SOURCE:

http://sportscar365.com/features/commentary/oconnell-ctmp-debrief/

O’CONNELL: CTMP Debrief

• By Johnny O'Connell

Photo: Richard Prince/GM

Strong, it’s the best word to describe Cadillac Racing. When presented with a challenge, the team always finds a way to overcome.

We’ve had moments where we’ve shown ourselves to be very strong, Long Beach certainly comes to mind, as well as Barber Motorsports Park.

Then the racing gods step in and take potentially good results away from us. After the fire, we needed a good result, and we needed to be strong at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (a.k.a. Mosport), one of my favorite tracks.

Qualifying is always going to be critical this year. I felt I had a good car going into qualifying, but never thought we would go as quick as we did getting the pole.

I’ve done thousands of laps at Mosport and I have to say that it is probably the best lap I’ve ever done there – so far. We earned that pole, the entire team.

It’s funny, in that just before going to Canada I got really sick. Big time head and chest cold. I shared my concern with my buddy Rick Swarts. He reminded me that I always seem to do great when I’m sick.

For race one I got a good start and was able to hold onto the lead. For the entire race I had Kevin Estre in his McLaren all over me.

I was able to drive a mistake-free race and hold him off despite a lot of pressure. He is a nice guy and great addition to the series, so it was nice having a clean race with him.

In race two, we were able to get another good start, this time standing, and again lead flag-to-flag.

This time I had my good friend Butch Leitzinger on me the entire time.

His Bentley was probably a bit quicker, but getting there and getting by are two different things, and I’m sure his aero balance wasn’t what he needed to get by once he got close to me.

He is a pro and when racing someone like him there is a lot of mutual respect for each other’s race craft. That is the type of racing I enjoy the most.

As always thanks to everyone for supporting us. Getting that first win in the new Cadillac ATS-V.R was special. It’s an amazing car. I also want to thank everyone at GM. The wins this past weekend were my 55th and 56th wins driving for GM.

Surround yourself with good people and good things happen. I am one lucky redhead for sure.  On now to Detroit, a place where we are always strong.