Norman Scores NJMP Victory
Millville, NJ - Ryan Norman drove away from the field on a hot Saturday afternoon at NJMP in the Atlantic Championship Series, leading from pole and taking the win in round 11 of the 2016 season for K-Hill Motorsports in the No. 48 Swift 016/Mazda. Norman bounced back from a challenging weekend in Pittsburgh earlier this month, scoring the race victory over Polestar teammates David Grant and Keith Grant.
Norman extends his points lead further, and moves closer toward a possible Sunday Championship clinch in New Jersey in his debut season in the Atlantic Championship.
"We got a great start and were able to run consistent laps at the beginning," said Norman. "K-Hill gave me a great car and we are going for the Championship."
After a weekend sweep at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, David Grant could not return to victory lane in New Jersey. Starting second, Grant stayed there for the duration of the race, scoring a podium spot in the No. 29 Polestar Swift 016/Mazda. In seven starts thus far in 2016, Grant has only finished off the podium a single time.
"It was a great weekend, the car has been improving since testing on Friday," said Grant. "Ryan took the lead and gapped me and maintained the lead. Hopefully I get a better start tomorrow."
Completing the podium was the second of the Grant brothers, as Keith Grant finished where he started after a strong race in the No. 40 Polestar machine.
"It's fun, but the perfect spot is first," said Grant. "Ryan and David had us covered today."
Lee Alexander finished fourth for Comprent Motorsports while Lee Brahin completed the top five in his first Series start of 2016.
In the Atlantic Challenge class, Connor Burke took his second straight victory for Company Motorsports in the No. 19 Swift 014/Toyota.
"It was a good race, I started and finished in first," said Burke. "It was a fun race out there, we hope to repeat tomorrow for Company Motorsports."
In the season-long Atlantic Challenge title fight, Bob Corliss, driving for Comprent Motorsports, finished second ahead of his main rival, K-Hill's Bruce Hamilton. The second place result pads Corliss' moderate points lead.
A fourth place run endedwith wing damage for Chris Ash, in the No. 67 for Comprent Motorsports, while Richard Zober also saw a promising drive come to an end with a reported car issue.
The Saturday format from NJMP saw drivers practice in the morning, qualify in the middle of the day and race toward the end of the day. Another action-packed day of action is scheduled for Sunday.
Full results are available on www.F1600Series.com, www.F2000Series.com and www.AtlanticChampionshipSeries.com under the results tab.