Hartanto/Lepper win 2 Hour Finale and Championship in One Shot

Sonoma, CA -- The team of Andrie Hartanto and Tom Lepper won the Nitto Tire United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) finale at Sonoma's Infineon Raceway on October 25, 2009 driving the Cobalt California Chevrolet Cobalt SS. The final race was a 2 hour endurance format and the team had a comfortable margin over their competition so all they had to do to win the championship was to finish the race. But champions don't just settle for last place and the duo stayed out of trouble while many of the top contenders fell out due to mechanical problems. The race then was between the two top points holders, Hartanto/Lepper and Andy Chittum. Chittum proved that he was faster in the BTM Motorworks BMW 328ti with a fast lap time that was over a second quicker than Lepper. Chittum's speed earned him a sizable lead over Lepper but much of that was negated by a full course yellow about half way into the two hour race. After the yellow, Chittum started to open it up again and it came down to the pit stops. This is where the race was decided as a blazing fast pit stop put the Chevrolet Cobalt ahead for good and to the victory circle. It was yet another exciting and close race in the USTCC this year where every race has been a close call.

Finishing in third place was Vince Parker in the Bay Bridge Motors/ Mini Mania Mini Cooper S. Parker also managed to win the Dupli Color Top Rookie award and in the process won the Dupli Color Rookie of the Year award. Parker, a former karting champion, showed that despite his lack of experience in full size cars, he is a serious contender that is improving at every race.

Andrie Hartanto won the Go Pro Hero award and won a Motorsports HERO camera for his outstanding drive to victory circle.

Andy Chittum won the Stack the Competition award for his hard fought battle for second place and once again almost winning the race. Chittum won Stack professional gauges in the process.

Pete Bovenberg won the AEM award, winning an AEM wideband air fuel gauge.

Curt Simmons won the Team DI Impressive Drive award winning a Team DI pair of Nomex driving gloves. Rich Woo won the second Team DI Impressive Drive award and won a Team DI helmet bag for his efforts.