Despite a rain-soaked race track, the 10th Annual RACEceiver Legends Car World Finals at Infineon Raceway were a success.
With more than 100 cars on the property, the event had beautiful weather during the first day for qualifying and heat races, but Saturday's championship day was marred by rain.
However, the rain didn't dampen spirits for any of the racers, especially with point championships on the line.
Bobby Pugh had the point lead coming into the RACEceiver Legends Pro championship, and was looking for the victory to secure the title. However, Finland's Rory Penttinen made quick work of the 12-turn course, winning the Pro race. Scott Sheldon was second, and Pugh came home third, claiming the Pro title. Pasi Matintupa and Petri Lappalainen followed.
Masters driver Peter Morton made the long trip from England to compete, and defend his Masters championship from a year ago. While Finland's Rasku Jussi came out victorious in the race, it was Morton's third-place finish that secured the championship for the second straight year. Steve Fensler, Jr., the 2007 Pro Road Racing champion, was second behind Jussi. Morton was third with Phil Joy and Danny Boyle rounding out the top five.
England's Glenn Burtenshaw made the trip for the first time, and made it work to his advantage. He won the Semi-Pro race, but came up just a little short of the Semi-Pro world title as Cody Poage edged him with a fourth-place finish in the race. Ansii-Jukka Kasi was second in the race with John Hilliker, Poage and John Janszen, Jr. following.
The Thunder Roadster race held much of the weekend drama as Robert Lamb and Jordan Yost came into the event tied for Roadster Road Racing title. Both drivers were fast, but neither had much for Steve Cantrell. He won the event by more than 15 seconds.
Lamb came home second, securing the title by the smallest of margins as Yost was third. Randy Olson was fourth with James Wilson fifth.
The World Team trophy went back to Europe after such a strong performance from the European and Finland cars.
Congratulations to all the World Finals competitors.
The finish:
Pro Results: Rory Penttien, Scott Sheldon, Bobby Pugh, Pasi Matintupa, Petri Lappalainen, Petri Ylinen, Jeremy Christensen, Nick Johnson, Tom Lake, Roland Trujillo, Dave Swanson, Jeff Landrum, Michael Diaz, Ossi Kumpula, Alex Kennedy, John Green, Roger Austin.
Semi-Pro Results: Glenn Burtenshaw, Anssi-Jukka Kasi, John Hilliker, Cody Poage, John Janszen, Jr., Jerry Haynes, Robert Lozano, Brian Kamiksy, Daniel Blevins, Doug Anderson, John Green, Michael Firebaugh, Steven Cantrell, Nikki Booth, Bud Palma, Troy Kamisky.
Masters Results: Rasku Jussi, Steve Fensler, Jr., Peter Morton, Phil Joy, Danny Boyle, Rick McNeill, Jouni Kuiuala, Tim Brockhouse, Mike Gardner, Dennis Fromm, Al Palma, Bobby Christensen, Kirk Hall, Chuck Scott, Keith Van Dyne, James Spann, Butch Summers, Greg Erhardt, Robert Hornbeck, Steve Kamisky, David Fisher, Ty Hunter, Ron Booth, Larry Meredith, Robin Webb, Brian Martella, Mike Rard, Rick Zollman, David Allen, Gary Scheuerell, Mike Bryant, Carlos Sedana Ramos, John Summers, Robert Gayton.
Thunder Roadsters: Steve Cantrell, Robert Lamb, Jordan Yost, Randy Olson, James Wilson, Scott Kurtzer, Stuart Forbes-Robinson, Johan Timmer, Brian Gibson, Mark Arroyo, Paul Peeples, Dave McMurray, Greg Hebard, Randy Raduechel, Bill O'Neill, Ron McIntire, Roger Hocking, Richard Ferreira, Orlan Jay Bahner, Edward Hohman, William Bradbury, Jack Randall, Ron Borges, Pierre Vacherand, Doug Pulver, Chris Lawrence.