Verhagen Scores Another Close Win
Wampum, PA - For the second F1600 Formula F Championship Series race in a row, Neil Verhagen charged out of turn 18 on the last lap to win by thousandths of a second, this time beating Calvin Ming to the checkered flag by .009 seconds, compared to a .002 second victory on Saturday. Verhagen took his second win in a row at Pittsburgh for K-Hill Motorsports, with Ming finishing second for Team Pelfrey and Peter Portante in third in another K-Hill entry.
"I built an early lead and made a mistake, driving off the track," said Verhagen, who drives the No. 3 K-Hill Mygale/Honda. "I was able to put my head back down. The last lap was very interesting. I had to make it back Peter the lap before and then strategize my move against Calvin, which I knew wasn't going to be easy."
Ming improves one spot on his Saturday finish, moving up to second on the podium steps.
"The last lap I was trying to stay ahead but Neil got a big run at the end and got me at the line," said Ming, in the No. 82 from Team Pelfrey. "I think it was a good race from everyone and I think it was a fair race."
Portante also improved on his Saturday result, returning to the podium with a third place effort in the No. 24 K-Hill entry.
"It was pretty average, we just didn't get it done. The car was good, the boys were good, I just couldn't get it done," said Portante.
Team Pelfrey drivers Phillippe Denes and Kaylen Frederick completed the top five, while Hans Ada was sixth for K-Hill in the No. 33. Bjerke Motorsports driver Dexter Czuba improved on his Saturday result by one spot, finishing seventh in the No. 99 Spectrum/Honda.
Masters Class winner Steve Bamford recovered for an eighth place result after going off while fighting for the lead and dropping back to last early in the race in the No. 07 Rice Race Prep Mygale.
"There were two of going side-by-side through turn one and I decided to gamble on the outside. I ran out of track; I just took it too quick," explained Bamford.
Mike Scanlan and Rob Albani completed the podium in the Masters Class.