The Mazda Global MX-5 Cup Series was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for rounds three and four over the weekend, so I was there coaching Racing Analytics drivers Ashton Harrison and Pat Wilmot.
The event started with a two-session test day, allowing the Global MX-5 Cup drivers to get some seat time on the famous circuit. Although Ashton and Pat were excited to be on that iconic track, we certainly had potential left for getting the cars dialed in to be more competitive. We sorted out the setup, and we continued to make progress into the official practice sessions. Pat and Ashton got dialed in, too, as they learned where there were opportunities to improve their driving around the circuit. We found ourselves moving up the field in every session to get both cars inside the top 15 during qualifying.
In a salute to Father’s Day weekend, participants of the series with their dads!
The first race had plenty of excitement. The two lead cars pulled a gap from the field, while the rest of the front pack was racing hard for the entire 45 minutes, which was green from flag to flag. Pat was mixing it up with that lead pack inside the top ten, and he had a great run. Ashton was off to a great start, improving her position by several spots, but she got in an unlucky situation and was shuffled back, outside the top 20. She persevered, stayed focused, and came back to finish 16th.
Having been to IMS a few times before, I never had the chance to visit the museum. What a treat! I now know where the term “windscreen” came from… literally.
Unfortunately, in the closing minutes, Pat had an engine problem that sidelined him and kept him from getting a top-ten finish. Neither driver was pleased with the results, but their driving performance was certainly commendable. Luckily, there was a second race the next day. With a fresh engine in Pat’s car thanks to the handiwork of the Racing Analytics crew, he was ready for race two.
Just 30 minutes prior to the race, a rainstorm came through and soaked the track. There were a lot of puddles and standing water, which deemed it a rain race even though it wasn’t actually raining at the start.
As the green flag flew, both drivers again made steady progress forward. They had another exciting race, using great racecraft skills to move up through the field. With 10 minutes left, Pat was third and Ashton was 12th. I think I’d rather have been driving because of the anxiety I was feeling just being on the radio, looking forward to their best finishes in the series! I don’t even get that nervous when I’m the one in the car!
With just minutes remaining, though, Pat had an electrical gremlin from the earlier engine problem, and he had to retire. With two laps left, Ashton was drafting down the front straight, and minor contact with another car into turn one caused suspension damage, which sidelined her while running 11th. It’s the first series race she hasn’t finished, including all of last season.
Although the results were very disappointing after having such strong efforts, the good news is that the team doesn’t have to wait too long to try again, since rounds five and six of the Battery Tender Mazda Global MX-5 Cup Series is at Road America this coming weekend with IndyCar. We’re hoping to take all of that momentum and incredible racecraft and turn it into the deserving results that they should have had at Indy.
An incredible view and spotters/coaching vantage point from above the Pagoda tower across from start/finish. You can even see downtown!