Hunter McElrea wins at Mid-Ohio as Christian Rasmussen extends Indy Pro 2000 lead

Hunter McElrea has returned to the Indy Pro 2000 podium, winning his second race of the season at Mid-Ohio as Christian Rasmussen lengthens his championship lead.

Hunter McElrea celebrates after winning Race 2 at Mid-Ohio. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

The Kiwi started the weekend well, holding third for most of Race 1 before the final podium position went to Jacob Abel on Lap 23.

Christian Rasmussen led start-to-finish, taking his fourth victory in the past five races as the 2020 USF2000 champion storms towards the Indy Pro 2000 title in 2021.

McElrea started third but was overtaken by Abel at the start, with Manuel Sulaiman also trying his luck past the New Zealander around Turn 4.

Sulaiman came off second-best, spinning off onto the grass and beaching his car on the kerb, bringing out a Full Course Yellow.

Rasmussen led away confidently at the restart ahead of Petrov, and the battle for third resumed between Abel and McElrea.

McElrea maintained consistent pressure throughout the lap - only the second lap of the race - drawing level with Abel on the outside of Turn 4 and taking the position with the inside line into Turn 5.

Christian Rasmussen leads the field during Race 1 of the Indy Pro 2000 weekend at Mid-Ohio. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

The order remained steady for the better part of the race, but Abel kept McElrea firmly in his sights, making a bold move on the penultimate lap as McElrea went off onto the grass.

Rasmussen revealed at the flag that his dominant lead had not been as simple inside the car.

"I thought I got away pretty well at the start but the early turns weren’t perfect so that let the other guys get a chance."

"I held them off the best I could, but I did a better job on the restart."

"From there, it was a matter of hitting my marks and focusing forward."

"We know how hard it is to overtake here. It was a good race, well managed, and a great job by the team."

"They gave me a great car."

Artem Petrov was second, followed by Jacob Abel.

Christian Rasmussen, Artem Petrov, and Jacob Abel celebrate on the podium after Race 1. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

McElrea had qualified on pole for Race 2 and was determined to take full advantage, holding off an early attack from second-place starter Artem Petrov.

Race 1 winner Christian Rasmussen attempted to barge past Petrov into Turn 1, but the unsuccessful move left Rasmussen vulnerable, falling victim to Kyffin Simpsom.

The fast-starting Simpson then set his sights on Petrov, chasing him down throughout the twenty-five lap race.

The battle for second took the pressure off McElrea, allowing him to check out at the front and glide towards the chequered flag.

Hunter McElrea leads the field away from the green flag in Race 2. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

Championship leader Rasmussen was out of position, falling being Reece Gold and with Jacob Abel hot on his tail.

After the early-race action, the running order was set, with Rasmussen able to catch back up to Gold but unable to make the pass before the chequered flag.

McElrea took the race victory just 0.7498s ahead of Petrov, with Simpson less than half a second behind in third.

Hunter McElrea emerges victorious after Race 2 at Mid-Ohio. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

The Kiwi couldn't believe his second win of the season.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet," he said.

"It’s been a wild year so to put it on pole and control the race was great."

"It was about controlling the gap the whole time."

"I knew I was fast and I just drove as fast as I had to in order to stay out front, make no mistakes, stay in control and bring it home."

"But it’s such a relief."

McElrea had been an early contender in the 2021 Indy Pro 2000 season after a victory in the opening round at Barber Motorsports Park, but had not been able to repeat his performance until Sunday at Mid-Ohio.

"I knew I could do it, I knew the team could do it, but so many things that have been out of our control have hurt us this season – but it’s not about the setbacks, it’s about how you come back from them."

"And this is how you come back!"

"Hats off to everyone who’s been in my corner, helping me to keep my head down and keep me going."

"I know we’re back now."

Hunter McElrea, Artem Petrov, and Kyffin Simpson on the Race 2 podium. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

McElrea sits fifth in the championship on 231 points, behind Petrov (250 points), Gold (254 points), and Braden Eves (267 points), with Rasmussen leading on 306 points.

The challengers have just six races remaining in the eighteen-race season to beat Rasmussen to the US$718,065 scholarship to Indy Lights in 2022.

"We have to keep doing this," said McElrea.

"Keep getting the race wins and keep pushing and see what happens.”

The Indy Pro 2000 Championship presented by Cooper Tires returns August 21 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Illinois.