USF2000

Jace Denmark wins USF2000 opener ahead of Kiwi Billy Frazer

Andrew Rickert

Feb 26, 2022 — 3 min read

Jace Denmark has won the USF2000 opener in St. Petersburg ahead of Kiwi Billy Frazer as a dramatic final lap crash took out the race leaders.

Jace Denmark, Billy Frazer, and Bijoy Grag on the USF2000 podium in St. Petersburg. *(Gavin Baker/Road To Indy)*

Thomas Nepveu held a confident lead until the final lap a battling with the hard-charging Myles Rowe ended with both drivers in the wall.

The Canadian qualified on pole in a tight qualifying session, with the top eight drivers separated by just 0.112 of a second.

Nepveu led away from Jace Denmark at the start and the pair pulled away from the chasing pack in a fairly stable first 19 laps.

Thomas Nepveu leads the USF2000 field away at the start. *(Gavin Baker/Road To Indy)*

Frazer was up to third at the start but faced a fight back from Rowe, who charged through the leaders in the dying stages.

Rowe went past Frazer on lap 12 for the final podium spot, and chased down the leading pair, closing down the two-second gap before catching the leaders with four laps to go.

With one lap to go, Rowe went around the outside of Denmark in turn one to claim second, and set his sights for the lead on the final lap.

He attempted the same move on Nepveu on the final lap but ran too wide on the exit, with the pair entering turn two side-by-side.

The pair collided in a heavy crash, with Denmark blazing through the wreckage to claim the race victory.

"I knew that if we were racing into Turn One after a big braking zone on the last laps, there was going to be some carnage," said Denmark.

"I’m gutted for Myles and I’m sorry we didn’t finish under green, but I’m happy to have the points."

"I was comfortable out here."

"We’ve had top-three pace all weekend, and this is exactly how we wanted to start the season."

"This was a little bit more difficult than last year, when we started at Barber – it’s a bit nerve-wracking to have the walls so close so it’s good to have the speed early."

"It helped me feel comfortable enough to really pressure Thomas and Myles, trying to force a mistake, and that’s what happened."

"It’s hard to find the balance between full offensive and just being in someone’s mirrors."

The leaders collide on the final lap. *(Road To Indy TV)*

Billy Frazer was able to hold off Bijoy Garg for a career-best second-place finish, with Garg completing the podium in third.

"I’m glad I have my rookie year here under my belt, so the first-time nerves were out of the way," said the Kiwi.

"We had an issue in practice and only got five laps, and then it turned into an overnight engine replacement so huge thanks to the team for such a great job."

"We have a lot of confidence here and I’m glad it’s finally my turn on the podium!"

"The front group started on new tires so I was able to gain early and make some good moves, but I worried that I went too hard and wore out the tires."

"I tapped the wall and Myles made an awesome pass."

"It was a tough way to end, but when you’re going for the win, you have to take those chances."

USF2000 St. Petersburg Race 1 - Result