The second day of Runoffs qualifying was an important one. Drivers had familiarized — or reacquainted — themselves with Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and setup changes and adjustments had been made to cars. That meant Wednesday was a time to “shine” as grids were set prior to Thursday’s Tire Rack pole day.

Moving ahead is Wednesday’s theme at the Runoffs, which led our friends at Hawk Performance to, once again, declare Wednesday as Hawk “Brake-Through Performer” day. The biggest mover in each of the 26 classes earned a set of Hawk brake pads for their racecar, tow rig or street car and, of course, the team behind the scenes grabbed a hot lunch thanks to Hawk. 

For over 25 years, championship winning drivers and teams have demanded Hawk Performance motorsport brake pads. Now, Hawk’s advanced technology is available for daily cars, trucks and SUVs with Hawk Street Performance products. There’s the improved HP-Plus pad for that hybrid street and track feel, super-duty pads for tow vehicles, and the new Talon rotors.

Hawk Performance — the Official Brake Products of SCCA since 2003 — leverages its experience on the track and technology used in aerospace and the military to make the best brake pads and rotors for every vehicle's needs. The company’s extensive Research & Development department, including a PhD in friction and 23 dynamometers, produces first-class products in the USA. Visit Hawk's website to learn more.

Below are the drivers who claimed a Hawk Brake-Through Performer reward from Wednesday. Each entry includes the car class, driver’s name, hometown, SCCA Region, car make/model, and the number of grid positions gained from Tuesday to Wednesday. 

• America Sedan: James Jost; Allentown, PA; Philadelphia Region, Ford Mustang GT, (9)
• B-Spec: James Rogerson; Angleton, TX; Houston Region, Mini Cooper, (11)
• E Production: Mark Weber; St. Louis, MO; St. Louis Region, Mazda Miata, (6)
• F Production: Doug Weaver; Chatham, ON; Detroit Region, Mazda Miata, (10)
• H Production: Bill Okell; Victoria, BC; San Francisco Region, MG Midget, (8)
• Formula 500: Robert Gray; Yorktown Hts, NY; New York Region, Novakar J9 Suzuki, (4)
• Formula Atlantic: Keith Grant; Germantown, TN; Atlanta Region, Swift 016a Mazda, (14)
• Formula Continental: Tim Minor; Fredericksburg, VA; Blue Ridge Region, Citation US2000, (20)
• Formula Enterprises 2: John Yeatman; Cave Creek, AZ; San Francisco Region, SCCA Mazda FE2, (7)
• Formula F: Will Holtz; Deerfield, IL; Chicago Region, Mygale SJ14 Honda, (3)
• Formula Vee: Alexander Bertolucci; Mount Prospect, IL; Indiana Northwest Region, Citation XTC-41, (13)
• Formula X: Dimitrios Tsesmetzis; Mamaroneck, NY; New York Region, Van Diemen RF052 Mazda, (4)
• GT-1: Dave Ruehlow; Hartland, WI; Milwaukee Region, Chevrolet Corvette, (4)
• GT-2: Joe Koenig; Glenview, IL; Chicago Region, BMW E46 M3, (11)
• GT-3: Michael Lewis; Poway, CA; San Diego Region, Mazda RX-7, (13)
• GT-Lite: Daniel Wold; Chelsea, MI; Detroit Region, Nissan 200SX SE-R, (3)
• Prototype 1: Jim Devenport; Alamo, CA; San Francisco Region, Elan DP02 Mazda, (2)
• Prototype 2: Lucian Pancea; San Antonio, TX; Lone Star Region, Stohr WF1 Kawasaki, (3)
• Spec Miata: Gordon Kuhnley; St. Paul, MN; Land O'Lakes Region, Mazda Miata, (13)
• Spec Racer Ford 3: Steve Clifton; Evans, GA; Atlanta Region, SCCA Spec Racer Ford Gen 3, (12)
• Super Touring Lite: Gonzalo Aponte; St. Cloud, FL; Puerto Rico Region, Honda Civic, (24)
• Super Touring Under: Jorge Ortiz; San Juan, PR; Central Florida Region, Honda Civic, (12)
• Touring 1: Pratt Cole; Salt Lake City, UT; Reno Region, Ford Mustang, (3)
• Touring 2: Nathan Martin; Westminster, CO; Colorado Region, BMW M2 CS R, (10)
• Touring 3: J. David Orem; Mercer Island, WA; Northwest Region, BMW SpecE46, (4)
• Touring 4: Derrick Ambrose; Brush Prairie, WA; Oregon Region, Mazda 3, (13)

Congratulations to all the winners, and many thanks to Hawk Performance for again supporting SCCA Runoffs competitors, as well as staff and the hard-working people behind the scenes who never stop when it comes to making the National Championship a fabulous event.

Photo caption: Gonzalo Aponte, member of the Puerto Rico Region, gains 24 spots in his STL qualifying session on Thursday, earning the Hawk Brake-Through Performer award for the class, and gaining the most number of spots of any class.

Photo by Jay Bonvouloir