The 2nd year of the Southwest Formula Mazda Pro Car Series concluded at Texas Motor Speedway at the SCCA Double Regional on September 16-17. Coming in to the weekend, Steven Hickham Jr. had the Championship clinched, but 2nd and 3rd were still to be determined. There were 8 Pro Formula Mazdas participating in the event. On Saturday, Alex Ardoin got the pole with Browning Williams in 2nd and Keith Young in 3rd. It was Alex Ardoin’s inaugural race weekend in his Pro Formula Mazda. (Ardoin is currently leading the Championship in the SWFM Standard Car Series). At the end of Lap 1, Browning Williams was leading the race. Two laps later, Ardoin made a pass on the front straight to take the lead. The two swapped leads several times after that with Keith Young close on their tails. Ardoin completed his first win in the Pro FM with Williams in 2nd and Young in 3rd. JW Roberts, battling for 2nd Place in the Series, finished 4th. Ardoin had the fastest race lap of the weekend with a 1:19:45. Sunday, in the rain, Ardoin again got the pole with Keith Young in 2nd and JW Roberts in 3rd. By race time, it seemed as if the rain had stopped and the track was drying. Everyone gridded with slicks. About 3 minutes before the start of the race, the rain returned. Keith Young’s crew did a “Nascar” change to rain tires barely finishing before it was time to leave the grid. On Lap 1, Ardoin spun and was left at the back of the pack. Young was in the lead with Forest Barber in 2nd and Roberts in 3rd. Ardoin fought his way back toward the front and was in 3rd place by Lap 6 of the 16 Lap race. On Lap 11, Ardoin passed Barber to gain the 2nd place spot and set his sights on Young. However, Young had developed a very good lead for the win and Ardoin had to settle for 2nd. Ardoin was soon to be disqualified in impound for not meeting weight requirements leaving Forest Barber in 2nd . Browning Williams finished 3rd giving him the necessary points to capture 2nd Place in the Series and Masters Champion.
The Series awards were presented following the race. Steven Hickham Jr. won the Championship. Browning Williams got 2nd and JW Roberts beat Keith Young by 1 point for 3rd. Thirteen drivers competed in the 2006 Southwest Formula Mazda Pro Car Series with 5 different winners. Next year looks to be hotter than ever. For complete race results and point standings, go to www.texasautosports.com
