2022 NASA ST2 Championship Race Laguna Seca, last to 3rd - Corvette, BMW and Porsche racing action

From last place to podium
In the qualifying race my car went into reduced power mode and I finished in last place. That meant I had to start the 45 minute championship race from the very back of the grid. I felt I had a good shot at a podium if things went well for me, but I was doubtful. The first couple of laps, the track is still damp in places.
On the first lap I made three passes by the time I got to Corkscrew. I then had to close a gap to the next batch of cars. I was able to pass one more and then the long yellow flag came out for the wreck of the Ian Barberi BMW. That bunched me back up to have a shot at several BMWs and a Porsche. The aggressive driving and bumping of that group made it easier for me to pass, although I think I would have gotten it done anyway. There is some good footage of my favorite passes, some bumping and crashing at these time slots.
Key Race Time Events:
- 1:20 First pass into top of Corkscrew
- 2:55 Second pass at top of Corkscrew, my favorite
- 6:20 skip to end of long standing yellow flag laps/Race Restart for Turn Six crash cleanup
- 7:30 the driving gets rough between the Porsche and BMW between Turn 10 and Turn 11, makes for one easy pass for me
- 12:55 The Porsche and a different BMW get into a fight. This time the BMW spins and crashes into the wall at Pit Entrance. This allows me to pass the Porsche and the crashed BMW.
- 16:30 End of second standing yellow laps/Race Restart for three different mess cleanups. Race resumes for last two flying laps to the finish. Notice the brake lights on Brett Strom's turbocharged BMW are on so he can have the turbo spooled up for extra power on the start.
- 17:25 The craziest part of the race, what my friend Patrick Howe called a Mr. Magoo moment, when a blinded driver is trying to make it to the Turn Five track exit with his hood folded over his windshield. The race front runners split his car doing about 30 MPH.
I don't drive with a radio or a spotter. After the second long yellow flag I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in third place. As much I would like think I could, I had nothing for the first place Corvette of Jake Latham and the second place BMW of Brett Strom. My car and I just couldn't take a race to them, but I was able to hang close enough to see the great battle of their last two laps.

[@JLewisRacing927]

Great Drive! That Porsche needs their license revoked..

[@fabadabean]

Whomever was driving that Porsche needs a serious review. Suspect contact moves early, and then punting another car off near the end!

[@xAustinKentx]

Great race! Man those moves from the vali 997 seemed a bit sus around 7:45

[@bobhenry6159]

Nice run. That Beamer was driving like a knucklehead as the Vett tried to pass, but the Red and white Porsche was driving like a Jihadist.

[@jakelatham]

Thrilling view of the finish, thanks Oli :)

[@laptimzmotorsports8359]

What a wild race start to finish!

[@driver46]

Awesome drive , really fun battles .

[@joelshack85]

Wow the new Iracing update looks amazing. What specs is the PC?

[@avgvstvs96]

wtf is wrong with the porsche? did he get in trouble? i'd knock him out myself!!

[@patrickhowe9166]

Mr Magoo sighting at 39:29. That moment right before the last restart must have been incredible, steady progress all race, everything lined up for a shot at the win and then the green flag! So much fun to watch.

[@ralkia]

what triggered the reduced power mode?

[@ThePotentialFailure]

Crazy how immature these drivers are. I seriously feel that a couple hundred hours in sim leagues has me better than these guys on track, for ex joker bmw at 3:00