To the Stars Through Difficulty

From the virtual Western U.S, where Ryan Steele had an amazing come-from-behind victory in the sim race, the iRacing.com Silver Crown Cup adjourned to the digital plains of Kansas Speedway where a 13 car field competed in an action-filled, 67 lap sim race.  A race featuring four yellow flags for 16 laps proved to the drivers that skillful driving is sometimes more important than being lucky. The state motto of Kansas “To the Stars through Difficulty” proved to be the opposite of Vinnie Sansone’s mindset throughout the night.

The small field of 13 Silver Crowns roar to the green flag for a 67 lap sim-race

As Eric Aumont lead the field to the green flag, Thomas Wargula made a bold move to Jeffery Mays’ inside, giving him second position before the two sim racers hit Turn Two. The battle between the two would continue throughout the opening laps, giving Aumont the gap he needed in what appeared to be a repeat of this season’s Indianapolis race, just two weeks ago. However, the draft was no match for Eric, as the field swallowed Aumont up by Lap Five.

The first caution of the 100 mile sim race occurred on Lap Seven, when Thomas Wargula made a move to Aumont’s inside, collecting Mays in the bargain and ending both drivers’ races. Following the incident, Doug Berryman and Brett Waldrep got together, ending Berryman’s race.

After the safety car pulled into pit lane, Wargula led the field to Lap 12. After only two short laps, he was already under fire from Sansone, who seemed to have the quicker ‘Crown. Lap 16 saw Sansone dive to the inside of Wargula entering Turn Three, turning Thomas into the meat in the Silver Crown sandwich that was the front pack. After the pass, Sansone had smooth sailing.

Trouble struck for Brian Elmore and George Hagon on Lap 18.

Lap 18 showed just how close Silver Crown sim racing can be. Brian Elmore and George Hagon made contact in Turns Three and Four, leading to the second caution of the event. After the restart, it was up to the trio of Wargula, Dayton Gank and Michael Clement to chase down Sansone’s runaway ‘Crown. While the attempt by the three was there, the field was no match for Sansone who sped away with an incredible 52 laps-lead, the race victory and a sweet 198 championship points.

After a heart-breaking finish at Phoenix, Sansone steps it up to win at Kansas

Week 7 takes the Silver Crowns of iRacing from the MidWest to the Western Pacific Rim, as the series heads Twin Ring Motegi in the Land of the Rising Sun. Last season, the caution-filled sim race seemed endless. However, after clean racing this season, many of the sim racers are hoping for smooth sailing on Thursday.

Following Twin Ring Motegi, the remainder of the Silver Crown Cup for Season Two features four of the last six sim races on short tracks. The tracks include Rockingham, Bristol, New Hampshire, and Lucas Oil Raceway for a second time. The other track the series will visit is 1.5 mile Kentucky Speedway in Week 10. The sim racer to emerge successful at the end of the second half will need to be consistent,  hard-charging . . . and have a bit of luck.

All eyes are now on championship leader, Vinnie Sansone, as he and Wargula are separated by 11 points. Thursday’s sim race in Motegi will be a turning point for one of the sim racers, and it will be a fantastic show to see who will emerge victorious.

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