NASA Spec Focus Series :: Official Website

For the third consecutive year, Capaldi Racing drivers have filled all three podium spots in the Spec Focus class at NASA's National Championships. The Capaldi Racing lineup this season included Spec Focus driver Lowell Marx in a 2005 Ford Focus ZX4, defending champion Craig Capaldi in his 2005 Ford Focus ZX4, and Grassroots Motorsports club editor Scott Lear in the newly completed 2009 Ford Focus. Scott had plenty to say after his second Championship podium in two tries in Spec Focus.

"The 2009 Ford Racing Spec Focus was every bit as fun to race as the Focus ZX5 that carried me to a podium finish at the NASA Championships back in 2006. Driving a new race car is a joy, as there's no need to constantly worry that some older component might fail under the stress of wheel-to-wheel competition. Sure enough, the 2009 Ford Focus was bulletproof and consistent on track for the entire race weekend, never missing a beat on the way to a solid podium finish.

Confidence on track comes from knowing that the aftermarket performance components on your race car will take you the distance. Grippy race tires mean more abuse for the drivetrain, but the Centerforce clutch was equal to the task in the 2009 Ford Racing Spec Focus.

At Grassroots Motorsports magazine we often advise readers that good tires are the single most important upgrade they can make to their cars. A tire that can provide consistent levels of grip lap after lap on a track is a necessity for competition, and the Toyo Proxes R888 didn't let me down during the NASA Championships weekend. A glance at the results shows that a lot the racers on Toyos had their fastest laps late in the race. When you know the tire is going to be every bit as grippy on the white flag lap as it was on the green, you're not afraid to push hard for position". - Scott Lear

After a year long wait, Craig Capaldi was anxious to defend his title in his new car that was prepared for the 08 season.

"Waiting through the off months was the hardest thing for me, I had a new car, new Toyo's, and a new goal for the season...to defend the championship. From the first test with the new Toyo R888's, I was very pleased and almost shocked at the level of consistency they provided from start to finish. Couple that with their predictability and I was very excited to put the new car through its paces. Lap after lap I could toss the car in the corners and receive the same feedback from the tires that I had felt from lap one. As a driver, this really helps boost one's confidence knowing there is one more element you can take out of the back of your mind.

In summary I would personally like to thank all of the following. Ford Racing for all the testing and support that has been put forth in the Spec Focus Series to make this possible. TOYO tires for their outstanding product as well as support at, and away from the track. Centerforce Clutch for their unbreakable and unbeatable clutch system. And lastly Capaldi Racing for their ongoing support of the series as well as my efforts. Thanks to all for the support". - Scott Lear

Class Spec Focus
1. #69 Craig Capaldi 17 Laps +0.00 (1:48.174) 2005 ZX4 ST 2.3L Duratec
2. #09 Scott Lear 17 Laps -25.118 (1:49.369) 2009 Coupe 2.0L Duratec
3. #68 Lowell Marx 17 Laps -31.839 (1:49.059) 2005 ZX4 ST 2.3 Duratec
4. #125 Chris Kisner 17 Laps -36.811 (1:49.712) 2003 SVT ZX3 2.0L SVT
5. #144 Mark Ryan Lapp 5 Laps -12 Laps (1:55.215) 2001 ZX3 2.0L Zetec

(Left to Right) Scott Lear, Craig Capaldi and Lowell Marx

Leo Capaldi will debut the new 2008 Focus Coupe in Spec Focus for the 2008 Season. The car will future the 2.0L Duratec motor, along with the new Spec Focus Suspension from Ford Racing.

In cooperation with NASA, Co-Series Directors Ted Severns and Leo Capaldi have formed a Spec Focus Advisory Board to refine and expand the 2008 Spec Focus rules. In addition to Ted and Leo, racers Chris Kisner and Matt Marks are serving on the on board. Initial drafts of the 2008 rules are in process with the publication date to be announced in the next two weeks.

The rules are being looked at with a focus on simplification, clarity, and cost reduction with the goal being enhanced competition and growing the series by encouraging new competitors.

To current and prospective racers, as there will likely be some detail changes that may affect your off-season purchases, so we recommend that you consider waiting until the final rules are published before making large, performance impacting purchases in order to properly budget for the year.

Also, please watch this space for news and announcements over the next couple of weeks. 2008 is going to be a great year for Spec Focus!

Links for the NASA Spec Focus Website http://specfocus.drivenasa.com/

For the Spec Focus Rule Request Form http://specfocus.drivenasa.com/Request.htm

And the Spec Focus Part Request Waiver http://specfocus.drivenasa.com/partswaiver.htm