Can Anyone Catch Jake Rozelle's Camaro?

Whether you want to call them stops, events, rounds or anything else, eight things have taken place in OPTIMA's 2016 Search for the Ultimate Street Car series, presented by Advance Auto Parts and a clear leader has emerged in the season-long points chase in the GTV class- Jake Rozelle and his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. The GTV class is for all vehicles in the series built prior to 1990, that weigh at least 3,200 pounds, making it very popular with classic musclecars.

The season-long point totals in this series are determined by a competitor's best three finishes, which prevents a competitor with deep pockets from running away with the title, just because they could afford to compete in all ten events. So far, there are no shortage of competitors, with 99 cars (and a few trucks) having competed in the GTV class through eight events and more than 20 additional new competitors signed up to run in the final two events at NOLA Motorsports Park and Auto Club Speedway.

With 80% of the regular season in the books, Jake Rozelle's '69 Chevrolet Camaro has emerged as the clear leader in the GTV class and the odds-on favorite to win the regular season championship. Rozelle has won three of the four events he entered, but that fourth event hints at the competition that lurks within the GTV class. Rozelle notched 468 points at Circuit of the Americas, but fellow West Coast competitor, Mike Maier's '66 Mustang edged him out for the class win with 469 points. Additionally, defending GTV champion, Kyle Tucker  turned in two dominant performances at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Road America.

Either competitor could surface at the final two events on a sponsor or general entry and give Rozelle a run for his money, but the math suggests, they're likely to be the only two capable of catching him at this point. You can watch Rozelle's march to a potential championship every weekend in OPTIMA's Search for the Ultimate Street Car, presented by Advance Auto Parts on MAVTV. Don't get too comfortable just watching all these competitors have all the fun. We want to see you out there as well! Check out www.DriveOPTIMA.com to learn how you can get involved in this series. Here are your top-20 GTV competitors after eight events:

1. Jake Rozelle 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 1,418 points
2. Larry Woo 1968 Chevrolet Camaro 1,324 points
3. Chad Ryker 1968 Chevrolet Camaro 1,236 points
4. Nick Weber 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle 1,208 points
5. Jim Stehlin 1973 Chevrolet Camaro 1,171 points
6. Mills Robinson 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 1,055 points
7. Scott Collins 1968 Chevrolet Camaro 1,046 points
8. Kyle Tucker 1970 Chevrolet Camaro 982 points
9. Jimmy Mathews 1972 Chevrolet Nova 952 points
10. Kevin Dunn 1967 Pontiac Firebird 931 points
11. Kevin Tully 1964 Plymouth Valiant 927 points
12. John Woods 1970 Pontiac Trans Am 880 points
13. Mike Maier 1966 Ford Mustang 878 points
14. Dan Howe 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 875 points
15. Jane Thurmond 1964 Chevrolet Corvette 784 points
16. Efrain Diaz 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 783 points
17. Martin Pond 1980 Mercury Zephyr 758 points
18. Craig Williams 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 734 points
19. John McKissack 1966 Ford Fairlane 731 points
19. Alan Miller 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 731 points