The 2024 Radical Cup North America season officially kicked off Friday at the bumpy and challenging Sebring International Raceway as more than 30 racers hit the track to start a new season. Runoffs winner Chip Romer instantly impressed, Rahal set the new standard with d’Orlando and Missig, and 14-year-old Mayer Deonarine shined in his debut. With the debut of new teams, the efforts of a few teams joining together, and new and returning drivers, the two practice sessions today gave a sneak peek at what is coming this weekend.
Leading the first of two practice sessions was former American LeMans Series and ONE Motorsports driver Jon Field, followed by another Field in Clint Field (ONE Motorsports) as the father and son duo controlled the pace. Behind them, it was SCCA Runoffs winner Romer (ONE Motorsports) in third whose son, Matt, is also competing in the Pro 1500 class, Wayne Williams (ESSES Racing) in fourth, and David Alban (WISKO Racing) who had the pace to solidify himself in the top five. Romer got the best of the Fields in practice two topping the charts in both the Platinum class and overall, with a monster lap. Jon Field led Clint Field for P2 and P3 on the results sheet with 2023 race winner Louis Schriber (WISKO Racing) in fourth, ahead of Platinum class rookie and 2023 Pro 1500 victor Gregg Gorski (WISKO Racing).
The series’ newest team, Graham Rahal Performance (GRP), led the Pro 1500 category as former USF Pro 2000 driver Jordan Missig led Nicholas d’Orlando in a GRP 1-2 result. RySpec Racing’s Danny Dyszelski, who had an uncharacteristic crash to end Thursday’s test session, rebounded Friday morning to finish third as Group-A Racing’s Jack Yang slotted himself just ahead of Cameron Racing with Radical Northwest competitor Evan Slater. D’Orlando bested the rest of the Pro 1500 drivers in practice two as he clocked a lap time that put him just over 0.3s quicker than 2023 vice-champion Dyszelski. Yang remained consistent and in the top five with a drive to P3 on the time sheets with the fastest driver from practice one, Jordan Missig in fourth, narrowly outpacing Slater.
Crown Racing with Apex dominated the Pro 1340 class as multi-time race winner Chris McMurry led teammate Seth Bacon. Sim racer and YouTuber turned road racer Suellio Almeida (RySpec Racing) clocked the third fastest lap of the session with Ben Blander (RYNO with Team Stradale) and Douglas George (RySpec Racing) rounding out the top five. McMurry was only able to complete a few laps in practice two opening the door for Bacon to earn the quickest lap of the session and build some momentum heading into a busy Saturday. Almeida slotted into the second position ahead of 14-year-old Mayer Deonarine (RySpec Racing), Ben Blander, and Brad Sutika (G-Tech Motorsports).
Notes:
- This weekend marks the first Radical Cup event for both Romers with Chip in the Platinum class and Matt in Pro 1500. This weekend is only the second time that Chip has been in the car and looked good pacing practice two. Beginning racing in his 40s with karting, Chip immediately entered the Platinum ranks based on his previous race experience. Matt Romer is 27 years old and has come from SCCA FE a couple of years ago as he looks for success in sportscars.
- Danny Dyszelski had an uncharacteristic crash at the end of Thursday but his RySpec Racing crew was able to get his car back together and near the top of the charts today.
- The much-anticipated debut of the Graham Rahal Performance team is happening this weekend with three drivers including Jordan Missig and Nicolas d’Orlando, who took turns at the top of the Pro 1500 results.
- Mayer Deonarine becomes the youngest Radical North America driver ever today by entering the weekend at just 14 years old.
Be sure to tune into the Radical Motorsport YouTube page to follow along and watch the Live Stream for qualifying and three wheel-to-wheel races this weekend.
Weekend Schedule – HERE
Live Stream – HERE
2024 Radical Cup North America Schedule:
Rd 1: March 1-3 // Sebring International Raceway // USAC
Rd 2: April 26-28 // Barber Motorsports Park // INDYCAR
Rd 3: June 6-9 // Road America // INDYCAR
Rd 4: June 21-23 // WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca // INDYCAR
Rd 5: July 19-21 // Streets of Toronto // INDYCAR
Rd 6: Sept 26-28 // Sonoma Raceway // USAC
World Finals: November TBC