ALMS - BRABHAM WINS AT ST PETERSBURG
- 27 May 2013
David Brabham put his Sebring disappointment behind him and together with Scott Sharp led an Acura 1-2 sweep Saturday in the second race of the 2009 American Le Mans Series, through the streets of St Petersburg.
The veteran driving pair drove the No. 9 Patron Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-02a prototype sports car to the lead on Lap 43 and recorded a 32-second victory over the Mexican duo of Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz in the No. 15 Lowe's Fernandez Racing Acura ARX-01b in the 93-lap feature. The 1-2 Acura finish marked Acura's first ALMS sweep since last August in the streets of Detroit, when the automaker placed 1-2-3 overall.
Saturday's Acura sweep also made American Le Mans Series history with Acura taking wins in both the LMP1 and LMP2 class in the same event. No auto manufacturer had accomplished that feat in ALMS' ten years.
Brabham and Sharp's win was the first for Acura in the LMP1 class. "The track was extremely tricky today. We had a nice lead later in the race, but I couldn't relax because of the slippery surface. One mistake and the car would be in the wall. This a big win for Acura, since it was their first LMP1 class victory. Scott drove well in the early stages to set up my stint. It always feels good to win."