Spencer Bucknum and LA Honda World Racing Claim SRO TCA Drivers Championship at Indy

Spencer Bucknum clinched the championship with LA Honda World Racing Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

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“Our goal achieved,” explained Mario Biundo - Team Principal. “The culmination of exceptionally talented people and perseverance. We are proud to congratulate everyone - we are now an official championship-winning racing team.”

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Bucknum started first in the final race of the TC America Powered by Skip Barber Racing Series, and he remained in the lead of the TCA class despite being challenged. In the final minutes of the race, Bucknum found himself in a battle with his title rival. He managed to stay ahead, crossing the line first and winning the TCA championship. 

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“It means so much,” Bucknum said. “It was a hard-fought battle all year, me and Devin gave it everything at the end, and I came away with the win. It feels really good, and I have no words; it’s awesome.” 

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“Spencer Bucknum has become the standard I use for young racers I meet in this sport. He’s professional, passionate, good-natured, and as fast as anyone,” explained Coach Ryan Eversley. “No matter what we’ve faced while working together, he’s kept his composure and has never shown signs of giving up. Combine that with the LAHW program, which has grown to be a force to be reckoned with in sports car racing, and it's not surprising he’s ended up a champion. I’m grateful to Jeff, Spencer’s Dad, for trusting me to guide his son's career these past two years and Mario Biundo for giving us the tools to accomplish our goals. I want to say a massive congratulations to the entire crew. This team is still very young, and our dealership-based mechanics are no longer newbies; they’re now true RACERS. That’s the greatest compliment you can receive in our sport, and these guys have earned it. This season has been one of the most satisfying programs I’ve ever been a part of, and for that, I’m genuinely grateful.”

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LA Honda World team principal Mario Biundo started fifth for the final race, and he came home in sixth. 

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In Saturday’s race, Bucknum started second and inherited the TCA class lead early on. Despite being challenged, he remained in the lead for much of the race. With a few laps remaining, he became involved in a wheel-to-wheel battle that lasted until the checkered flag. Bucknum crossed the finish line in second only a thousandth of a second behind first.

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LA Honda team principal Mario Biundo started sixth and held that position for most of the race, but his Saturday ended early with 10 minutes to go. 

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In qualifying Friday afternoon, Bucknum went second-quickest in his No. 5 Honda Civic Si with a time of 1:41.522, only two-tenths behind the TCA class pole position time. Biundo turned the sixth fastest lap in the timed session and will start the first wheel-to-wheel action from the outside of row three.

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In practice 1 Thursday, Bucknum was quick, setting the fourth-fastest time of 1:43.499, which was less than one second off the leading TCA time of the session, while Biundo was just outside the top five in P6 with a lap time of 1:44.136. Practice 2 did not happen due to rainy conditions at the track.

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