TOPEKA, Kan. (Sept. 7, 2015) – Mark Daddio, of Deacon Falls, Connecticut was the big winner at last weekend’s Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo Finale, Sept. 5-6, as he finished atop the season-long fight for the JCJ Cup after completing the Super Challenge podium positions. Kim Whitener, of Fort Worth, Texas, completed her campaign for the Fletcher Cup with a Ladies Challenge win at the leadoff event for the week-long Tire Rack Solo Nationals.

The Finale is the 11th event of the 2015 Tire Rack ProSolo season, with the point results of the two best regular-season results added to the finish in the Super Challenge of the season-ending event.

Daddio’s deep run into the bracket-style competition was the deciding factor, in relation to the Championship. His chances were further helped as two top contenders for the season-long title did not qualify for the Finale’s Super Challenge. Daddio was sealed his bid for the JCJ Cup with a win over Mark Fagundes in the third-place runoff.

“I am psyched beyond belief to win the championship,” Daddio said. “I didn’t figure I had a really good shot with all the people there were in contention for the points. With how bad yesterday’s runs, and this morning’s runs, went I figured I was toast. I made some pretty crazy changes, as far as air pressure goes, and it paid off.

“This is my second JCJ Cup, but this one is the sweetest. When I won before it was in a front-wheel drive car, which was a little easier to compete with in this type of format. With this high-horsepower car that is rear-wheel drive, and on street tires, it’s hard to be consistent.”

Whitener completed her fourth Fletcher Cup Championship season in style, with a Ladies Challenge win at the ProSolo Finale. While many of the top contenders for the season-long title had qualified for the Challenge, Whitener methodically cruised through the competition round-by-round.

“This win was the result of a lot of hard work,” Whitener said. “I tried to get a lot of seat time in the car and also attended more national-level events this year. It allowed me to see this competition as less of the Finale and more just coming to hang out with my friends.

“Up until we got into the challenge, I was able to keep my nerves under control. Once we got there, I knew this was it, and it was a little more difficult to keep those in check. Being able take home this win has so much to do with the mental approach. Being consistent at the lights, and on the course, is key.”

Additional information on the Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo Finale and Speedway Motorsports CAM Invitational, including full results, can be found at http://www.scca.com/events/1975976-2015-tire-rack-prosolo-finale.

Image: Mark Daddio snagged his second JCJ Cup of his ProSolo career and earned himself a custom guitar courtesy of Jeff Kiesel of Carvin Guitars.
Credit: Rupert Berrington