Scott Bradley claims victory in Star Mazda Series North American Championship opener

March 4, 2001.  Texas Motor Speedway.  In one of the closest finishes ever in Star Mazda Series history, Scott Bradley maneuvered past two cars on the final lap of competition to grab his maiden victory in the series by 0.016 seconds over Matt Beardsley in today's season opening race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Bradley, piloting the #14 Polycom/Shames Construction/Peak Travel machine prepared by World Speed Motorsports, took advantage of a strong start and miscues by other drivers to put himself on top of the podium.  "It's an amazing feeling right now," an excited Bradley said after the race.  "We've been working since last year developing the entire package to get us here and it's great to see all the work pay off.  It was especially nice because my primary sponsor Polycom had a group of guests out here from their Austin office."

Bradley, who qualified fifth in the forty car field, moved into third place at the onset of the race and by the third lap moved up to second and set his sights on the leader Scott Jenkins, who had opened up a three second gap as the other drivers battled behind him. "Scott (Jenkins) got away from me early on in the race as I worked to get by Matt Beardsley, but I knew if I remained patient and focused I could close the gap and put pressure on him," Bradley said afterwards.

Late in the race a caution flag would help Bradley apply pressure to Jenkins in what became a hectic one lap scramble to the finish line.  "I knew the restart would be critical in making a move for first, but at the same time I had to be careful because it had allowed the other cars to close back up on us," Bradley said.  "We came down to the chicane on the restart and Jenkins missed his braking area and slid up the track a bit so I took the inside line, he was able to recover and we wound up going through the chicane side by side."

Their duel through the chicane allowed third place competitor Beardsley to get a run as they raced three wide into the second corner with Beardsley taking the lead into the corner.  As the drivers fell into place behind them, Jenkins hit the back of Bradley's car, taking himself out of the battle for the victory.  With some space behind him now Bradley was able to concentrate on catching Beardsley.  "Jenkins tapped me and knocked the nose of his car off, so I set off after Matt, I started getting close and in the last corner leading onto the front straight he locked up a bit under braking and I was able to close up and draft him down the straight and past right as the flag dropped."

The victory places Bradley first in points as the series heads to Sebring International Raceway on March 14-17, for Round Two of the Star Mazda Series North American Championship.  For more information on the Star Mazda Series visit www.starmazda.com.