WATKINS GLEN, NY (Sept. 1, 2019) – Blackdog Speed Shop left Watkins Glen International on Sunday with too much heartbreak and zero points after the second of two races in the Pirelli GT4 America Sprint Championship.
Championship hopeful Michael Cooper finished a lap down in the No. 10 Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren 570S GT4 after early-race contact while running fourth. Second in points coming into the day, Cooper finished 18th and felt to third in the provisional standings.
Tony Gaples saw his title hopes in Sprint Am take a major hit as well as the No. 11 Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren didn’t make the start after damage from a late-race incident Saturday.
Cooper was in the thick of a five-car fight in the opening laps and had moved into podium position on the third lap from fourth on the grid. Heading into the Bus Stop chicane on the following lap, Cooper was hit by the No. 72 Camaro when it made an optimistic dive into the corner in an attempt to overtake.
The hit damaged the front suspension of the McLaren as Cooper began dropping positions. He ducked into the pitlane at the 20-minute mark to give the Blackdog crew a chance to give the car a quick once-over and front-left tire change before Cooper rejoined and finished out the race.
The next event for Blackdog Speed Shop is Sept. 20-22 at Road America.
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MICHAEL COOPER, NO. 10 BLACKDOG SPEED SHOP McLAREN 570S GT4: “We were much better than yesterday. I was just trying to be there to see how it all played out. The Camaros were quicker than we were all weekend. Shane (Lewis) got a good run on me and drove up on the outside of me, and we braked next to each other going into the Bus Stop. I turned in and used all of the curb; he did the same but I was there. Shane got a drive-through for our contact, but we still walk away with zero points and nothing to show for today. I feel terrible for the Blackdog Speed Shop guys. They have had a lot of work this weekend and got no reward for it. Hopefully we can make up for it the next time out at Road America.”
About Blackdog Speed Shop
Blackdog Speed Shop Blackdog Speed Shop is a high-performance, custom car builder in the northern suburbs of Chicago specializing in ground-up car builds, high-performance upgrades for engines, transmissions, suspension and exhaust including computer and dyno tuning. Whether you have a modern muscle car, vintage muscle, 1930s hot rod or a foreign exotic, you will enjoy the Blackdog experience.
Ever dreamed of piloting a real World Challenge race car? Blackdog offers rental and “arrive and drive” racing in addition to purpose-built cars. Call Blackdog today at (855) 4-BLACKDOG to schedule an appointment or discuss the best way to put you in the driver’s seat!