HUNTER MCELREA WINS MAZDA ROAD TO INDY SHOOTOUT

Hunter McElrea wins Mazda Road to Indy Shootout – Photo: USF2000 Facebook

Australian Formula Ford Champion Hunter McElrea has won the Mazda Road to Indy Shootout in the US this morning.

The 19-year-old from the Gold Coast took out the $200,000 Shootout over the weekend at Bondurant Racing School in Chandler, Arizona, earning a place on the grid for the 2019 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship, the first step as part of the Mazda Road to Indy program sanctioned by Indycar.

McElrea beat out 20 other hopeful drivers from around the world, as voted by a panel of judges based on their performances on and off the track over the two-day program.

“I’m lost for words,” said an ecstatic McElrea.

“This whole weekend has been a crazy experience, I have to thank Mazda for this amazing opportunity, Cooper Tires and Anderson Promotions. It has been so great to measure yourself against all the best drivers in the world, these guys have been great competition as well as everyone else.”

“To have the opportunity to be on the grid next year hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m so excited to represent Mazda and can’t thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to prove myself next year.”

“I can’t wait!”

The win comes just one week after McElrea topped the two day USF2000 Open Test at Homestead-Miami Speedway beating fellow Australian Cameron Shields to the top spot by just 0.04s.

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