Mike Steger comes home with a 3^rd place finish at the Glen!

Fine Job today Mike negotiating a tough road course here at the Army National Guard at the Glen”! how do you feel after you bringing home a 3^rd place finish for the #20 Car?

Pretty good actually! I knew I couldn’t run as fast as the #29 and #87 cars. I was just looking for a top 5 finish. I’m pleased on how we finished. I have to thank the guys back at the shop for dialing in the setup.

How was your car handling during the race? Any problems? Any Adjustments?

Car was handling good. I had no problems, keep all the gears, and kept her on the track for 99% of the car. On the pit stop, I just took 4 tires, and fuel.

On the last lap entering the inner loop, you had a close call. Care to share with us on what happened there?

I was hoping you wouldn’t bring that up!! LOL all I can say is the adrenaline was pumping knowing it was the last lap. I came into the inner loop too hot, locked her up, and did some lawn mowing on the inner loop grass. I almost blew it after keeping her on the track for 489 turns prior. LOL

Early on in the race, you and Brian Whipple in his #62 car were running together. Is this what you were looking for in race strategy?

Lol, no! as soon as the Green Flag is dropped, hitting turn 1can be a little nerve racking. You don’t know if you’re going to get punted from behind, or someone braking way too early for that turn. But everyone did a fantastic job getting in line and through there. I just settled in behind Brian, told myself to be patient, and keep the car on the track. I knew Brian was fast, but decided as the race went on, then I would make my moves.

You qualified 3^rd, does it help to be up front at the start on track like Watkins Glen, or a Sears Point?

Most Definitely yes! Since road courses are difficult to pass on, you want to have a good qualifying run. Trying to come from the end of the field would be a challenge.

How was it running a race with yellows off?

I liked it. All the guys were great letting the lead lap cars go. A caution lap here can lull a driver to sleep!! LOL I cant imagine running 3-4 cautions laps here everytime a yellow comes out

Tell us how a road course can wear a driver down during a race?

45 laps here with 11 turns a lap equals 492 turns to navigate!! One error on the driver’s part can ruin his day. Consistency is the name of the game hitting each turn in regards to upshifting, downshifting, turning points, lift points, braking points, etc. Shall I go on?? LOL

After 22 races now, you’re 167 points behind the points leader, and closing after starting the season with 4 straight bad finishes in the first 4 races. What has happened in the last 12-13 races?

Scary isn’t it? LOL I’d have to say 2 words, “Brent May”, my teammate over in SORS Champ. Ever since the Martinsville race, Brent worked with the crew on setups, he worked with me on my driving lines, and the importance of being patient! I cant thank him enough for all his advice.

Next week SORS East heads back to Michigan where you got your 1^st win as a SORS East driver. Can you pull it off again?

It would be nice, but there are always some awfully fast drivers everytime we run at Michigan. Pit Strategy won it for me last time. We’ll see what happens

Congratulations on finishing your #20 Army National Guard Chevy for 3^rd place today Mike! Any last words you’d like to add before we sign off?

I’d like to congratulate all the SORS EAST Drivers for a another impressive driving performance. It’s getting to be a common thing in the East with green flag pit strategies starting to become the norm!

Billy Stratton, SORS EAST Admin reporting from Watkins Glen Raceway