Chevrolet won both races in the first visit ever WTCC event in the USA. Yvan Muller and Rob Huff won a race each and are now tied on points in the Drivers’ championship-
Muller and Huff completed a one-two success in Race 1 after Alain Menu was forced out of the lead by technical problems, sustained after contact with Gabriele Tarquini at the start of the race. Huff won Race 2 after a drive through penalty dashed Mullers hopes of a double. Alain Menu, who started Race 2 from 10th, finishing in 4th position.
Today’s results mean Chevrolet is now very close to mathematically securing its third WTCC Constructors’ title. The RML-run Cruzes fell ten points short from conquering the crown today, and the team will have to wait until the next round in Japan before opening the champagne bottles.
The fight for the Drivers’ title is more open than ever, with Muller and Huff now tied on 315 points. The Frenchman remains on top of the standings as he has won more races. Menu is 49 points behind but still in contention despite his misfortune at Sonoma.
Race 1 saw a great start for the Cruzes, which quickly took the first three positions. Poleman Menu was ahead of teammates Muller and Huff, but the Swiss had to lift off as he developed a steering issue on lap 4. Menu was forced to the pits for repairs, losing four laps in the process.
Despite starting from the middle of the grid in Race 2, Muller and Huff quickly progressed to
3rd and 4th position respectively after a couple of laps. With race leader Mehdi Bennani in a BMW spinning on lap 4, the duo gained a position, but on lap 5 contact between Muller and Franz Engstler, also in a BMW, paved the way for the Frenchman to take the lead.
The stewards, however, penalized Muller with a drive-through, effectively ending any hopes of a points finish and paving the way for Huff, who controlled BMW’s Norbert Michelisz’s attacks in the closing laps.
The WTCC now crosses the Pacific for the Asian tour that traditionally closes the season and includes stops in Japan, China and Macau