We had a thrilling weekend at Portland International Raceway last month to wrap up the 2024 USF Pro Championships race season! First, I would like to mention that Portland was only possible due to the ongoing support from the Team USA Scholarship. While it is not unprecedented for the program to continue helping their drivers beyond the initial year, I’m particularly grateful that the scholarship came to my rescue in terms of being able to complete the season and build toward a full attack on the USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire championship in 2025.
The weekend effectively began with the Grand Prix of Portland Kickoff Party on Wednesday evening in downtown Portland. I met several race fans and became reacquainted with some I had seen the year before, sharing my experiences of what the track was like. Some even became new fans of mine, and kept up with me throughout the weekend.
Thursday, our VRD Racing team showed promising pace during two test sessions and consistently found ourselves in the top five. This set the stage for Friday morning, where official practice started on a wet but drying track. We demonstrated our speed yet again, topping the charts as the quickest car on track.
Qualifying was another highlight of my weekend. My best lap time was seven hundredths off the fastest, which was good enough for second on the grid for the first of three races that would make up the weekend. Even better, the Race Two lineup was determined by each driver’s second-fastest lap from the solitary qualifying session, and because mine was the fastest, I would line up on pole for Race Two.
The first race introduced a new set of challenges. As we lined up on the grid, ominous weather rolled in and it soon began to rain, leading to increasingly treacherous conditions. The track became progressively wetter, making visibility a nightmare when stuck behind other cars.
I had taken the lead of the race as we rolled into Turn 1, but got caught out on the rubber, pushing me wide and forcing me to take the escape route. This necessitated a drive-through penalty, but I managed to regroup and claw my way back into the top 10.
I led race two from the start before losing out to the eventual series champion, Max Garcia. I fought hard throughout the race and ultimately secured a podium finish with a solid third place. To top it off, I set the fastest lap of the weekend, ensuring I would also start the final race from pole position.
Race three on Saturday afternoon was chaotic to say the least. I managed to finish fourth despite substantial front wing damage. It was a grueling challenge, but it was a testament to our resilience.
My focus on Sunday switched to another incredible opportunity — shadowing Bryan Herta and the Andretti crew for the entire race day. It began with a warm welcome at the Andretti Hospitality tent. Bryan introduced me to a variety of influential figures, including the iconic Michael Andretti and the charismatic James Hinchcliffe.
Bryan then took me behind the scenes of the team’s operations and strategy, sharing his insights on fuel percentages and race strategies. I was amazed by the preparation and analysis that goes into each race, including the different strategies tried from years before. Not only was Bryan on top of the team’s strategy, but the strategy of multiple cars behind. This ensured no one could undercut fellow Team USA Scholarship winner Kyle Kirkwood, during the race.
I was allowed to sit in on two pre race meetings. The first meeting was specifically for the No. 27 team, where they formulated their strategy and various backup plans for the race. The second meeting comprised the entire Andretti team, where they discussed each of their strategies.
Next, I took advantage of another connection that had been set up for me by making my way to the Team Penske hauler to connect with Josef Newgarden’s father, Joey. He provided encouragement and invaluable advice as I progress through my career in racing.
Once race time arrived, I was thrilled to be set up at the timing stand with a team radio. The race gave me a front-row seat to the intricacies of decision-making in real-time. Bryan’s expertise shone as he communicated with Kyle, managing strategies to maintain race positions. Even with an unfortunate penalty for the team, the experience was unforgettable. I gleaned so much from the meticulous planning regarding fuel strategies and race tactics.
As the race weekend wrapped up, I shifted gears to catch up with my teammates at VRD Racing for the USF Pro Championships banquet on Sunday evening. We celebrated our achievements from the season – including a USF Juniors championship for one of the team’s drivers, Max Taylor.
I am filled with gratitude when I look back on this incredible weekend. I want to give a massive shout-out and thank you to the Team USA Scholarship, Jeremy Shaw, Josef and Joey Newgarden, Bryan Herta, AERO Sustainable Material Technology, the Road Racing Drivers Club’s SAFEisFAST.com program, Doug Mockett & Company, Andy Lally, Robin Esterson, Chip Ganassi Racing, The Stellrecht Company and Jeff MacPherson. These supporters got me back on the racetrack to end my 2024 season on a great note, and also provided opportunities off-track to better prepare myself for the upcoming race season.
I also want to thank my unwavering supporters, Airport Electric Service and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati.
My goal moving forward is to stay sharp behind the wheel, as I’m anticipating a full season 2025 campaign in USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire. I will carry the lessons learned and the connections formed at Portland with me. I can’t wait to see what the future holds, and I look forward to sharing the next chapter of my racing journey with you all.