LOVELAND, Ohio – Evagoras Papasavvas took full advantage of his prior USF2000 Presented by Cooper Tires experience with the Jay Howard Driver Development team on the 1.786-mile, 11-turn temporary circuit in Toronto, claiming two front row starts, including a pole position, while adding a pair of top-10 results after overcoming some adversity in both wheel-to-wheel races.
With only one practice on Friday morning, Papasavvas utilized the momentum that was on his side by flexing his muscles in the first qualifying session and driving to the pole position for race one as he dominated to take the top spot by nearly three-tenths of a second. The Ohio resident continued his front-of-the-field presence when he returned to the track for a second qualifying session on Saturday morning by clocking the second fastest lap to add another front-row starting spot.
“Awesome start here in Toronto,” said Papasavvas. “To be the quickest driver in practice, earn the pole position for race one and a front row starting spot for race two is incredible. I hope I can convert the pace we have shown into some podium results or a race win both this afternoon and tomorrow.”
With rain moving into the area that halted the USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires race to allow competitors to switch to wet-weather Cooper tires, the USF2000 drivers were next on the schedule and began the changeover prior to the start of their 20-lap race. The JHDD crew went to work to provide Papasavvas with the best possible car, despite limited time to put a wet weather setup on the car as the rain intensified. After taking the green from the pole position, Papasavvas lost the lead on the initial start just before the caution flags flew. With the track already beginning to dry, several rivals dived for the pits to switch back to slick tires, but Papasavvas and JHDD made the decision to stay on track. The #6 car maintained its position as the green flag flew, although it soon became obvious that the dry-weather tires were going to provide a huge advantage as the race wore on.
Papasavvas continued, “The yellow flag came out again and we made the decision to come to the pit lane to change tires. We lost a lot of track position to the drivers that had changed earlier, but it was the right call. Unfortunately, late in the race while running third I was involved in minor contact that damaged my front wing. With little downforce and struggling under braking, I was not able to maintain my position and eventually finished sixth. Back at it tomorrow.”
Overnight rain ensured a fully wet track for race two on Sunday morning, which meant the entire field started on wet-weather Cooper tires. The initial start was waved off due to a car spinning on the formation lap, but when the race did go green, Papasavvas tried to take the lead in Turn One. Attempting to go wide and around current championship point leader Simon Sikes, Papasavvas unfortunately locked his car's brakes after the tires made contact with a painted surface on the track, causing him to slide off into the runoff. Undeterred, Papasavvas rocketed his way up the running order. Papasavvas took advantage of some trouble in front of him but also showed poise and speed as he made his way through to seventh position by the finish.
Next up will be a trip to the West Coast for the final event of the 2023 season, a triple-header event at the Portland International Raceway, Ore., where Papasavvas and the Jay Howard Driver Development team will look to finish the season strong over the weekend of August 31 to September 3.