Mid-Ohio 120 – IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – 94 Atlanta Speedwerks Honda Civic TCR, Scott Smithson, Ryan Eversley
WATKINS GLEN, New York (July 1, 2021) – Atlanta Speedwerks driver Scott Smithson may have the toughest job in the paddock this week, co-driving the No. 94 Dinner With Racers/Lemons of Love Honda Civic TCR with Ryan Eversley in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
Smithson, who is driving a select schedule this season, missed last Saturday’s four-hour race while the rest of the series got experience on the 3.7-mile circuit. Eversley, who now leads the Driver’s Championship with the 94 car leading the Team Championship, won the race while paired with team owner and driver Todd Lamb for Atlanta Speedwerks’ first IMSA victory. Meanwhile, Robert Noaker and Brian Henderson were qualifying on the Motul Pole and finishing a strong fourth in the No. 84 Sabelt/Pagid Honda Civic TCR after leading the most laps.
Instead, Smithson arrived on Wednesday afternoon to a track that he’s yet to visit previously, for a car that he’s driven in just one other race to date. Though Smithson and Eversley did earn a podium at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, he wasn’t a full weekend behind the rest of the field.
Thankfully, Atlanta Speedwerks had a plan. The team arrive at Watkins Glen nearly a month ago for four consecutive race weekends, beginning with Porsche Club of America, then an SCCA Super Tour event, followed by two consecutive IMSA races. Smithson climbed into one of the Atlanta Speedwerks’ SCCA Spec Miata for the Chin Track Day on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning to get a feel for the track.
“The track is awesome,” Smithson said. “It flows really well, and it’s just a beautiful track. Driving the Spec Miata, I got some orientation but in talking to Ryan, you drive the TCR car a little bit different. All in all, I think we’ll be good.”
Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at The Glen – IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge – Watkins Glen International – 94 Atlanta Speedwerks Honda Civic TCR, Todd Lamb, Ryan Eversley
In all, Smithson was able to get about 60 minutes of track time. With just an hour of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge practice in advance of Thursday evening’s qualifying session and Friday’s two-hour race, the Chin Track Days – longtime friends of Atlanta Speedwerks, who carry a Chin Track Days decal on the Honda TCR cars – proved an invaluable resource, even in a car other than the Honda Civic TCR race car.
The key to the race may be Smithson’s ability to race the situation as it presents itself, rather than try to match last week’s victory. That’s especially true as the race is half the distance, and rain is a strong possibility.
“To be completely honest, it’s a little bit of added pressure because I want to bring it home for Ryan and get him another win,” Smithson said. “But I have to play it smart. It’s a brand-new track. Conditions might not be optimal. So I need to bring the car home and let him get it done.”
Instead, Smithson will have to do the best he can and know he played a role in last week’s victory from afar, including watching his personal backer, Qelo Capital, joining Sabelt, Pagid Brakes, Valvoline, Dinner With Racers and Lemons of Love in victory lane on the side of the Honda Civic TCR.
“It was bittersweet, because I wanted to be a part of it but it’s awesome to see that car and the Qelo brand in victory lane,” Smithson said.
Smithson and Eversley, Noaker and Henderson, and the rest of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge field run the first official session of this two-day event at 3:35 p.m. EDT on Thursday afternoon before Smithson and Henderson qualify their respective cars in a 15-minute session at 7:55 p.m. EDT. Henderson will be looking for the fifth-consecutive Motul Pole in as many races during the 2021 season, while Smithson will be trying to keep Eversley and the team car atop the point standings during Friday’s two-hour race at 2:35 p.m. EDT. Friday’s race can be streamed live through TrackPass on the NBCSN app.
Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at The Glen – IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge – Watkins Glen International – 94 Atlanta Speedwerks Honda Civic TCR, Todd Lamb, Ryan Eversley
Atlanta Speedwerks Pair of Honda Civic TCRs Scores Front Row Lock Out For Saturday’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Race
JUNE 25, 2021
Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at The Glen – IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge – Watkins Glen International – 84 Atlanta Speedwerks Honda Civic TCR, Robert Noaker
WATKINS GLEN, New York (June 25, 2021) – Atlanta Speedwerks locked down the front row for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR class race on Saturday at Watkins Glen International, with Robert Noaker earning his second Motul Pole award in the opening four races and Todd Lamb qualifying second during Friday’s session.
Noaker’s best lap of 1:56.046 (105.475 mph) in the No. 84 Sabelt/Pagid Honda Civic TCR was quick enough to set a new track record in the class and earn the team’s third top starting position in four races in the 2021 season. Noaker’s co-driver, Brian Henderson, scored the top spot at Daytona International Speedway in the season opener.
“I love this track,” Noaker said. “I’ve only been here one other time before this but on sims I’ve always loved it. It’s very different than any other track with the banking and there’s not much runoff. The car was handling and it’s good to get pole. It’s a four-hour race, so it’s just going to be staying out of trouble and try to stay out front. Hopefully I’ll hand the car off the Brian clean and see what he can do with it.”
Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at The Glen – IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge – Watkins Glen International – 84 Atlanta Speedwerks Honda Civic TCR, Brian Henderson, Robert Noaker
Noaker was 0.825 ahead of Lamb in the No. 94 Dinner With Racers/Lemons of Love Honda Civic TCR during the session. Qualifying for the first time and racing for just the second time this season, Lamb turned a best lap of 1:56.871 (104.730 mph) just before the checkered flag flew on the 15-minute session. Lamb will co-drive with Ryan Eversley during Saturday’s four-hour race sitting second in the team championship and with Eversley second in the driver’s championship point standings.
“It was a great qualifying,” Lamb, also the team owner, said. “I’m really glad we can have both cars on the front row. We’re really coming together as a team, and to me that’s the biggest thing of all. It’s awesome to be able to drive this weekend, but as a team owner I just want to be able to have success and see both cars on the podium.”
The Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at The Glen gets underway at 2:35 p.m. EDT on Saturday from Watkins Glen International. The race can be seen live on the NBC Sports app via TrackPass.
Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at The Glen – IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge – Watkins Glen International – 94 Atlanta Speedwerks Honda Civic TCR, Scott Smithson, Ryan Eversley
