RACE: National Runoffs: Cooper MacNeil event summary

Cooper MacNeil scores first Runoffs Podium

-Elkhart Lake, WI.- 18 year-old Hinsdale, IL. racer Cooper MacNeil, scored his first SCCA National Championship podium, Saturday September 25th, in Touring 2. MacNeil, piloted his No. 76 WeatherTech.com/Fall-Line Motorsports BMW M3 to a second place effort in his first SCCA Runoffs in T2, coming up short to race winner Marty Grand, by only several seconds.

MacNeil struggled all week leading up to the National Championship contest. In qualifications, MacNeil's best session effort was a fifth place while overall in the running, he could only muster an eighth place start, on the outside of row four for the Championship event.

As the green fell on the Black Magic Touring 2 race during the 47th SCCA Runoffs Presented by Subway at Road America, MacNeil would run a patient and calculated race, letting competitors battle and use up their machinery as he diced through. Taking his time, he picked off one-by-one for twelve laps until, with one to go, he was right behind team owner Mark Boden, racing for second place. Cooper utilizing more car was able to power past Boden for second spot, where he would finish.

"I hung back and only drove as fast as I had to drive to stay with those guys," MacNeil said. "I was watching them battle, and they were using up tires and brakes and everything. I was hanging back, conserving, and so I had something for Mark [Boden] at the end. I started picking off cars through the field. I came out of three behind Mark, and got a good run through five and it was perfect."

"I have to thank WeatherTech obviously, but also, Fall-Line Motorsports, ProMotion Driver Development and Laurel BMW of Westmont, for this tremendous season, unfortunately we couldn't seal the deal here at the Runoffs however, we did come home with the National Points Championship, which I'm very proud of, " MacNeil also remarked.

-source: www.coopermacneil.com via ProMotion Driver Development