May 24, 2023 – It was the inaugural trip to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) for the Toyota GR Cup North America program and Steven Clemons Jr. was able to complete the weekend with a top-ten result. Showing pace with one of his best qualifying sessions to date, Clemons showed his never give up attitude throughout the weekend and finished Sunday with a top-ten result.
After completing the official practice day Friday, Saturday opened with qualifying, and Clemons Jr. had one of his best qualifications of the season. Putting his head down and focusing on putting a complete lap together, the BSI Racing entry driven by Clemons was able to secure the ninth-quickest lap of the session.
Starting on the inside of row five, it was hard racing up front, and contact damaged the hood of Clemons Toyota BSI entry. Running under the full course caution with an unlatched hood, Clemons completed as many laps under the full course caution before entering the pits for repairs. Despite falling down the running order, Clemons returned to the track to gain experience and was turning lap times similar to the top-ten drivers in the field.
“Disappointing to have contact when we had such a good run going,” explained Clemons Jr. “I think we turned some heads with our speed and never-give-up attitude on Saturday, and that alone is something to build upon for the next event. BSI did an amazing job getting me from pits to track in short order with some quick fix repairs.
Returning to the track Sunday for the second part of the two-race doubleheader, the day started out with wet conditions as rain had fallen throughout the night. Adapting and constantly searching for grip to secure the best lap time possible as the track began to dry, Clemons was sitting sixth with only a few minutes remaining. Three drivers dove to the pits for slick tires and were able to lay down a flier with increased pace to jump ahead of Clemons on the results sheet. Closing the session tenth, it was another top-ten start for race two.
Declared a dry race despite a damp track and tricky conditions, Clemons Jr. was able to advance forward on the opening lap from his P10 starting spot to battle for the fifth position. Trying to hold the spot, the BSI Racing driver took the paint through the esses and spun in a single-car incident. Regaining speed and running 28th with 42 minutes remaining, the never give up attitude returned. Moving from 28th to 20th and then to 15th, Clemons Jr. was passing anywhere from one to four cars per lap as the race continued. Continuing to push forward until the checkered flag flew, it was a top-ten result for Steven Clemons Jr. finishing ninth.
Clemons added, “Good way to close the weekend and some momentum building toward our next event. I can’t thank BSI Racing and my partners enough for another great weekend. On to the next one.”
Next up for BSI Racing and Steven Clemons Jr will be the third event weekend in the Toyota GR Cup North America program June 16-18 at the VIRginia International Raceway.
For more information on BSI Racing please contact RTD Media and Management via email to Mike@RTD-Media.com.