LEXINGTON, Ohio — Jay Howard Driver Development’s Liam McNeilly was not to be denied Saturday in the second USF Juniors Presented by Continental Tire race, which concluded the weekend’s Tatuus Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio. McNeilly led from start to finish in the 20-lap race, closing to within nine points of yesterday’s winner Max Taylor (VRD Racing), who still holds the upper hand as they tussle for a scholarship valued at $263,700 to graduate onto the next step of the USF Pro Championships driver development ladder, USF2000, in 2025.
Bruno Ribeiro (DEForce Racing), and Ariel Elkin (InterMS) both battled past early season points leader Sebastian Wheldon (VRD Racing) on the final lap to complete the podium.
For the second successive day, McNeilly started at the front of the field, earning his fourth Continental Tire Pole award by virtue of posting the fastest second-best lap of the field during the lone qualifying session on Friday.
The weather conditions today were markedly different from race one, with a dry track, comfortable temperature and minimal humidity ensuring almost perfect racing conditions.
After an early caution due to an incident in turn five, McNeilly took off into the lead and soon built a small margin over Ribeiro, who in turn came under increasing pressure from Wheldon. The InterMS pair of Elkin and Augusto Soto-Schirripa also remained firmly in contention
Wheldon successfully made a move on Ribeiro for second place on the ninth lap, then immediately closed down the leader and began to pile on the pressure heading into the final stages.
A late caution period due to an incident farther down the field set the stage for a one-lap dash to the checkers. Wheldon sought to challenge McNeilly for the lead under braking for the keyhole, turn two, but the attempt cost him some momentum and allowed Ribeiro to slip past into second place and his maiden podium finish. Elkin also took advantage by moving into third at turn six to leave Wheldon a frustrated fourth at the finish.
The consolation for Wheldon was a new race lap record, which also brought a welcome championship point, along with the knowledge he finished one place ahead of Taylor to gain a few more potentially vital championship points. Wheldon is now tied with Elkin for third, 25 points adrift of Taylor with six races still remaining.
DEForce Driver Development’s Patricio Gonzalez secured his first Tilton hard charger award by virtue of rising from 18th on the grid to 12th at the finish.
Jay Howard pocketed the PFC award as the winning car owner.