IPS: Iowa: Alex Lloyd race notes

Lloyd wins again making Pro Series history

Clerical Medical and Manx Sports Aid Foundation backed 22-year-old Alex Lloyd won the inaugural Iowa 100 at the Iowa Speedway. This marked Lloyd's 8th career Indy Pro Series victory, making him the most successful driver in the series history.

Lloyd and his Sam Schmidt Motorsports crew started the weekend by qualifying on the front row in 2nd with an average speed of 160.827mph. "It isn't the pole we were hoping for," said Alex, "but we have been on the front row in every qualifying session this season and have been able to get the job done so I am confident for the race. I feel we have a better race car than qualifying so we will see what we can do."

The race started with Lloyd slotting into 2nd at the 1st turn. With the race being 115 laps Alex patiently bided his time tucked under the leader's rear wing, seizing up his opponents weaknesses. "I knew I had a faster car than him but passing is very tough on this short, high banked oval. I kept ducking to the outside going into the turns to lull him into thinking I would go high, with my strategy to actually go low. I didn't want to show my hand too soon." Lloyd explained.

With a late caution on the race track, the race resumed with a final sprint race between the 2 lead drivers. Neither giving an inch, Lloyd put his strategy into action making his move on lap 105. Lloyd fooled his opposition as planned and stuck his number 7 Dallara down the inside coming into turn 1. With the pair running wheel to wheel, inches apart for the remainder of the lap, Lloyd made the pass stick and held the lead to record his 6th win of the season in 8 rounds.

"That was one of the most fun races I've ever driven," beamed Lloyd. "When you have a race as close as that and come out on top it is a great feeling. We really had to work for that and I can't say enough about my Sam Schmidt Motorsports, Lucas Oil team. They have done a fantastic job."

Lloyd's 6th win of the season continued his dominance of the 2007 Indy Pro Series championship. With 8 races left to go Lloyd has over a 2 race cushion in his quest for the Firestone Firehawk Cup.

The next round of the Indy Pro Series is a double header on the infamous road course at Watkins Glen NY July 6th-8th.

-credit: Alex Lloyd Racing Ltd