The blue zigzags are actually...
The blue zigzags are actually part of the Maximum Motorsports logo.
I won't ruin this moment with...
I won't ruin this moment with a caption.
Buckled up for your protection....
Buckled up for your protection. If we let her loose, you might hit a hay bale or something.
Despite the "Iron" in the name of the class, the hood, front fascia and spoiler are carbon-fiber pieces from Maier Racing in Hayward, California. Maximum Motorsports fabricated the custom front splitter, the steel fender flares and that crazy-looking, but functional, rear wing element. MM employees Sean Dinneen, Chris Artac and Ron Horowitz took care of the body mods and applied the custom-mixed yellow hue and additional striping.
Maximum Motorsports proprietor Chuck Schwynoch offered Mike Croutcher the driving honors as Mike ventured into the American Iron arena in 2001 and was the wheel man of the company's last "shop" car.
The Mustang's inaugural outing had it qualifying third in Saturday's event. Croutcher passed for second place and was closing in on first when third gear exited stage left. Despite being a front runner for that race, things didn't look good as the team did not have a spare trans. Later in the day, NASA official and MM customer Ryan Flaherty offered his gearbox, but it was three hours away.
John Dempsey and Ehren Van Schmus jetted while Schwynoch, Hidley and John Fabry pulled the spent T-5 out. While the birds were chirping on Sunday morning, the MM crew awoke to a new transmission sitting next to the car. Installed and test driven, the Maximum Motorsports number 91 entry was ready to go by 8:15 a.m. and just in time for the race warm-up session.
Croutcher qualified second and traded for the lead a few times during the race. He overdrove the pony trying to regain the lead and succumbed to second place when the flag fell. Still, the MM crew deemed the weekend a success, and now has an awesome platform to wring out its latest suspension creations.
"The Maximum Motorsports modifications elevate the handling of this car to a world-class level," said Chuck Schwynoch. "On test days this car passes Corvettes, Vipers and BMWs. It is extremely easy to drive fast, is very predictable and extremely forgiving," noted Chuck.
And then there's the two very hot models. We'd be surprised you made it this far.
Models:
Sandee Westgate and Amanda Lex