USF2000: Ricky Donison secures Top 10 finish in Race 2 at Road America

Ricky Donison started Round 4 of the 2017 USF2000 series at Road America with a 13th place finish in the lone practice on Thursday.

The Indian in his Cape Motorsports machinery qualified 17th in Qualifying 1 for Friday’s Race 1, as BN Racing’s David Malukas took a surprise pole from Donison’s teammate Oliver Askew and Pabst Racing’s Rinus van Kalmthout.

The second qualifying for Saturday’s Race 2 had Donison finishing 14th, with Kalmthout taking pole from resurgent Askew and Malukas, as the Top 9 drivers ended up within a second of pole-sitter’s time in a tight session.

Race 1

The first race on Friday started with the Bangalorean battling for a place in the Top 15, after an average qualifying outing.

The Indian clawed back slowly and was involved in the battle for 10th position with Newman Wach Racing’s Darren Keane and Team Pelfrey’s Jacob Loomis.

But unfortunately, Donison was struck with mechanical issues and was forced to dive into the pits with a lap to go, as he was classified 15th in the order.

At the front, the start of the race saw the Top 3 battling for the race lead, but by Lap 8 van Kalmthout had taken control of the 14-lap race to register his first win of the season from Malukas and Pabst Racing’s Lucas Kohl.

Race 2

The second race of the Road America weekend on Saturday saw Donison once again stage a fight back in the 12 laps.

The Bangalorean was involved in a hefty fight with John Cummiskey Racing's Colin Kaminsky and ArmsUp Motorsports' Devin Wojcik to get himself in the Top 10.

He started the final lap in 11th, but gained a position to finish 10th after Malukas spun-off in the final corner from second position.

Up front, van Kalmthout took two wins out of two, leading Pabst Racing's 1-2 with Calvin Ming in second after leapfrogging Askew.

The Cape Motorsports driver benefited from Malukas' spin to claim a podium finish and maintain his lead in the standings with 215 points.

Teammate Donison sits 13th in the order with 66 points, three behind DEForce Racing's Moises de La Vara after four rounds.

The championship now moves to Iowa Speedway for Round 5 during the July 8-9 weekend.

[Image courtesy: USF2000]