Mazda Road To Indy update – Friday May 1st – Wrapping up Barber (video and penalties) and other news

Barber Breakdown

There was some outstanding racing in all three Mazda Road To Indy series at Barber Motorsports Park.  The points leader in the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire championship changed hands as double winner Spencer Pigot was able to overhaul Carlin racing rookie Ed Jones.  Meanwhile, Neil Alberico (Pro Mazda) and Jake Eidson (USF2000) were able to hold onto their championship leads, but both were narrowed.

On-board video’s from Barber Motorsports Park 

Cape Motorsports with /WTR sophomore Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda driver Aaron Telitz made a second last lap pass to grab second place and this spectacular pass around the outside to grab the victory in Race #1 at Barber Motorsports Park.

Garett Grist made a stellar start in Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire Race #2 at Barber Motorsports Park

On-board with Max Chilton as RC Enerson executes a difficult pass of Ed Jones on the outside of T16 to snag his first career Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire podium.

—————

Barber Blogs:

Catch up with:

Post race no-no’s

Afterburner Autosport suspended for two events

Further action has been taken after the disqualification of Victor Franzoniz and the No. 17 Afterburner Autosport from his fourth place finish in the second Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda race at Barber Motorsports Park.  This was the third time in two years that the team had a car disqualified after a post technical infraction.

The team has been fined $10,000 and suspended from competition for the next two USF2000 events.

Afterburner Autosport and Franzoni had been found to be in violation of rule 14.1(a) which states:

All components provided by the Series, an authorized manufacturer or supplier must be used as provided unless otherwise stated in these rules or in update bulletins. For avoidance of doubt these rules currently provide for no modification of any component.

Here is what USF2000 promotor Dan Andersen had to say:

“Fair competition and rules compliance is paramount in any sporting endeavor, and it is important for all Mazda Road to Indy competitors to understand and expect the series to come down especially hard on repeat violators. That said, we do appreciate all of our teams and we work hard to assist their efforts. We hope that this particular team returns to the series and continues to be a solid part of the Mazda Road to Indy program. Thanks to my tech team for their fine work.”

The real loser in this situation is Franzoni.  The speedy Brazillian lost out on a Cooper Tires Winterfest title in February and now faces a tough go in the regular season championship.  The Sao Paulo driver currently sits fifth in the points (would have been fourth without the DQ) and hopefully he will find a ride for the two Indianapolis events (and the rest of the season if Afterburner Autosport does not return).

Hopefully the Minneapolis based, Tim Walsh led team can get things straightened out and return to the grid.

Tan punished for driving

Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire driver Weiron Tan was penalized post race #2 at Barber Motorsports Park for violation of Rule 10.3 (e)

That rule states the following:

10.3 (e)  Contact – A Competitor must not initiate or attempt to initiate contact that results in the interruption of another Competitor’s lap time or Track position, regardless of the occurrence of actual contact. Decisions are not subject to protest or appeal.

The transgression was the Andretti Autosport rookie’s second penalty of the race.  He was also moved to the back of the field during the first caution of the race for violation Rule 9.1(d)

That rule states the following:

9.1 (d) All Cars must maintain their respective Track position until the green is declared. If a Driver improperly improves their position without cause before the green, the Driver may be penalized. The imposition or non–imposition of a penalty is not subject to protest or appeal.

—————

Ziggy makes sports-car debut

Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire grad Zach Veach will be making his TUDOR United SportsCar Championship debut this weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  The 20 year-old who finished third in the Indy Lights championship in 2014, will be joining with Mikhail Goikhberg to pilot the Young Marines sponsored No. 85 entered by JDC/Miller Motorsports.  Expect the Stockdale, Ohio native to make an open-wheel announcement soon.

The JDCMiller Motorsports No. 85 that Zach Veach will pilot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca at the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship this weekend.  (Photo courtesy of Zach Veach)
The JDCMiller Motorsports No. 85 that Zach Veach will pilot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca at the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship this weekend. (Photo courtesy of Zach Veach)

—————

Pro Mazda adds make-up race to Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis

The Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire race that was cancelled due to weather at NOLA Motorsports Park will be made up at 5:55pm on the Thursday of the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

The very busy Mazda Road To Indy schedule for the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis weekend looks like this:

Wednesday, May 6th

TIME SERIES
9am-10am USF2000 testing
10:15am-11:15am Pro Mazda testing
11:30am-12:30pm Indy Lights testing
2pm-3pm USF2000 testing
3:15pm-4:15pm Pro Mazda testing
4:30pm-5:30pm Indy Lights testing

Thursday, May 7th

TIME SERIES
8:30am-9am USF2000 practice
9:15am-9:45am Pro Mazda practice
10am-10:45am Indy Lights practice
1:15pm-1:45pm USF2000 practice
2:15pm-2:45pm Pro Mazda practice
4:55-5:40pm Indy Lights practice
5:55pm-6:30pm Pro Maza Race #1 (NOLA Makeup Race)

Friday, May 8th

TIME SERIES
9:30am-10am USF2000 qualifying
10:15am-10:45pm Pro Mazda qualifying
noon-12:45pm Indy Lights qualifying
1pm-1:45pm USF2000 Race #1
2pm-2:45pm Pro Mazda Race #2
4:30pm-5:30pm Indy Lights Race #1

Saturday May 9th

TIME SERIES
10am-10:15pm Indy Lights warm-up
10:30am-11:10am USF2000 Race #2
12:15pm-12:55pm Pro Mazda Race #3
1:25pm-2:25pm Indy Lights Race #2

The Night Before the 500 changes times

Most recently the “Night Before The 500” at Lucas Oil Raceway has featured the Cooper Tires USF2000 powered by Mazda series, the Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tire series and the USAC Midget series. This year USAC Midgets will be replaced by USAC Silver Crown cars and it will also become the “Afternoon Before The 500,” as the USF2000 race takes place at 12:15pm and Pro Mazda race takes place at 2:45pm on May 23rd.

The schedule for that event is as follows:

Thursday, May 21st

TIME SERIES
9am-10am USF2000 testing
10:15am-11:15am Pro Mazda testing
11:30am-12:30pm USF2000 testing
2:30pm-3:30pm Pro Mazda testing
3:45pm-4:15pm USF2000 testing
4:30pm-5pm Pro Mazda testing

Saturday May 23rd

TIME SERIES
8am-8:20am USF2000 practice
8:35am-8:55am USAC Silver Crown practice
9:10am-9:40am Pro Mazda practice
9:50am-10:15am USF2000 qualifying
10:25am-10:50am Pro Mazda qualifying
11:05am-11:50am Silver Crown qualifying
12:15pm-12:45pm Freedom 75 USF2000 Race
1:15pm-2:15pm Silver Crown Race
2:45pm-3:30pm Freedom 90 Pro Mazda Race