Hunter McElrea charges into Indy Pro 2000 fight after season-best New Jersey round

Kiwi Hunter McElrea has solidified his Indy Pro 2000 title chances with a win and two podiums at New Jersey, his best round of the season so far.

Hunter McElrea celebrates his race three victory. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

For a season-leading fifth time it was Reece Gold who took the Cooper Tires Pole Award on Saturday, leading away comfortably from McElrea in second place.

Gold's lead grew to as much as 2.4 seconds before the Kiwi started to gain again, pulling in the leader lap-by-lap.

It was not enough, with Gold taking the chequered flag ahead of McElrea, while championship leader Christian Rasmussen completed the podium.

“I've had so many poles and podiums this season so to finally get the win feels great," said Gold.

"It was hard there at the end, that was good racing by Hunter."

"He kept the pressure on all race."

McElrea returned in top form on Sunday, taking pole position - but in the first race of the day it was Artem Petrov who barged past at the first corner, ahead of McElrea by almost two seconds at the end of the first lap.

Petrov was dominant, taking the chequered flag by almost half a minute over McElrea.

"I was just screaming over the radio after the race this morning, which is not something I usually do, but I was so happy with the win," said the Russian driver.

Hunter McElrea and Artem Petrov drag race to turn 1 on Sunday. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

By the third race of the weekend, it was McElrea's turn.

He started in pole once again, this time pulling clear of Braden Eves and Petrov at the start and storming away to victory.

“I knew I had to win this weekend and I knew I was fast, but when you can win by 12.5 seconds, that’s awesome," he said after the race.

"That was the best race ever."

"I knew I had to get the start – I was pretty angry at myself that I let Artem by in the rain earlier today; that wasn’t going to happen again.

"To check out was great, even though I had to deal with a lapped car for a bit mid-race."

"When you’re leading, it’s so frustrating to deal with dirty air."

"I was having so much fun, I didn’t want it to end."

"The car was so hooked up, I was just having fun."

Hunter McElrea takes the chequered flag at New Jersey. (Gavin Baker Photography/Road to Indy)

The win extends his current podium streak to five races, with the New Jersey round his most successful in the season so far.

"To dominate like that, that’s what we live for, especially after the race earlier today when I didn’t have enough for Artem in the full wet conditions."

"P3 in the championship, so some good points this weekend."

"I’ll be smiling for a bit after this."

Just two races remain in the Indy Pro 2000 season, with 66 points on offer on 1-3 October at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Christian Rasmussen remains in the lead on 392 points, with Eves behind on 374, followed by McElrea on 347.

Reece Gold and Artem Petrov also remain in the hunt, on 337 and 329 points respectively.

The Indy Pro 2000 champion will earn more than $718,000 (USD) to guarantee a drive in the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires series.