Strong results at IndyCar finale secures Vice Champion finish for inaugural Formula Pro USA Western Championship
It was a fitting end to a hard-fought season. Kyle started his rookie season in cars a little behind the pace of the top drivers in the Formula Pro USA Western Championship, but finished strong with back-to-back 2nd place results during the IndyCar finale at Sonoma Raceway. Those two results helped to secure a 2nd overall finish for the series behind points leader, Scott Huffaker. Throughout the 12-race series, Huffaker won in each of the 10 races he participated in, but it was Kyle who took home the winners trophy during rounds 7 and 8 at Sonoma Raceway when Huffaker was absent, making him the only other driver to win during the inaugural season of Formula Pro USA.
Round 11
Kyle qualified P2 in F4 behind Huffaker, and P16 overall in a field of 29 cars. The run group consisted of Pro Formula Mazda, Formula Speed, Formula Mazda and F4. Despite being the heaviest car with the least amount of horsepower, Kyle managed to stay in front of some cars that arguably should be faster than his F4 on paper. During the race start for Round 12, Kyle got the jump on Huffaker and enjoyed leading in F4 for almost a lap, but Huffaker would overtake at the chicane in turn 9 to regain the lead. His lead would open up as a train of the faster and lighter Formula Speeds, Formula Mazdas and Pro Formula Mazdas got by Kyle, forcing him back into the field where he would battle with F4 competitor, Ryan McElwee for the second position in F4. Kyle came out on top and ended the race P2 in F4 and P20 overall.
Round 12
Over the course of Round 11, McElwee would set the fastest lap time, putting him on pole for Round 12, with Huffaker in P2 and Kyle in P3. In the early laps several Formula Mazdas and one Pro Formula Mazda found their way around Kyle, so he had to work hard to pass them again in order to catch back up to McElwee and Huffaker. In an impressive display, Kyle managed to trade positions several times and eventually got around those faster cars. By lap 7, there was only one car between him and Huffaker since McElwee had dropped behind Kyle in lap 4 after a mishap in the chicane at turn 9. Despite the fact that Huffaker was already too far ahead to catch, Kyle was able to pick up his pace after getting around the Formula Mazdas and he set the fastest lap for the F4 class (1:40.772) during lap 17, his second to last lap of the race. That time is now an F4 track record for the IndyCar layout at Sonoma! Kyle finished the race P2 in F4 and P18 overall.
Photo by Charleigh Huntington, TreadLyfe
It’s been an incredible first season for Kyle in cars. The top-notch team at World Speed Motorsports did an amazing job in helping Kyle develop as a driver with each race. He could not have had the result he had without the help of Telo Stewart, Kevin Harrison and of course, his mechanic, Dan who supported him all season long. It was also wonderful to have family members there to witness this final race and cheer Kyle on as he earned his FPUSA series Vice Champion trophy. Congratulations to Scott Huffaker and Calder McWhinney for their first and third place finishes on the season.
Since these final two races were part of the lineup for the IndyCar series finale, the event had all the fanfare of a large scale professional-level race. Kyle was thrilled to participate in an autograph signing session for fans and giving high-fives to kids. He also got his first taste of full-on champagne/apple juice podium ceremonies on both days. It was an event to remember, and hopefully just a small taste of what his life as a race car driver will be like.
F4 drivers, Scott Huffaker, Calder McWinney, Kyle Loh and Anson Pfaff getting ready to sign autographs.
See the FPUSA Rounds 11-12 Event Page for full results.