IPS: Watkins Glen: Cheever Racing race notes

Watkins Glen, N.Y. -- Cheever Racing's two drivers struggled with rainy conditions Saturday during the Corning 100, an IRL Indy Pro Series race Sunday at Watkins Glen International.

Chris Festa finished 14th and Nick Bussell was 15th after encountering problems during the first IPS race completed in rainy conditions.

Bussell and the No. 52 Cheever Racing entry retired with a mechanical issue on the 16th lap of the 24-lap race. Festa spun out on the 20th lap. Bobby Wilson won the crash-marred race in a car fielded by Kenn Hardley Racing.

The race, scheduled for 40 laps, reached its time limit and was called at the end of the 24th lap.

The finishes were among the poorest of the season for Cheever Racing in the Indy Racing League's training series. For Bussell, a 23-year-old native of Ionia, Mich., the 15th-place finish was his worst of the year. For Festa, a 20-year-old from Atlanta, it was his second-worst finish of the season, better only than a 16th in the season-opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Festa won the pole position at St. Petersburg in April, then finished fourth last week in the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bussell finished second in the season opener at Homestead and has finished among the top five twice in five races.

Bussell is fourth in the series points standings, 54 behind leader Jay Howard, who finished sixth Sunday. Festa is ninth in the standings, 67 points behind the leader.

The Indy Pro Series resumes July 1 on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

-cr-