7/30/2017
Max Hanratty
Martin dominates Pro Mazda Race 3, reclaims points lead
Martin dominates Pro Mazda Race 3, reclaims points lead
Sunday, 30 July 2017
MRTI
Anthony Martin enjoyed a picture perfect morning at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course as he sped to an uncontested victory for Cape Motorsports in the third and final leg of the Cooper Tires Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio Presented by Allied Building Products. The 22-year-old from Perth, Australia led every inch of the way from pole position and added the fastest lap for good measure just one lap from the finish of today's ninth round of the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.
Martin's fifth win of the season vaulted him ahead of primary title rival Victor Franzoni in their tussle for a Mazda Scholarship worth almost $800,000 to assist in the progression to Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the final step on the Mazda Road to Indy open-wheel development ladder, in 2018.
Franzoni finished a distant second for Juncos Racing, following a duel throughout the 30-minute contest with his Brazilian countryman Carlos Cunha (Team Pelfrey).
After being denied victory yesterday due to an incident with a slower car, Martin took off at the start determined to win by as big a margin as possible. He established a torrid pace and extended his lead with virtually every lap before finally crossing the finish line a commanding 14 seconds clear of Franzoni, who had overtaken front row qualifier Cunha under braking for Turn 2 on the opening lap but was never able to shake off his pursuer.
"I was a little ticked off from yesterday," admitted the winner, "so I might have had a little more aggression today, but I had to put what happened yesterday out of my mind – racing is racing and those things happen. I didn't look behind me until the back straight, when the team told me that Victor was in second and that I needed to go. From there, it was head down.
"The Cape boys gave me a great car all weekend and it was almost a 100 percent successful weekend. It was great to see we could do it and that helps with three races to go. Pressure motivates me to do better and I think being on top makes me go faster so I'm confident going forward."
The trio of distinctive yellow Team Pelfrey cars ran in close formation for the first lap or so before TJ Fischer managed to find a way past Nikita Lastochkin. Fischer settled into a relatively lonely fourth place until the closing stages, when the youngest driver in the field, 15-year-old Sting Ray Robb (World Speed Motorsports) began to loom larger in his mirrors.
Robb, who started sixth, overtook Lastochkin after seven laps, then reduced a deficit to Fischer of more than four seconds to just a few car lengths at the checkered flag during his most impressive performance of the season so far.
Robb's teammate, Bobby Eberle, earned the Staubli Award after finishing sixth ahead of Max Hanratty (ArmsUp Motorsports), who secured the Quarter Master Hard Charger Award after rising from 11th on the grid.
Bob Kaminsky survived a quick spin to finish ninth overall and extend his lead in the National class points chase with his fifth win in just seven starts.
Martin now leads Franzoni by four points, 259-255, as the title hopefuls head next to Gateway Motorsports Park for their only oval race of the season on Aug. 26.
Note: Under the direction of series officials, the cars of Martin, Franzoni and Fischer have been impounded for further evaluation to be performed in Indianapolis this week. This is an extension of the current inspection process. When completed, the procedure and outcome will be published. The results from today's race will remain unofficial until that point.
Article Credit: Racer Magazine
