VIR: Michael Duncalfe race notes

                     Michael Duncalfe has short day at VIR

                  Saskatoon driver gets crashed out on lap two

VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY Saskatoon Star Mazda driver Michael Duncalfe's weekend got off to an encouraging start when he was consistently in the top 10 in practice for round three of the Star Mazda Series at VIR.

"In practice, we were good," Duncalfe said. "We had a good car, and we were heading in the right direction."

That all went away in qualifying, when Duncalfe's car was 'very loose', and the team spent most of the session trying to sort that out. "After changing back to the dry setup, the car just wasn't the same," Duncalfe said of qualifying. "It put us at the back, and if you're going to find trouble, that's the place to be."

Duncalfe didn't realize at the time, just how true his words would become on Saturday afternoon when he lined up for the start in 18th position. "I knew it was a long race, I just wanted to get through the first laps, settle in and move forward," Duncalfe said.

On lap two, another competitor chopped down on Duncalfe as he was making a pass, resulting in suspension damage and a retirement from the race on lap two. "This is very frustrating," Duncalfe said. "It seems we are just snake-bit every time we go out. I really don't know what else to say right now except things have to get better--"

Duncalfe now has a few weeks off before heading to Miller Motorsports Park on May 18-19.

-credit: bond