Bucknum Takes TCA Points Lead at Sebring with a Victory and Runner-Up Finish
LA Honda World Racing had a strong Sunday to finish out an excellent weekend at Sebring International Raceway.
In Sunday morning’s race 2 of the TC America Powered by Skip Barber Racing Series, Spencer Bucknum was involved in a fierce, race-long battle for the lead. After fighting for the majority of the 40-minute event, Bucknum finished second, crossing the finish line less than half a second behind the first-place car. Heading to the final two rounds in Indianapolis, he has a three-point lead in the TCA championship.
“I just wrapped up the weekend here at Sebring with LA Honda Racing in race two and while it did not go as well as race one, it was still a P2 finish,” explained Bucknum. “Led the whole race but lost it on the last lap. Still a mega result and scored good points. It is going to come to the final event at Indy. A huge thank you to everyone who has made this possible and looking forward to Indy. The gloves are off now, and we are going to go for it.”
In Race 1 of the TC America Powered by Skip Barber racing series, Bucknum led the TCA field not only to the green flag but also to the checkered. In the 40-minute race, Bucknum successfully managed two restarts and defended against a late-race challenge to take the win.
“Coming into this weekend sitting in P2 in the championship, I knew I had to capitalize on as many points as I could get, and in race 1 that's exactly what we did!” Bucknum said after Saturday’s race. “Qualified on pole, led every lap, and brought it home to a win was a great way to start the weekend off. Huge thank you to everyone at LA Honda World for all the hard work that was put in.”
In qualifying Saturday morning, Bucknum put his No. 5 Honda Civic Si on pole position in the TCA class, navigating the 17-turn, 3.74-mile course in a time of 2:28.177.
On Friday, Bucknum showed pace right away. In practice 1 Friday morning, Bucknum was third with a time of 2:30.400, only five tenths off the fastest time. Friday afternoon in practice 2, Bucknum led the TCA class with a time of 2:29.832.
The final two rounds of the TC America season will take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 5-8.
Part of the HRC program, L.A. Honda World Racing is the official race team of L.A. Honda World, a factory-authorized Honda dealership in the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, CA.
For more information about the drivers and team, visit L.A. Honda World Racing on the web at www.lahondaworldracing.com and www.lahondaworld.com.
About L.A. Honda World Racing
L.A. Honda World Racing is an in-house professional racing team based in Southern California and participates in the SRO / TC America racing series exclusively racing touring cars built by HRC. They are also a factory authorized Honda dealer for American Honda Motor Co. www.lahondaworldracing.com
About Honda Racing Corporation US
Honda Racing Corporation US, (HRC), has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers. From pinnacle racing in Formula 1, INDYCAR, and IMSA Sports Cars to commercial racing programs, HRC powers the dreams of professional and amateur racers from age 4 to 40+. HRC leads all of Honda and Acura's high-performance racing programs in North America. HRC specializes in the design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics, and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. HRC offers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsports racers and is continually expanding its palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to all racing styles, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of pro racing. For more information, visit hondaracing-us.honda.com
