With only one more race weekend left, my 2024 racing season has been very successful. I was able to secure the 2024 Formula Pro USA Western Championship in Formula 4 and add 4 more race wins to my resume in the past 4 races. In rounds 7-8 of the championship at Laguna Seca, I started off with good pace. I was fastest in all 3 practice sessions and had confidence going into the races on Saturday and Sunday.
Unfortunately, I missed pole position on Saturday and started P2 in the race. I knew that I would have to make a move early to control the race. When the green flag was thrown, I faked outside going into turn one and switched to the inside at the last second, driving all the way to the white line on the inside of the track. Braking late, I was able to take the lead and would not relinquish it for the rest of the race. I was able to take the win by a margin of almost 6 seconds while taking the fastest lap in the process. Sunday was a very similar story, qualifying p2 again after being held up by a slower car on my best lap. At the start of the race, I tucked in behind first, waiting for the right opportunity to make my move. On lap 5, I broke late and sent it around the outside in turn 2, and was able to take the lead. I put my head down and focused forward, and even though there was contact in front of me between drivers in a different class, I was able to pull away. By lap 15, I had built up a 6-second lead, and I took the win and broke the track record to cap off the weekend. It was one of the best weekends I have ever had in racing, and I’m so happy with how it turned out.
I was able to get in some testing at Sonoma before rounds 9-10 of the championship, and it helped me greatly. I was able to sweep the weekend, taking 2 poles, 2 wins, breaking the track record for Formula 4, AND sealing the 2024 Formula Pro USA Western Championship.This weekend was particularly special since it was so close to home, and I’m very grateful for all of the friends and family who came to support me!
Off track, I was a featured guest of the annual Orinda Classic Car Show. I met with local car enthusiasts and fans, handed out signed hero cards, and World Speed was nice enough to let kids sit in the car. We made a lot of them very happy! Coming up is the Formula Pro USA Western Championship finale at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on November 16th and 17th. Even though we’ve already wrapped up the title, World Speed and I will continue to push in order to do the best we can to end off the season. As always, I’d like to thank my mom and dad for always supporting me, Jan, Telo, Mark, Brian, and everyone at World Speed Motorsports for all of their hard work, Steve Brisentine, VMB Driver Development, Andy Brown, Chegg, Molecule, Goodyear Tires, Madpak Products, Exclusive Racing, Casa Burrito, and Harris Group Inc. for all of their support, and God for always watching over me and guiding my life.