LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Neil Alberico kept himself in the frame for the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires by guiding his Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing entry to a comfortable victory in the Cooper Tires Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio.
Alberico’s fourth win of the season leaves him 29 points shy of series leader Santi Urrutia, who finished third in the second race of the weekend doubleheader at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Team Pelfrey.
A total of 66 points will be available in the final two races of the 16-round season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., on Sept. 11-13.
“Points are a big deal but I can’t control what everyone else does. All I can do is try to win the last two races and whatever happens, happens,” Alberico said.
The Team Championship also will go down to the season finale, with Juncos Racing holding a 355-335 advantage over Team Pelfrey. Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing also remain in contention with 325 points.
Timothé Buret finished second for Juncos Racing, catapulting him to third in the title chase ahead of Andretti Autosport’s Weiron Tan, who finished seventh.
Urrutia won the first race of the weekend on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course. Alberico was second and Buret completed the podium.
“Everyone wants to win the championship, and it’s so competitive,” Urrutia said. “We have to continue this way, not making any mistakes.”
Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio - Race 1 Podium
1. Santiago Urrutia; 2. Neil Alberico; 3. Timothe Buret
Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio - Race 2 Podium
1. Neil Alberico; 2. Timothe Buret; 3. Santiago Urrutia