Road America proved to be a taxing circuit for the Kiwi Road to Indy trio, each experiencing highs and lows in a tough weekend.
Hunter McElrea
Hunter McElrea finished seventh in race one of the Indy Pro 2000 series before backing it up with a sixth-place result in race two.
A testing qualifying session meant McElrea started race one from ninth.
He was then nearly eliminated on the opening lap as a monstrous airborne crash unfolded directly in front of him.
Fortunately, swift instincts meant McElrea avoided being involved in the accident.
However, the persisting issues from the previous few rounds meant McElrea’s pace was down on the leaders and he struggled to compete up the front.
“Really no words for how this weekend, and the past couple events have gone after starting the year so strong,” McElrea said.
“I have to thank Pabst Racing. I’ve never seen a team go to such great lengths to fix the issue we are experiencing, but nothing seemed to help, and 6th place is the maximum result for now.
“It’s killing me when I know what I can do in a race car and what the team is capable of, but everyone is still working really hard so giving up is not an option.”
McElrea is currently fifth in the driver’s championship as the series passes its halfway mark.
Billy Frazer & Peter Vodanovich
USF2000 duo Billy Frazer and Peter Vodanovich had mixed fortunes over their two races of the weekend.
In race one, Frazer made up an incredible 11 spots on lap one.
However, his charge was short-lived when an audacious move from Kent Vaccaro eliminated both drivers.
Vodanovich has proven several times this season that overtaking can be done. In race one, he executed another impressive drive to move from 21st to 14th.
Race two saw Frazer start from the rear of the grid but did muscle himself back to 13th by the chequered flag.
Vodanovich picked up a puncture on lap one in a bizarre collision which forced seven drivers to pit for repairs.
Thankfully, Vodanovich pitted under caution and didn’t lose a lap.
When racing resumed, he picked his way through the midfield to finish 15th.
The next round for both the Indy Pro 2000 and Indy Pro 2000 series’ will be at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course on July 3-4.