Added on May 14, 2019  The News Wheel
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Mazda Racers Earn Podiums at Mid-Ohio

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The No. 77 Mazda RT24-P at the Mid-Ohio Race
Photo: Mazda

Things are looking good for Mazda Team Joest — its racers earned the team’s first two podiums of the season at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The drivers, and their Soul Red Crystal Mazda RT24-Ps, finished a respectable second and third in the Sports Car Classic.

Race recap

Thanks to the record-setting qualifying lap driven by Oliver Jarvis, the No. 77 Mazda RT24-P started from the pole position, while teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay, in a No. 55 Mazda, began in sixth position. The race was a real nail-biter for Team Joest — and everyone in the audience. Some of the most exciting highlights included Jarvis holding the pole position during the opening hours, and Hunter-Reay recovering from getting clipped by another car.

For the latter portion of the race, Jarvis turned the No.77 over to teammate Tristan Nunez, who ultimately finished second. Hunter-Reay handed the Mazda over to Jonathan Bomarito, who crossed the finish line third.

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What the drivers had to say

“This is a pretty great day for Mazda, to be on the podium with both of our cars. Olly had a big fight on his hands during the opening stint, so I knew that the other cars were strong but our No. 77 Mazda RT24-P was also strong,” Nunez said.

Jarvis kept up the positive tone. “We are happy with the effort we put in and I really think everyone on the team should be proud of the job they did this weekend.” He also expressed that the future looks bright for Mazda and Team Joest.

“I’m pretty proud that we have our first podium of the season, and to have both of the Mazda RT24-Ps in the top three here at Mid-Ohio. It’s a really great day for the team as a whole,” Bomarito added.

Hunter-Reay echoed his teammates’ sentiments and gave his No. 55 Mazda RT24-P some credit, saying “I had a great start and got around three cars, but then I was t-boned and lost three spots. Somehow the car kept going and I didn’t spin, but I made those three positions back and then ran in third place the whole day. The No. 55 Mazda RT24-P was worthy of a podium.”

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During the next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the racers will face off at The Raceway at Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan on May 31 and June 1. We’re pulling for Team Joest and Mazda Motorsports in future races!

Source: Mazda