jason robarge wins the indy 250

Last night was a Wild Indy 250! Some good action around the track, long green flag runs, and a surprise 1st time winner to cap off the night!

On point was Bradley Walters with a 40.110, the fastest time of the week. Chris Lanini, Justin Laxton, Jesse Vincent, and Matt Kingsbury rounded out the top 5. The action was fast as Justin and Matt found their way to the top 2 spots early. Caution hit on lap 8 when Austin Espitee tried to squeeze inside Krista Nelson but ran out of room, ending Krista's night. Split pit strategies ensued as the top 15 or so stayed out but the back half pitted for fuel. 

Justin would take the green back, as he and Matt would swap top spots a few times along with Rick Music challenging for the lead. The top 8 would end up breaking away from the rest of the field, mostly single file. Lap 20 Mark Norbert would hit the wall in turn 2 but slide into the grass and we would stay green. Meanwhile, Austin has fought his way up to 12th after starting 22nd. The first round of green flag stops would start on lap 25 when Big Joe would pull in from 8th. The rest of the leaders followed the next few laps, with Michael Chinn leading some laps on the alternate fuel strategy, but he had to pull off and Rick Music and Matt would be battling for the lead. Justin came out 3rd and Joe gained 4 spots to take over 4th. 

Matt and Rick would keep swapping spots for the lead, at the same time Justin and Joe were unable to gain any time on them.Austin Espitee would continue to make up ground on the field and by the time round 2 of pit stops was over he would pass Joe for 4th. The top 3 would stay the same through pit stops, as Rick and Matt continued to hold the lead over Justin. 

The 2nd caution of the night would fall with 31 to go When Chris Poole Hit the Wall in turn 1 and was unable to clear the track. The leaders would come down pit road, while some of the alternate strategy drivers would stay out. Leandro Mattos and John Downing would take the top 2 spots while Matt would come out 3rd winning the pit road battle. 

Chaos would ensue on the following restart as close to 4 wide racing saw Justin drift up the track and Rick coming down on his right rear trying to get into turn 3, both cars would be collected and end their nights. Leandro would continue to stay out having last pit on lap 58, nowhere near having enough fuel to finish, the leaders would come down for a splash of gas, and Jason Robarge would also stay out to take over the 2nd spot.

Jason would shortly pass leandro for the lead and would run away from Leandro and Carl Burk. 4th on back would lose precious time as Matt and Trevor Malone made contact giving Matt damage and Matt's car was still drivable but until cars could pass, lost seconds to the leader. That group would catch Carl and Leandro and Austin would jet all the way to 3rd and Joe would find his way around Trevor, Matt, and Leandro for 4th. Jason, however took advantage to get a 1.8 second lead over Carl. 

With 17 to go Ray Kingsbury would end up in the turn 3 wall and got airborne but the track stayed green. Austin would find his way around Carl burk, trying deperately to catch Jason with 16 to go. At 8 to go, Joe would catch carl and while in his wake, brushed the turn 1 wall, but kept it straight and caught carl coming into turn 3 making the pass for 3rd. The 4th caution of the night would come 2 corners later when Matt and Carl would netcode sending Carl's car into the wall, ending his night and damaging Matt badly. 

The final restart would have Jason, Austin, and Joe lead the field to the green. Matt would stay out with his damage to hold 4th and Trevor rounded out the top 5. But before the race to the checkered flag could begin, it ended in turn two when Leandro turned down into Vincent Bluthenthal to bring out the final caution and effectively end the race. 

Jason would get his first win with Lionheart, Austin 2nd, Joe 3rd. 
Jason for his win, receieves a paint scheme from Overdrive Graphics, a poster from Sim Posters, an Indy 500 history book, and a 5$ bonus. Full Results

Jesse would hold the point lead with a 7th place finish. Matt finished 5th and trimmed down to 57 behind Jesse, and Joe for his 3rd place effort would cut down to 88 points back. Full Standings

Next week sees the cup course at Watkins Glen.