American Le Mans Series

MIracle seeking Fourth Win of Season

With the championship no longer a possibility for Miracle and its drivers, the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca takes on a different meaning: the team hopes to capture its fourth race win of the season, which would be tied with the most wins of any team in the P2 class.

The dreams of a second straight team and drivers championship went the way of a gearbox failure during hour six of the 10-hour Petit Le Mans event at Road Atlanta three weeks ago. “It was a huge disappointment for all of us,” said team owner John Macaluso. “Our season has been so unusual in that the highs and lows have been so dramatic. We either win races, or we have trouble scoring points at all.”

The team has three wins and two seconds, but four no-point races resulting from a series of odd events occuring prior to the critical 70% mark through the races (teams score points if they reach the 70% mark): an accident, a disqualification, an engine failure and the gearbox issue at Petit Le Mans.

“If it were a few years ago, when you earned points for starting the race, we would likely have the championship in hand, but it is what it is, and it has been frustrating because we have been front runners throughout the year,” added driver Chris McMurry. “We still have work to do a Laguna, and we’re hoping to make good.”

Indeed, the team and drivers all sit third in the points chase, and finishing ahead of second place contender B-K Motorsport, which also runs a Courage C65 like Miracle, would likely thrust Miracle, McMurry and driver Jeff Bucknum into a very respectable second place finish in the team and drivers championships.