INDIANAPOLIS — Steve Sargis earned his ninth SCCA National Championship at the Runoffs with a dominant win in the H Production race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Friday morning.
Sargis, representing the Blackhawk Valley Region, drove a 1975 Triumph Spitfire to an 8.1-second margin of victory over a 1986 Volkswagen Golf driven by Christopher Schaafsma. Enrik Benazic completed the podium in a 1986 Honda Civic Si.
Sargis, the Tire Rack Pole Award winner, immediately pulled away into a commanding lead, leaving the field behind by more than three seconds on the opening lap. But his seven-second advantage was eliminated in an incident involving Eric Vickerman and Vesa Silegren on lap three that caused the race to be black flagged. The pair were disputing second place when the incident occurred entering the back straight.
Racing resumed with just over six minutes remaining in what was transformed into a 40-minute timed race. Sargis was again in command for the final few laps, turning the fastest time of the race with a time nearly two seconds quicker than Schaafsma could manage.
Ralf Lindow took fourth place, while fifth place was claimed in a photo finish by Jason LaManna over Bill Okell. Matthew Benazic was the race’s Sunoco Hard Charger, gaining 21 positions in his move from 30th place to ninth.
Sargis’ most recent triumph gives him a total of 20 podium finishes in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Runoffs in three different classes, including back-to-back H Production crowns.
“It turned out that getting pole was really important and I just wanted to get a good clean start,” Sargis related. “Once I got through Turn 1, it seemed everything was good, and I gapped out pretty quick. Unfortunately, we had the incident, but once I got restarted, it turned out to be okay after that.
“Last time I came to Indy, I was in GT-Lite and it was a rough week, to say the least,” he added. “It’s really good to have a smooth week, and I just feel bad that a lot of guys wrecked today.”
The finish:
- (1), Steve Sargis, Frankfort, IL, Triumph Spitfire, 9; 2. (5), Christopher Schaafsma, Wheaton, IL, Volkswagen Golf, 9; 3. (8), Enrik Benazic, Farmingdale, NY, Honda Civic Si, 9; 4. (6), Ralf Lindow, Bellevue, NE, Volkswagen Golf, 9; 5. (10), Jason LaManna, Rochester, NY, Volkswagen Rabbit, 9; 6. (11), Bill Okell, Victoria, BC, MG Midget, 9; 7. (13), Scott Hileman, Johnstown, OH, Volkswagen Rabbit, 9; 8. (20), Chris Albin, Maryland Hts, MO, Volkswagen Golf, 9; 9. (30), Matthew Benazic, Whitestone, NY, Honda Civic Si, 9; 10. (14), Robin Bank, Aliquippa, PA, Volkswagen Golf, 9; 11. (19), William Trainer, Lake in the Hills, IL, Volkswagen Scirocco, 9; 12. (18), Andrew Wright, Murfreesboro, TN, Triumph Spitfire, 9; 13. (22), Greg Gauper, Hubertus, WI, Honda Civic Si, 9; 14. (16), Brayden Connolly, Columbus, OH, Fiat X-1/9, 9; 15. (12), Matt Brannon, Columbus, OH, Fiat X-1/9, 9; 16. (25), Edward Werry, West Deptford, NJ, Honda Fit, 9; 17. (15), Jason Stine, Stow, OH, Austin-Healey Sprite, 9; 18. (21), Jerry Oleson, Aurora, CO, Austin-Healey Sprite, 9; 19. (9), Mark Brakke, Coon Rapids, MN, Mazda 2, 9; 20. (35), Leanna Wright, Murfreesboro, TN, Mini Cooper, 9; 21. (23), Vincent LaManna, Ontario, NY, Volkswagen Rabbit, 9; 22. (34), John Fine, Norcross, GA, Honda Civic Si, 9; 23. (31), Hayes Lewis, Alexandria, VA, Porsche 924, 9; 24. (27), Jack Schulz, Monett, MO, MG Midget, 9; 25. (26), Cory Markos, Riverside, CA, Honda CRX, 9; 26. (40), Darryl Saylor, Mount Juliet, TN, Honda CRX, 9; 27. (32), Greg Amy, Middletown, CT, Toyota MR-2, 9; 28. (37), David Oliveira, Moosup, CT, Mini Cooper, 9; 29. (33), Robert Bax, Cincinnati, OH, Mini Cooper, 9; 30. (39), Frank Schwartz, Ann Arbor, MI, Mini Cooper, 9; 31. (36), Charles Fullgraf, Philadelphia, TN, Honda Civic Si, 9. 32. (41), James Melady, Jefferson, TX, MG B, 9; 33. (28), Ron Copeland, Maumee, OH, Honda CRX, 9; 34. (42), John Faull, San Jose, CA, Austin-Healey Sprite, 9; 35. (7), Jack Banha, Blue Bell, PA, Volkswagen Rabbit, 7; 36. (4), Ben Valentine, Fullerton, CA, MG Midget, 7; 37. (17), Neil Verity, Grey Forest, TX, MG B, 6; 38. (38), Robert E. Horrell Jr, Memphis, TN, Honda CRX, 5; DNF, (29), Martin Burk, Summit Point, WV, Honda CRX Si, 3; DNF, (3), Vesa Silegren, Cleveland, TN, Honda CRX, 2; DNF, (2), Eric Vickerman, Howell, MI, Austin-Healey Sprite, 2; DNF, (24), Tom Broring, Derwood, MD, Triumph Spitfire, 1;