Forty drivers representing all three rungs of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires were in action over the weekend during the two-day Chris Griffis Memorial Test held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Darren Keane of Newman Wachs Racing and rookie Andres Gutierrez, driving for current Team Champion Pabst Racing, set the bar in USF2000. Gutierrez reigned on Day One and Keane on Day Two to set the post-season benchmark with Keane holding the top spot at the end of the outing. Hot on their heals were Callan O’Keefe (BN Racing), Hunter McElrea (Pabst Racing) and Rasmus Lindh (Team BENIK).
Thirteen new faces made up the 18-car entry list with quite a few turning heads including McElrea, Lindh, Jake Craig (Newman Wachs Racing) and Jacob Loomis (Team Pelfrey).
“It has been really awesome,” said McElrea, who has shone driving F1600 cars both in his native New Zealand and his adopted home in Australia. “It is my first time driving wings and slicks and being here at this track so it is a pretty big learning experience. I am racing with Pabst and it is awesome being with such a great team that have given me such a good car to learn in. It’s looking pretty good and it is great to be part of the Mazda Road to Indy. I want to go to IndyCar so obviously you start here.”
“Today was a really good day,” said Keane. “I am happy to be coming out of the weekend with the fastest lap. It’s a good boost in confidence for me heading into next year. I am really happy with how everything is going with the team. They are a great group of guys and it’s just really good to see us improving and being where we want to be. I am really looking forward to the series next year. I had such a great time last season. This is the best single-seater series that I have ever driven in and I think it is the best in the world with the ladder system and how everything works.”
“The test went very well,” added Gutierrez. “We have been going in a positive direction. This is my first time testing for Pabst and it has been an amazing experience. I have learned a lot this weekend and feel I can be capable of winning the championship next year if I can continue this way. Racing here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time was an amazing feeling. I would like to thank everyone from the Mazda Road to Indy for letting us test at this fantastic track.”
The Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires will kick off its 2018 season on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., March 9-11.
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