Photo by Nathan Deering
By Alex Caruso
The day started off with a tough qualifying session as driver Alex Caruso struggled to find a draft partner to work with. The team started the race 19th out of 22 cars but didn't stay there for long, with Alex Caruso moving up to 14th before diving into the pits a couple of laps early to avoid the upcoming TCR traffic. The strategy call (thanks to drivers Willy and Nate) paid off as we came out in P12 after the rest of GT4 field went through their pit cycle. With a strong stint from driver Nathan Deering, he fought his way up to P9 by the time we needed to refuel the car again. With a quick driver swap, driver Willy Brennan got into the car and improved his pace lap after lap but just when he was starting to catch the cars in front, a full course yellow was issued.
With the caution coming at a difficult time on lap 59 of 88 the team discussed a few strategy options and made our choice. They knew they would have to pit for fuel one more time before the end of the race but assuming they wouldn't have enough fuel to make it to the end if we pit too early, they decided to stay out on track during the first caution lap. In hindsight, this was the biggest error as much of the GT4 field took this first opportunity to pit during the caution as they knew they would have enough fuel to make it to the end. After taking two more caution laps, the team realized they were incorrect, and could make it to the end of the race if they pit before the restart so they made the call to come in, fuel the car and swap drivers back to Nathan Deering. By then, the damage had already been done and the team came out of the pits in time for the restart back down in 18th place. But not for long.
As the race restarted, Nathan Deering fought door-to-door amongst GT4s and TCRs stacked together, going three wide into international horseshoe, somehow making it out unscathed. Before having the chance to breathe, a massive wreck unfolded on the straightaway just before turn 4. Nathan did his best to avoid, but ultimately had no where to run as a swarm of GT4s spun on and off the track in all directions in front of him. He checked up hard but ended up making straight-on contact with the back bumper of an Aston Martin. Fortunately, Nathan was able to keep it on the track and quickly navigate around the carnage. Once the dust had settled, the team found themselves back up to 12th but with the damage on the car from the wreck, they found themselves down on top speed and struggling to keep pace with the other GT4s on Daytona's long straightaways. Nathan got his head down and fought hard for the last handful of laps to stay with the pack in front while keeping the cars behind at an arms length before finally taking the checkered flag and finishing P11. A solid finish for a string of unfortunate events towards the end of the race. The team sits 11th in GT4 points, with the next race coming up on November 4th at Road America.