Road America: Team Forsythe race report

Wickens Seventh, Edwards Eighth at Road America Atlantic Finale

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin -- Sunday, August 12, 2007 -- Red Bull Team Forsythe drivers Robert Wickens and John Edwards wrapped up a successful 2007 Atlantic Championship season today at the spectacular Road America road course outside Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Wickens, an 18-year old rookie from Toronto, Ontario, nailed down third overall in the championship and second in Rookie of the Year standings with a solid seventh place finish. Edwards, at 16 years of age the youngest driver in Atlantic history, held on to ninth in the season tally and fifth in the rookie standings as the Little Rock, Arkansas native took the checkered flag just behind Wickens in eighth.

Wickens wrapped up the strong season that included a pole position at the first race of the year in Las Vegas, a rain-soaked win at Portland and four podium finishes. Edwards set records as the youngest driver in Atlantic history to finish on the podium with a third place finish at Toronto and the youngest driver to garner a provisional pole when he topped the leaderboard in Friday's first round of qualifying here at Road America.

Robert Wickens
Third in Season Standings with 255
Second in Rookie of the Year Points

"It was kind of an up and down race today. I lost a few spots over the first few laps and was down in 14th spot, but the Red Bull car was quick today and I was able to pick off a lot of cars and hold on to third in the championship. It was definitely the most fun year of my life and I have to say thanks to Red Bull for giving me this opportunity and to the Forsythe Team for giving me a really good race car all season long!"

John Edwards
Ninth in Season Standings with 125
Fifth in Rookie of the Year Points

"Since I had provisional pole on Friday I had a guaranteed front row starting spot, but on the second lap my tires weren't quite up to full pressure and I overcooked it into Turn 1. I went into the gravel and was pretty lucky to keep it pointed in the right direction and get back on track, but I lost a lot of positions and picked up a bad vibration in the rear. I ended up in seventh spot and lost a couple of more spots on some of the restarts, but I worked my way back up. It's a disappointing way to end the season since I had my best starting spot ever, but overall I really enjoyed the whole year and can't thank the guys enough for all their hard work!"

Today's race will be broadcast on espn2 on Wednesday, August 22 at 5pm ET. For more information about Atlantic please visit the official series website at www.ChampCarAtlantic.com.

-credit: rbtf/fcr