Skip Barber Race Series heads to COTA

As its graduates prepare for the 108th running of the Indianapolis, the next generation of champions in the 2024 Skip Barber Race Series will visit Circuit of the Americas to continue their training and development with the guidance of the Skip Barber Racing School.

With a pair of races ahead of them, the talented grid will still have time on Sunday afternoon to watch their Skip Barber Race Series predecessors Josef Newgarden, Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Conor Daly, and more contend for the Borg-Warner trophy.

Entering Circuit of the Americas, the Skip Barber Race Series points leader will be Dean Lambros but his lead was slashed to just 6 points following Ryan Giannetta’s maiden win in Race 2 at NOLA Motorsports Park. Off the back of that win, Giannetta has been working on maximizing his approach into corners and braking zones.

“I want to be a bit more assertive in my driving style,” Giannetta said. “Not so much in passing other cars but in general like attacking corners a bit more.”

Many drivers in the field, such as Jack Mohrhardt and Alan Orzynski have spent the break in between NOLA and COTA on the simulator to improve their race craft.

“I’m feeling very confident for Circuit of the Americas,” Mohrhardt said. “I have gained a lot of confidence after NOLA where I had my best career finish of 6th. I have spent lots of time practicing on my simulator and I’m hoping I can translate it to a top-five finish this weekend.”

Caleb Campbell was one of several drivers to score their best finish at NOLA Motorsports Park. His maiden podium vaulted him into the top five of the standings. Campbell made his Skip Barber Race Series debut at COTA last season and finished in the top ten of the season finale.

Thomas Nordquist also put his first piece of Skip Barber Race Series hardware on the mantle with a podium at NOLA. Nordquist’s first taste of the Skip Barber Formula Car was a Three-Day Racing School at COTA in November of 2023, and he is fresh off a slate of Advanced Coaching Days with Skip Barber Racing Schools instructors. Those factors should leave the Nebraskan feeling confident as he heads to Texas.

Now in his second season with the Skip Barber Race Series, Lincoln Day will arrive at Circuit of the Americas as one of the few drivers with prior experience racing at Circuit of the Americas. He will be one driver to keep an eye on over the weekend.

In contrast to Day, Ethan Booher will make his Skip Barber Race Series debut. Ahead of this weekend, Booher has taken advantage of the full range of Skip Barber Racing School offerings including the Three-Day Racing School, the Two-Day Advanced Racing School, and Advanced Coaching. Previously featured on eKartingNews’ One to Watch series, the decorated karting driver will certainly be a contender for the remainder of the season.

Normally competitors on the track, two drivers, Talley Fare and Griffin Yellin, recently shared a seat as the two competed in an eight-hour karting race at Atlanta Motorsports Park. The pair scored a top-ten finish together.

With a podium at NOLA Motorsports Park, Andretti Autosports Junior Development Driver Oliver Wheldon sits fourth in the Skip Barber Race Series standings. His first experience in the Skip Barber Formula Car came at Circuit of the Americas last year where he trained alongside his older brother, 2023 Skip Barber Race Series champion Sebastian Wheldon.

The Master’s Class duo of twin brothers Rob and Thomas Tarlton will return to action. Thus far, it’s been Thomas who has gotten the better of Rob, but it was Rob who beat his brother in both races at COTA last season.