F1000 Pro Racing took to the 13 turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Rounds 3 & 4 of the 2021 Championship and once again provided phenomenal wheel to wheel racing. Not only offering great racing, Mid-Ohio offered the first of many F1000 Live Stream weekends bringing practice, qualifying, and races to fans live thanks to support from Kavana Rum and Papa John’s Pizza. With expert analysis in the booth from Drivers Eye Live, motorsports fans will continue to be treated to the greatest sounds in motorsports live all season long.
Following Friday practice, drivers and teams gathered in Right Turn Hospitality for the traditional Random Drawing Awards and Dinner Social. With authentic Italian gravy and sauces provided by Gumbas – drivers were treated to another meal prepared by Right Turn Promotions, this week offering Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli in a Vodka sauce, Penne with Meatballs in classic Italian gravy, Sausage & Peppers, Grilled Chicken, Salad, and Tiramisu.
The Random Awards kicked off with cash and prizes from series sponsors including the EPCusa.com Tow Fund providing drivers with $150 cash … just for showing up at the track. Congratulations to all the winners from Friday night, and thank you to series partners for your continued support of F1000 Pro Racing
When it came time for Round 3 qualifying, Alex Mayer ended the session on top with the MPT Industries Pole Award, however it was a battle all session – with Nicho Vardis less than 2 tenths behind when time ran out ahead of Shane Prieto and Reilly Harris close behind.
Taking the green flag on Saturday afternoon Mayer jumped out to the lead. Lap after lap Harris would hang on to the rear of Vardis, – although would be caught by a determined Shane Prieto. Prieto continued his move forward getting by Vardis… for a few laps. With an amazing slide job into turn 4 on Prieto, Vardis earned the MIR Raceline Move of the Weekend to secure p2 in Round 3. Coming from last in his back up car, Steve Hamilton would earn another Sunoco Hard Charger, with not only valuable points but a 5 gallon can of Sunoco GT Racing Fuel.
Round 3 Race Reults
| 1. | Alex Mayer | JDR | Technotecs | Mayer Motorsports |
| 2. | Nicho Vardis | JDR | Vardis Motorsports | |
| 3. | Shane Prieto | Firman | Perspective Glass Co. | Prieto Performance |
| 4. | Reilly Harris | Van Diemen | Mantac LLC | Mantac Motorsports |
| 5. | Tim Pierce | JDR | Waterfall Security Solutions | Area 81 Racing |
| 6. | Steve Hamilton | JDR | CSI Leasing / EPCusa.com | Hamilton Motorsports |
| 7. | John Wilhelmi – R | Firman | Papa John’s Pizza | Mantac Motorsports |
| 8. | Doug Hertz | Firman | Sunrise Solar Solutions | Momentum Motorsports |
Sunday Qualifying would see Nicho Vardis take the MPT Industries Pole Award ahead of Mayer by once again just a few tenths. Second row looked a familiar Prieto – Harris, while row three would be a first time driver in F1000 – with Tommy Cadwalder taking p5 in his first ever laps alongside Tim Pierce. Rounding out qualifying would be John Wilhelmi and Steve Hamilton.
When the green flew on Round 4, Vardis was immediately swamped by Mayer, Harris, and Prieto. With two immediate groups forming on track – the lead pack was Mayer, Harris, Prieto, and Vardis; followed a few seconds back by Cadwalder, Pierce, Wilhelmi, and Hamilton.
Sliding off track going into turn 9, Nicho Vardis dropped out of the running with a brief trip to pit lane to clear rocks out of the sidepods – leaving a 3 way battle for the win. In an absolute lock up – slide job – almost crash moment, Shane Prieto went inside turn 2 on Harris to take the second spot and set his sights on Mayer.
In the second pack it was a great battle with Pierce and Cadwalder for P4 – in the end the first time driver Tommy Cadwalder said “I might have had a chance to fight with Tim, but being my first day I decided I’d follow him and learn.” With 4th place, Pierce earned the Round 4 Sunoco Hard Charger Award and valuable points in his annual championship battle with Hamilton.
Setting up for a final lap battle as Prieto reeled in Mayer – the excitement was coming, only to end prematurely with a safety car for a disable Atlantic car on the back straight.
ROUND 4 RACE RESULTS
| 1. | Alex Mayer | JDR | Technotecs | Mayer Motorsports |
| 2. | Shane Prieto | Firman | Perspective Glass Co. | Prieto Performance |
| 3. | Reilly Harris | Van Diemen | Mantac LLC | Mantac Motorsports |
| 4. | Tim Pierce | JDR | Waterfall Security Solutions | Area 81 Racing |
| 5. | Tommy Cadwalder -R | JDR | Arrive Drive Motorsports | |
| 6. | Steve Hamilton | JDR | CSI Leasing / EPCusa.com | Hamilton Motorsports |
| 7. | John Wilhelmi – R | Firman | Papa John’s Pizza | Mantac Motorsports |
| 8. | Nicho Vardis | JDR | Vardis Motorsports |
Congratulations to all the drivers and teams for a great weekend of F1000 Pro Racing from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Check OUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS BATTLE HERE
Next up for F1000 – Barber Motorsports Park – May 21-23 Don’t Forget to watch LIVE!
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