ANOTHER TOP-10 FOR NICK D'ORLANDO IN USF2000 AT MID-OHIO
Nick d’Orlando was back in the saddle again in his #61 VRD Racing’s USF2000 race car at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH looking to build on the experience and speed in the Road to Indy’s Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship series. His goal for 2022 continues to be to garner valuable experience at various circuits in preparation for the 2023 season and Mid-Ohio’s reputation as a drivers’ track was a key component in his development. And once again, he proved he can wheel a car.
Thursday opened the weekend festivities as a practice day with three sessions, and d’Orlando showed speed in all three sessions placing as high as fourth to just outside the top-10. A good start leading into Friday’s scheduled qualifying and Race 1.
Friday was off to a great start when the VRD Racing team took the top three spots in the morning practice session, with d’Orlando taking the number 1 spot. It was a good confidence booster leading into the qualifying session later that morning for the triple header event. Although the qualifying session took a different turn for a P16 position, d’Orlando remained focused on the task at hand.
Coming through a pack often presents an interesting set of challenges and unexpected incidents in front of you are the biggest threat. It was a hard lesson learned in Race 1 for d’Orlando when contact between two other cars just slightly ahead of him forced him to take evasive action. Damage to his front wing was the result which lead to a necessary trip to pit lane for a replacement wing. He would return to action, albeit a lap down, and continued to complete the 20-lap event with lap times that would rival the fast three.
The second race would commence without incident and once again it was an effort reflective and equivalent of a hard charger. He would line up in the 15th position for the green flag and finish with an impressive eighth place, his second top-10 of his very short season.
The challenges returned in Race 3 and heart break prevailed. Mechanical failure forced d’Orlando to the pits before the first laps could be completed.
“Last weekend was another one of great pace out on track and strong overall performance ,” states d’Orlando. “and we still left more on the table. I’m definitely happy with the progress we made but our luck could use a change. I was able to make some great passes in Race 2 to move up 7 positions, which is difficult to do at Mid-Ohio so I’m proud of myself for that. The team really put together a great car for that one. I’m pretty happy with the weekend and still looking for more for the remainder of the season.”
Partners are an important part of Nicholas d'Orlando's development and would like to continue to thank our current partners at DB Collaborative, Focused Project Management, Rising Star Racing, MotorMedia USA, Pierpont Mechanical, MG Engineering, Dino Energy Drink, UFC Gym - Mamaroneck NY, Signature Elevator Maintenance, AME Inc and Celtic General Contractors.
d'Orlando Enterprises LLC develops unique and remarkable VIP experiences, behind the scenes access, and other entertainment opportunities for their partners at all of these events including the Indy500. We also provide an expansive network for business development and B2B opportunities. To be a part of our growing network of partners and for more information on these experiences, our drivers or alternative partnership opportunities, contact Art Wilmes of Rising Star Racing at art.wilmes@risingstarracing.com or Sherri d'Orlando at info@dorlandoracing.com.
Stay tuned to Nicholas d’Orlando social media and website (www.dorlandoracing.com) for continued updates and more information. Follow him on Instagram (dorlandoracing, nickdorlando), Facebook (Nicholas d'Orlando Racing) and Twitter (dorlandoracing and nickdorlando) for all the latest information.