LEXINGTON, OH (July 31, 2015) – Following a trip North of the border for the Toronto rounds in mid-June, the drivers in the USF2000 season enjoyed a long break prior to the closing rounds of the 2015 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda season. The break allowed Martin to travel back home to his hometown of Kalgoorie, Australia for the first time since moving to Perth to pursue his racing career. The trip home allowed Martin to spend time at his former primary school with a special fan club of youngsters who have been charting Martin’s progress to top-rookie honors in the Mazda Road to Indy.
“I always had that inspirational mentor I always looked up to in primary school, so to be that person for these kids is such a great feeling,” said Martin on his visit.
Following the visit home, Martin returned to the United States with plenty of unfinished business left in the final 5 rounds of the 2015 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda season, beginning at the prestigious Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course where the drivers face a triple-header event on the 2.58mi, 13-Turn natural terrain road course carved in picturesque Central-Ohio.
Martin returned to the cockpit of the #33 Burgess-BLA John Cummiskey Racing entry just as he left off in Toronto by qualifying 4th for round one of three on the weekend.
As the green flag waved, Martin wowed the fans with a sensational start, moving past Jake Edison and Aaron Telitz into 2nd place on lap one, earning Martin his third RePlay XD “Move of the Race” award for the third time in his maiden season in the Mazda Road to Indy.
Despite pressure from Telitz and Edison throughout the remainder of the race, Martin continued to show his strong race-craft to maintain 2nd place and earn a fourth podium finish, continuing an impressive rookie season for both driver and team.
In finishing ahead of 3rd place Aaron Telitz, Martin moves within 27 points of Telitz for 3rd place in series points with 4 races remaining.
A busy day lies ahead for Martin and the other Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda drivers with two races August 1st (10:00AM and 6:10PM Eastern). Martin will again line up 4th for race 2 based on qualifying time and look to further close the gap to a prestigious 3rd-place points standing, while continuing to chase his maiden victory in the Mazda Road to Indy.
