The 26 drivers competing in Round 6 of the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup put in a long day today at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The day began bright and early with qualifying at 8 am followed by the race at 7 pm.
When the checkered flag flew, the weekend belonged to Timmy Megenbier who led each session. The Melrose Park, Illinois native began Saturday's action by winning his second pole position of the season after suffering a tire puncture early in the session. The race also featured a great deal of action and saw many of the title-contending drivers jockeying for position. Megenbier led all but one lap during the race, only once relinquishing his lead to eventual fourth-place finisher, Andy Lee. The podium also included AJ Nealey (2nd) and Joey Atterbury (3rd) who gained seven positions during the race.
The win is Megenbier's series-leading third victory of the season. However, after the race, series officials penalized him 30 points for blocking Andy Lee on the last lap of the race. Despite this penalty, Megenbier walks away from this weekend with 218 points and a 20-point lead in the Championship battle. Andy Lee (198) and Joey Atterbury (193) rounded out the top three in the standings following the race.
"Today was a really crazy day with my problems during qualifying and all of the action during the race," Megenbier said. "At the start, I got a really good jump and was able to pull away a bit, but then the caution came out and brought them up to me. Andy Lee and I had a great battle after the second caution, and he was able to get around me at one point. But thankfully, I was able to keep my head and get him back just before the final lap. Obviously, I'm disappointed with the penalty decision, but I still have the lead in the Championship and that's what important. I'll try to make up the points I lost today when we get to Mosport."
The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series returns to action August 29-30 at Mosport for Round 7 of the season.
