Martin’s gain, Thompson’s pain in Mid-Ohio Race 1

And while the Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing driver will be delighted with his fifth victory of the season, he also gave himself a little breathing space in the championship, after his chief title rival and teammate Parker Thompson, cut a front tire and fell to 17^th.

The other beneficiary was ArmsUp Motorsport’s Victor Franzoni who passed Pabst Racing’s Garth Rickards and Dakota Dickerson (Afterburner Autosport) on the opening lap and was then in prime position to grab the runner-up finish from the unlucky Thompson. It was Franzoni’s seventh top-three finish of the season.

Third place went to Martin’s Australian compatriot Luke Gabin, of JAY Motorsports.

A full course yellow caused by Robert Megennis’ Team Pelfrey machine needing a tow-in after stopping on track due to an electrical failure, brought another opportunity to make up places on the Lap 4 restart. But a failed attempt to pass by Dickerson on Franzoni lost him momentum and ultimately cost him fourth place, as Jordan Lloyd edged past.

Yufeng Luo (Pabst Racing) became stranded in Turn Eight following an incident with Austin McCusker (Chastain Motorsports/Primus Racing) while battling for 10^th which meant the race ended under yellow.

Commenting on turning a 20-point deficit into a nine-point lead in the championship, Martin commented: “It just goes to show that it can all change in one race. There’s so much at stake and we all know that, but you have to put those emotions out of your head and race as hard as you can.

“I saw that Parker wasn’t behind me anymore and I was confused at first, wondering where he’d gone. But at the back of my mind I knew it would be good for the championship so I tried to take it a little bit easier and bring the car home. The last safety car was a little bit frightening, because I know how great Victor is on restarts but thankfully I was able to come home with the win.”

He also gained a point for taking fastest lap. 

There are two more USF2000 races this weekend.