Mar 24, 2023
Road America Race #1
ELKHART LAKE, WI (August 28, 2015) - Race #1 is complete and we could not be more proud of our ModSpace Motorsports drivers. Danny Bender, who started the race in the 15th position, fought all race long to finish 5th place overall. His efforts did not go unnoticed as he was also awarded the Battery Tender Hard Charger Award which awards both he, and his crew chief, Myron Perry, $500.
Pocono Raceway Vice President, Nick Igdalsky, fought just as tremendously as Danny and worked his way to an outstanding 10th place finish from 16th. Charles Paquin gained 8 positions from the drop of the green flag to come home in 12th, and Mitch Wright, of the NCM Motorsports Park, battled from a 19th starting position, moved all the way into the top 10, but eventually placed in 15th position due to an off track excursion which was forced by a side by side battle with another competitor.
Race #2 goes green at 8:30am CDT tomorrow morning and a potential for some wet weather should make for a fantastic race to both watch and participate in. Keep an eye out for our ModSpace Motorsports, Camp Brosius, NCM Motorsports Park, and Mazda sponsored Miata’s to work their way to the front again tomorrow!
Road America Race #2
August 29th, 2015 (Road America) - Wet weather for Race #2 of the Battery Tender MX-5 Cup race weekend at Road America made for an exciting and strategy packed event. As cars rolled to the grid, it instantly became evident that tire choice would play a deciding factor as to who would make a charge to the front and who would fade to the back. Confident in the drying conditions, McCumbee McAleer Racing opted to put dry weather tires on all four of their race cars. Most of the other competitors, however, opted to start the race on rain tires.
As the cars rolled onto the track to start the race, a thick fog engulfed several sections of the course which forced the race timer to begin under caution due to limited visibility. Once the Pace Car pulled off and the race went Green, yesterday’s Battery Tender Hard Charger Award winner, Danny Bender sat in 11th, Mitch Wright in the ModSpace Motorsports and NCM Motorsports Park machine rolled off 14th, Mitch Wright of Pocono Raceway was 16th, and Charles Paquin was 18th.
Our MMR drivers quickly made advances towards the front, and after just the first green lap, Danny Bender was already up to 6th place. As the race timer began to expire, Danny was up to 3rd with just 3 laps to go. Battling hard with competitors Patrick Gallagher and John Dean, Danny masterfully worked his way up to the lead as he came to the White Flag. With 14 corners remaining, Bender inched forward from his competitors and refused to crack under pressure.
Danny Bender then rocketed off turn 14, came up the hill to Start/Finish, and crossed the line in first place! Danny’s final lap was the fastest of the race at 3:01.004 seconds, he earned the Battery Tender Hard Charger Award for the second race in a row, and he also had the honors of standing at the top step of the podium. Our other ModSpace Motorsports drivers came home 10th (Nick Igdalsky), 13th (Mitch Wright), and 16th (Charles Paquin).
Danny Bender, who is also a salesman for the Autobarn of Evanston Mazda Dealership in Illinois, said after the race: “That car was the best MX-5 I’ve ever driven, and I mean that. I was able to use the car, use the tires, and just bring it to the front.” Danny’s father, and president of Bravo Trailers, Mitch Bender, could not have been more proud of his son; “Winning races, especially in the rain, is about making intelligent choices, making low risk passes, and making good decisions in the heat of competition. Last year was his first big win at the Runoff’s at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in another MX5, and things like this, especially coming from 13th through a field of very experienced drivers that are doing the full season, will show very well on a resume.”
A huge Thank You deserves to be extended to all of our partners and supporters this weekend including ModSpace Motorsports, Mazda, NCM Motorsports Park, and Camp Brosius, Autobarn Mazda, and Bravo Trailers!