Rafa Rolls Into Victory Lane

Another Podium for Rafa Matos!!

Controversial End To Exciting Race
Owner/Driver Maurice Hull Caught Up In Big Wreck
Flinn Lazier Takes First Laps in Closed Wheel Racing

Silver Hare Racing once again showcased the speed of the #7 and #57 – with both at the top of their class in Thursday practice.  Owner / Driver Maurice Hull decided now was the time and rolled out a third car for Round 4 – for open wheel rising star Flinn Lazier to take to the track in the #75 Tivoli Lodge Ford Mustang. 

Keeping his streak alive with another front row start, Rafa would end qualifying p2, with Maurice Hull coming home P2 in Masters, Flinn Lazier in his second session in closed wheel cars lined up P23.

Due to a rain delay in the NASCAR race – pushing back the Trans Am race, a slight miscommunication would stick all three Silver Hare cars at the back of the grid to take the green flag.   Many drivers would let this get them down and begin to overdrive – but not these drivers.   All three Silver Hare drivers battled their way up through the field, and when a 5 car pile-up at turn 5 brought out the safety car, Rafa had made it up to p5,  Maurice p2 in Masters, and Flinn p14.   

Nipping a few cars on the restart, Rafa jumped into p3 and set his sights on the leaders, while Maurice moved into P1 in Masters, only to have another safety car immediately.    A slight engine issue during the safety car would end Flinn Lazier’s day early in the #75, however Flinn said “TA2 is a lot of fun, I can’t wait to get back in the car…  we were finally dialed in and ready to go to work, thanks to all the guys at Silver Hare for their hard work.”

On the final restart, Rafa was on a mission.   Having lost his splitter early in the race, the #7 had, according to Rafa, “absolutely no front grip”…  however Rafa didn’t let that slow him down passing for p2 in turn one on the restart, Rafa took aim at the leader.   On the inside of turn 5, hard on the PFC Brakes, Rafa muscled his way into the lead of the race.  

Just a few corners later, mayhem would break loose as the cars roared through the famous “kink.”   Directly behind Rafa cars started spinning, creating a massive pileup and collecting Maurice Hull in a head on collision, bringing out the red flag and forcing all cars to stop on track with Rafa sitting P1 at TURN 14.   

Although the entire front end would be ripped off the #57, thanks to the safe Howe Racing Chassis and Sabelt safety equipment, Maurice was able to walk away safe and sound.     

Following a long cleanup, Rafa re-fired his Camaro at turn 14 and led the field behind the safety car across start finish and down the long front straight when the allotted time ran out, ending the race.    Celebrations erupted in the Silver Hare pit, and Rafa rolled the #7 into Victory Lane at Road America. 

The celebration was cut short however, when informed by officials that timing reverted to the last scored lap before the red flag – bumping Rafa back to p3.

Regardless what the official results may show – Congratulations to everyone at Silver Hare Racing and to Rafa Matos on an amazing drive from LAST to FIRST at Road America!

Next Up For Silver Hare Racing

Watkins Glen International Raceway

September 10-12