Race Report: Brumos Porsche 250
A record number of Brumos Booster Brigade participants from all areas and backgrounds were on hand for the July 4th running of the 2009 Brumos Porsche 250, braving the sweltering heat to cheer for Brumos Racing as our team returned to Daytona International Speedway. As our fans struggled with the high temperatures, on the track our cars faced struggles of their own. Both the #58 and #59 cars experienced problems that prevented their hoped-for return to Daytona’s Victory Lane. The tightly packed one day schedule allowed little opportunity for drivers or crew to visit with friends and family in attendance, as practice and qualifying sessions preceding the race were separated only by very short intervals. Despite limited practice time in the condensed schedule, as the race began both cars showed promise to be in strong contention for a repeat win.
Revisiting last season’s strategy, David Donohue qualified and started the race for #58 with co-driver Darren Law slated for the finish. Donohue found much to be encouraged about in his early laps, saying, “The car was running really strong at the start. We have struggled since the Rolex 24 with the handling and regulation changes, but in this race we really got our kick back, so to speak. We had come alive and were running a strong 4th, just waiting for things to happen. Unfortunately, I got an electrical fire in the cockpit and it filled up with smoke to the point that I couldn’t see or breathe, so I had to pull over. We lost a lot of laps and there were burned wires everywhere, but the guys were able to put it back together by replacing the wiring harness. We were at least able to earn some points, since they got me back out there for my allotted time and Darren as well. Kudos to our crew for not hanging it up, but ending the day in 17th was just a crying shame for us.”
The #59 car was enjoying their own return to the front of the field in early laps, as qualifying and starting driver J.C. France had worked his way up as high as third place before contact with the #6 car drew him a drive through penalty. A quick pit stop for tires and fuel worked out well with strategy as Joao Barbosa took over to finish the race, at one point posting the fastest laps on the track. However, Barbosa soon began to experience problems from tire deterioration that dropped his speed and cost him position. While the #59’s 8th place finish was the best of the Porsche Rileys in the competition, Barbosa had hoped for more, saying, “It was a tough race for the #59. We at least got another top ten finish, but it was too bad I had tire problems at the end that took us out of the top five, because the car was very strong and certainly could have been running with the leaders at the end.”
The Brumos cars ended the day tied for 6th place in the Grand-Am Rolex team points standings, and the #59’s finish enabled J.C. France to hold on to his lead in the Trueman-Akin Sportsman points. The next race on the schedule takes our team to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham. AL, for what promises to be yet another heated competition, both from a temperature and a competitive standpoint. That race will be held on Sunday, July 19th with a start time scheduled for 2:00 PM.
Article posted on: 09-Jul-08
