With Brian Cates and Tony Buffomante still tied for first place in the Factory Five East Coast Championship points this race weekend would ultimately determine the winner.  The Cates Engineering number 27 Spec Racer had just received a new engine and had not yet seen any track time so we didn't know what to expect our first time out.  Other than a bolt jammed in the shift linkage and needing a tweak here and there the car preformed great.  However, Tony Buffomante's car was dialed in as usual and we just couldn't catch him and would end up taking 2nd place in the Saturday Race.

Tony Buffomante accepting 1st place Trophy	Brian Cates Accepting his 2nd Place Trophy

With a 1st place finish on Saturday the championship points race was now in Tony's favor and meant Brian would need a 1st place finish in the Sunday race in order to win the East Coast Championship.  After making some adjustment to the car between the practice and qualifying sessions we hoped we would have a better chance at catching Tony.  After the qualifying session the results of our adjustments seemed to have worked since Brian turned his fasted lap time of the weekend.  Unfortunately, Tony also turned his fastest lap time of the weekend and qualified in front of Brian.

For the Sunday race the entire field of cars were lined up based on there qualifying lap times leaving two cars between himself and Tony.  The cars in front of Tony were all in a faster class which would give him an open track.  As the cars cane around the steep downhill turn to take the green flag Brian was able to get a good jump on the cars between himself and Tony and by turn one he was right on Tony's bumper.  By the turn on to the long back straight Tony had to let up to avoid a car which had spun out giving Brian a chance to get around Tony.  Brian would continue to hold him off for the next five laps. 

Brian Cates with Tony Buffomante hot on his bumper

However, Tony was finally able to draft Brian down the back straight and take back the lost position.  Brian did not give up any determination in trying to get back the position and stayed right on Tony's tail for the next few laps until they encountered the slower lapped traffic and the several caution flags.  (all at the only good passing locations on the track)  Tony was able to catch some good breaks getting through the lapped cars but Brian was not as lucky and ended up getting held up behind the slower cars.

Brian Cates working through lapped traffic

 With the championship title at stake, Brian worked through the lapped traffic and was able to catch Tony coming around onto the front straight where the white flag was out signaling the last lap.  Giving it his all Brian gave Tony a run for his money but it just wasn't enough and would end up taking 2nd place in the Sunday Race and in the East Coast Championship Series.  Well you can't win them all and there is always next year.

The next event is Labor Day Weekend for the Factory Five National's and Stock Car Spectacular where all the Spec Racers from all over the country will converge on VIR to determine the National Champion.