On the final weekend of August, Cape Motorsports powered by ECR paid a visit to the historic Milwaukee Mile speedway for the last oval event of the year. Rain showers stayed away just long enough to get a full 90-lap race in, and friends and family were on hand to watch the action.
Saturday’s qualifying was tough for both drivers, with only one chance to set the best time on the shallow 9.25-degree banking. Matteo Nannini set the 13th best time, and was promoted to 12th on the grid due to a grid penalty for the #10 entry. Nikita Johnson qualified in 15th, which was his lowest of the season.
Both drivers navigated the busy opening laps cleanly, although Johnson slightly touched wheels with Jacob Abel coming into the first turn. He brushed it off and quickly switched into an aggressive mindset. Nannini raced side by side for two laps and took the 11th position by lap four, while Johnson worked his way through the field methodically and was positioned directly behind his team-mate by lap 30.
As the halfway point of the race neared, tire life on the green track began to be a big factor. Low grip levels affected Nannini, and he started to slip backwards. Johnson’s #21 machine was not as affected, however, and he continued his march forward.
Multiple caution periods in the second half of the race gave the championship contender a few opportunities to move forward on restarts. After the second restart, Johnson had moved all the way up to sixth, which set up a titanic battle between him and his nearest championship rival Enzo Fittipaldi.
Johnson looked outside, then inside, searching for a way past. He then gained ground on the inside lane and was alongside for two laps, letting Fittipaldi wash up the track and into the marbles on lap 75. Johnson was able to pull away from the HMD Motorsports driver and held position through a couple late restarts to secure fifth place at the checkered flag.
Nannini did not regain his lost grip in the latter portion of the race, and could not quite keep up with the pace at the front of the field. He ended the day in 20th position.
Johnson’s 10-place gain on the day gave him his eighth top five result of the season, and helped him regain the points lead as well. The 18-year-old now holds a narrow three point advantage heading in to the IndyNXT by Firestone season finale double-header at Laguna Seca next weekend.
Nikita Johnson:
Can’t thank the Cape team enough. They really made this car great for the race, and when it mattered most, we did what we needed to do. Took back the championship lead as well, so that’s a nice bonus. Hats off to them for giving me a car I could drive.
We’ll take the championship fight to Laguna Seca. Should be a fun finish to the season!
Matteo Nannini:
Obviously not the result we were hoping for today. Especially because we had such a great test. I was struggling out there. From the midpoint of the race on I just had no tires left. We were just surviving.
Looking for a rebound at Laguna Seca next weekend.
