It was a weekend of firsts for Velocity Racing Development. The Atlanta, Georgia based program scored their first career F4 United States Championship Powered by Honda championship at the hands of Hunter Yeany, who claimed three podium results at the Homestead-Miami Speedway this past weekend. Additionally, Erik Evans scored points in all three races over the challenging, weather filled weekend and catapulted up the point standings courtesy of his first career victory in round fifteen after a one-two finish by the VRD drivers turned into first and third place results after post-race penalties were assessed.
It was a wet and wild first race of the weekend on Saturday afternoon as VRD drivers would line up third, seventh and eleventh after their one and only qualifying session earlier that day. Yeany lined up on the inside of row two in the third position and quickly worked his way to the point as rain began to fall. Solidifying the top spot after the first caution flag, drivers continued to battle adverse conditions as more and more standing water presented itself with each passing lap. With his eyes on the championship, Yeany conceded the top position late in the race but kept his closest rival behind him to finish second and extend his overall point lead.
Nick Persing rocketed off the line to solidify his position in the to-ten as he crossed the stripe in the sixth position. Showing huge progress in his first weekend with the VRD program, Persing will look to fight for the podium with two chances on Sunday. Erik Evans turned his eleventh place starting position into a seventh-place result adding to his championship points total. Forced to battle in the mid-pack before moving his way forward, Evans was pacing with the tail end of the lead group, but track grip prevented him from making any further progress forward.
Hunter Yeany was back on the podium Sunday morning with a defensive drive that secured him the F4 United States Championship Powered by Honda title. Holding off the advances of his competitors and knowing what he needed to do be named champion, Yeany was defensive when he needed to be and aggressive when he had to hold on to P2. Scoring his second podium of the weekend, Yeany was joined in the top-five by Erik Evans who had another impressive drive. Moving forward from his seventh place starting position, Evans battled for a podium position but settled for fourth when the checkered flag flew, netting him some more valuable championship points. Nick Persing rocketed off the line and advanced forward in the opening complex of corners, but contact sent him to the pit lane for repairs and an eventual 18th place result.
Garnering the championship earlier in the day, Yeany entered the third and final race of the weekend with no stress on his shoulders. Moving to the point early on, Yeany was able to control the pace of the race as he drove to his first win of the weekend and eighth victory of the season. Erik Evans had his career best result as he put the pressure on Yeany early but eventually crossed the line in the second position making it a one-two for VRD. Following the third event of the weekend and after some good hard racing, Yeany was given a time penalty for contact that happened on track which took away his win and elevated Erik Evans to the top step as he was awarded his first career F4 United States Championship Powered by Honda win.
“What a weekend,” explained Dan Mitchell. “With securing the title as well as Erik claiming his first victory, best results of the season and points in all three races for both drivers, I am not sure what else we could have asked for. All three of our drivers had pace to run in the top-five and that shows the true strength of our overall program and what we have built.”
Velocity Racing Development will return to their home base at Atlanta Motorsports Park and begin to prepare for the final event on the 2020 calendar. Set to take on the Circuit of the Americas over the October 23rd to 25th weekend, VRD will aim to keep the momentum alive and close the season strong.
For more information on Velocity Racing Development and to find information on how to be involved with their F4 US Championship Powered by Honda or FR Americas Championship Powered by Honda programs, please feel free to contact Daniel Mitchell via email to Dan@DanMitchellMotorsport.com or by phone to 954.594.2686.
Photos: Gavin Baker Photography