The team had an outstanding weekend at the 2019 NASA National Championships presented by Toyo Tires at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Rob Krider, in the number 38 DNN Motorsports Acura Integra, earned the pole position on Friday setting the fastest lap in H4 with a 1:42.866 (the only Honda Challenge 4 car to touch the 1:42 mark during the entire event.) Keith Kramer qualified third in the number 33 DNN Motorsports Acura Integra and would start in the second row directly behind Rob. That was a good thing because during the standing start for the qualifying race on Saturday Keith nudged Rob at the start to help him pass Carlos Valenzuela in the number 23 Team Beans and Dog Honda CRX. After that assist, Rob led flag to flag with Keith finishing second after an epic battle with Carlos. Rob earned the pole setter award from Competition Motor Sport (a new set of AlpineStars gloves) and Team Double Nickel Nine Motorsports would own the front row for the start of the National Championship race on Sunday.
On Sunday Rob grabbed a great launch during the standing start and walked away from the field earning an over 10 second gap at one point during the race. Keith battled with the field early in the race and drove himself into the second position. When the checkered flag dropped it was Rob Krider first, Keith Kramer second, for a DNN Motorsports 1-2 finish!
This is the fourth year in the row team Double Nickel Nine Motorsports has had both cars on the podium at NASA’s biggest Honda Challenge 4 race of the year. Here is the list: 2016 NASA Honda Challenge 4 Western States Champions (Buttonwillow), 2017 NASA Honda Challenge 4 Western States Champions (Thunderhill), 2018 NASA SoCal Honda Challenge 4 Regional Champions (Willow Springs, Fontana, Buttonwillow), 2018 NASA Honda Challenge 4 National Champions (Circuit of the Americas), 2019 NASA Honda Challenge 4 National Champions (Mid-Ohio).
The drivers could not have done it without the help of the crew and family, especially at Mid-Ohio. Big props to Brandon Lindlahr and Stephen Young who crew chiefed the cars. And massive thanks to all of the industry support which can be seen to the right of the screen and on the sponsors page (tab at the top right of this page). Thank you for making us champions four years straight!
The Register was kind enough to cover the team’s National Championship win, check out the story link here. TURNology also covered the championships and featured our team, check out the story link here. SpeedNews gave some media love to the Championships and our team, check out the story link here.
