Following a month filled with testing, Cape Motorsports powered by ECR returned to action this weekend with a double-header in Indianapolis. The 2.44-mile road course at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway provided familiar scenery along with a few unexpected challenges along the way.
A single qualifying session was held on Friday morning, with each driver’s two fastest laps determining the order for each of the upcoming races. Nikita Johnson set two nearly identical times to earn the fifth starting spot for race one and the fourth grid position for race two. Matteo Nannini was equally consistent and earned the sixth and ninth starting spots for the two events.
Later the same day, both drivers lined up on the grid for the first race of the weekend. Johnson and Nannini both avoided damage in the chaotic first corner, with Nannini jumping forward up to fourth in his #20 machine. Unfortunately, his progress was halted when he was spun around near the end of the first lap by an ambitious move from Sebastian Murray. Nannini worked to get his car back to the pits for a replacement front wing and left front tire, and rejoined the race two laps down. Johnson remained in the top 10 and battled hard for position until the race was halted for rain on lap 11.
After all competitors fitted wet weather tires, they were released to contest the final half of the timed event in wet conditions. Johnson proved himself a master of the rain, and quickly sliced through the field. After just two laps under green, he had moved forward four positions. The 19-year-old expertly leaned on his rear tires and moved ahead three more positions in the closing laps while hanging on the edge of control on the slick track.
Johnson finished in third position for race one, placing his #21 entry on the podium for a third consecutive race. Nannini also found speed in the wet, but there was no way to make up ground from the earlier incident. He crossed the line in 23rd.
The second race of the weekend took place on Saturday, with sunny skies a stark contrast to the day before. As soon as the green flag dropped, both drivers were on the attack with Johnson making it four wide heading into the first turn. Johnson was sixth in line once the order was settled, and Nannini had moved forward from ninth to line up directly behind in seventh.
Johnson defended against attacks from Josh Pierson multiple times during the race, then definitively secured sixth place when the Andretti Global driver locked his front wheel and ran wide in Turn 5 with just four laps remaining. Nannini, who had remained close all afternoon, slipped past Pierson as well and secured a season-best seventh place finish.
Following solid showings in both IndyNXT by Firestone events, Johnson retained the points lead with one third of the season complete. The next event on the calendar comes late in the month when the series visits the streets of Detroit on May 31.
Nikita Johnson:
Pretty good weekend with points here. Race one, we had a really good comeback. We were 10th at the restart, then were up to third within a few laps. Really strong pace in the wet, so hopefully it rains more this year.
Race two, had a mega start and was battling for the front few positions. The inside cars missed their braking point and I had nowhere to go so I got shuffled back a bit. Just trying to keep drivers behind me from there, and we kept sixth place. Good to get good points out of this weekend, still in the championship lead. Can’t thank the Cape boys enough and the whole team around me. It’s a fun journey. Excited for Detroit!
Matteo Nannini:
I think overall the weekend was alright considering what happened. Qualifying was our best so far. Race one unfortunately ended early because we got hit in Turn 12. Not much we could do there. It was good to get some good practice in the rain, but we were a couple laps down and the passes we made didn’t really count.
Race two was a bit more straightforward, and I focused on consistency to stay on pace with those in front. It was a good day for the team with me finishing in P7 and Nikita just ahead in P6. That was my first proper race so far this year. Not a lot of action in the second half, but good to finish the weekend on a high note.
