Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal ensured their Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America season remained perfect by taking victory in Race 1 at Road America. (IMSA photo)
ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin – It was tougher than some of their previous wins this season, yet Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal kept their Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America season perfect by winning the first race of Road America weekend on Saturday.
Formally, he fended off advances from Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport teammate Ryan Norman while fighting through traffic after a late restart to give him, Marcelli and the No. 1 WT Andretti, Lamborghini a fifth overall win and the Victory in the Pro class in as many attempts this season Palm Beach Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2.
The advantage over Norman in the #84 WT Andretti Lamborghini Palm Beach Huracán was officially 1.920 seconds, but was significantly smaller than just before.
Formally seventh overall and Norman eighth when the green flag was waved to restart with just under seven minutes to go, the three leading cars still had to make mandatory pit stops.
Formal and Norman quickly made their way through the remaining cars in front of them – none of the Pro class – and then encountered lapping traffic that created a tricky moment on the final lap. Attempting an inside pass into turn one with Norman on his heels, he braked late and went wide on the exit of the corner.
He only kept the lead because Norman also missed, giving Formal a chance to pull away.
“It was hectic,” Formal said. “The warning came out and then it was only three minutes and we didn’t know what cars were ahead of us. I thought I was in the lead and they told me we were P5 or P6. When we got the green light, they said, “You have to get past all these cars,” so we went on.
“I had a big overtake before the first corner, tried to overtake three cars that ran into the sand, somehow missed the braking zone and came back. I did the same in (turn) five but luckily got stuck. Crazy race!”
He wasn’t the only one with a crazy finish. As a team for the second time this season, Luke Berkeley and Keawn Tandon clinched victory in the ProAm when Tandon attempted a pass on the final lap in the #42 NTE Sport Lamborghini Broward Huracán.
“It was great,” Tandon said. “We didn’t expect it to come from behind but Luke passed me on in a good position. From there I saw an opportunity in turn one and passed two people and that was it.”
Berkeley was the 2021 Am class champion with five wins. Saturday’s triumph was Tandon’s second Super Trofeo triumph, following an LB Cup win at Road America last year.
“Keawn did what he had to do on the last lap,” Berkeley said. “He overtook two cars in the first corner, so I’m very proud of him. He learns very quickly and I am happy to be able to drive with such a good Am.”
Anthony McIntosh found himself in the midst of the chaotic final laps with the overall leaders but was able to secure Am class victory with co-driver Glenn McGee in the #69 Precision Performance Motorsports Lamborghini Palm Beach Huracán. The key was that McGee pitted just before the last warning flag was waved for the mandatory stop and driver change.
“We were supposed to do one more lap (before the pit stop),” McIntosh said, “and I said, ‘No!’ Bring him in now or it will be a problem.’ We just had luck.”
McIntosh was ahead of the pro class leaders on the last restart but sidestepped as they filled his mirrors. He still finished sixth overall and is the leader among non-pro competitors.
“The pro guys came through and rammed each other pretty hard,” he said, laughing, “so I just got out of the way and let them go.”
Graham Doyle drove alone in the LB Cup and took class victory in the No. 10 WT Andretti, Lamborghini Nashville Huracán. It was Doyle’s first straight win and he celebrated as team owner Wayne Taylor poured him a sip of champagne straight from the bottle.
“It feels pretty good,” Doyle said. “It was a great race today. Luck was on our side with the safety car. The team put me in the best possible car for today and really set me up for success and I think it showed in the end.
“Are you kidding me? I’m on top of the world. It’s the best feeling ever. Hopefully I can do it again tomorrow.”
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