DRAMATIC WIN FOR FROST & T3M AT ROAD AMERICA
Elkhart Lake, Wis. – In an unbelievable drive from the back of the grid, Danial Frost won the opening round of the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires at Road America Friday.
Frost set the pace with the fastest practice time on Thursday and solidified his speed by qualifying on pole by 0.3 seconds. Unfortunately, a technical oversight nullified his lap time, and he was placed at the back of the field to start the first race.
Knowing his No. 68 DEN-JET car was fast, the 18-year-old made it his mission to fight back to the front, and by lap two, he had already flown up to fourth position. As the laps ticked by, Frost pushed on, and on a last lap shootout, he overtook Devlin DeFrancesco just before the checkers in a thrilling side-by-side victory.
Coming into qualifying, we managed to get the car on pole, but with some technical difficulties, we were sent to the back of pack for the first race. In Race 1, we knew we had to charge ahead and take some risks, and we were rewarded with first place which I am very excited and happy about.
– Danial Frost
Frost started second for Race 2 and finished the final stint of the weekend with another podium finish in third place, putting him six points ahead in the driver’s championship. Later that day and into the morning, multiple rainstorms hit the Wisconsin track, creating damp conditions for qualifying, but that did not deter the determined spirit of Frost.
We started second for Race 2, and it didn’t really go as planned, but we still pulled off a podium,” continued Frost. “There was one mistake I made that caused me to lose a spot, so I’m a little disappointed about that, but it is what it is, and racing is a long, long sport so you have to focus on the big picture instead. That being said, I’m really happy that we got a first and third this weekend, and I think we are in a pretty good shape for the championship. We have a six point lead right now, and we are on the right path for the rest of the year. I’m super proud of the team and myself for what we accomplished this weekend. We will keep pushing, and hopefully we can repeat this result at Mid-Ohio next.
– Danial Frost
Through the highs and lows of the weekend, Turn 3 Motorsport persevered with focus and intent, and the team is contently lying second in the team standings after the opening round of the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Championship.
I’m extremely proud of what we achieved as a team in our first race weekend of the season. Expanding to two cars meant we had to grow as a team, and I really feel we have a great group of people working with us and also two great drivers. Danial did an outstanding job, and we started off this season very strongly.
– Peter Dempsey – Team Owner, Turn3 Motorsport
Turn3 Motorsport was estatic at the way the race was turned around in light of the nullification of Frost’s qualifying results, and the entire crew had good reason to celebrate after witnessing quite the spectacle.
Unfortunately, after Danial did a phenomenal lap in qualifying, we had a technical oversight that sent him to the back of the grid. I’ve been part of the Road to Indy for 12 years now, and his drive in the first race was one of the best I’ve seen. He really redeemed himself and the team after qualifying. He did a solid job in the second race, too, and I’m very impressed with how he managed that race. A special thanks to all the crew and the team for making the weekend as successful as it was. Now we turn our focus to preparing for Mid-Ohio.
– Peter Dempsey
Up next on the schedule are back to back race weekends at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course July 29-30 and August 7-9.
Turn 3 Motorsport is a full service operation specializing in racecar preparation, engineering, and driver development. Founded and managed by racecar driver and coach Peter Dempsey, T3M is focused on professional service, team member growth, and high level performance across multiple racing series.
Peter Dempsey is an Irish racecar driver, engineer, and driver development leader with a lifetime of motorsport experience. Peter’s racing record includes nine wins in the Pro Mazda (formerly Star Mazda) Championship series and a title of Vice Champion, an Indy Lights series win that was one of the most exciting finishes in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and being one of only two drivers to win the prestigious Walter Hayes Trophy three times. In addition to his own racing resume, Peter has enjoyed mentoring and coaching many young drivers to reach their full potential as they climb the motorsports ladder.