SUMMERTON: A Must-Win Situation

IndyCar

SUMMERTON: A Must-Win Situation

My heart racing like it had never done before. I knew that I had to win otherwise my Championship hopes were gone.

Jonathan Summerton | http://www.formulajon.com/ | Posted October 01, 2009 Kissimmee, FL

Jonathan Summerton took pole and left everyone behind at Road Atlanta. (Atlantic Championship/Phil Sedgwick)

The best-laid plans don't always pan out, as I learned last week. I headed off to Atlanta on a nice lunch-time flight, was hoping to get to walk around the track and see what it was like, and if anything had changed from the year before. This didn’t happen. Delayed flights from the other team members I was riding with made me miss the track walk, and miss watching my fellow competitors trying to swim around the track.

There was over 20 inches of rain that day and LOTS of puddles on the track. I didn't miss too much I guess! What I did get to see was the main terminal of the Atlanta airport as I arrived at 2:15pm, and my ride didn't get there till 5:15pm. So, I had a lot of time to walk around. We eventually made it to the hotel at about 7:00 that evening and then I went to see a movie with some friends then came back and went to sleep.

We were all worried about the rain staying around but it went away and we had dry sessions from the first session to the race. We went out on the track and were fastest every session on the test day. I couldn’t complain about that! We made some improvements for the next day where we were the fastest in both sessions again. Another great day, but still we went back and focused on improving the car the most we could for qualifying.

During qualifying we didn't expect the track to be as slick as it was and it was a hard session. I really had to fight for my pole position and was very happy that I got it as on my last lap I caught traffic and wasn’t able to improve. We still got pole by two-tenths so I was very happy.

Random Note: While I was thinking I was bad the night before qualifying by eating an ice cream cone, I added to it by having an Egg McMuffin from McDonalds for breakfast. Don’t tell my guys, but man it was good!

What better way to kill the down time than with some hijinks at Starbucks? (Summerton)

Now we were onto the race, and man was my heart racing like it had never done before. I knew that I had to win otherwise my Championship hopes were gone.

The lights went out and I had a great start and went on to pull a seven-second gap. At that point, I must admit, it was kind of hard to stay focused as I didn't have any one pressuring me. Then suddenly the yellow came out and I was thinking, “this sucks,” as I was pulling away and now the field got to close the gap.

Now I had to fight hard again to pull away but I was able to win the race by 4.2 seconds and set fastest time of the race on the final lap. I couldn't ask for a more perfect weekend than that! To top all this off, my parents were at the race, which was the first for them since last year. I also had two friends come who had never seen me race, or even been to a race, and they really enjoyed it.

I loved seeing my friends and family after the race at the podium as it was just great to know they support me in every way. I must say it was one of the most memorable moments in my life. Man, now that was an awesome week!!!

So to the questions. . . please keep them coming to .

Hi Johnathan,

Two races left in the Atlantic Championship. How do you like your chances for winning the championship this year?

Joe S

Seattle, WA

Yes, two races is now one. I won the last one. All I can do is focus on my results. I am ready to do my best and feel that Newman Wachs can give me a good car and thus I can win the last race as well.. As for the others I cannot control that so I don’t worry about it. Hopefully I can win the championship.

Jonathan, when you're away from home for prolonged periods of time, or abroad, what do you miss the most?

Sue, Naples, FL

I miss hanging with my friends and family most, although I know my family are always there for me and with the phone and Internet I talk with them constantly. Other than that I don’t miss anything, except perhaps Mom’s cooking.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, SPEED, FOX, or NewsCorp.

Learn more about Jonathan at JonathanSummerton.com, his web team at www.TangledSpider.com, and his racing team at newmanwachsracing.com and his fan site at summerton.ning.com.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Summerton

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR

SUMMERTON: Looking To The Future
Now I am looking forward to what the future holds. It’s going…
SUMMERTON: A Win At Mosport
What a great feeling to be able to win that race with the history…
SUMMERTON: Third At Three Rivers
American open-wheel ace Jonathan Summerton checks in with his post-Trois…