International Raceway. Grant took the win in the No. 29 Polestar Racing Group Swift 016/Mazda by six tenths of a second over the 2016 Champion, Ryan Norman, and teammate and brother Keith Grant.
"The car was great today, I need to take the whole Polestar team for the entire year," said Grant. "I just wish I could have ran the first two weekends (of 2016) so I could have competed for the Championship. It's a good way to end the year, I hope to see everyone next year."
Grant not only managed a close race start, but had to fend Norman off a second time on a restart a few laps later.
Following his Saturday win, K-Hill's Norman finished second to end his Championship season in Atlantic.
"It's been a great season. K-Hill has given me a great car all year. I need to thank my parents and K-Hill for their support," said Norman. "I couldn't be happier."
Keith Grant completed the podium, just under a second behind the leader in a tight Atlantic race at VIR.
"We had a good start going into turn one and I had to fall in line behind Ryan," said Grant. "The race was short but we all stayed together and had some quick times."
Bob Corliss clinched the Atlantic Challenge title with a second place finish in the No. 17 Comprent Swift 014/Toyota. Bruce Hamilton won the race in a Swift 014/Toyota from K-Hill Motorsports.
"Yesterday we lost gears so I only got one lap in qualifying," said Corliss. "On the first lap today I lost third and second gear, so I drove the entire race in fourth gear. It was great fun racing with Bruce (Hamilton) all season."
Richard Zober also noted a solid day with a fourth place finish for Comprent Motorsports in the No. 66 Swift 016/Mazda, followed closely after a race-long battle with K-Hill's Dudley Fleck.