2/10ths Off Pole Position

Summit Point (September 1 2007) Arriving early Saturday morning to find his Swift Formula Atlantic racer nearly back together, driver Gregory Jezarian was excited for the day’s qualifying sessions, “I’m stoked! Everything is back in order, I’m still amazed K-Hill Motorsports were able to get the car fixed in time. Last night I did a track walk with Kris Kaiser who holds the lap record here. He showed me a bunch of secrets and I know I can lose time. Between that and the new tires I’m ready to go.”

Jezarian was gridded second to take to the track for qualifying behind a new 014 Swift ensuring at least a lap or two of clear track before hitting traffic from lapped cars: “The traffic was definitely an issue, it came down to who could go the fastest quickest before running up on slower cars. The closing speeds between an Atlantic car and one of the lower formulae is ridiculous.”

By lap 3, Jezarian and two other Atlantic drivers were nose to tail dealing with each other and traffic all trying to get the fastest lap. Like follow the leader they threaded through the tail end of the field: “Joe [Swift 014] and I drafted past each the Ralt on lap 6 then he pretty much checked out. I was able to get a good run out of [turn]10 and pass him for some open track only to get held up. I pulled into the pits, Gib found me a nice gap and I ran out for my flyer.”

Jezarian’s final lap earned him third on the grid for the start of the race just two tenths of a second behind the Ralt RT41 and 014 Swift, “I’m happy with the car and my performance. I think two tenths off pole for a DB-4 is great. Traffic will be the deciding factor in this race. Whoever gets through it quickest will have a huge advantage. I think I’m in a good position no matter what and I’m looking forward to the race!”