Roe Wins at NJMP; Jenks Champion
Millville, NJ – James Roe took the lead at New Jersey Motorsports Park and didn't look back to take the victory in round 13 of the 2018 F2000 Championship Series season. He beat out David Durrett and Michael Eastwell, in his Series debut, to take the top spot of the podium. Steve Jenks put a bowtie on the 2018 F2000 title with a strong fourth place finish for Tumenas Motorsports.
“Since I got into the No. 95 we have been second or better on the grid. It’s a quick car,” said Roe, driving for Arms Up Motorsports. “It was a tough race as the track was slippery. Brandon got caught out a bit at the start but other than that I was just trying to keep it on the island … I know I’m not going to win the Championship so I’m going for race wins.”
Durrett came home in second spot, as the Indy Motorsport Group pilot continued his strong run in the second half of the F2000 season.
“That was the hardest races I’ve ever had. I was worried about trying to catch James in front, and then Michael was being me closing,” Durrett said. “The car was falling off toward the end and I was sweating into my eyes. It was definitely the hardest race ever.”
Eastwell, in his first F2000 start, finished third after the morning saw him set the fastest time in practice.
“It’s been a great weekend so far. It’s a really good way to kick off my racing over here. A massive thank you to Tumenas Motorsports,” said Eastwell. “We’ll see what we can do tomorrow.”
A fourth place finish delivered the Masters Class win for 2018 Champion Jenks, while Simon Sikes completed the top five ahead of Trent Walko and Tim Paul.
Aaron Pettipas was eighth, while pole-sitter Brandon Dixon recovered to finish ninth after spinning from the top spot early in the race.
“I started the second lap and I under-steered to the curb. I got to the top of the curb and hooked the rear,” Dixon explained. “We had reasonable pace, and I was trying to keep good tires under the car for tomorrow.”
As for the F2000 Championship Series season, the action comes to a close on Sunday, September 16 with round 14, the season finale, on Sunday afternoon at New Jersey Motorsports Park.