Jacob Abel takes FR Americas top step at Mid-Ohio ahead of Joshua Car
Joshua Car has finished second in Race 2 of the FR Americas championship at Mid-Ohio, behind Jacob Abel who held off the young Australian to secure a lights-to-flag victory.
Jacob Abel, Joshua Car, and Kyffin Simpson celebrate on the podium at Mid-Ohio. (Kyffin Simpson)
Abel was on pole after setting the fastest time in Race 1 and lead away strongly from the line, leaving Car to battle with series leader Kyffin Simpson off the line.
Car cut firmly onto the racing line, leaving Simpson in his wake into Turn 1, and the race was on.
The order was set, with Abel holding his form throughout the opening stages of the twenty-five minute race.
Still, Car was able to stay on the American's gearbox, keeping the gap to under a second within the first 10 minutes of the race.
With just over eight minutes remaining, Jordan Missig retired with a broken suspension, bringing out the Safety Car and presenting the leaders with a frantic 90-second battle to the finish.
Jacob Abel fends off Joshua Car in a tense final scramble in Lexington. (SVRA)
Abel pulled away confidently at the restart, leaving Car under pressure from Simpson over the line.
The scrapping pair was caught by Ernie Francis Jr who mounted the challenge on Simpson, relieving the pressure on the Australian in second.
Francis Jr launched one final challenge at the Keyhole and then through the Switchback, just inches away from the rear of Car's Crosslink Ligier.
The three-way wheel-to-wheel battle was on again, but Francis Jr was washed out of contention on the outside of Turn 5, falling down to fourth.
With just one lap to go, Car simply ran out of time, finishing just 0.336s behind Abel as he took the flag, his first of the season.
Kyffin Simpson completed the podium after the tense final battle for third.
"Third career win, but first one in a couple of years, so this one definitely feels good," said Abel.
"Feels like the first again, so really, really glad to get it done there."
"A lot of pressure from both Josh and Kyffin behind, but we had a great car all race."
"Great job by the Newman Wachs and Abel Motorsport guys."
