blocker dominates, clinches 2021 lionheart indycar series presented by buttkicker championship
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By Justin Prince
The streak continues. For the fourth season in a row, Adam Blocker has won the Lionheart IndyCar Series Presented by ButtKicker Drivers Championship. Blocker did so by dominating the Alkentech Simulation Grand Prix of Detroit at iRacing’s virtual Belle Isle Circuit on Nov. 17. The Adrenaline Powerslide driver led all 53 laps and set the fastest lap of the race to clinch the 2021 championship. It was Blocker’s 10th win of the year. Connor Harrington, Aaron Morgan, Ryan Otis and Mike Rasimas completed the top five. “(Being a four-time champion) sounds pretty good obviously,” said Blocker from HyperX Victory Lane. “It definitely feels good to get this one wrapped up here at Detroit, which is a home race for me, and to win both the Michigan (state) races, which is pretty cool.” Blocker was quick from the start of the night. He quickly pulled away from the rest of the pack, leading a majority of the race by as much as five seconds. Behind Blocker, Harrington attempted to keep up with him as hard as he could. However, by the end of the race, Harrington was trailing by more than eight seconds. With the finish, Harrington clinched a second place finish in the drivers standings. “I feel like that’s been the story of the season,” said Harrington. “Dirty air in the first stint just destroyed the front tires. I think we had equal pace the second stint, then when the third stint started and Blocker was way out front, I said ‘okay, let’s just finish second and just be done for the night.’” Harrington’s team, PRIVATE LABEL Team Hype, also clinched the team championship by the end of the race despite some early incidents. Harrington’s teammate, Joshua Chin, started in sixth place when he made contact with Bryan Carey in Turn 2. The first lap incident sent Carey spinning hard into the outside wall, ending the Canadian’s day. One corner later, Chin overran the entry to the turn, locking up his tires. Chin’s car was sent into the run-off area. He had to let most of the field by before he could get back onto the racing surface. By the end of the lap, Chin was back in 23rd place. Chin went on to recover from the incident and finished in sixth. “I’m really, really proud of everyone at PRIVATE LABEL Team Hype,” said Harrington. “For us to come into the series and lock up the Team Championship with one race to go is really great. I’m really proud of how Josh, Jason (Brophy) and Phil (Kraus) have fought for this all year. It’s just really great for us.” The Lionheart IndyCar Series Presented by ButtKicker will be finishing its 2021 season with the SimXperience Race for the Championship at iRacing’s virtual Auto Club Speedway on Dec. 5. Coverage of the 500-mile event starts at 4 p.m. ET on RaceSpot TV. It can also be watched through tape delay on ESTV. |
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