Original post by Bobby Eberle:
The 2015 season of the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires has come to a close, and there was no better way to finish things off than by racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. With championships at stake in all levels of the Mazda Road to Indy, there was always excitement, whether I was in a race or watching one.
This race weekend was an engineering challenge. The team tried some different configurations on the car in order for me to have better grip through the corners, but finding the right setup was easier said than done. The track changed considerably from morning to afternoon, and other race series didn’t necessarily help the track get better.
The momentum and skills learned from the Mid-Ohio races definitely carried over to Mazda Raceway. I felt more confident and in control, and I had my best races yet. It was so exciting being able to battle against other cars, and I learned so much about racecraft. Actually, to be more accurate, I learned that I have a lot to learn about racecraft!
In Race 1, I had a good start, and I had my best opening laps ever, but it was in Race 2 that things jumped up a new level. I passed two people in the first lap, and I worked so hard to try to hold them off. The race was littered with caution periods, so it was hard to get a rhythm, but I pushed and pushed. When the checkered flag flew and the races were done, I ended up with two Expert Class wins, and two 14th place finishes overall.
Since this was the season finale, all the Mazda Road to Indy levels gathered for an awards banquet, and that’s where I was able to pick up the big trophy for being the 2015 Expert Class Champion. I’m now a two-time champion, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible guidance and support of my coach Grant Ryley and the team at World Speed Motorsports. I look forward to even better results in the future!
A special thanks goes out to Mazda and Cooper Tires for their continued support of the Mazda Road to Indy. These folks do so much to keep us racing, and their efforts are both welcomed and appreciated.