Billy Frazer battles to second as Myles Rowe takes USF2000 victory at Barber
Billy Frazer moved up to take second in the opening race of the USF2000 weekend at Barber Motorsports Park behind leader Myles Rowe.
Myles Rowe, Billy Frazer and Michael d’Orlando celebrate on the podium. (Road To Indy)
Frazer started in sixth and moved into third after a chaotic opening lap as Rowe led away cleanly from pole and went unchallenged to the chequered flag.
“It is awesome to win here," said Rowe.
"I have so much family here – I had no idea so many of them were here!"
"It means so much to me since I saw my first open-wheel race at Barber when I was 16."
Myles Rowe took a green-to-chequered victory in Alabama. (Road To Indy)
The 21 year-old Pabst Racing driver headed a three-car lead pack with Simon Sikes and Frazer keeping tabs with Rowe as they drew away from the field behind.
Frazer kept a watching brief as Sikes attempted to hunt down the leader, but the Kiwi had the clear pace advantage and mounted his challenge on lap 16.
The Exclusive Autosport driver made the pass for second through the turn 7/8 complex, while Sikes ran off the track and dropped to fifth.
Rowe took the flag with a 1.7 second lead over Frazer, with Michael d'Orlando taking the final podium position.
Billy Frazer made the move for second in the final stages of the race. (Road To Indy)
“Barber has a reputation as a difficult track to pass at, but I think I proved that wrong today," said Frazer.
"Sixth to second, I’m super proud of myself and of the team."
"I was greedy on the first lap and it almost cost me - we were three-wide for most of it."
"I went onto the grass on the museum corner but I kept it together and was able to pressure Simon into a late mistake."
"We faced adversity earlier in the weekend, in quali two, so I know I have a tough job ahead of me in Race Two tomorrow, but as the guys said on the radio, these are the races that win championships.”
With his second consecutive victory in three rounds, Rowe now sits level on 67 points with Jace Denmark, ahead of Billy Frazer on 65 points.
The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship returns for race two at 12.00am Monday morning (AEST).
2022 USF2000 Championship - Barber Race 1
- Myles Rowe
- Billy Frazer (NZ)
- Michael d’Orlando
- Bijoy Garg
- Simon Sikes
- Thomas Nepveu
- Christian Weir
- Nicky Hays
- Jagger Jones
- Spike Kohlbecker
- Jace Denmark
- Jacob Douglas (NZ)
- Viktor Andersson
- Jorge Garciarce
- Dylan Christie
- Trey Burke
- Jackson Lee
- Yeoroo Lee
- Danny Dyszelski
