Rettich Completes Weekend Sweep at VIR
Scott Rettich completed the season-opening SCCA Pro Racing Formula Enterprises Series sweep on Sunday afternoon (May 15), taking the Round Two win at VIRginia International Raceway. Standing alongside the Alliance Autosport driver on the post-race podium were JAY Motorsports rookies Patrick Gallagher and Jason Wolfe.
Mere hours after contesting the first race of the new FE Pro season, the talented field of veterans and rookies got back behind the wheels for Round Two at VIR. As expected, the waving of the green flag immediately ignited a spirited battle for top honors between Rettich, Gallagher and Wolfe, the trio having led the way in race one of the doubleheader. In a repeat of the morning affair, Gallagher got the better launch down the front straight, taking over the lead until Rettich retook the top spot via draft pass on the back straight. While Rettich had been able to subsequently pull away in race one, that proved not to be the case in race two, as Gallagher remained within striking distance, poised to capitalize on any opportunity.
Behind the lead duo, the best battles for position featured a three-car dice for fourth and a two-car tussle for ninth. JAY Motorsports’ Jim Libecco, Rackley Motorsports’ Lee Rackley, and JAY Motorsports’ Matt Schneider renewed acquaintances in a duel for fourth, having run in close formation in race one, while Work Racing’s Shaun Miller, having used race one as a test session after a late engine change, ran nose-to-tail with Motion Dynamics’ Joseph Wolf.
As the 15-lap race passed the two-thirds mark it appeared the fight for the win would come down to a final lap duel. It however was not to be, as Rettich strung together multiple fast laps late in the going to build a multi-car advantage over Gallagher as the race reached its conclusion. Rettich in the end crossed the stripe 10 seconds ahead of Gallagher, giving the 2010 series runner-up a perfect two-for-two start to the season. Wolfe, having run uncontested in third all race long, completed the top-three, ahead of Libecco and Schneider.
“It was a great weekend, picking up both wins,” said Rettich. “The car was great. Unfortunately, I had no shift lights. It cost me a little bit there early. But, once I got settled in, I was able to put my head down.”
With the double victory, Rettich leads Gallagher in the Pro Formula Enterprises championship standings by 50 points, 294-244, heading into the second event on the series calendar.
The SCCA Pro Racing Formula Enterprises Series teams and drivers return action in one week’s time (May 20-21), with Rounds Three and Four at Mosport International Raceway in Canada.