A PRO4 WIN AND A NEW TRACK RECORD FOR PAUL MARCONI

Source: Jon Proctor
Date: 05/07/2000

At 1 P.M. Saturday afternoon a track record and a win where not on mind of the #10 Pro4 crew. With the engine out of the car and the block sitting on the workbench, the only thoughts were to get it back together and try and make it to the track in time for qualifying. Paul and the crew got the engine back in the car and fired it up around 2:30 P.M.. They then loaded up the car and headed for the track and the first Pro4 race of the season at Rocky Mountain Raceways.

Paul drew the number 8 qualifying spot and waited in line as the Pro4's where the first to qualify. After watching the first 7 cars hit the track it was apparent that Paul would need a good run especially after #14 Jason Sanchez turned in a 17.18 on his second lap which was only .15 off of the track record which Paul holds and two other cars already dropping down into the 17 second bracket.

Paul took the track for his warm-up lap giving no indication of what was to come. Coming out of turn for and taking the green flag for his first qualifying lap it was apparent the car was hooked up and glued to the track, but did he have enough in a engine that just 4 hours ago was not even in the car. Going into turn 3 it was very apparent that Paul's run was going to be good, but how good was the question. Crossing the finish line on his first lap a time of 16.83 was shown, a new track record. But Paul was not done, he came around on his second lap and secured the #1 qualifying position with another new track record of 16.80, effectively smashing his old record 17.03.

After taking 4th in the trophy dash and the heat race, the question being asked " Did the #10 car use everything on the qualifying run." With 14 cars in the main event and Paul starting in the 6th position due to the invert, that question would soon be answered.

At the green flag Paul was off and by the 2nd lap Paul had moved into 5th and was rolling. Lap 2 saw Paul take 3rd. On the 4th lap Paul had moved into second and was closing in on the leader. On Lap 6 Paul took the lead and never looked back and started lapping the field.

At the halfway mark of the 25 lap race Paul had a 1/2 a straightaway lead and had put 3 cars a lap down. Lap 14 saw another car get lapped bring the total to 4. Lap 17 brought the count to 5 and Lap 18 saw it go to 6.

By Lap 20 Paul had a full straightaway lead over second place #14 Jason Sanchez the number 2 qualifier. On Lap 22 the cars lapped grew to 7, then to 9 by lap 23 on the final lap Paul passed the 5th place car putting him a lap down bring the total to 10 and took the checkered flag for his first win of the 2000 race season at Rocky Mountain Raceways.

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