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Smith's Lead Maxwell Paper Racing To A Double Race, Double Win at Miller Motorsports Park in rounds 7 and 8
Toole, Utah -- July 13, 2010 -- On July 10, 2010, the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama in Utah got underway, and there was no shortage of excitement, car crashes, and stellar performances by drivers across the board. This weekend, it was all about keeping up with the Smiths as team manager Kendall Smith and his younger brother Ross took first place in both the round 7 and 8 finals.
Ross and his Porsche 911 GT3 brought the win - his fifth for the season - coasting across the finish line of the Platinum Class race in style, after what could only be described as an eventful race. From the very moment the cars left the line, jockeying for position and looking to pull that extra few yards ahead, paint began to fly. It fired up with #14 Amadeo Quiros II and #24 Carlos Eduardo getting up close and personal, and led to a penalty for Eduardo.
As the field bunched up, #33 driven by Peter LeSaffre and #28 by Joseph Sposato met forcefully, resulting in a significant amount of debris on the track. Ross Smith, holding his lead but starting to see Chris Cumming sliding up behind him, was happy to see that the checkered flag came out at 19 laps.
According to Smith, "I had a good gap in the beginning as I essentially ran a flawless race, but I saw the line he [Cumming] was taking off the corners - he was doing the exact same pace as me toward the end, so when that double yellow came out, I was a little afraid. I knew I had a couple of tenths left in the car, but I knew he’d be just as smart and save his tires, just in case there was a yellow. I played it as smartly as I could, and the car was the most consistent its ever been. Porsche and the Maxwell Paper Racing team alway gives me the best tools to do the job."
The win was a redemption for Smith after a slight setback in New Jersey, and made all the sweeter by the fact that older brother Kendall also won in his Gold Cup race - his first for the season. Kendall attributed his success to smart driving that took him out of the worst of the aggressive race going on around him.
“It was all about consistency today,” said Kendall Smith. “We were able to find clean track, have a clean start and had a great race. It was unbelievable - I could go another 45 minutes! I have to dedicate this to my Dad, who’s done so much for me and team, and my brother, who’s helped me along way!”
With only 1 second separating Ross Smith from 2nd place Platinum finisher Cumming and #57 Melanie Snow less than 4 seconds behind Kendall in the Gold class after round 7 of the Patrón GT3 Challenge, the brothers had their work cut out for them in round 8.
But smart driving and consistent cars were the key, and Ross attributes part of his wins to the Porsche he was driving, one he says was much like the car that helped him in Sebring. In the series 8 final, Ross started third in the pack, but thanks to a great start from the car and a fantastic first corner, took the lead.
“It was amazing," said the younger Smith. "We made a great rebound from New Jersey – and it was great to have my brother beside me, his first pole and his first race win!”
Maxwell Paper Racing has established itself as one of the nation’s premiere road racing teams, with years of road racing and open wheel experience. Based out of the Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Texas, Maxwell Paper Racing maintains a fleet of track ready race cars, while simultaneously competing in several professional racing series. 2010 has proven to be an excellent year for the team and their goal to achieve dual IMSA championships in the Platinum and Gold Classes of the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama series.
Brothers Ross and Kendall headline the team, with Kendall taking double duty as manager. The team is committed to clean, smart racing and a love of the track. The Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama series is now in its 5th year of Le Mans series races.
March 18-19 Sebring
May21-23 Laguna Seca
June 26-27 New Jersey Motortsports Park
July 9-11 Miller Motorsports Park
August 6-7 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
August 20-22 Road America
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Road Atlanta
Race Schedule
