SALINAS, Calif. - Danilo Estrela came into the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda Allied Building Products Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca hopeful from previous success. However, his hope would soon turn to disappointment. During testing on the first day of the event, Estrela posted his quickest lap time during Session 3 at 1:27.874 which put him in the P13 spot in the #11 Belardi Auto Racing USF2000 car. 

A practice session opened up day two at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The combination of cold tires and a technical track led to several red flags during the one hour session. Estrela would, unfortunately, be the cause of a red flag around the 40-minute mark. He would end the session in P13 with a best lap time of 1:27.874. There was a short break for the drivers before they had to return to the track for qualifying. With a quick red flag during the session, Estrela was able to post a fast lap time of 1:27.447 placing him in P12. Race 1 was probably the biggest disappointment of the weekend for Estrela. Shortly after the green flag flew, he and a teammate had contact with a competitor sending them both into the wall and ending their races.

The following day brought an hour long fog delay due to the infamous morning cover at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for Race 2. However once the race began, Estrela was determined to make up for the lack of success he had the previous day. He got an early jump on the field but could only overtake two competitors. He was able to hold this spot through the race finishing in P15. Estrela learned a lot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend with his racecraft and engineering. He is very optimistic about the final rounds of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in Houston on October 5-6.

"The race was getting really good because we struggled with setup during the early part of the week and then the car really came a long way. It was really, really strong, and I was way quicker than a lot of drivers. I was running seventh or eighth. I passed another car but then he was on the outside and we were three wide with another car and I was hit. It happens sometimes and I can't blame anyone, but we'll be better."

For More Information on Danilo Estrela, follow him on Twitter @daniloestrela12, and like him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/daniloestrela12.