Promising Glen Weekend for Rabe
Monticello, NY – Fresh off his Expert Class win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Jason Rabe traveled east to historic Watkins Glen International for rounds three and four of the 2014 F2000 Series season. While he wouldn’t repeat his trophy-getting performance from a week prior, Rabe survived a challenging weekend with weather and a big field for two top-15 finishes in a stacked 34-car field.
The No. 14 Delaware Investments/Monticello Motor Club K-Hill entry was sidelined on Friday morning when a torrential rain storm caused a power outage and the opening practice session to be cancelled. For Rabe, having never driven Watkins Glen, and up against some of the best F2000 racers in the country, this was not good.
"We needed Friday's practice sessions really bad, especially since I've never driven Watkins Glen,” he said. Rabe, like most of the field, elected to skip the second practice in the rain as the rest of the weekend was forecasted to be dry.
Saturday morning came and went, and the No. 14 was 22nd on the grid out of 34 cars attempting to qualify.
"The start of Saturday's race was hectic,” Rabe continued. “We started 22nd and I had to avoid some incidents and made some pretty spectacular passes which put us up to 15th by the end. Racing at two legendary tracks in two weeks is really special. I've come a long way from sleeping in the trunk of my car."
A day later Rabe had found more speed in his No. 14 machine, qualifying 15th for the second race and moving up to eighth on the opening laps after a frantic start.
“The K-Hill team and I battled back for a solid performance during Sunday's race. We made it up to 8th for a bit, and ran in the top ten for most of the race, but I got drafted by on the back straight right before the last safety car came out, which put us back to 11th.
"All and all, we showed a lot of promise with running in the top 10 with fast guys at a track I've never driven."
Next up, the No. 14 and Rabe head to rounds five and six at VIRginia International Raceway, June 6-8.