LONI UNSER Shows Character After Sonoma Contact Ends Podium Chase

April 8, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

LONI UNSER was running strong at Sonoma, sitting sixth overall and fourth in Cayman Pro/Am after qualifying, then making an aggressive early move on lap one to close in on class rival ANNA CECCHI. By lap five, she’d cut Cecchi’s advantage to just half a second and was clearly the faster driver, setting up what looked like another podium run for the Kellymoss racer.
Racing contact with CECCHI on lap eight ended UNSER’s weekend when Cecchi made a mistake exiting the chicane, UNSER moved inside to capitalize, but Cecchi’s correction caused contact that sent UNSER into the wall. It’s the kind of incident that happens when you’re racing hard for position – neither driver did anything egregious, but UNSER paid the price for being the one applying pressure.
Smart championship thinking saved UNSER’s weekend when the team couldn’t fully repair the damage for race two. Rather than miss the race entirely, she started from the rear, completed one lap to bank points, then retired. It’s the kind of strategic move that separates racers who think beyond just one weekend – those points could matter come championship time.