VRW: Ramsden Wins Three Way Battle at VRW Michigan 300
- NR4
- Published ()
- Virtual Racing World
The Virtual Racing World came to Michigan dedicated to running a close but mostly caution free race. That is exactly what they did in a race that featured only 2 cautions, 24 lead changes among 9 leaders, plenty of pit strategy, and an awesome three way battle to the finish.
Mike Ramsden started on the pole for the VRW Michigan 300. After only 3 laps the first caution of the event came after D Young put his nose under Patrick Severs tail and the two ended up in the turn 4 wall together. Under yellow all but 6 cars pitted after only 3 laps of green flag racing on their tires. S Kimball decided to come in on the second lap and moved from first place to last.
Derek Ablamsky led the field to the green for the restart. Mike Ramsden moved through the field quickly and reclaimed the lead on lap 13. Ramsden pulled out a second lead only to be reeled back in by the lead pack. Shawn Wise moved to the front and despite some connections problems maintained the lead as the front runners settled in for the long drive. Jay Taylor showed how strong his car was by motoring to the front before surrendering the lead and a few positions. Ramsden pulled out a large lead before pitting on lap 59 as first pit stops began. Shawn Wise became the leader after all cars cycled through. Connection issues would trouble Wise as he slipped back and lost the lead to Ramsden on lap 100.
Billy Murphy led some laps during the second round of pit stops but Wise once again to the lead with a great pit stop. After 115 laps completed and two rounds of pitstops the top 5 were still only one second apart from first to fifth place. Ramsden took the lead again on lap 115 with a great move to beat Wise to the bottom of turn one.
On lap 122 a major warp put S Kimball into the turn 4 wall when he was running on the outside of Billy Murphy. The warp was so severe that the server was unable to record any data which might have indicated the cause of the accident. During the ensuing pit stops Shawn Wise gambled on right sides only and despite over running his pit stall still emerged with the lead. Taylor's pitlane troubles began when he missed his pit stall and took four tires. Tom Oliver managed to block a portion of Taylor's pit exit and Taylor dropped to 5th place behind Shannon Whitmore and Mike Ramsden.
On the restart Ramsden quickly moved to the front. Whitmore moved up behind Ramsden and with 15 laps remaining it appeared that it would be a two car show to the finish. Jay Taylor again pushed his car to the limit and managed to pull within a half second of the lead two with 5 to go. In fourth place Shawn Wise was paying for his two tire pit strategy and had his hand full with positions 5 through 10 running within a second of him.
Whitmore took the lead from Ramsden with a brave move on the low side entering turn three. Coming to the white flag the top three, Whitmore, Ramsden, and Taylor were separated by only .16 seconds while the Shawn Wise was shuffled back to 9th position. As the three left turn two Ramsden moved on the inside of Whitmore and Taylor went with him.
Taylor tried to get under Ramsden going in to three and it cost him second as he and Whitmore struggled to stay off each other exiting turn 4. Mike Ramsden came home the winner in the VRW Michigan with Whitmore edging out Taylor at the line for second. Roger Voss and Tom Oliver rounded out the top 5.