Pikes Peak: Moses Smith qualifying notes

Moses takes pole for round three of the Star Mazda Pro Series.

A featured support race for the IRL's Radisson 225, the Star Mazda Series usually runs on road courses. However, the Pike's Peak International Raceway event will be the only oval on the 2002 schedule.

After a frustrating but rewarding experience at Thunderhill, where Moses had to battle from dead last to a second place finish, Moses was thrilled to capture pole position at Colorado's Peak's Peak International Raceway.

Of course, I was disappointed, after the officials directed me to the back of the pack, before the start at Thunderhill. However, I was also more than a bit excited. I knew that I was going to gather all my concentration and do a lot of passing". Moses did just that. Remarkably, as the green flag dropped, Moses made up eight positions of the eighteen-car field by turn three of the first lap.

Coming to Pikes Pike, as the Star Mazda West Points leader and in third place in the North American Championship, Moses maintained his focus on the task ahead. He won the last Star Mazda Oval event at Phoenix International Raceway in April, and hoped to continue this winning streak on ovals. As he was preparing to leave the track later in the evening, Moses looked tired but very happy.

"Pikes Peak International Raceway is an awesome track. It could very well be the smoothest track I have ever driven". Moses' smile was contagious. "My HASA Pool Products Star Mazda car is just awesome right now. Ron Roland and the rest of the crew at R-Sport have given me a car with a set-up that can run just about anywhere on this track. My Goodyear tires are also working perfectly."

Moses (28.151) will start the race tomorrow, at 4:30 pm, from his first pole position in this pro series. Lining up behind him will be Scott Kusy (28.270) and teammate Mike Anderson (28.419), second and third respectively.

This race will be televised and is scheduled to be shown on the Speed Channel on July 6th at 8:30 pm (EST)

-www.mosessmith.com