Mechanical woes end Mid-Ohio Race 2 early

Lexington, OH (July 30, 2016) — Heading into Race 2 (Round 13) of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Saturday, both Ayla Agren and Lucas Kohl had finished every race they had competed in this season.

The two had seen the checkered flag in a combined 22 events this year, but that streak ended as both John Cummiskey Racing drivers experienced suspension problems that ended their day early.

When the green flag fell to start the 30-minute race on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn course in central Ohio, both Agren, starting 11th, and Kohl, starting 13th, were able to move forward, and were in the Top 10 after three laps.

But on Lap 7, Agren suffered a suspension failure in Turn 4 and went off into the grass, ending her day in 21st place. It also represented the first time in Agren’s 27-race USF2000 career that she was not running at the finish of the race.

“It was disappointing to have a mechanical problem, because the No. 33 Energima car was really quick,” Agren said. “Fortunately it’s something that we can fix and I’m really confident for a good finish in Sunday’s race.”

Kohl, in the No. 34 Bellko car, suffered the same fate Saturday as he did in Race 2 in Toronto as contact in the first turn on the opening lap affected the rest of his day. Kohl ran as high as P8 but a bent suspension part on the right front got worse and he spun between Turns 8 and 9. After having the car examined in the pits for several minutes, the decision was made to call it a day.

Kohl completed 15 laps and finished in 18th place.

“I got a good start and Ayla and I passed a couple of cars, but in Turn 1 someone turned in on me and hit the front right tire, and bent some suspension parts,” Kohl said. “The car could only turn left, which is a problem because we have three right turns here. The car kept getting worse and then I ended up spinning.”

The final race of the Mid-Ohio weekend for the USF2000 cars will be at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. Agren will again start 11th, while Kohl will start 13th.

Ayla Agren, No. 33 Energima

* Started 11th, Finished 21st
* Went off course in Turn 4 on Lap 7 with a suspension issue
* Suffered first DNF of the season (11 races), and of her USF2000 career (27 races)
* Will start 11th in Sunday’s race

Lucas Kohl, No. 34 Bellko

* Started 13th, Finished 18th
* Had suspension damage after a first-turn, first-lap collision
* Spun between Turns 8 and 9
* Suffered first DNF of the season
* Will start 13th in Sunday’s race