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| June 8, 2002 – Macri’s Hopes Dashed at Laguna Seca Qualifying second at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca, Monterey, California, Jonathan Macri and P-1 Racing/NTN Bearings Miller Genuine Draft Swift 014.a were looking to pursue their first win in 2002. The podium finish clinched by the twenty-year-old native of Gormley, Ontario, fuelled his ambitions for a win at Laguna this weekend. However, Macri’s hopes quickly dissipated after he went off track in the first lap of this 30-lap race, returning back on course in 6th place. Macri’s hunt to capture 5th position from Jon Fogarty (Dorricott Racing) ended midway through the race as Fogarty retired with mechanical problems. Nestled in 5th place, Jonathan now battled to get past Ryan Dalziel (Michael Shank Racing). All hopes for even a podium finish disappeared, however, as Macri’s attempt to pass Dalziel on the inside going into the corkscrew, sent him off course and into the gravel. His day would end there as he made contact with the wall. “I didn’t have the greatest start. I went off course, but managed to rejoin the race. I tried to beat Dalziel on the inside into the corkscrew but was pinched into the gravel,” Jonathan said. “I’m obviously not happy with the performance. We were hoping for some really good results here at Laguna, and we really worked hard throughout the race weekend to get them. Our practice session went well and so did qualifying. The car seemed to have some under steer, but, in all, it ran well. P-1 Racing gave me a really competitive car. Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out the way I’d hoped. I’ll just have to put this race behind me and prepare for the next race at Portland.” Frustration and disappointment would aptly describe what Macri must have been feeling, but such is racing. Though tagged as a potential pivotal race for Macri and P-1 Racing/NTN Bearings Miller Genuine Draft Swift 014.a, Laguna Seca is but one race. Team and driver must now look to the 5th leg of the Atlantic schedule at Portland International Raceway to produce the win that has thus far eluded them. Rookie Ryan Hunter-Reay took the checkered flag for Hylton Motorsports. Rocky Moran Jr. (Sigma Autosport) and Roger Yasukawa (Hylton Motorsports) finished second and third, respectively. Jonathan currently stands in 10th place in the Championship with 22 points. Michael Valiante leads the Championship with 52 points. The CART Toyota Atlantic Championship Series moves to Portland, Oregon’s International Raceway next weekend for the 5th race of the 12-race 2002 Atlantic schedule. Report by Fedele Fortino |
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