Tuesday qualifying during the Sept. 23-Oct. 1, 2023, SCCA® Runoffs® was boosted with intrigue, fun, and a significant bonus offered by Sunoco Race Fuels.
From the moment VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) went hot in the morning with on-track action, drivers were hoofing not only for the quickest qualifying lap, but also for the “Sunoco 260 Tuesday” prize. That meant an SCCA driver in each car class whose best qualifying time came closest to including .260 won 15 gallons of Sunoco race fuel for their car, and there could only be one winner per class.
However, that doesn’t mean someone can’t win more than once. In fact, Nolan Allaer earned 30 gallons of Sunoco race fuel by posting winning times yesterday in both Formula F and Formula Continental. While “official” records aren’t kept concerning Sunoco 260 Tuesday awardees, this may very well be the first time one person has earned two rewards in a single day.
Additional kudos goes to GT-3’s Chris Edens, who nailed a perfect .260 lap in Tuesday qualifying. If Sunoco 260 Tuesday was darts, he threw a bullseye.
Since 2020, the opening day of Runoffs qualifying has been Sunoco 260 Tuesday. While some drivers win juice for their race cars, Sunoco also fueled several hundred SCCA volunteers by providing a free lunch.
Sunoco 260 Tuesday is in recognition of Sunoco’s 260 race fuel, which has been highly regarded for many years. Sunoco’s 260 GT is a street-legal (in most states), oxygenated, unleaded gasoline designed for high performance street cars, muscle cars, classics, street rods, motorcycles, and the like. With a 100-octane rating, Sunoco 260 GT allows increased boost levels in supercharged or turbocharged applications as compared to lower octane “pump” gas. It’s engineered to not harm catalytic converters or oxygen sensors, and contains a comprehensive additive package for greater engine protection and reduced fuel system deposits. It’s compatible with two-stroke synthetic and mineral-based engine oils, and safe for carbureted and fuel injected engines.
Sunoco, Official Fuel of SCCA since 2001, has been powering victories on and off the track for more than 100 years, which is why Sunoco is trusted to fuel more than 50 series of racing, driving, and winning – including the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, SCCA Pro Racing series like Trans Am, as well as NHRA, NASCAR, and more.
Sunoco 260 Tuesday Winners for ’23 Runoffs
Below are the Sunoco 260 Tuesday winners at the 60th running of SCCA’s National Championship Runoffs at VIR in Alton, VA. Each entry includes the driver name, hometown, SCCA Region, car, and fastest qualifying lap time Tuesday. Winners can collect their prize by heading to the Sunoco fuel station found in VIR’s Main Paddock near the Pagoda. Just look for the giant “Sunoco” gas station sign, and staff there at the pumps will have the official list of those receiving the free gasoline.
- American Sedan: Amy Aquilante; Phoenixville, PA; Philadelphia Region, Pontiac Firebird, 2:06.211
- B-Spec: Luke Russell; Fort Myers, FL; Central Florida Region, Honda Fit, 2:27.197
- E Production: David Spillman; Forest City, NC; Central Carolinas Region, BMW 325i/is, 2:11.291
- F Production: Cliff Ira; Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Region, Honda Civic Del Sol VTEC, 2:08.248
- H Production: Jason LaManna; Rochester, NY; Florida Region, Volkswagen Rabbit, 2:18.207
- Formula 600: H Cory McLeod; Charlotte, NC; Central Carolinas Region, Red Devil Aero, 2:02.253
- Formula Continental: Nolan Allaer; Grosse Pointe, MI; Detroit Region, Van Diemen RF02, 1:50.281
- Formula Enterprises 2: Charles Russell Turner; Montpelier, VA; Washington D.C. Region, SCCA Mazda FE2, 1:51.284
- Formula F: Nolan Allaer; Grosse Pointe, MI; Detroit Region, Van Diemen RF00 Ford, 1:59.249
- Formula Vee: Devin Boucher; Terrell, TX; Texas Region, Caracal D, 2:19.242
- GT-1: David Pintaric; Canfield, OH; Mahoning Valley Region, Ford Mustang, 1:48.203
- GT-2: Scotty B White; Auburn, WA; Northwest Region, Dodge Viper Comp Coupe, 1:55.429
- GT-3: Chris Edens; Sherwood, AR; Arkansas Region, Mazda Miata, 2:04.260
- GT-Lite: Peter Shadowen; West Palm Beach, FL; Florida Region, Honda CRX, 2:11.224
- Prototype 1: Greg Case; Peoria, IL; Central Illinois Region, Stohr WF1 Suzuki, 1:52.274
- Prototype 2: Bart Wolf; Elkhart Lake, WI; Milwaukee Region, Ligier JS49 Honda, 1:54.252
- Spec Miata: Douglas Ahn; Brooklyn, NY; New York Region, Mazda Miata, 2:22.275
- Spec Racer Ford Gen3: Chris Jennerjahn; Hartford City, IN; Indianapolis Region, SCCA SRF Gen3, 2:06.283
- Super Touring Lite: Zsolt Ferenczy; Alpharetta, GA; Atlanta Region, Acura Integra GSR, 2:13.258
- Super Touring Under: James Slechta; Moab, UT; Colorado Region, Nissan 300ZX, 2:13.224
- Touring 1: Robert Korzen; Fredericksburg, VA; Washington D.C. Region, Ford Mustang, 2:02.274
- Touring 2: Matthew O'Toole; Glenview, IL; Chicago Region, Porsche 911/997, 2:04.136
- Touring 3: Steve Smyczek; New Berlin, WI; Milwaukee Region, Nissan 370Z Track, 2:14.234
- Touring 4: Nick Leverone; Mendon, MA; New England Region, Subaru BRZ, 2:11.223
Follow Wednesday Runoffs Qualifying from VIR
Runoffs qualifying continues at VIR on Wednesday, Sept. 27 – which is also known as Hawk “Brake-Through Performer” day. Thanks to Hawk Performance, drivers with the biggest qualifying position improvement within each of the 24 different car classes will be awarded a set of Hawk brake pads for their race car, tow rig, or street car.
Follow qualifying developments live, online each day at the Runoffs Live Timing/Scoring webpage where you’ll find an audio-only broadcast, as well as current and archived Timing/Scoring data for all on-track sessions. That same audio broadcast will be heard around VIR on the public address system.
On Hagerty Race Days – which are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Sept. 29-Oct. 1 – a multi-camera video broadcast presented by Mazda will be delivered directly to smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, or desktops and laptops around the globe. Catch all the Runoffs racing action anywhere with internet access as it happens live. Access the real time feed at SCCA.com, or at the SCCA Inc. Facebook page and the SCCA Official YouTube channel.
A four-man team familiar to fans will again anchor the video broadcast, and split duties across Hagerty Race Days. Greg Creamer and John Fippin will share play-by-play responsibilities, and color commentary will be added by Larry “Lefty” MacLeod and Tom O’Gorman. Heyward Wagner will add insight from grid and pit lane, as well as capture the emotion from competitors immediately after races. For those attending the VIR Runoffs in person, audio from the broadcast will air live around the circuit via the public address system.
Qualifying results data, an event schedule, VIR Runoffs facility map, and much more can be found at the VIR Runoffs Event webpage. And don’t forget that Brian Bielanski and Gregg Ginsberg will be joined in 2023 by driver Laurin Brallier for a return of the Runoffs “Inside the SCCA" video podcast presented by Goodyear. On Hagerty Race Days, the trio will get things cranking with a live “Breakfast at the Runoffs” video presentation starting around 7 a.m. Eastern Time before cars head on course. Their coverage then picks up again during daily lunch breaks with the “Halftime Show.” Those presentations will later be archived at The Racing Network YouTube page.
Photo: Sunoco, Official Fuel of SCCA since 2001, has been powering victories on and off the track for more than 100 years.
Photo by Jon Krolewicz/SCCA Staff
