Franzoni wins, Thompson closes on Martin in points race

Franzoni led from start to finish to set a seal on third place in the championship for the ArmsUp Motorsport driver, crossing the line 1.2sec ahead on Lap 1 and 13sec ahead on the 21^st and final lap.

Behind him, the Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing teammates were too busy trying not to trip over each other on the opening lap to offer the Brazilian any threat. And while Anthony Martin initially held the advantage that would have clinched him the championship, he was struggling to hold his rear tires together, and Thompson passed him for runner-up spot on Lap 11 at the uphill Turn 6.

Martin then dropped away from his teammate, his third place under threat over the closing laps from Australian compatriots Luke Gabin of JAY Motorsports and Jordan Lloyd of Pabst Racing. However, he kept his cool to finish one second clear, as Gabin’s driving got scruffy in the final two laps and lost him time – and very nearly fourth place to Lloyd.

Sixth place went to the second Pabst car of Yufeng Luo, while Philippe Dennes of Team Pelfrey passed teammate Robert Megennis in the closing stages to claim seventh, and Lucas Kohl finished ninth for John Cummiskey Racing. Afterburner Autosport’s Dakota Dickerson made a brilliant start to go from 13^th to seventh but slipped back down to 10^th by the checkered flag.

Martin heads into the finale tomorrow 18 points ahead of Thompson.