Finland’s Lappalainen Scores First Trans-Am Victory in 19 Starts

Finland’s Robert Lappalainen, driving a Jack Roush-prepared Ford Mustang, won a caution-flag slowed Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am race Saturday on a street course in downtown Phoenix.

Roush Mustangs also finished third, driven by Max Jones of Long Beach, and fourth, with Lyn St. James of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Second was former Indy car driver Chris Knifel of Lake Forrest, Ill., in a Chevrolet Beretta.

It was Lappalainen’s first victory in 19 Trans-Am starts. He took the lead from St. James on lap 30 of the 49-lap race and held it to the end.

Actor Paul Newman, making a surprise start after telling associates that he had retired from racing at age 65, finished eighth in an Oldsmobile Cutlass.