Ethan Maestri Takes #3 To Victory At Laguna Seca

 The FEC made its way to the West coast of North America for a showdown in the dry riverbed that is Laguna Seca. In practice leading up to the event, many a driver spent time out in the sand just off track, learning where the limit was and realizing the line between just inside and just outside the limit was a very thin line indeed.

 Qualifying was lead by Ethan Maestri, setting a pole position time nearly a half second faster than team mate Travis Billingsley. Owing to his Pole Position was the fact that series points leader Andrew Steppat was late for the event, failing to set a qualifying time at all. Andrew would start from the back of the grid.

Green flag and the field of 7 cars sweeps into the Andretti Hairpin on Lap 1

 However, as the green flag dropped, Andrew got an incredible start and quickly rocketed up the order and into third position by the time he reached Turn 1. Ethan Maestri would maintain the lead from the start, quickly followed by Travis in the #18 RX7. Both of the MBR cars would set the pace from the start, and would even be joined by the #33 of Paul Maestri as he would take over P3 from Andrew Steppat in the early laps. This would setup a ferocious battle for P3 contested by Paul, Andrew and RBR driver Drew Dilbeck. These three would run nose to tail for the better part of 9 laps, trading paint and jockeying for position. Finally, Andrew was able to creep alongside Paul after catching him in the corkscrew. Once Andrew was clear, Drew quickly tried to make a move but was boxed out by Paul. Drew checked up hard and Paul careened into the tire barrier at Turn 11, seriously damaging the #33 Mazda and ending his race.

The battle royale for P3 was the contest to watch

 Pit stops would muddy the waters for a few laps, but once cycled through, Ethan retained the lead. Travis was still in second, but Andrew was closing the gap fast on them both. With eight laps to go, Andrew would finally catch and pass Travis and set sail to try and run Ethan down at the front. He would close to within just a few seconds of the #3 Mazda, but not before the checkered flag waved, giving Ethan his first endurance series victory since Road America in 2017.

Lap 5, Ethan nearly loses it all coming out of Turn 6 

 The series now heads to Road America for the fifth event of the series, a 33 lap event in the hills near Elkhart Michigan.

 Andrew's second place finish virtually assures him another series title. Travis and Ethan now appear locked in a points battle for second place. Fourth, fifth and sixth place are hotly contested by Paul, Drew and Ghabe.

Laguna Seca Results:
1. Ethan Maestri - 21 points
2. Andrew Steppat - 18 points
3. Travis Billingsley - 16 points
4. Drew Dilbeck - 14 points
5. Ghabe Stouffer - 12 points
6. Tony Tyree- 10 points
7. Paul Maestri - 8 points

Series Standings after 4 events:
1. Andrew Steppat - 81 points
2. Travis Billingsley - 66 points
3. Ethan Maestri - 63 points
4. Drew Dilbeck - 48 points
5. Paul Maestri - 46 points
6. Ghabe Stouffer - 44 points
7. Tony Tyree - 26 points
8. Nicholas Hargrove - 22 points
9. Matthew Smith - 12 points