Runoffs: Luo leads every lap to win Formula Continental National Championship

Yufeng Luo, of Arcadia, Calif., started from the Tire Rack Pole and led every lap in the No. 13 Pabst Racing/China Van Diemen DP08 to win the Formula Continental National Championship at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday. Robert Allaer, of Lithia, Fla., recovered from a first lap spin to finish second and Joshua Saurino, of Tulsa, Okla,. finished third.

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Luo won his first National Championship in his second attempt and, at 17-years-old, was the youngest Champion crowned this weekend in the 52nd running of the SCCA Runoffs. Graham Rahal, who won the 2005 Formula Atlantic title, is the youngest SCCA Runoffs National Champion in history at 16 years and 242 days old.

"I think what made the difference from last year to this year is definitely the switch over to Pabst Racing," Luo said. "They are such a great team, I just didn't have the pace last year, so a lot of credit goes to my crew at Pabst Racing. The car was on rails all weekend, it was quite easy for me, to be honest, and from the first lap I was able to make a gap. From there it went very well."Allaer spun in his No. 52 LTD Motorsports/Martini/Coors Light Van Diemen RF02 in Turn 1 on the race start but quickly rejoined the race. He worked his way back through the field and battled Saurino for the second position for several laps."I went into Turn 1 in a different way than I have ever gone and I just didn't brake right," said Allaer, who later passed Saurino for second on lap 12 going into the Bus Stop chicane. "I knew as soon as I spun that it was going to be a task to show up here on the podium. I needed some help and just worked hard to get back as many spots as I could."Saurino, 19, earned his first SCCA National Championships podium appearance in the No. 9 Quantum Racing Services/Hoosier Van Diemen in his second Runoffs appearance."I was trying to keep up with Yufeng for the first few laps," Saurino said. "I tried my hardest, wasn't able to keep up with him and drove the tires off the car trying to keep up. I saw Rob behind me and by that time my tires were pretty much done. It was difficult to keep him behind me."While the live broadcast of all 27 National Championship were available live at SCCA.com, each race will be on demand in the coming weeks.Provisional results for Sunday's Formula Continental race at the 52nd SCCA National Championship Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB at Daytona International Speedway, with finish position, starting position in parentheses, driver, hometown, car and laps complete.1, (1), Yufeng Luo, Arcadia, CA, Van Diemen DP08, 14.2, (3), Robert Allaer, Lithia, FL, Van Diemen RF02, 14.3, (2), Joshua Saurino, Tulsa, OK, Van Diemen 11, 14.4, (4), Timothy Minor, Falls Church, VA, Ford Citation, 14.5, (5), Robert Armington, El Dorado Hills, CA, Van Diemen RH00, 14.6, (7), Douglas Rocco, Sandisfield, MA, Van Diemen DP08, 14.7, (9), Chris Scharnow, St Petersburg, FL, Van Diemen RF99, 13.8, (10), Alain Matrat, Annapolis, MD, Van Diemen RF99, 13.9, (8), Marc Stern, Hilton Head Island, SC, Van Diemen F2000, 13.10, (11), James Belay, Mableton, GA, Van Diemen RF01, 5.DNS, (6), Charles Moran, Oakton, VA, Van Diemen RF99.Length of Race: 50 milesOverall Time of Race: 27:09.118Average Speed: 110.136 mphMargin of Victory: 12.224 secondsFastest Race Lap: No. 13 Luo, 1:55.135 (111.313 mph)Lap Leaders: No. 13, laps 1 – 14Sunoco Hard Charger: No. 52 Robert AllaerImage: No. 13 Yufeng Luo led every lap in the Formula Continental race to win his first National Championship in the SCCA Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.Credit: Jay Bonvouloir