Watkins Glen International Raceway
Watkins Glen, NY
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
LP Building Solutions 120
Coming off of a highly technical race at Mid-Ohio, the Racing to End Alzheimer’s/Stephen Cameron Racing team rolled into Watkins Glen chomping at the bit to open up that high-powered Mustang engine. The notoriously fast track, known in racing circles for its high-octane straights and infamous boot section, provides an opportunity for teams to focus on speed.
But this is far from a pedal-to-the-floor, top-speed-over-everything drag race. Success at Watkins Glen requires the ability to shift between blistering pace and tight angles around corners. That versatility puts incredible amounts of strain on the car and is only possible when every mechanical part works exactly the way it should.
Unfortunately for this team, one last-minute electrical issue proved that point in heartbreaking fashion.
Dialing in
After qualifying to start 16th on the grid, Sean Quinlan set off on Saturday morning with a plan in mind. The first leg of a race is crucial, if sometimes underappreciated. Despite the absence of a checkered flag payoff, leadoff drivers are responsible for dialing the car in and setting the tone for the rest of the day.
Over the first few laps, Quinlan played his role exceptionally well, making light changes to brake bias and traction while fending off the rest of the field. This kind of multitasking is the purview of a seasoned driver — one who can communicate with his team, adjust on the fly and drive a Mustang at nearly 200 miles per hour.
As the No.19 held steady, a mid-race caution period bunched the field together. Quinlan took the opportunity to hit the pit lane, handing the car over to Greg Liefooghe with topped-up fuel and new tires. As usual, Greg was ready.
Good with the bad
Liefooghe hit the track and immediately started gaining momentum. After a few laps, the No.19 approached the perfect balance of speed and precision, ripping down the track at blinding speed. Then, on lap 45, everything came together.
A flawless lap is exceedingly rare. It’s the kind of thing that drivers envision the night before a race, a perfect storm of timing, skill, luck and teamwork. When it does happen, it’s as if driver and machine become an extension of each other — taking corners at the perfect angle, switching gears at exactly the right time, passing opponents quickly and efficiently. It’s the pinnacle of racing — a fleeting feeling that only a select few ever get to experience.
If Liefooghe didn’t get that feeling on lap 45, he must have been pretty close to it. With the fastest lap in the field, Greg paced the No.19 all the way up to 12th place with only five minutes left.
But as he prepared to make a run for the top ten, the Mustang’s electrical system gave way, forcing the driver to pull over and end the race in 19th place. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows, all within a few minutes.
More to come
Despite the disappointing finish, the team came away from its weekend at Watkins Glen with a positive outlook on the races ahead. The Mustang had flashes of greatness, and the crew is getting better at harnessing its strengths. There is work to be done, but it’s hard not to feel like triumph is just around the next turn.
Thanks for reading.
