2014 Race 1 - Livonia 250

Yes Nate I will fix the standings team name.

Tops: Louis Tellez, Jonathon Ringer, Ricardo Blanco, and Jimmy Cohon.
Flops: Jeff Parshall, David Lee Bibson, and Crompton's Engine.

Cohon, Jates, Gerrelds, all thrilled with top five performances

Jimmy Cohon hasn't been placed in scoring in an AERS event since 2009 at Homestead. Now, after a 5-year absence, has been scored again...in 3rd. Cohon was very quiet all day, using the strategy Greg Sauer used last season here, of staying off the radar and out of trouble, until the end. The end result was not the same as Sauer's in 2011, but Cohon was more than happy with what the outcome was:

"I can't thank everyone at Porter enough, man. This felt like the old days back in the 50 car and man, I can't believe how fun that was. That was an awesome, awesome race and I already can't wait for Boston next week."

Meanwhile, at Kenny Gerrelds Incorporated, there were for the first time in too long, two satisfied drivers at the team. Alex Jates, who won the AAA Shootout, finished a stellar 4th, leading laps along the way and being a clear contender for the win:

"We came here this weekend with one goal in mind and that was to come out of here with a nice start, and we did that. Our confidence is through the roof right now and I couldn't be happier with our performance today. Virtually nothing went wrong and the guys in the pits did excellent and to say we were a legitimate contender for the win is huge."

Kenny Gerrelds hasn't had a top-5 in two seasons. He finished 5th in his #14 Mac's Ford Fusion. Although he didn't lead any laps, Gerrelds was a force in the top-5, getting up to 2nd at key points in the race:

"Those restarts were huge for us and I think that's what made the difference. Running up there with Alex I knew we'd have help if anything were to go wrong and luckily nothing did and we came out of here with a top-5. This obviously means good things for us and we are only going to go uphill, I think the days of 45th place points finishes are over for us."

Opp Inc. Soars and Stumbles in Racing's Biggest Weekend.

Jonathon Ringer Dominates and comes up second. Ringer led an impressive 74 laps on his way to a second place finish. Lat in the race Ringer was held up by a lap car and was forced to charge back through the top several cars, but ran out of time to get back by eventual winner Telez.
"While Im happy with a 2nd place, this car was more than good enough to get us the win. The lap cars today were atrocious, and that's really disappointing to see. But the goal is the championship and these are great points.

Pole-sitter Todd Bradshaw was taken to the hospital after a nasty crash, but was evaluated and released. Bradshaw who had ran at the front all day was turned by the 85 after he was hooked by eventual winner Telez. This is the 10th anniversary of Bradshaw's AERS debut and he was on for his best ever Livonia finish.

Former F1 standout Ricardo Blanco was all smiles holding his young daughter on pit road after his 6th place finish. Blanco shone in his full time and Livonia debut, leading 52 laps but getting hung out late and finishing just outside the top 5. "It was almost a perfect race. Ive got to thank Opp Inc. as all 4 cars were fast. Great way to start off the year."

Mike Oppenheimer was hoping to replicate last year's Livonia success but ended up having a a miserable day at the speedway. The new STP driver was caught up in 2 separate incidents, the 2nd ended his day for good. Early in the race the #85 cut across the nos of the 99, taking the two of them and several other cars into the wall. despite the damage the STP Charger was able to continue and run reasonably well. A second incident claimed the car sometime later. "Really disappointing. No clue what the 85 was doing and it ruined a top 5 car. Really proud of the team as a whole though."

Mertz disappointed

"We were involved in a couple wrecks today. The guys worked hard fixing the car so we could complete laps, but I guess something broke further. I don't know. Onto the next one."


(OOC: I'm trying to be a Kimi-esq personality in all offline leagues )

Lester FURIOUS with Bibson after race, confirms fight allegations

"He'll be over here if he's upset because I try not to hit the pace car and he drives like garbage like he has his entire career. I won't be surprised at all." Sure enough, Bibson came over and grabbed Lester by the throat, probably shouting several obscenities while attacking him, but Lester quickly countered with two right hand punches directly into Bibson's cheek, dazing him. AARO officials quickly stepped in to break up the altercation. After he was released from the infield care center and the AERS hauler, he had more to comment on the situation.

"Fine me as much as you want. He's the one who started the whole f**king fight. He should also look up what the f**k a brake pedal is and get a brain while he's at it. That team as a whole is sh*t, so I won't be surprised if it's running about 30th with parts from other teams since they wreck so damn much. The team gave me a great car today and it's idiots like him who need to step out of a racecar and into a f**king mental hospital."

Preston Bell finished 38th after getting involved in two seperate incidents while Lester was taken out in a later wreck and finished 27th.