Anthony faces biggest challenge
Posted on August 21, 2017 Tags: Anthony Martin Local Hero
Images: photos@IndianapolisMotorSpeedway, LLC Photography.
WEST AUSTRALIAN ANTHONY MARTIN faces perhaps the biggest challenge of his brilliant career in this weekend’s US Pro Mazda Championship. The 22-year-old from Kalgoorlie currently leads the prestigious Road-to-Indy event by four points going into Round 10 at Gateway Motorsports Park, Illinois on August 26.
Anthony dominated last up at Mid-Ohio, winning both the first and third race of the triple-header, giving him a narrow lead for the USD$790,000 Mazda Scholarship. But it’s been a tough battle throughout the season for the Cape Motorsports driver and his main rival, Brazilian Victor Franzoni.
Getting put out at Mid-Ohio by Victor’s teammate “was not the way I wanted it to happen,” Anthony said. “It’s bad when lapped cars affect a championship. But pressure motivates me to do better and I think being on top makes me go faster, so I’m confident going forward. I was a little ticked off, but I had to put what happened out of my mind — racing is racing and those things happen.”n
Home town support for finale
The pair had an anxious wait for official results when, under the direction of championship officials, their cars and that of third-placed American TJ Fischer were impounded for further evaluation. They were subsequently cleared. The series winds up September 1-3 with Rounds 11 and 12 at the famous 5.23km, 11-turn Watkins Glen International circuit, in New York State.
Anthony will be well supported there with Mum Lee-Anne, Dad Mike, older sister Caroline and younger brother Patrick, all heading to the US, for the finale. “It’ll be a family affair for sure,” said a proud Lee-Anne Martin. ”Anthony’s Granny is going too – she’s is on holidays in the USA on the West Coast and is going over to WG for his races – so fingers and toes, and everything else, crossed!”
All races feature live streaming shows on indycar.com, promazda.com and the RoadtoIndy.TV App, including pre-and post-race coverage.
EDITED by AC
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