Whelen Engineering Racing Scores Second in Monterey

Monterey, Calif.  (24 September 2017)- Targeting a victory and a return to the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca podium, the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R led 48 laps on the way to a second place finish in the America’s Tire 250 on Sunday with drivers Dane Cameron and Eric Curran.

The duo, who secured the 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and scored a victory at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park earlier this year, combined for an impressive run that saw the team use pace, strategy, and strong team execution to move to the front of the field and factor all the way to the finish of the race.

The team started the race from fourth on the grid with Curran behind the wheel as he moved up to race in third position before turning the car over to Cameron. Returning to the field following a quick stop from the team, Cameron moved to the lead of the race before a lap 61 full course caution.

The Whelen red colors, which carried decals commemorating the tragic loss of NASCAR racer Ted Christopher last weekend in a plane crash, flew out front for the next 19 laps.

A final pit stop on lap 80 saw Cameron post quick in and out laps to return to the front of the field for the next 27 laps. As the clock closed in on the race finish, Cameron was slowed by traffic as the No. 90 Visit Florida entry took full advantage to secure the lead just minutes ahead of the race finish.

The second place result was not the target for the team on the day, but it was not for a lack of effort from the group effort.

“We led for a long time at the end,” said Curran. “I thought we had the car to make it to the end.  At the end I think Dane (Cameron) just ran out of tires. The 90 car did a good job. It would have been nice to get the win, but we will move on to Petit.”

“It was a hard race,” Cameron said. “The guys did a great job in the pits to get us to the front and in a great position. I made a couple mistakes at the end of the race in traffic that gave the 90 the shot to get by us. I didn’t have much left in the rear of the car with the tires. I am proud of the effort by the team. Good to be second, but disappointing as well after leading with just two laps to go. Good job by Eric (Curran) and the team all day.”

Whelen Engineering Racing looks forward to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season finale in two weeks time at Road Atlanta.

-Sunday Group Management