Chris McMurry and Bryan Willman came to a very hot Portland Internatonal Raceway knowing they would face numerous challenges. Thursday practice day was very limited as the crew worked to remedy the shifting issues encountered at the Utah race just a few days earlier. Further, the field of P1 cars was indeed formidable with the unbeaten Audi R10 diesels, and the Dyson Lolas showing they are getting a handle of their new cars.

Each session saw progress with Bryan and Chris, and McMurry took the wheel for qualifying, saving his best laps for the grid-setting session. He lapped at an impressive 1.05.221, just two seconds off pole, a second behind the Audis, and 9th overall. It looked to be one of the most competitive events in the prototype category in recent memory.

“We’re really starting to gel as a team, and our knowledge of what type of set up the car wants has come a long way,” said McMurry. “This is the first race this year where I feel that every single change we made to the set up during practice, leading up to qualifying and even before the race, was a step forward, and our lap times proved the point.”

McMurry took the green flag for the 6 p.m. late afternoon, very hot event that saw track temperatures approaching 150 degrees. Turn One at Portland, the infamous Festival Chicane, is a perfect place to lose the race for yourself, and nearby competitors, and naturally, two of the GTI cars made overly-aggressive dives on the opening lap. Chris wisely accommodated them knowing full well they would be no challenge to overtake within the lap due to the superior speed of the AER-powered Autocon Lola EX 257. Indeed before the end of lap one he had regained those two positions, as well as one overall position to claim the 8th spot and 6th in class.

The first 55-minute stint and fuel load for Chris was fast and consistent, and he maintained his position on the lead lap deep into the session, even fending off the Audis and Porsches on multiple occasions. When the first full course yellow flew – resulting from the #7 Porsche’s second trip over the curbing in the Festival Chicane that led to it punting the #9 Highcroft Lola into a spin – Chris visited the pits. The team took fuel only and opted to double stint the tires; that decision would come back to impact the middle of the event.

"Mike (Lewis) and the Autocon crew gave me a really good car today and we maintained a good pace at the beginning," stated McMurry. “Our car is so fast and loves the long straights of Portland. The tire decision cost us a couple seconds a lap on the second stint though. It’s the first time the Dunlops couldn’t handle a double stint, but that was more a result of super hot tempartures. Everyone was having the same challenge, regardless of their tire partner.”

Soon after leaving the pits, McMurry said tires were shot. “I couldn’t break as deep, a push we battled in the high speed areas became pronounced, and so the objective was just to run as well as we could, do it cleanly, and hope that the race would come to us.” Autocon ran as high as 4th overall during McMurry’s one hour and 47 minute drive.

By the time fuel, tires and the driver change happened during the second and final pit stop, Willman inherited a lower overall position, 8th, but put his head down and drove a near flawless stint leaving him in the same position in which he start despite having to deal with a shifter problem that reared up toward the end of McMurry’s run.

"The normally reliable paddle shifter system became very unreliable, seldom engaging the same way at the same time at the same turn. I had to lift to get it to accept upshifts. It was difficult to maintain a steady, fast pace. My job was to bring it home in the points, which I did, and I admit it was fun to take the checkered for Autocon," said Willman.

Team owner Mike Lewis, who will drive with McMurry during the next race, understands his homework. "The shifter problem is a tough one. It has never been an issue in practice and has only occurred in hot racing conditions. Now that we know that we can work the problem. It might be one of several issues but we will be prepared by the time we get to Road America. We continue to learn this car and four points finishes in a row is a good track record."

An interesting postscript occurred when McMurry exited the car after his stint. One of the P2 drivers, not to be named but his car is bright yellow with DHL sponsorship, confronted Chris in the pit and commented on how difficult Chris was to pass. “Some of these guys think you should just move over for them because they run with a factory team. I just told him I am very aware of who is around me and I love racing with all the prototypes. Should he have a good clean passing opportunity I will race him clean, but don't forget we are all race drivers." The history of this race also shows this unnamed driver had substantial contact with the Highcroft entry as well as one of the Audis. Makes one presume they are tough to pass also. Oh, and the driver of topic finished 22nd.

The next round of the American Le Mans Series is the Generac 500 at Road America, set for 2 p.m. CDT on Sunday, August 20th. The race will be televised live by SPEED. American Le Mans Radio, IMSA Live Timing & Scoring, Fantasy Racing and Series podcasts will be available at americanlemans.com.