LAS VEGAS (Oct. 17, 2011) – Belardi Auto Racing finishes the 2011 season with three top 10 finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Belardi Auto Racing
After a weekend of fast practice sessions and a good showing in qualifying, Belardi Auto Racing completed the finale weekend with another podium and a strong showing from all three drivers at the Las Vegas 100. Much different than the bumpy 1.5 mile oval they raced on two weeks ago, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway oval was smooth as glass, and cars’ speeds slipped into the 190s.
The fast speeds are always cause for concern, but the Las Vegas 100 was off to a great start until trouble hit on Lap 8. The No. 28 machine of Duarte Ferreira spun coming out of Turn 1 and collected Rusty Mitchell and Bryan Clauson. The race was red-flagged to clean up debris and later resumed on Lap 13. Although there was nearly 10 minutes of red flag delay, officials allowed the race to continue its planned 67 laps.
The remainder of the race proved exciting with lots of pack racing, and the order of the cars continued to shuffle like a stack of cards. Coming into Turn 4 of the last lap, race leader Josef Newgarden’s No. 11 machine began to slow while smoke billowed from the back. The field dodged his slowing car, and Victor Carbone won his first race in Firestone Indy Lights. Belardi Auto Racing’s Jorge Goncalvez secured his fourth podium of the season coming in 3rd, while teammates Jacob Wilson and Anders Krohn came in 5th and 7th, respectively.
Although the team secured all top 10s during their morning race, the celebrations stopped there. Tragedy struck during the IZOD IndyCar race on Lap 11, when a 15-car pileup occurred, injuring many and killing one of our own. Dan Wheldon, driving the No. 77 Bowers & Wilkins/William Rast car, became airborne, flying over Paul Tracy and hitting the catch fence. He was airlifted to University Medical Center and later pronounced dead. Dan was an extremely talented driver and an incredible human being. He leaves behind his family, including wife Susie and sons Sebastian and Oliver, many friends, and the entire racing community that loved him dearly. May Dan Wheldon rest in peace.
- Belardi Auto Racing, Press Release
