Hunter McElrea’s rookie Indy Lights season has finally found its groove, finishing second in the latest race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The young Kiwi qualified on the front row but was demoted to third in the race’s early stages.
A crash between the front two cars put McElrea into the lead. However, he would relinquish the position to Danial Frost, settling for P2 at the line.
Despite missing out on the win, the result is McElrea’s first competitive result of the season.
He is now fifth in the championship and will go for his first race win again tomorrow morning NZT.
It was an equally strong day for USF2000 driver Billy Frazer.
Frazer claimed yet another podium, crossing the line second but later being demoted to P3 after a penalty.
Frazer only qualified tenth fastest for the race. However, his patience and overtaking wizardry paid big dividends when it mattered most.
“It was such a racecraft race,” he said.
“I was making passes inside, outside, down the middle, using as much of the draft as possible.
“This finish was so important: these are the kind of races that help win championships, minimizing the bad luck.”
Frazer is second in the championship, six points adrift of leader Jagger Jones.
Meanwhile, it was yet another solid day at the office for rookie Kiwi driver Jacob Douglas.
Douglas was 19th in qualifying and finished a commendable 15th.
He is the fourth-highest rookie in the championship.