St. Petersburg, Fla. -- In just its first season competing in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing finished second in the 2014 team standings, and its drivers finished second and third.
Drivers Scott Hargrove and Neil Alberico went into the final races at last weekend’s Grand Prix of Sonoma near the top of the standings. Hargrove was only 19 points back from the leader with two races to determine the championship.
In Race One, Hargrove started from the pole and Alberico started fourth. Hargrove led the field with then points leader Spencer Pigot of Junco Racing battling for the lead. The two made contact, which ultimately ended Pigot’s day early. Hargrove continued to fight for his lead with teammate Alberico. Ultimately, Alberico finished second and Hargrove finished third. With only one race left, Hargrove held a two-point lead in the championship and a single-point lead in the team championship.
After starting first and fourth again in Race Two, Hargrove and Alberico both looked to have good finishes in the season finale. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. In the opening lap, Hargrove got the jump and led into Turn Two while Pigot left the door open for Alberico. They ultimately clashed, with both able to continue at the rear of the field. While it looked like Hargrove was going to cruise to victory, a gearbox problem with only six laps remaining became a real issue with Pigot fighting back to sixth place.
A convenient full course yellow came out with the No. 18 Juncos Racing entry parked at the entry to Turn Six. With the slow pace under yellow, the gearbox in Hargrove’s car was getting worse, and when the race resumed, Hargrove led briefly only to slow with a couple of laps to go ending his race and his championship goal. Alberico, who was slowed by the early incident and a drive-through penalty, finished 12th.
After the race, the No. 18 car was excluded from the results for violating rule 9.3.1.3.
With the season complete, Hargrove finished second in the points standings, only 11 points back. Alberico finished third. The team finished second in the team championship.
“We are very proud of our drivers and team for an incredible season,” said team owners Dominic and Nicholas Cape. “In our first year racing in Pro Mazda, we were leading the Championship going into the last day. Although we are happy to have our drivers finish second and third, we were only a few laps short of the whole kit and caboodle and to be that close to a championship.... It is a bit bittersweet but we will be much stronger in 2015! A big thanks to all our team members for a fantastic season.”