Oconomowoc, Wis. - Pabst Racing departed Indianapolis with mixed emotions after seeing both positive results and some bad luck during the Indy GP weekend, May 6-8. After beginning the 2015 USF2000 Cooper Tires Championship Powered By Mazda season with two wins at the St. Petersburg GP, the team has been on the podium each weekend. They hope to find their way back to the top spot as they head into round nine at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Indiana on May 23.
An unfortunate incident in race one wasn't the start Pabst Racing driver Yufeng Luo had hoped for, but he persevered to earn a season-high fifth place finish in race two after qualifying fourth.
"It was unfortunate for us to be involved in the turn one incident at the start of race one but a bounce back to 'P5' during race two is not bad." Said Luo when asked about his Indianapolis GP weekend.
Jake Eidson saw the podium again in race one, but suffered some bad luck in race two.
"During the first race there was a lot of drama as I was able to fight my way to the lead with one lap to go but couldn't keep it in turn one and had to settle for second." Said Eidson. "In race two there was contact on the start and I had to come in for a new front wing which pushed me to the back of the field finishing 12th."
Fortunately for Pabst Racing, a new weekend is quickly approaching and the team looks forward to taking part in the lone oval race of the 2015 USF2000 Cooper Tires Championship Powered By Mazda. The race at Lucas Oil Raceway Park will be Luo's first oval race and Eidson will be returning for a second time.
"Lucas Oil Raceway should be really interesting." Said Luo. "I've never driven an oval before so I'm sure it will be a great new learning experience for me!"
Team owner Augie Pabst is looking forward to getting back to the race track and is optimistic about the team's outlook.
"We have a strong oval set-up and with a little luck, we plan to gain back some valuable championship points this coming weekend. I think our drivers are both capable of top podium spots at Lucas Oil Raceway" said Pabst.
The team will take part in a series test day on Thursday May 21 at Lucas Oil Raceway and the race will be a single day event with practice, qualifications and the Freedom 75 USF2000 race on Saturday, May 23. The event, formerly known as "The Night Before the 500" will also feature the Mazda Road to Indy Pro Mazda Championship Presented By Cooper Tires and the USAC Silver Crown Series.
On Wednesday May 20, the drives will take part in the annual Mazda Road To Indy (MRTI) Summit and Oval Clinic which supports drivers in their on and off track development.
Full Indianapolis GP Results:
Jake Eidson:
Quals - P3
Race 1 - P2
Race 2 - P12
Yufeng Luo:
Quals - P4
Race 1 - P17
Race 2 - P5
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About Pabst Racing
Pabst Racing has been preparing winning racecars since 1983. The Pabst team was started by Augie Pabst Jr., former sports car racing legend from the 1950s and early 1960s who won many races and championships throughout his career. Current President Augie Pabst III (former driver as well), took over the business in 1991. By 1998 Augie III decided to focus on owning and maintaining a wide variety of winning racecars including SCCA Spec Racer, Shelby Can-Am, 911 Porsche, Ford Mustang GT-1 and primarily Van Diemen Formula 2000 cars. For more information please visitwww.PabstRacing.com