Aaron Telitz dominated first season race in Indy Lights series, in Saint Petersburg urban circuit in Florida. In the podium another debutant, Colton Herta, was following him in front of Neil Alberico.
With a crazy start, pole sitter Aaron Telitz (Belardi Auto Racing) could maintain first position with spending any push to pass. Begin, Matheus Leist‘s Carlin and Neil Alberico.
From then on, Telitz would lead the race until the end to achieve his first victory in the series.
A great recover from Herta
In second position finished Colton Herta (Andretti Steinbrenner Racing), debuting as well and departing tomorrow from pole position.
In his fourth lap he would pull away from Kyle Kaiser (Juncos Racing) for the fifth place. Another place was gathered after an engine issue from Leist. His recover would get difficult when trying the overtake to Shlebly Blackstock (Belardi Auto Racing), but after 7 laps behind, Herta starred and overtook Blackstock.
With a great rhythm Andretti’s would catch Neil Alberico and pass him when 4 laps to go, after almost crashing onto him in a couple of failed moves.
Fight for the fourth place
Blackstock’s achieved a much fought fourth place. Belardi’s was overtaken in the 22nd lap by Kaiser. Although, Kaiser was not pulling away and Blackstock would recover his position 5 laps later, along with Patricio O’Ward (Team Pelfrey), now on 5th.
In a close race end in which Juncos’ driver was strongly defending from Zachary Claman de Melo (Carlin), he saw how the situation was turning over when overtaken by Nico Jamin (Andretti Steinbrenner Racing) on last lap.
Results:
Pos | Driver | Team | Gap |
1 | Aaron Telitz (R) | Belardi Auto Racing | 35 Laps |
2 | Colton Herta (R) | Andretti Steinbrenner Racing | 11,033 |
3 | Neil Alberico | Carlin | 13,992 |
4 | Shelby Blackstock | Belardi Auto Racing | 15,664 |
5 | Pato O’Ward (R) | Team Pelfrey | 19,181 |
6 | Kyle Kaiser | Juncos Racing | 25,478 |
7 | Nico Jamin (R) | Andretti Steinbrenner Racing | 25,773 |
8 | Zachary Claman de Melo | Carlin | 25,98 |
9 | Nicolas Dapero (R) | Juncos Racing | 26,428 |
10 | Ryan Norman (R) | Andretti Steinbrenner Racing | 37,783 |
11 | Garth Rickards (R) | Carlin | 1 Lap |
12 | Dalton Kellett | Andretti Steinbrenner Racing | Off Course |
13 | Santiago Urrutia | Belardi Auto Racing | 5 Laps |
14 | Juan Piedrahita | Team Pelfrey | Contact |
15 | Matheus Leist (R) | Carlin | Mechanical |