Mazda Road to Indy Race Two Report: Grand Prix of Alabama

GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA RACE TWO REPORT
        

 

SHELBY BLACKSTOCK
NO. 51 STARSTRUCK MAZDA

  • Indy Lights rookie brought the Starstruck Mazda home in the 10th position for today’s 35-lap race on the Alabama roller coaster circuit 

“Unfortunately, we went backwards today… seems to be how our year is going so far. One step forward, seemingly four steps back. We need to go back and look at the positives and negatives as we head to the Grand Prix of Indy.”

 

DALTON KELLETT
NO. 28 K-LINE INSULATORS USA, INC.
ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT MAZDA

  • Rolled off the starting grid from the 10th position and made his way to sixth on Lap 1
  • Queen’s University student was seen as high as the fifth position before clinching a top-10 finish in P6

“Definitely a better result in Race Two finishing P6. I was able to make up some spots at the start and had a really good first few laps, managed to get up to fifth and just lost one spot – I should have defended a little harder. It’s definitely a better day than yesterday, but I think the No. 28 K-Line Insulators USA Mazda has a lot more potential in it – I think we could have been well within the Top Five and fighting for a podium. I’m just looking forward to IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), I know we’ll be quick there.”

 

WEIRON TAN
NO. 22 WEIRON TAN
ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT MAZDA

  • Series rookie started today’s race from the pole position – the 20-year-old’s third consecutive Pro Mazda pole
  • Malaysian was penalized and moved back to P15 following the start and was seen as high as P12 before coming to the yellow and checkered flags in 14th 

“It was a shame about Race Two. I think we were very strong in all of the practice and qualifying sessions, and I felt we were looking strong for a good result today. Sadly there were some discrepancies at the start which I was penalized for, which sent me to the back (of the field), and that really dictated the day today. I don’t think of myself as a driver who deliberately tries to cause harm, so I apologize if that happened. We’ll put this weekend behind us and try and move forward from here.”