Sonoma, CA | It was another GREAT weekend for Black Sheep Racing (BSR), this time at the famed Sonoma Raceway in Napa, California. With Laura Ely and Kenton King piloting BSR-prepared machines, it was a podium-filled weekend for both drivers.
After a test day on Thursday, Saturday opened with qualifying that set the grid for race one later that afternoon. Performing well, King was able to secure the third fastest lap in the Pro/Am class while Ely earned the pole position in the Am class and fourth overall. With qualifying in the books, it was time to go racing.
Race one saw tight battles as drivers got their elbows out to fight for positions on track and chase the elusive race wins and podium results. Throughout the 35-minute affair, it was a hard-fought battle up front with King leading Ely on track. Lapped traffic would play a major part in the final outcome as a small bobble and loss of momentum by Kenton allowed Laura Ely to sneak by for the second position overall, but the win in the class. Kenton finished second in class and third overall for a great start to the weekend for Black Sheep Racing.
“We gained a lot of points on Saturday and Laura moved herself up to second in the points after the outstanding pole qualification achievement,” explained Chris Stiffler, BSR Business Manager. “Additionally, our woman car chief, Devin Hoffman got her first win for Laura Ely in Porsche Sprint Challenge. An amazing feat for our program.”
Sunday’s race saw Kenton King start from second on the grid while Laura Ely was on the outside of row three in the sixth position. It was another battle up front and while King ran second the majority of the race, he eventually finished race two in third while Laura Ely stood on the podium in her class as well.
“Laura and Kenton did a great job driving, we achieved our goals, earned a couple of podium finishes, gained on the overall points tally, and neither car suffered any damage. It was a beautiful weekend and now we look forward to preparing the cars for next month’s race at the Utah Motorsports Campus.”
Throughout the weekend, Black Sheep Racing debuted a new partnership with Vezer Family Vineyard, located close by in Fairfield, California.
“We invited the PCA Diablo Chapter, and they showed up in force with several members attending, some for their first-ever race event,” Stiffler added. “Thank You to Randy Hembrey and all the USAC staff for a great event!”
Black Sheep Racing held a special prize giveaway for those who attended the event.
Stiffler continued, “USAC was nice enough to grant us a special giveaway in a surprise to all the Diablo PCA chapter members by giving away a pace car ride.”
