After a trio of test sessions on Thursday, Friday was another jam-packed day with practice, qualifying, and the weekend’s first race for the Radical Cup North America finale.
Ready to attack the Sonoma Raceway for the final three races of 2024, teams and competitors could fine-tune their machinery in the morning before the ever-important qualifying session set the grid for race one. When the checkered flag finally flew, Michai Stephens, Jordan Missig, and Chris McMurry topped the podium to start their weekend with victories.
“Another outstanding race, especially for Missig,” explained Radical Cup’s Tom Drewer. “To knuckle down like he did after switching cars and come out on top shows true grit. McMurry is now almost level in points with Almeida, who has some pace to find, and Stephens showed his class. Amazingly we enter the final day with all championships still up for grabs.”
Platinum Qualifying
Michai Stephens – 1:39.979
Jon Field – 1:37.804
Clint Field – 1:38.027
Louis Schriber – 1:38.239
Gregg Gorski – 1:38.278
Race #1
It has been Michai Stephens’ weekend so far in Sonoma as he piloted his RYNO Racing with Team Stradale entry to a race win from his pole position starting spot.
Turning the fastest race lap nearly two seconds quicker than his closest competitor, Stephens won by nearly 30 seconds over championship protagonist One Motorsports driver Jon Field. Field has been a fixture at the front of the pack throughout 2024 and will look to close his championship on a high in the final event weekend.
Behind Field, Group-A Racing’s Steve Jenks impressed with second place upon his return to the high-horsepower class, beating EVR Motorsports’ Louis Schriber and Esses Racing’s Wayne Williams to the podium.
Pro 1500 Qualifying
Nicholas d’Orlando – 1:38.959
Evan Slater – 1:39.019
Jordan Missig – 1:39.145
Matt Romer – 1;40.085
Corey Neveau – 1:40.383
Race #1
Continuing the fairy tale weekend that started with drama on Thursday and ended Friday with glory, Jordan Missig went from being on fire and fearing his championship hopes were dashed to scoring another Pro 1500 race win.
Missig piloted a new chassis, supplied by Radical Northwest, and hastily prepared by Graham Rahal Performance, to the race win. This extended his point lead with two races remaining. Fellow Graham Rahal Performance teammate and championship rival Nicholas d’Orlando finished second and celebrated on the second step of the podium keeping his championship hopes alive, with Evan Slater finishing third, keeping his title chances alive.
Finishing fourth and fifth on track, Matt Romer crossed the line fourth as Corey Neveau was fifth but led the Gold class on the results sheet. The Sunoco Hard Charger of the Race Award went to Spencer Schmidt, who changed an engine after qualifying, started at the tail of the field and drove his way forward.
Finishing seventh in class and 15th overall, Schmidt drove like a seasoned veteran, climbing his way up the results sheet and salvaging a solid result in the first wheel-to-wheel action of the weekend.
Pro 1340 Qualifying
Anders Fjordbach – 1:40.528
Matt McMurry – 1:40.814
Chris McMurry – 1:41.865
Suellio Almeida – 1:42.173
Benjamin Blander – 1:42.491
Race #1
A newcomer to the Radical Cup North America program but fast in whatever he races, Anders Fjordbach (Crown Racing) earned his first career series podium in his first series event.
Despite qualifying on the pole position, Fjordbach fell behind the McMurry duo of Matt and Chris McMurry (Crown Racing). Chris, who closed his championship point deficit to just two points with his victory, had a classic McMurry start picking off seven or eight cars and put them in maintenance mode from there. Driving to the win and a Crown Racing podium sweep, both the team championship and driver championship are all to play for in races two and three.
Graham Rahal Performance driver Suellio Almeida salvaged fourth to remain in command of the championship ahead of Mike Anzaldi (RYNO Racing with Team Stradale) in fifth.
With the final two wheel-to-wheel races of the season taking place on Saturday, champions will be crowned on Saturday evening during the annual awards banquet. Follow along all weekend through the Radical Motorsport YouTube page and Livestream HERE.
Radical Cup North America events are open to local and regional Radical racers of all ages with eligible cars to participate. More information, including links to register for events and obtain licensing, can be found at www.radicalmotorsport.com. Stay tuned to the Radical Cup social media pages for the latest series news and updates.