The SFoW Maserati Trofeo Light GT was well on the way to a top finish at the weekend in the Food City 250, part of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, when an errant race car cost them a chance at the win.

Driver Joao Barbosa had qualified the Maserati third in GT, the highest starting position yet for the new car. He consistently ran in the top three GT cars during the first hour of the race, but was then hit by one of the Daytona Prototypes, damaging the rear suspension.

The SFoW Maserati crew was able to repair the damage and return the car to the track, but the time lost eliminated any chance of a high placing. Both drivers Emil Assentato and Steve Earle drove stints, eventually placing the Maserati eighth in the GT class at the end of the two hour 45 minute race.

"The car was running very well, and the second set of tires was really good," Barbosa said after the race. "I was really pushing, and then a Daytona prototype which had spun hit me. I don't know why he didn't wait until everyone went by. He hit me on the right side pretty hard."

"It's disappointing," said Team Manager Glenn Marquis. "We've made some changes to the car which really worked. We were right where we wanted to be, running to our strategy, and then Joao got hit. The crew did an outstanding job repairing the Maserati and getting it back on the track, and Emil and Steve both drove well, but I think the accident cost us a sure podium finish"

The team's second entry, a Ferrari Challenge driven by Dan Kennedy and TJ Jermoluk, had a consistent race, only their second in the series. Kennedy qualified seventh in the SGS Class, and the Ferrari, sponsored by Kennedy Homes and the Hyperion Development Group, finished ninth.