LEXINGTON, Ohio – The wide-open nature of this year’s Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires was exemplified perfectly at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with some spectacular wheel-to-wheel action over 25-lap contests at the midweek Grand Prix in honor of First Responders. Pre-event points...
July 19, 2020 - Virginia: A fleet of Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda drivers invaded Virginia International Raceway for the third-annual Andy Scriven Memorial Race Weekend July 17-19. Sixteen drivers from eight countries made up the grid for the first triple-header event of the...
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.
“Given the circumstances that postponed the Indy Lights season, and many other events across the world, we as a team were tasked to find a way to keep our Indy Lights drivers fresh in the race car. We see that the FR Americas series and Danial are going to be a great pair and we are excited to see what he can do in Round 1 at Mid-Ohio.”
– J-F Thormann, President, Andretti Autosport.
As Andretti Autosport has a focus of returning to Indy Lights in 2021, the team and Frost will now shift attention on achieving the FR Americas Championship title. Like sports across the world, the FR Americas Championship was affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic but the series remained committed to allowing drivers and teams the opportunity to complete a full season championship.
“I am excited to be taking part in the Formula Regional Americas series this year,” said Frost. “It’s a new car for myself and the team, which will be challenging for both of us. I believe in our capability and am looking forward to what we will be able to do this year.”
– Danial Frost
The FR Americas Championship [previously F3 Americas Championship] is an elite development series focusing on driver progression, talent and growth in open-wheel racing. Built in North America, the FR Americas chassis features a partnership with Honda as the primary engine manufacturer. With the engine manufacturer partnership between FR Americas and Honda, Honda Performance Development [HPD] gives the series’ driver champion an opportunity to receive a scholarship into the following Indy Lights season.
The 2020 FR Americas schedule kicks off June 26-28 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The weekend will consist of three 35-minute races, each preceded by a qualifying session, as well as two 35-minute practice sessions.
For more information, visit Formula Regional Americas.
About FR Americas Championship Powered by Honda
The FR Americas Championship Powered by Honda offers young talent the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on an international platform while keeping affordability and safety as key elements of the program. Having the FR Americas chassis manufactured in the United States by Ligier Automotive, the Honda Civic Type R motor built in Anna, Ohio, and the Hankook tires marketed and distributed out of Nashville, Tennessee, aids in affordability and availability.
Teenager gets two stints for Buriram challenge in the LMP2 category Buriram, Thailand, Sunday, 23 February 2020 – After getting reacquainted with the Chang Buriram International Circuit in Thailand with the practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday, Singapore’s Danial Nielsen Frost made his second race appearance at...
Singaporean teenager takes set for another appearance in the blue riband LMP2 category Buriram, Thailand, Saturday, 22 February 2020 – Following a solid debut in the LMP2 category with the Inter Europol Competition team last weekend in Sepang, Singapore’s Danial Nielsen Frost heads to Thailand’s Chang Buriram...
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Singaporean teenager takes on role as starting driver in qualifying and race Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, 15 February 2020 – After two solid outings at Friday’s practice sessions, Singapore’s Danial Nielsen Frost had the honour of being the designated qualifying driver for the Inter Europol Competition team’s...
Singaporean teenager set for floodlit race in prestigious series. Sepang, Malaysia, Friday, 14 February 2020 – Fresh off the announcement that Singapore’s Danial Nielsen Frost will be joining Andretti Autosport for the much anticipated 2020 season of the American Indy Lights series, the teenager returns for a...
Miami, Florida - Andretti Autosport has expanded its roster with the addition of Danial Neilsen Frost for the 2020 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season. The 18-year-old from Singapore is slated to slide into the No. 68 machine for the championship team. It is with...
SASKATOON, SK (September 30, 2019) – Exclusive Autosport concluded its third year in the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca just a week ago, securing fifth and sixth in the Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires championship standings...
PORTLAND, OR (September 1, 2019) – Exclusive Autosport returned to the flowing road course of Portland International Raceway this past weekend with Danial Frost for Rounds 13 and 14 of the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. The event enjoyed consistent weather throughout...
Indy Pro 2000 rookie overcomes a tough qualifying session to finish in the top-five. MADISON, IL (August 24, 2019) – Exclusive Autosport returned to the high-speed oval at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, IL this past weekend for Round 12 of the Indy Pro 2000...
LEXINGTON, OH (July 28, 2019) – Exclusive Autosport returned to the highly technical Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio this past weekend for Rounds 10 and 11 of the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. The team went into the weekend with confidence, coming off their recent win on the streets of Toronto. Both Nikita Lastochkin and Danial Frost were focused on using the experience they have on the 2.258-mile track to tackle the doubleheader. Frost was taken out in an early-race incident in Race 1, and powered back from the tail of the field after questionable penalty sent him to the back in Race 2. Danial made some incredible passes to finish a stunning sixth.
Mid-Ohio was an interesting weekend. As a team, we topped the overall time sheets during the official test (two weeks ago), and we showed solid pace throughout the weekend. However, luck just did not seem to be on our side this weekend. Both Danial and Nikita worked incredibly hard on and off track and I believe both our drivers had the speed and potential to be on the podium for rounds 10 and 11, but I guess it was just not meant to be. Mirl Swan and the entire crew continue to impress, as the Exclusive Autosport cars are phenomenally prepped. Our sights are now focused on Gateway in a few week’s time.
– Michael Duncalfe, Team Principal, Exclusive Autosport
The event began first thing Friday morning with the one and only official 30-minute practice of the weekend, followed by Qualifying 1 later that afternoon. Both, Nikita and Danial got right to work, setting some fast laps, ultimately timing in sixth and ninth for Race 1.
Saturday’s Indy Pro 2000 action would kick-off with qualifying for Race 2 and both drivers improved their pace, Danial significantly, posting a time to put him on the outside of row one. Nikita would drop his time as well to give him the starting spot on the outside of row four.
The opening race of the weekend would begin late in the afternoon as the sun dropped behind the hills of Lexington. Both drivers moved up within the first three laps, but Frost was pinched by another driver during an overtaking attempt, sending him off the track and into the concrete wall, which caused extensive damage that prevented him to finish the race. Lastochkin fought hard all race long, maintaining hold of the lead pack.
The second race of the doubleheader weekend began the Road to Indy events on Sunday morning, and after the first attempt to start, the race needed to be waved off, race officials deemed that Frost was responsible for the aborted attempt and sent him the back. Believing firmly that this call was an error, the team attempted to protest the decision, but this effort was not heard. Due to the chaos at the start, Nikita was hit from behind by another car, bending the rear suspension, and puncturing his left rear tire, requiring a trip to the pit lane for repair. Thankfully, his suspension was not bent enough to be un-drivable and Nikita was able to catch the rear of the field for the restart and maintain the fight for a better finishing position. Starting from the tail of the field, the two EA drivers would not only battle other drivers in the series, but each other as well. When the dust settled in this highly competitive series, Frost made his way back to sixth, while Lastochkin recovered to finish seventh. Considering all the adversity at the beginning of the race, the team was happy with the results.
It was a really difficult weekend for the team and me. We had the speed to challenge for wins but couldn’t deliver the results. From this, we can only look forward to Gateway and use this as a motivation to perform even better. I would like to thank the team for giving it all throughout the weekend and everyone who was there to support us.
– Danial Frost
In the Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires championship standings, Lastochkin firms up his place in the sixth position, having closed the gap significantly to the fourth and fifth place drivers. After a tough weekend for Frost, he sits fourth place in the championship, but is now 59 points behind the leader. The next stop for the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires will be the 1.25-mile oval in Madison, Illinois. World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway will host Round 12 of the Indy Pro 2000 presented by Cooper Tires championship on Saturday, August 24.
Exclusive Autosport is pleased to be able to partner with great companies, such as AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology (www.rethinkpaint.com), which is used on all their race cars.
EXCLUSIVE AUTOSPORT – DRIVER RESULTS AND QUOTES
INDY PRO 2000 – ROUNDS 10/11 – JULY 26-28, 2019
HONDA INDY 200 AT MID-OHIO – LEXINGTON, OH
DANIAL FROST – #68
Qualifying 1: 6 th – 1:16.541
Qualifying 2: 2 nd – 1:15.516
Race 1: Start – 6 th / Finish – 13 th (Contact)
Race 2: Start – 2 nd / Finish – 6 th
EXCLUSIVE AUTOSPORT – SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:
Website: www.exclusiveautosport.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ExclusiveAutosport90
Twitter: @ExclAutosport
Instagram: @exclusiveautosport
TORONTO, ON, CANANDA (July 14, 2019) – Exclusive Autosport returned to its home soil for the NTT IndyCar Series event held on the streets of Toronto, hitting the challenging temporary circuit for a Road to Indy doubleheader weekend in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented...
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 25, 2019) – Singapore star Danial Frost scored his first Road to Indy win and first victory of the 2019 Indy Pro 2000 presented by Cooper Tires season at the prestigious Carb Night Classic, topping the field in the Cooper Tires Freedom...
NDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 15, 2019) – Exclusive Autosport enjoyed another successful effort at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, coming off a long two-month break in the 2019 Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires schedule. The team traveled to the most iconic track in the...
PALMETTO, Fla. – The month of May is well and truly under way. After joining their senior brethren from the NTT IndyCar Series during an exciting and well-attended Grand Prix of Indianapolis event on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last weekend, competitors on the two...
Singapore driver Danial Frost will rejoin squad for the 2019 Indy Pro 2000 campaign SASKATOON, SK (February 12, 2019) – Exclusive Autosport is extremely excited to welcome back 17-year-old Danial Frost to the team, as the young driver from Singapore will compete in the Indy Pro...
Difficult and challenging end to second day of action for Singaporean teenager Manama, Bahrain, Friday, 6 December 2018 – Despite a challenging start to the second round of the 2018/19 MRF Challenge International Winter Series in Bahrain following a brake system failure on Thursday, Singapore’s Danial Nielsen...
Manama, Bahrain, Thursday, 6 December 2018 – The second round of the 2018/19 MRF Challenge International Winter Series at the Bahrain International Circuit got underway on Thursday with two practice sessions and qualifying. The day was however marred when Singapore’s Danial Nielsen Frost suffered a...