It’s that time of the year again when racers from across the country descend upon one of Americas most challenging and beautiful road courses for the who’s who of motorsports….the NASA National Championships at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. Not only was this the second year for the Championships, but also the sophomore year for the newly created Spec Focus Series.

The weekend started on Thursday with the first practice sessions of the week. As teams and drivers began to warm up the drivers were already flirting with the track record for the Pro Course at Mid Ohio. Lowell Marx held the track record at 1:47.020 but after just the first day of testing Craig Capaldi turned a 1:47.235 and Jack Baruth at a 1:47.730 with the others closely in tow. Chris Kisner, Matthew Marks, and Lowell Marx all were within .092 of a second as the day came to a close.

Friday would bring another great day of competition with a morning warm-up followed by a qualifying session and the first of two qualifying races for the main event. With temps in the lower to mid seventies qualifying would bring some of fastest times the Spec Focus pilots have seen at this track. Baruth set a new blistering track record of 1:46.618 followed by Capaldi at a 1:46.805 with Matthew Marks, Lowell Marx, and Chris Kisner rounding out the top five. Time for race one! As the cars got the green, pole sitter Baruth was passed by Capaldi and Marx as the field headed into turn one, but the first passes would be short lived as Baruth easily worked his way back to the front in just a few short laps. As the laps passed, Capaldi stayed in tow until Baruth got wide heading into the esses which allowed Capaldi to slip by on the inside and hold onto a .507 lead when they reached the checkered flag. Not only were Capaldi and Baruth so close at the finish, they also turned best laps within .008 of a second with Baruth once again on top. That’s just the beginning, at the stripe Marks brought home a third place finish followed by Marx and Kisner, all of which ran times within .425 of each other! Now where can you find a budget minded race series where cars can be so close after 20 minutes of battle…..Spec Focus come on down!

Saturday would bring more very close and exciting racing amongst the Spec Focus drivers. With the same schedule as Friday the teams warmed-up and then headed out for the second qualifying. This time once again the Foci managed to lay down consistently faster laps than the previous days with Capaldi coming out ahead this time. Capaldi would start on pole at a 1:45.495 followed by Baruth with 1:45.889. And for the third day straight the next three competitors were all within tenths of a second with Marks, Kisner, and Marx rounding out the top five. Race time!

This time the green flag waived and Baruth got the jump on the field leading them into turn one. Chris Kisner’s car then got a little tail happy which resulted in some contact with Matthew Marks, both drivers continued with little damage but Kisner would later be DQ’ed from the session for the resulting contact. Capaldi once again was chasing the taillights of Baruth for several laps as they headed into the keyhole. Baruth turned into the corner but as the cars began their exit Baruth ran wide over the curb and into the grass as all he could do was hold on and watch Capaldi drive by on the inside. For the second day straight Capaldi would take the win followed by Baruth, Marks, Marx, and Kisner.

The Big Day! Up until this point, lap times, finishing order, and even luck really didn’t mean a whole heck of a lot, these guys were here to be the next Spec Focus Champion! With the reigning champ Brett Mars not competing this year, Spec Focus would see a new champ for 2007! Your starting order for the 2007 Spec Focus National Championship: Pole Craig Capaldi (CapaldiRacing.com Ford Focus ZX5), 2nd Jack Baruth (Ford Focus ZX4), 3rd Matthew Marks (It-ROX Racing Ford Focus ZX4), 4th Lowell Marx (CapaldiRacing.com Ford Focus SVT), and rounding out the top five in 5th Chris Kisner (Ford Focus SVT).

The field lined up and headed to the green, pole sitter Capaldi got a jump and the lead as the field bottled up heading to turn 1. Through the esses and up to “Maddness” the field bunched up as the top five of Capaldi, Marx, Baruth, Marks, and Kisner tried to gather their bearings and settle into a race pace. Capaldi began to pull out a slight lead as Baruth hounded the rear bumper of Marx for several laps. Then heading down the back straight Baruth got a good run on Marx and peeked to the inside to out brake. Side by side as they turned in both cars made contact sending Marx into a spin to the outside of the corner putting Baruth in 2nd and dropping Marx to 4th. Now Baruth chases Capaldi with Marks, Marx, and Kisner all in a heated battle for the third position. As the laps wound down Baruth consistently closed the gap to leader Capaldi while Marx who now is on the mission of his life pushed forward continuously battling with Kisner and Marks as he tried to make up for lost ground from the earlier contact. As the checkered approached Marx made a pass on Marks for third going into turn one. It more resembled a World of Outlaws move than a pass any sane drive would attempt on pavement, but amazing he made it stick. As the racers passed for the Championship checkered your order was Capaldi, Baruth, Marx, Marks and Kisner.

After review of video and reports from the corner workers, Baruth was assessed a one position penalty for contact with Marx placing him in the third position and boosting Marx to second. All in all, everyone managed to have a great time and experience. Many thanks to all the racers who have stepped up to support this new up and coming series! With racing this close, and more and more people investing in building cars the Spec Focus Series is sure to be a fantastic racing experience for all involved. All the racers would also like to thank all of the sponsors who helped make this everyday grocery getter vehicle into one of the most cost effective and fun racecars built in modern years.

Thank you all!
Leo Capaldi
NASA Mid west Spec Focus Director
tech@capaldiracing.com