Barber National Race Results

Continuing the post I started yesterday on the Formula X event at the New Jersey Motorsports Park, following qualifying there was a one hour break for lunch. Then there were five consecutive timed races featuring two sports car series and three open-wheel events.

The IMSA Lite sports cars went out on track first. These cars are similar to what would be raced at Le Mans, and endurance events. Following them were the Mazda sports cars, then the three open-wheel events beginning with the Mazda Pro Series, then Formula Atlantic, and finally Barber National.

Since qualifying ended at 11:45 a.m., we had to wait over four hours for the start of the race we really came to see. During that time we walked around the facility, watched parts of the other races from a variety of viewpoints, and hung out with the Lewis family and friends in the infield. For them, it was a long wait. Qualifying did not go as they had hoped. When a car isn't set up right and you can't seem to correct it, you know you are at a disadvantage. High finishes are critical to the point standings, which are critical to advancing to the next level.

Being new to the series, we asked a variety of questions and spoke mostly with Corey's father. To say that the family's are 'all in' when their child is racing in a series at this level is a gross understatement. We got the same sense when speaking with Sage's father. The waiting and anticipation is agonizing as so many things are going through their heads.

We learned alot by watching and asking question. The cost of racing is tremendous, and I was surprised to learn that the drivers were responsible to pay for any damage to their cars regardless of who caused it. Moreover, there is no longer any insurance to purchase in the event a car would get totalled which could cost upwards of $20,000.

When the waiting ended and it was time for the drivers to get in their cars, there was an intense anxiety and excitement in the air.

Sage Karam was one of the first drivers in the paddock area. The picture to the right was taken prior to getting in the cockpit.

The Barber National Race featured 22 drivers. There are 24 listed as competing in the series, but as money is a factor for everyone, not all the drivers are able to make each stop on the circuit (Barber National driver profiles are here). Twelve of the drivers, or 50%, are foreign born making it a truly international series.

In the paddock, drivers got final input and instruction from their advisors, and got in the car. The formula cars are very compact. The drivers all appeared to have some version of a head and neck device. There are radio communications and many drivers had video cameras mounted to the car.

To the left, Corey is adjusting his mirror. I expected these to be larger, they seemed very small, but obviously they are invaluable.

Once the cars rolled out to grid up, we headed for the media tower. From the top of it you could see most of the course.

At that point, having spent the day with the Lewis' as well as the Karam's I felt an anxiety, especially about the first turn.

Typically, the first turn is a place where drivers attempt to make moves for position, some good, some bad.

We looked down on the field as they drove onto pit lane in the order they qualified. There were some pre-race announcements, then the pace car led them out onto the track. The rooftop was full of the families and friends of all the drivers. There was an interesting dynamic. Most had scanners to listen to the officials and hear what was happening around the track. Some had headsets, others just held them out so everyone could pretty much hear what was happening when they couldn't see it. People moved around the roof as the cars rolled out watching intensely. In a few minutes, the cars made their single warm-up lap, the pace car turned out its lights and we saw the cars emerge from under the overpass ready to go racing for the next 25 minutes.

My heart was pounding as they accelarated and the noise level peaked as they came across the start/finish line accelerating toward Turn 1. There was a lot of side-by-side racing even through the corner and you could see dust kick-up in several places where drivers got wheels off the track. We again saw the cars emerge and going into Turn 1 one car locked-up the brakes, tires smoked, and it hit Lewis' car spinning him around.

In an effort to avoid the melee, another car turned right into the car of Ian Costa turning him sideways and he was left in the racing line, where his car was hit and the nose destroyed by another car (Costa posted video of the first lap and crash at the start of lap 2 from his car's perspective on You Tube available here).

Lewis immediately noticed the car didn't feel right and instead of risking a part breaking at speed, came into the pits to have the Barber National crew check it. The pit kept him on the lead lap, but moved him to the back of the field, 20th position. Time was also of the essence as the full course caution to remove two cars was counted in the 25 minute time limit. The less time, the less chance he had to move forward.

Under caution, watching the field go by, there were at least three cars with wing damage. One was Karam, whose front left wing was bent straight up in the air. The lack of downforce made it difficult to turn and would impact his straightaway speed.

The rest of the race Karam did his best to hold position with the broken wing, and did a very good job placing 8th, his best finish to date this season, and Lewis worked to make positions. He was able to pass about five cars by my count and one car ahead of him was black-flagged on the last lap, which should have given him another spot to finish 14th. The last pass he made was literally at the start finish line, this picture is about fifty feet from the line and Lewis was ahead by about six inches when they got to it.

It was heart-wrenching to see both local drivers have problems that were not that their fault. They both managed to make the most of a bad situation, and they had to put it behind them as they raced again on Sunday.

Unofficially, I understand that Karam went on podium with a 2nd place finish in race 2, and Lewis switched cars as he still didn't feel the one that was in the accident felt right and finished 10th.

Both drivers now have a podium finish this season with Lewis also having earned 2nd in Virginia.

If you or your company would like to support either or both of these drivers, contact me and I'll get you in touch with the families: editor@newsovercoffee.com