Crossing the line first after another American Le Mans Series race win, ADT Champion Racing pairing JJ Lehto and Marco Werner also clinched the 2004 LMP1 class championship in the Road America 500.
Werner, who was ALMS champion last year when he co-drove with Frank Biela, became the first driver in ALMS history to win two championships in the series' top prototype class. For Lehto, however, it was a first title despite the Finn having raced in the series since its inception in 1999. Two races remain in the 2004 season but no drivers can score enough points to overcome Lehto and Werner.
"It feels good to win the championship at last," Lehto admitted, "I've come close a few times, but it's the first championship I've won since '88 in British F3. I've been working hard with Champion Racing and Marco - and it's been a pleasure working with them."
"Two times is great," Werner added, "This team has done a fantastic job this season and JJ has been a wonderful team-mate."
Lehto and Werner won the Road America 500 event by a lap from the leading Lola in the race but, on this occasion, it was the Intersport Racing entry of Jon Field and Duncan Dayton which led the chase, instead of the usual Dyson cars. It was not easy for the Champion car, however, as Lehto had to charge back to the front after spinning on the opening lap - due to contact with Field's car - and falling to the rear of the field.
"It was like I was looking at it in slow motion when all those cars were going by," said Lehto, who had to restart the car when the engine stalled on the spin, "After I stopped swearing, I decided I just had to remain calm and go for it. Fortunately, the car felt really good and was fast today."
The polesitting Dyson Lola of Butch Leitzinger and James Weaver led the first 29 laps of the race, but retired due to a broken exhaust header. The sister car of Chris Dyson and Andy Wallace retired for the same reason after running second in the early going. With a slim LMP1 field, however, the Weaver/Leitzinger car was ultimately classified third in class, albeit from 19th place.
![JJ Lehto and Marco Werner celebrate the Road America race win that clinched the 2004 LMP1 crown [pic credit: ALMS/Rick Dole]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/107235.jpg)
