July 1, 2001

Johnny's Race Comments And The Story From Cleveland 2001

Due to some unstable afternoon weather conditions the Cleveland Grand Prix turned out to be a race filled with very different strategies than had originally been planned just hours earlier. A pre-race Cleveland Monsoon shortly before the scheduled starting time caused many last minute changes, including wiper installation, changing to rain tires, conditioning the windshield for fog conditions, pit strategies, etc. The cars were lined up on the pre-grid when a big storm was seen rolling in from the lake. Within 15 minutes the temperature dropped dramatically and the sky opened up with high wind and torrential downpour (see the picture: Cleveland @ the race). This caused the SCCA to delay the race starting time while the teams prepared and the track was cleaned up. The race was about an hour late getting started. Teams were immediately faced with many tactical decisions about when and if they should change back to slick tires (which in dry conditions can be 10-12 seconds faster each lap), start the race on the rain tires, etc. Johnny decided to start out on the rain tires and change them at the first caution flag…that didn’t come, so the tires were changed with a lengthy stop under green conditions at lap 15. This shuffled Johnny back into the field. Some drivers (including teammate Paul) had decided to change tires on the pace lap and take their positions loss early. For the full race story see the TranAm website at Trans-Am Series

Paul Gentilozzi and Stu Hayner made the decision at the start of the race to change to the slick tires even though there were still some puddles on the airport runway track. This caused them to drop to the back of the field at the start. As Paul stated, “it was a big gamble, but paid off”. Stu Hayner followed with a second place finish. When all was said and done…Johnny’s starting position of 3rd was maintained as he finished 3rd in the race.

Johnny commented on the race by saying “It was a gamble. I wanted to try and work on Brian and look to lead a lap and get a bonus point. After all the delays getting the race started, Brian was on his adrenaline rev limiter, too, and if nothing else, I thought I could push him and get him to run off his tires. Classic strategy, it just didn’t work this time. We had a bit of trouble on the pit stop with the lug nut, but we still made the right decision for us to pit when we did. I didn’t even bother to ask where we were for a while after that pit stop. My crew chief said just to drive it until it doesn’t move any more. I drove the wheels…and brakes…of the car. We ended up having a good run. I had a good car and we’re here again on the podium. I’m proud of my guys. We’ll be happy with our third place finish today.”

With Paul’s third victory in a row, Johnny has slipped out of the driver’s championship lead. Paul now leads with 134 points, Johnny is second with 129 and Lou Giolotti is in third with 115. Next up for the Trans-Am Series is a Live CBS broadcast at Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma California on July 21st.