Enerson captured the Hard Charger award with superb drive from rear of the field at Night Before the 500
FORT MYERS, FLA. – ZSports/Team E Racing teenage sensation RC Enerson passed his latest racing challenge, oval racing, with flying colors on Saturday night (May 26) with an impressive drive at Lucas Oil Raceway. The 15 year-old rookie overcame a rare mechanical issue in qualifying to charge from the rear of the field in Round Five of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda to finish seventh in Indiana.
Already a proven winner in his USF2000 Championship - having won the past two National class races in Florida - Enerson traveled to the lone oval race on the series schedule excited to keep the momentum going. The Florida native would, however, face a new challenge moving up to the Championship class for his first-ever oval start.
Given the No. 10 Patriot Bank/ZSports/Team E Racing racer had posted the second quickest time in the official test day at the 0.686-mile Lucas Oil Raceway banked oval earlier in the month, confidence was high entering the prestigious Night Before the 500. Enerson and his talented ZSports/Team E Racing promptly lived-up to expectations, posting the fourth best time in the opening practice run for Round Five. Unfortunately, this proved to be the high point in the lead up to the race under the lights just down the road from the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
An electrical problem in the final practice session was followed by a fuel pump issue in single-car qualifying, sending the double National class winner to an uncharacteristic 20th starting position.
The entire ZSports/Team E Racing squad remained upbeat when the cars rolled on-course for the planned 75-lap race in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd at Lucas Oil Raceway. When the green flag waved, Enerson was immediately on a charge, advancing several positions. A key moment occurred at the start of lap two, as an incident in turn two collected numerous drivers. Enerson, however, avoided the multi-car crash collision, taking a place among the top-10. When the racing action resumed after a lengthy safety car period, Enerson engaged in spirited dice for seventh place. Repeatedly going side-by-side, mere inches apart from another racer, he dueled for the position, Enerson showcased his ever-growing talents behind the wheel, eventually getting the position and building a multi-car advantage his nearest pursuer. When the checkered flag waved after 46 laps, shortened due to time restraints, the ZSports/Team E Racing rookie standout was seventh, earning the Tilton Hard Charger Award by advancing 13 places.
"That was a lot of fun," stated Enerson. "It was obviously unfortunate we had the problem in qualifying, but the guys gave me a great car when the green flag waved. I was able to make up a bunch positions and avoid the early race pile-up, which was key. When we did get back to racing, I had great battle with Matthew [Di Leo]. I'm already looking forward to the next time I can go oval racing. The goal now is to win some more National class races, starting at Mid-Ohio."
ZSports/Team E Racing's chase for the National class title in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda resumes on August 4-5, with Rounds Six and Seven at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
To learn more about ZSports, please visit ZSportsMidWest.com For direct contact, please contact Steve Thomson @ 612-964-9572.
Keep up to date with RC Enerson via Twitter @ RCEnerson and his Facebook page at RC-Enerson-Racing or at www.rcenerson.com
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About ZSports:
Driven by a passion for racing, ZSports is a company formed by racers for racers. Based in Minnesota, with winter facilities in Fort Myers, Fla., the squad offers professional engineering and preparation to the developing driver. Since its formation in 2008, ZSports has established itself a leading junior formula car squad, winning four times, standing on the podium six times, and earning 3 pole positions in pro F2000 competition. In 2009, the squad captured the F2000 Championship Series Rookie of the Year award with Ben Searcy. ZSports will contest the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in 2012 with a multi-car effort.