Patrick Barrett Wins Formula Russell Season Finale

Los Osos, California 10/24/06

Patrick Barrett, the 2006 SCCA Formula Russell Champion and Rookie of the Year, claimed victory in the final 2006 SCCA Formula Russell Championship Series presented by Yokahama race by capturing a Russell Series record 12th win of the season at Infineon Raceway at Sears Point on Saturday October 21st. The seventeen year old high school student from Los Osos, California closed out a very successful first full season in formula car racing.

Despite not participating in Thursday or Friday practices, and not having a seat insert for qualifying, he was still able to continue his dominant ways by qualifying on the second row and winning the race. Barrett was able to crank out a time good enough for fourth, only four tenths of a second off of Jeff Wesphal's pole time. Tyler Dueck started second, Chuck Hulse third, and Kayman Benetti fifth.

At the drop of the green flag, Barrett immediately moved up into third spot behind Westphal and Dueck. He was able to draft Westphal out of turn 4, into the sweeping right hand turn 5 and then slip past into second at the crest of turn 6. Barrett began to reel in Dueck and apply the pressure. Exiting the turn 11 hairpin on lap five Barrett was able to slip by Dueck and take the lead. From then on he was able to hold off Dueck and pull away to a 2.5 second lead, and claim his 12th and final win of the season. Dueck finished second and Hulse, securing second in the championship, finished third. Westphal ended up fourth, earning third in the championship.


Pat Barrett holds his 12th first place Russell Series trophy.
(Photo by Patrick Barrett Racing))

"I'm extremely happy that I won. My main goal entering today was to finish off the season with a bang and I did! said an enthused Barrett. Winning this championship really means a lot to me and I couldn't have achieved any of this without my Mom and Dad and all of my friends and supporters."