July 7th, 2024
Podium Finish at Challenging Mid-Ohio Round
Ariel Elkin continued his impressive 2024 USF Juniors Championship campaign with a well-earned podium at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, despite difficult conditions as Ariel and the team were struggling to adapt to the newly-paved asphalt. Ariel remained focused on making the most of the situation.
In Qualifying, Ariel delivered a strong performance, securing P2 for Race 1 and P5 for Race 2 out of 23 drivers.
Race 1 presented an additional challenge as the track began to dry after rain. With the unpredictable conditions, Ariel’s team made a late call for a tire change to dry tires, causing him to rejoin the race at the back of the pack. Despite this setback, Ariel showcased his skill by overtaking more than 10 cars and finishing in 8th place.
In Race 2, starting from 5th, Ariel extracted everything from the car and, in a thrilling last-lap maneuver, overtook for 3rd place, securing another podium finish. Ariel and the team were delighted with the result, considering the difficulties they faced over the weekend.
Adding to the special nature of the event, Ariel was happy to meet and host several Jewish and Israeli families who had been following his season and came to support him in person at the track.
Ariel now stands 3rd in the championship standings out of 30 competitors, with two race weekends remaining in the season. The team looks forward to building on this momentum in the upcoming rounds.