Joel Feinberg wins IMSA Lites race

Joel Feinberg

Joel Feinberg, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., came into the opening round of the IMSA Lites presented by Frisby Performance Tire with his sights set on a winning season. He got off to the right start by winning the 30-minute opening round of the 14-round series.

Feinberg started second in his Primetime Race Group Elan DP02, but was overtaken by series newcomer Kyle Marcelli, Barrie, Ontario, going into turn one as Matt Downs, Butterfield, Minn., led the start of the race.

“Going into turn one I figured I had the advantage being on the outside," Feinberg said. “They took the inside line, so I went to turn and they were there. I really didn’t have a choice but to lift and tuck in behind Kyle."

Feinberg got by Marcelli on the back straight and rode behind Matt Downs for several laps before making his move.

“I got held up a little bit in traffic and that’s all Joel needed," Matt explained. “He was close enough that any mistake or gap that I lost to him he was right on me"

In the Lites Two class Robby Card, Cleveland, Tenn., had over a minute lead on second place finisher Mike Hill, Bedford, N.Y.

“We started out pretty close. I had to pass Alain (Nadal) at the start," Card said. “We were really close for the first 10 laps and then I got a little breathing room."

Chris Doyle, Westminster, Colo., stood atop the podium in his Surface Explorations Lites Three car.

Feinberg hopes to continue his winning ways in round two of the IMSA Lites presented by Frisby Performance Tire tomorrow, March 15. Round two will be a 75-minute endurance race starting at 9:30.