Ernie Francis Jr wins at Mid-Ohio after Joshua Car retires from the lead
Ernie Francis Jr has completed a marathon weekend with victory in Race 3 of the Formula Regional Americas championship, after Joshua Car retired from the lead.
Ernie Francis Jr, Kyffin Simpson, and Jordan Missig celebrate on the podium for Race 3 at Mid-Ohio. (Kyffin Simpson)
As dark clouds gathered over the circuit, marking the most changeable conditions of the weekend, it was Jacob Abel who started on pole position with the fastest lap from Race 2, ahead of Kyffin Simpson and Joshua Car.
The anticipation was high to begin with, but the tension rose even further when the lights failed at the start of the race, the drivers instructed to complete another formation lap.
It was Abel who led off the start but Australian Joshua Car had phenomenal speed off the line, emerging from a three-way tussle into the lead of the race by Turn 1.
Ernie Francis Jr emerged from the skirmish in second, with Dylan Tavella in third.
Tavella was quickly under pressure from championship leader Kyffin Simpson, and the 16 year-old made a daring switchback move to claim the position.
A Safety Car period briefly neutralised the race as Tavella dove into the pits with a puncture, his tyre almost fully separated from its rim.
With eight minutes elapsed, Car led the field away at the restart, but disappeared from view mid-lap.
He emerged in the gravel trap at Turn 11, retiring with a technical failure.
Francis Jr inherited the race lead ahead of Simpson and Hunter Yeany, and the running order settled in.
The ladder was shuffled once again when Yeany spun off with two minutes remaining, promoting Jordan Missig.
There was clear air back to Missig, but the battle was for the lead, with Francis Jr and Simpson separated by just over half a second.
The seven-time Trans Am champion was able to hold his lead and take the chequered flag ahead of Simpson and Missig.
A marathon victory for Francis, who had travelled between Mid-Ohio and Eldora over the weekend to compete in SRX, Trans Am, and the FR Americas championship.
"This is great, this is exactly what we needed after this weekend," said Francis Jr.
"Its been pretty tough running three different series this weekend: running SRX at Eldora, running my Trans Am car here at Mid-Ohio, and then the FR car here — so to end it off with a win, that’s just really awesome."
"Just got to say thank you to all my guys at Future Star Racing with Wings and Wheels Foundation."
"I mean we've been working on the car — every event we've been getting faster, and finally to take home a win for them."
"So super happy with that and hopefully get a few more this year."
Kyffin Simpson retains the lead of the FR Americas championship after Round 3, with Joshua Car 60 points behind in second.
