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Support racing…
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Pro Mazda - The mid-level of the ladder system known as the Mazda Road to Indy, Pro Mazda uses the same Tatuus chassis as the entry level, USF2000, but the cars have a much more powerful engine, the tires and wheels are substantially bigger, the wings and aero are substantially more effective and the brakes are substantially more effective. This iteration is all new for 2018 and the racing as a result has been phenomenal, with broken track records by multiple seconds at every track the series has gone to. Because everyone was starting fresh with a new car many new teams and drivers entered the series for 2018 and they too have been phenomenal, with at least 10 series drivers capable of WINS on any given weekend.
The current points leader is rookie Rinus VeeKay from the Netherlands, a product of USF2000 driving for Juncos Racing. Canadian Parker Thompson led the series for Exclusive Autosport for much of the mid-season but he had a string of bad luck while VeeKay has compiled four race WINS in a row and now leads the series by a solid 25 points. But as Thompson can tell you, with three races left to run, racing fortunes can turn on a dime.
Rinus Veekay
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Indy Lights - The top step of the MRTI ladder, Indy Lights is a perfect vehicle to step from and go to IndyCars. The Dallara IL-15 handles much like the big cars and its 450 hp MZR-R 2.0 liter turbo-charged engine also has push-to-pass, which momentarily adds an additional 50 horsepower - just like the big cars. The brakes, tires, aero and electronics are all a cut above Pro Mazda, making the car also a great training ground for race engineers to also step into IndyCars. The real testimony to the integrity and worth of the series are the many Lights drivers who are already driving in IndyCars, right now.
The current points leader is Mexican teen Patricio O’Ward, driving for Andretti Autosport. Already an IMSA prototype series Champion - PC class, 2017 - O’Ward has 7 WINS so far this season - the last two in a sweep at Mid-Ohio. His closest rival is teammate Colton Herta, who once led the series points, but is now 32 points behind Pato due to his own misfortune at a few races. But again, with 3 series races left to run, anything can still happen.
Pato O’Ward
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Friday will be a day of practice and qualifying for all series racing and the K&N boys will race. Saturday will be race day for the open-wheel contingents. The big question is going to be WEATHER. Rain is forecast for both days, but in waves very early and very late in the days, with huge times of dry in between. With a little luck everything can be fit in between the rain. Let’s hope so.
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Let’s get this thing going!
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