Allaer Takes Race 2 Pole
Alton, VA - LTD Motorsports driver Rob Allaer marked his first session of the 2017 F2000 Championship Series season with a pole-clinching lap around VIR of 1:51.959. Allaer arrived late at the track on Friday, with the team staying late too and replacing a throw out bearing in the No. 52 Van Diemen.
Nicolas Palacio was second quick, but unable to take a double pole after yesterday's first-place run. Matt McDonough was third fastest in the Radon chassis, also improving from a fourth place qualifying lap from Friday.
Another big story was Alex Barron, who strapped into the Polestar Van Diemen and smoothly qualified fourth for race two. Barron usually serves as Polestar's driver coach for the teams programs across F1600, F2000 and Atlantic.
Barron will sub for Dan Denison in race one on Saturday afternoon, coming from the back of the field. Barron, 46 years old, is the 1997 Atlantic Champion and a two-time IndyCar winner with 62 starts to his credit.
Denison will then re-assume the cockpit of the No. 51 entry on Sunday at VIR for the second round of the 2017 F2000 season.
Steve Jenks also ran well, qualifying in the top five but ending the session in the tire barrier.
Brandon Dixon was 1.1 seconds off the pole with a sixth place qualifying result, ahead of Reece Everard, Tim Paul, Dave Weitzenhof and John McCusker.