Race 16: Sonoma Raceway (23Jun17)

[jeromef1]

 

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Race Length: 56 Laps (Stage 1 - 15 Laps... Stage 2 - 41 Laps)
Race Name in Game: Toyota Save Mart 350

Pre-Race Interview
1. Sonoma will be the first official road course race for this league. How is your confidence going into this race?

2. Did you watch any of the Le Mans race last weekend?

3. There were a lot of upset drivers and crew after the debris debacle at Michigan. What was your take on it?

 

[vWardude]

1. After finally putting down a couple hours of practice here, I feel good. I'm the preseason race I never practiced prior to the race because well... I hate Sonoma. Now that this race means something, I've practiced like I would any other track. I can't say I expect a win here, but a top 3 with some stage points isn't out of question.

2. No

3. I'm with Tony Stewart!

 

[Klutchion1]

1. Sonoma will be the first official road course race for this league. How is your confidence going into this race?

Well I feel I have a little bit of a cushion winning my first race last week and I feel like I have a good mindset heading into this race with a decent strategy, and just doing a lot of project cars helps a little just getting a understanding how to get around this place. Also I had a really fast car during the pre season race so hopefully I can carry that momentum over.
2. Did you watch any of the Le Mans race last weekend?

I did watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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3. There were a lot of upset drivers and crew after the debris debacle at Michigan. What was your take on it?

Everyone has there opinion on NASCAR'S ruling, but sometimes but I believe what they did was correct and fair. This isn't just for the drivers safety but also the track. I would hate to see a car get wrecked running over a piece of debris and I would absolutely hate if the track suffered from it like other tracks have in years past.

 

[Hootius]

1. Sonoma will be the first official road course race for this league. How is your confidence going into this race?
Not very high at the moment. Unlike others, I feel that Project Cars has hurt me more than helped due to the fact that my RUF is fun to drive, and the Heat cars have the stability and traction of a dump truck. I feel confident at Sonoma on how to hit my marks, this car is just garbage to be frank. When I won the preseason race, that was before I started playing Proj Cars and was using the T80. I'll keep plugging away at it and hopefully will get back to the speed I had back in Feb.

2. Did you watch any of the Le Mans race last weekend?
I was happy a Porsche was the overall winner. I was pissed early in the race when the Vette took out the 911 going into Turn 1, so I thought it was sweet justice that the Vette blew his tire hitting the curb coming to the white flag.

3. There were a lot of upset drivers and crew after the debris debacle at Michigan. What was your take on it?
My whole thing is be consistent about it. Honestly I find a caution for a water bottle or bag to be absolutely ridiculous, but if you insist on calling it, then call it every time. I mean how long was that stupid hat on the track for that they never threw the yellow for? It really does seem like they are looking for any excuse late in the race to throw a yellow and manufacture a finish for the TV audience.

 

[El_Majacko]

1. Sonoma will be the first official road course race for this league. How is your confidence going into this race?
Much higher than on ovals. Road courses are probably my only chance at a victory in this league so I'll be pushing hard.
2. Did you watch any of the Le Mans race last weekend?
I sure did, it was amazing to see how close the LMP2 car came to winning, but thats what happens when you mess with the regulations so much I guess.
3. There were a lot of upset drivers and crew after the debris debacle at Michigan. What was your take on it?
No idea. Didn't see it.

 

[Meattyloaf]

1. The preseason race I ran in 3rd gear the entire race and somehow got a decent finish. This time around I will try shifting a little and maybe get a better finish. My goal is to not spend the night trapped in the sand.

2. No, unfortunatly

3. I hate debris cautions so I hate seeing them in general unless it is necessary such as a hat on the track or part of a car.

 

[El_Majacko]

Q: 5th
Didn't register a great lap, but I think much of the field was in the same boat with only 3 laps to do it.

R: 1st (WTH?)
Stayed 5th for quite a while, following Aaron who made some minor errors each leading to slight contact between us when I tried to make passes as he recovered. Thankfully we stayed facing the correct direction and I finally got him a lap or two before the stage ended. At that time I was 4th, and that's where I remained after the restart initially. My first battles from then came against Sean who upon losing the lead fell behind me, made a divebomb when I was balked by traffic. I re-overtook him a few laps later and pulled away. I waited for lap 36 to pit since the fuel margin was about 19 laps while others pitted earlier. Sure enough I found myself leading when they made their second green flag stops and from there my only concern was mitch cutting my lead down. Fortunately he wasn't able to catch me! It's utterly mindboggling to me that I've just won a NASCAR race, but I guess it was a road course and that was probably my only chance until Watkins Glen.

 

[vWardude]

Q:6th

I put out a decent qualifying lap with just 3 to do it. I was hoping to get into the top 3-4 to start the race because it was going to be tough to pass here and I wanted those stage points.

R:9th

For sure one of my worst finishes of the season where it was all on me. This just isn't a track I will be good at and my real goal going in was to just keep it on the track and settle in for an ok finish. I maintained my points lead only losing 2 points to 2nd and I'm glad to have this one out of the way. Time to hopefully build on my lead some more with a few nice tracks coming up.

 

[Meattyloaf]

Q:15
Just didn't have a line to run with. No practice= poor result

R:13
I would've probably finished 15th if it wasn't for two Dcs. I hate road courses in this game. Turn 9 keep giving me trouble and I never could figure out how to carry momentum through turn 11 and I would lose a lot of time through there. Although I proud of myself in that I almost put down a minute 13 second lap about halfway through the race. With me missing last week, next week and a couple of weeks after that. I just think that it was important for me to get the points to help keep me in the top 10 in points.

 

[El_Majacko]

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