ALTON, Va. — Kerry Steed and RBankracing were crowned the 2016 ChumpCar World Series Eastern Region champions.
A 16-hour endurance race at Virginia International Raceways’ 2.25 miles North course determined this season’s champion. A total of 74 teams qualified to race but in the end it was the Rbankracing’s Honda Civic that took the checkered flag.
Steed and fellow drivers Rob Verenna, Andrew Johnson, Mark Connolly and Mark Bennett raced their way from two laps down using speed, skill and strategy to emerge in the lead with 6 hours to go, according to a press release.
“Others cars may have been faster but in endurance racing being the fastest guy doesn’t guarantee a win. I knew the skill of our drivers, performing perfect pit stops and having our cars meticulously prepped by McB’s Autosport and DB Performance are the reasons we overcame the deficit and are standing in victory lane,” said Steed.
The 2016 championship race at VIR was the end of a long season in the ChumpCar World Series. Steed and Rbankracing, having wins at Palm Beach (Fla.), Road Atlanta (Ga.), Mid-Ohio, The Circuit of the Americas (Texas), Gingerman (Mi.) and Pittsburgh International Raceway (Pa.), were heavily favored to win the Eastern Region race but every other team felt they had a shot at the title as well.
More than 300 drivers traveled from all over the county to a small town in southern Virginia to duke it out over 16 hours. Camaros, Mustangs, BMWs, Acuras, and many other makes were part of the event.
“The variety and diversity of the cars make this series the one that pro drivers and rookies race side by side from the green flag,” Steed said. “Smart teams can turn your wife’s grocery-getter into a beast on the track. Some know-how and ingenuity, added to the honed skill of top-notch drivers, can come together as a winning combination.”
Not only was Steed a driver in the winning car but this also was his first event as team captain and crew chief.
“Robin Bank, team owner, is one of the best car owners and crew chiefs in the racing world,” Steed said. “His extensive racing knowledge has enabled us to become the winningest race team in ChumpCar World Series history. I have been lucky enough to learn a few of the same skills necessary to bring our team across the finish line first.”
When asked what the future holds for his racing career, Steed said, “My job as crew chief and driver is to help our other guys improve and keep Rbankracing in victory lane.”
