Niemela wins Atlantic title, final race

Published 4:21 pm Friday, October 3, 2008

BRASELTON, Ga. — Finnish rookie Markus Niemela won the Atlantic Championship title Friday, racing to his second consecutive race victory in the season finale at Road Atlanta.

Niemela came into the race third in the championship standings, trailing Jonathan Bomarito by 10 points and Jonathan Bomarito by three. Bomarito fell out of the 35-lap race early due to a mechanical failure, shifting the focus of the championship battle to Summerton and Niemela.

On a restart following a full-course caution with four laps remaining, Niemela dove to the inside of leader Dane Cameron to take the lead in the first turn, while Summerton, who restarted third, was passed by Canadian Kevin Lacroix in the same spot. A few seconds later, Summerton made contact with Cameron, sending both cars off the course and out of the race. Niemela went on to win the race under caution.

“I can just go after the race and say, ‘I won the race and I won the championship,’” Niemela said. “I don’t have to make any excuses or explain anything I did. This is just sweet and simple, really. I think the car was good, I was good, and everything just fell in the right place.”

Lacroix finished second for his second podium result of the season, followed by Canadian James Hinchcliffe in third. Simona De Silvestro, the only female driver in the field, was fourth, followed by Greg Mansell.

Friday at Road Atlanta

(Starting position in parentheses)

1. (3) Markus Niemela, 35.

2. (4) Kevin Lacroix, 35.

3. (7) James Hinchcliffe, 35.

4. (11) Simona De Silvestro, 35.

5. (8) Greg Mansell, 35.

6. (14) David Garza, 35.

7. (13) Luis Schiavo, 35.

8. (12) Junior Strous, 35.

9. (10) Frankie Muniz, 35.

10. (9) Tom Sutherland, 35.

11. (16) Leo Mansell, 35.

12. (15) Dominick Muermans 35.

13. (2) Dane Cameron, 32, contact.

14. (1) Jonathan Summerton, 33, contact.

15. (6) J.R. Hildebrand, 29, contact.

16. (17) Douglas Soares, 26, mechanical.

17. (5) Jonathan Bomarito., 12, mechanical.

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 50:19.931

Average Speed: 105.976 mph

Margin of Victory: Under caution

Caution Flags: Two for seven laps.

Final Championship Standings:

1. Niemela, 245; 2. Bomarito, 228; 3. Summerton, 224; 4. Hinchcliffe and Strous, 196; 6. Carl Skerlong, 189; 7. Cameron, 169; 8. De Silvestro, 167; 9. Lacroix, 161; 10. Greg Mansell, 105.