The LVGP500 proved to be one of the most competitive races in Lehigh Valley Grand Prix racing history.  A field comprised of 4 Pro Teams and 10 Amateur Teams was much faster and competitive than expected.

“Generally when you have teams that have never competed in an endurance race before and drivers that have never raced at a facility you find that they fumble early on and make mistakes in the pits.  This was clearly not the case in this race!” said Ryan Suchon, Competition Director at Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.

Of the 14 teams participating in the race, only 5 teams had previously participated in an endurance race at LVGP.  A handful of the drivers had never even raced at LVGP before the start of the race.

11 out of the 14 teams had drivers in the sub 31 second lap times.  Owner, Mike McCreary whose team finished 2nd in the Amateur Class in the 2012 LVGP500 was shocked to see how fast the field was.  ”Last year our team wasn’t the fastest but our execution and strategy allowed us to keep in the hunt for the race.  In this year’s event our execution and strategy didn’t change.  The field was extremely competitive and I was impressed to witness teams and drivers adapt to the rules and simply out perform expectations.”

Two surprise teams in this year’s event were Dusty Heathens and Loose Nutz.  Both teams had not participated in an enduro at the facility.  Dusty Heathens had driver’s who had never raced at LVGP prior to the event.  Both teams finished within 15 & 16 laps respectively from the PRO class winner.

In the PRO Class the team of Mike Bednar and Carl Bligan took the lead from the start and never looked back.  Carl Bligan set the new track record towards the end of the race hitting a 29.540 second lap!

Here is a list of the final Results

PRO CLASS

1.  333  2.  Speed Dudes  3.  Hyline  4.  Spaz Racing

Amateur Class

1.  Dusty Heathens  2.  Loose Nutz  3.  Red Bell  4.  Himmer Graphics Racing  5.  LVGP  6.  Butter Haus Commission  7.  Team Pickles   8.  Team Sack  9.  1 Eye Tickle Snake  10.  Coors Light

It would take a lot more than a little rainout to stop the fun at the LVGP500 and Pocono Raceway Viewing Party!!

As the teams rolled in for the sold out event at 7am to prepare for the first ever LVGP500 you could feel that it was going to be a great competition.  The field held 13 teams, 4 teams in the pro class and 9 teams in the amateur field.

To qualify for the race the teams participated in a 5 minute qualifier.  The results.  1. Runt & Jianni 2.  Speed Dudes 3.  Octane  4.  Boneheads  5.  333  6.  Racer X  7.  Indo Pratama  8.  The Bitches  9.  Speed Shop  10.  Rib Breaker  11.  Pocono Raceway  12.  Sibum Auto Part  13.  Wheel2Wheel.

The start of the race was chaos.  On the first start a kart didn’t make it to the green flag so there had a to be a restart.  On the restart the top qualifier pulled in to make a kart swap giving up the lead on the first lap!  Speed Dudes quickly followed for a stop and go in the pits.  Team 333 also did a kart swap to start the race.  After two laps team Octane was in the lead!  That lead wouldn’t last long as Team 333 charged up the field and made the pass.

Team 333 would run a near flawless race to take a victory in the Pro class with a 3 lap lead. Team Speed Dudes who had won the previous 5 enduros would finish in the second position, while Runt & Jianni would fight back after some poor decision making early on to secure the final podium spot.

The Amatuer class provided some good racing as well as some comic relief in the pit area.  Team Indo Pratama fielded a team from the Northern Virginia area and had very little experience on the LVGP track.  This team of experienced drivers would eventually figure out the line and make a 3 lap comeback to beat out Octane for the amateur victory!  Octane finished the race a 1/4 lap behind Indo Pratama with “The B’s” finishing in 3rd place.

After the race the awards ceremony held in the main lobby  was packed wall to wall with people attending the race as well as the Pocono Raceway Viewing party, provided some great recognition for the participants.

Following the awards Kevin Haney from Pocono Raceway started up the Viewing Party.  With great anticipation for the Daytona 500 it was disappointing to have the rainout but Kevin made the most of it.  The crowd latest for a few hours while Pocono gave away race tickets, signed racing memorabilia and gear.  Overall, it was a great event even though the NASCAR race never got going.

Overall LVGP500 Results

Pro Class

1.  Team 333- 500 laps

2.  Speed Dudes- 497 laps

3.  Runt(.)(.)Jianni- 494 laps

4.  Boneheads- 489 laps

Amatuer Class

1.  Indo Pratama- 479 laps

2.  Octane- 479 laps

3.  The B’s- 472 laps

4.  Sibum Auto Part- 467 laps

5. Speed Shop- 466 laps

6.  Racer X- 464 laps

7.  Pocono Raceway- 455 laps

8.  Rib Breaker- 454 laps

9.  Wheel2Wheel- 448 laps

The definition of “A Regular”: a dependable loyal person, a habitual customer.

This term is used frequently at bars, shops, and entertainment venues.  Andrew Pettijohn and Kevin Carney are what LVGP would call extreme regulars!  If you are cruising to the track on a Monday Night you will see these guys laying down some of the fastest times on the track.  Off the track you will see them embracing new racers and teaching them the tricks and techniques to improve their times.

On Saturday mornings you will see Andrew watching the young guys in Jr Leagues improve and encourage them to get better.  On Sunday mornings you will see Andrew and Kevin team up to make a deadly combination for Endurance Races.  I believe their streak is at 6 victories in a row!  This Sunday they are going for their next victory in the LVGP500.

“A Regular” is what makes an establishment fun to frequent.  These two are not only fast drivers but they are what helps to make LVGP one of the greatest karting venues on the planet!

Thank You Andrew and Kevin for all of your dedication to LVGP and making it a great place!

Pocono Raceway, a host of two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events each summer,  will be bringing the excitement of NASCAR to race fans across the region with Viewing Parties of select NASCAR races in 2012. Lehigh Valley Grand Prix has been named as the location to kick off the 2012 Pocono Raceway Viewing Party Series!

Octane, the new bar opening at LVGP will host the event with Pocono Raceway.  The event will include drink specials, race specials, food specials, giveaways from Pocono including race tickets, signed racing memorabilia and gear.  The party date is set for February 26th which is the date that NASCAR opens the season in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Prior to the viewing party LVGP will be hosting the LVGP500.  A race that is designed to celebrate the start of the NASCAR season.  12 teams will compete to see who can complete 500 laps first!  The race will host 2 classes of drivers for the experienced and beginners.  The program is designed to be fun for everyone and will include prizes and awards afterwards.  Competitors will then get to celebrate the finish at the viewing party held at Octane.

“When we were looking to add Octane to the facility the goal was to provide a fun environment where fans could come enjoy the races at a racing facility.  With the partnership with Pocono Raceway it is truly going to add to the excitment!” said Mike McCreary- President of Octane- Adrenaline Bar

The Viewing party is open to everyone.  To register for the LVGP500 race contact the track at 610-432-RACE(7223) or email competition@lehighvalleygrandprix.com.