ERNESTO JOSÉ VISO CONQUISTÓ SEGUNDO LUGAR EN LONG BEACH

(LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, abril 14, 2014) El piloto venezolano Ernesto José Viso finalizó en la segunda posición en su estreno en el certamen norteamericano Speed Energy Formula Off-Road presentada por Traxxas, competencia disputada el domingo en el circuito urbano de Long Beach, en California, carrera en la que llegó a encabezar el pelotón durante la mayor parte de la distancia.

En su primera presentación absoluta en la serie de camionetas, Ernesto Viso fue uno de los protagonistas absolutos en las calles de Long Beach, victoria que llegó a saborear hasta la penúltima vuelta, éxito que finalmente se adjudicó el norteamericano Robbie Gordon.

Al volante de la camioneta número 19 con los colores de CITGO, EJ Viso marcó el camino durante las primeras 16 vueltas, pero en la ronda final, en el fragor de una intensa batalla con el vehículo del juvenil Sheldon Creek, se produjo una colisión entre ambos y ello lo aprovechó el experimentado Gordon para llevarse la victoria.

“Pude ver lo que estaba ocurriendo delante de mí – comentó el ganador Robbie Gordon – y fue maravilloso admirar a dos jóvenes pilotos luchar con fuerza y ofrecer un gran espectáculo para los fanáticos. Es lo que hace grandiosas estas carreras de camionetas: podemos luchar, tocarnos y continuar, algo que los aficionados quieren disfrutar. Ha sido grandioso tener a EJ Viso como parte de este campeonato y sabemos que Sheldon Creek se va a convertir en uno de los grandes pilotos al que hay que tener en cuenta por muchos años”.

Mientras el caraqueño Viso consiguió mantener el segundo puesto, su rival Creek cayó al cuarto lugar, aunque en la curva final logró superar a su compañero de formación, el también norteamericano PJ Jones, ex piloto de la serie Indycar, quinta colocación que fue ocupada por el adolescente Gavin Harlien.

La espectacular categoría que combina escenarios de asfalto a los que se incorporan saltos con rampas artificiales, resultó una de las favoritas para los miles de espectadores que se dieron cita en la tradicional carrera en la costa californiana que tuvo como evento principal la competencia de Indycar.

La tercera válida de Stadium Super Trucks se disputó dentro del programa del 40 aniversario del Gran Premio de Long Beach, siguiente ronda que se efectuará el 23 de mayo en Indianápolis, Indiana.

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Long Beach, Calif. (April 13, 2014) – As the Citgo truck of Venezuela’s E.J. Viso and the TRAXXAS-sponsored truck of Sheldon Creed slammed each other heading into the final lap of the SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Presented by TRAXXAS race at Long Beach, Robby Gordon watched the two leaders through his front window and inherited the win as both drivers took themselves out of contention.

The race was the IndyCar veteran Viso’s to win, as he led the most laps in his first-ever SST race. Creed, 16, always fast and aggressive, challenged Viso rather than be content to finish second, which resulted in the hard contact between the drivers.

Viso finished second followed by Creed in third, St. Petersburg-winner PJ Jones in fourth and 14-year-old Gavin Harlien rounding out the top five.
Gordon’s SPEED Energy/HD Supply truck became the unlikely winner after not being much of a factor throughout.

“I saw what was going on in front of me and it was cool to see two great young drivers going hard and putting on a great show for the fans,” Gordon said. “That’s what’s great about these trucks – we can beat and bang and keep going which is what the fans want to see. It was great to have E.J. a part of the series and we know Sheldon is going to a great driver and one to keep an eye on for many years.”

After the dust up between Creed and Viso, Creed fell back to fourth behind Jones, and on the race’s final turn – a 180-degree hairpin – Creed took an aggressive inside line and dove hard inside his TRAXXAS teammate’s truck and slammed Jones, driving him out of the racing lane and coming back to finish third.

“Had to do it,” Creed said. “Last lap and I saw an opening and had to take it. That’s what makes these trucks so awesome.”

“Well, I guess he had to take the chance,” Jones said. “We’ll do this again and I’m sure I have an opportunity to make a pass like that on him somewhere down the road.”

The massive Long Beach-crowd was on its feet and yelling throughout the race. As truck after truck pounded the road circuits tire barriers and keep on moving, the crowd’s enthusiasm grew. Jerett Brooks, twice a podium finisher in the season’s first two rounds in St. Petersburg, suffered the hardest hit of the race as he stuffed his Synergy Electric truck into the turn-8 tire wall, then drove off to the delight of the fans surrounding the 1.96-mile 11-turn circuit.

Mexico’s Apdaly Lopez finished sixth, series rookie Bradley Morris finished seventh, Scotty Steele came home eighth followed by another series rookie Nick Vanis in ninth and Brooks in 10.

Prensa Formula Off-Road