Chris Keller Scores Pole and Win At SCCA Nation Championship Runoffs
October 13, 2008 – Karting star and recent Formula Ford winner Chris Keller claimed the pole position and victory this weekend at the SCCA National Runoffs held at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas. Racing with Porter Racing, Keller drove to victory. After turning a lap of 1:35.547 during Wednesday’s qualifying session, Keller was officially awarded the pole after no driver was able to go quicker in Thursday’s final timed run. Keller was awarded the pole by almost half a second and would start the prestigious event from the inside front row.
Looking for a conservative start, Keller fell back to third early as he looked to stay out of trouble and stay in the hunt for the win. Running under the Runoff race record pace, Keller moved to P2 with a bold move to take over the spot. With the quick pace of the leader, Keller would fall back and be forced to close a three second gap which he began to work on immediately.
With each passing lap, the Porter Racing pilot would take a little time from the leader before an eventual caution flag flew for an incident involving the third and fourth place drivers. Circling with the pace car, Keller noticed the tires of his competitor had unusual wear and decided to take advantage of the opportunity and really push for the lead when the green flag flew again.
With the leader taking a defensive line on the final two circuits, Keller knew he was going to have to be smart in his move. Showing the leader the inside pass attempt on several laps, Keller got a good run exiting turn 14 and down the dragstrip backstretch where he had been fast all week. With a fake move to the inside, Keller swooped to the outer line taking the lead and the victory by .160.
“The team did a fantastic job giving me a car that would compete at the front,” explained Keller after the event. “Neil Porter, Dale and my dad made sure every piece of the car was safe and working properly. The twelve plus day Runoffs is truly a test of the team.”
“Chris has always had a ton of talent and heart. He just needed an opportunity with the right people and good equipment,” explained Ron Sutton. “He has had an incredible year winning four out of six national races, poles and setting track records. Winning the pole, the national championship and setting the race lap track record are just exclamation point on his season.”
Chris would like to thank the entire Neil Porter Racing squad, Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, Goodyear, Pacific Crossile, Nosler Motorsports, Loynings Engine Service, Fast Forward, Race Mirrors, Toastmasters, Advanced Automotive, Rick Larson, Wolf Racing, Larry Andel, Chick-fil-a, SCCA and his parents.
