blocker turns in perfect drive to win spa

There was no denying who the best driver was Wednesday night. Adam Blocker led every lap, from the pole, and was the only driver to complete all 29 laps without an incident point, as he captured the win in the HPP Simulation Grand Prix of Belgium.

It was the debut of the Lionheart IndyCar Series presented by First Medical Equipment at the legendary Circuit de Spa Francorchamps.

“It’s not very often you get a win like that,” said Blocker, celebrating his series-leading fifth win of the season. “The was definitely my best race of the season. That helps me a lot in the points, and one-two for Adrenaline.”

Blocker finished nearly 28 seconds ahead of teammate Andrew Kinsella, who passed Stephen Laarkamp on the final lap, and then held him off in a drag race to the finish. Kinsella beat Laarkamp to the line by .020 seconds.

“I was saving a little bit of fuel and tires,” said Kinsella, who is tied with Blocker, but behind on the total wins tiebreaker. “I wanted to be well within the safety zone for the two stop strategy. Somehow I was able to catch Stephen there, what a race at the end.”

Laarkamp was also the highest finishing rookie, and jumped to fourth in points with the podium.

“That was a fantastic battle,” Laarkamp said. “I’m kicking myself a little, I was held up by a lapped car a few laps before and that kinda brought him back to me. But I can’t be too bitter, that was a great race.”

Dan Geren and Justin Weaver looked to be the second and third best cars, but both suffered rear wing damage on an opening lap skirmish, causing delayed first pit stops. Both later struggled to hit the fuel number required to make it a two stop race.

Geren came home fifth, right behind Michael Goodman. Weaver was sixth.

Several cars, including championship contender Brian Yaczik and former race winner Bob Mikes, were eliminated before they got to turn one. Mikes made contact with Yaczik, while several others piled into each other at the chicane before the start/finish straight.

The race was otherwise fairly quiet, as drivers focused on keeping their IR18’s on track at a fast and difficult track.

With Blocker and Kinsella tied atop the standings, Yaczik dropped to 88 points back in third. Laarkamp and Goodman round out the top five.

The Lionheart IndyCar Series presented by First Medical Equipment returns to the states - and the ovals - this week, with the ButtKicker 200 at Richmond Raceway.

​The event can be seen live on the iRacing eSports Network on Wednesday, September 19 at 10:35 p.m. EST. The Global SimRacing Channel will have the call.