Although it was further back on the results from an overall standpoint, Dyson Racing secured its first 1-2 finish of the season after more or less surviving a fraught day in Baltimore with its Lola Mazda coupes. It's the team's third class win of the year, first in the series for Michael Marsal, first in P1 for co-driver Eric Lux, and the team's second straight 1-2 at Baltimore.
As it happened, things were nearly over before the race started. Marsal had an odd problem strike him on the grid that, while it didn't contribute to his lockup at the first corner, thus triggering an accordion effect, was top of his mind.
“Absolutely a mistake on my start,” he admitted, but began a further explanation. “We had a bit of an incident. The fire extinguisher pin was pulled by a fan before the start of the race. They had to install a halon system before the start on the grid. I was thinking about the guy getting arrested, didn't have my head in the race at the start.”
From there, however, Marsal drove absolutely like a man possessed – in charging back through the mix of P2, PC and GTC cars – to lead in class once both Muscle Milk and the sister Dyson car had problems. That put Lux in a position where he could capitalize and bring it home, even despite a penalty on his final scheduled pit stop.
“Overall it was a major high or a major low,” Marsal added. “The impact made the car perfect, it was the final touch. Actually, no the Dyson team gave us a great car, and we had a great setup. I've been driving a while, I don't make too many mistakes, so I had to drive a lot more aggressive. I had to own up and show it was my fault and make it up to the boys on the team.”
Lux – last year's PC class co-champion with Genoa Racing – was back on the top step of the podium for the first time since Mazda Raceway last year.
“Every day you wake up and want to win the race. I can't thank Mike enough, he gave me a great car, drove it up to the front during his stint and I didn't give it up,” Lux said.
Chris Dyson and Guy Smith came second in Dyson's 100th ALMS series start, which, while not able to gain maximum points following the Muscle Milk team's gearbox attenuator woes, still chipped three off the mark in the title race.
Dyson's day was punctuated by a coming-together with David Heinemeier Hansson of Conquest Endurance at Turn 12. Dyson defended but left plenty of room for DHH to attempt the move – which he did – but there was slight contact that led to Dyson running slightly wide although without hard contact into the outside retaining wall.
Heinemeier Hansson was called for a stop-and-hold penalty for avoidable contact, in a move both drivers struggled to understand after the race – both taking to Twitter for a conversation to discuss the move.
“For what it's worth, I didn't say a word to the officials about it! They made the call without any prompting from us!” Dyson said. “U were driving well. Officials just over reacted?. I had no prob w the pass. Just wasn't expecting it there, all ok. No worries buddy. Great having u racing with us.”
Added DHH: “I appreciate that. And I know we were racing for overall position. But gutted that this pass killed us so bad.
“I know it's tough when a lower class comes up on you. I got passed by two LMPC on the start. But it didn't have to be this.
“I was frustrated but no hard feelings, mate. I made the only move I could for a pass. Hope your car was OK. My beef is w/ALMS.”
Having not scored an overall win through Mosport just two races ago, suddenly Dyson Racing has a chance at a three-peat next race in VIR, after an off week.