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| Race Report: Milwaukee Mile - PG Racing Pro Shifter Series |
| Sept 15, 2007 |
| by Joe Brittin |
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Clayton Prater leads the field through the infield turns
(Photo: Joe Brittin)
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The final round of the PG Racing Pro Shifter Series race at the Milwaukee Mile Road Course was captured by veteran shifter kart driver Clayton Prater. Prater, who drives a Wild Kart chassis for PG Racing edged Lance Lane by .833 seconds for the win and the series point victory. Coming into the final Pro Shifter race, Prater and Lane were locked in a tie for first place in points. With two rain-outs this season, there would be no dropped races in the point battle. And just 20 points back in the point battle was Derek Crockett who also had a good chance at taking the series title.
The scheduled 25 minute race had been reduced to 20 minutes due to red flag delays earlier in the day. Prater started from the pole after setting fast time in the morning qualifying round. Josh Lane experienced engine problems at the start and drove back to his trailer to make repairs. Prater and Lance Lane quickly moved to the front with Patrick Malacarne and Joe Sturm close behind in the draft. Nevin Nelson and Derek Crockett were next in line although they were beginning to lose the lead pack’s draft. By the fourth lap, Josh Lane had returned to the track and mixed himself in with the lead pack. Prater, Lance Lane and Malacarne began to break away from the pack, although Sturm, Nelson and Crockett worked together to charge back to the lead group. By the final lap, Prater and Lane had broke away to settle the win and championship between the two. Prater was able to shake Lane’s draft and finish .833 seconds ahead at the finish with Crockett just .379 seconds back in third. Crockett’s hard charge to the front gave him quick lap time of the race at 1:11.481. Rounding out the top five were Joe Sturm and Ralph Wofford.
The top three of Prater, Lane and Crockett celebrated in the Milwaukee Mile victory circle with the traditional Pro Shifter champagne and photo ceremony. Rounding out the top five in the series points were Joe Sturm and Josh Lane. The top five in points will receive their awards at the International Racing Association’s awards banquet.
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