Matt Brabham has taken another Stadium SUPER Trucks round win at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend with a race win eluding the 2018 champion.
The driver of the #83 Carlisle/Headstrong truck had hoped to add to his tally of wins in 2019 over the weekend, however he fell just short after roaring through the field in both races.
Brabham finished 3rd and 2nd in the two events and while he has extended his points advantage in the title standings, he wasn’t able to tick off the last item on his to-do list this weekend.
The 25-year-old was the fastest qualifier, mimicking his efforts from the last round in Toronto.
Pocketing the points for the award, Brabham duly started from the rear of grid and set about making his way through the field.
The level of competitiveness throughout the grid has risen across the course of the season and Brabham had a real battle on his hands in race one. He was able to claw his way through the field to take the final place on the podium.
Citing that he would need a ‘perfect race’ to win in the current climate of Stadium SUPER Trucks, Brabham had his head down going into race two.
Starting again from the back of the grid, the 2016 Indy 500 starter quickly found his rhythm. The circuit produced a slipstream battle, and it was a difficult job for Brabham to get past those in front.
Producing a three-way fight for the lead in the final stages Brabham had closed in on Gavin Harlien, filling up his rear-view mirror and trying multiple times to put one down the inside.
However, he would have to settle for second at the chequered flag.
Brabham now jumps straight from his truck into the Valkyrie Autosport Nissan GTR for the NASA WERC 6 hour race at Utah Motorsport Campus (August 3rd).
What Matt had to say…
“I was able to come into the weekend and do everything I needed to do, but it’s a bit disappointing not to have a race win,” said Brabham.
“I like the position we’re in, getting fastest qualifier is great but it’s difficult then to come through the field. I’d prefer that though then starting at the front and not having a challenge. I’m really enjoying the racing.
“To win you need to have the perfect race, you can’t make any mistakes. Everyone’s stepped up this year and it makes it difficult to make passes, they see me coming now and I have to fight to get past. You absolutely need to have the perfect race to be able to win.”