At the beginning of the season at Homestead Miami Speedway, I was involved in a bad wreck that ripped my confidence away. In the second race of the weekend, I was attempting an overtake around the outside as the other competitor was blocking on the inside. His car suddenly moved over and almost pushed me off the track in the breaking zone. I was able to avoid getting pushed off track, but the other car was right in front of me coming into the braking zone and hit the brakes a little early. I was caught by surprise and attempted to go to the right of the car but ended up hitting there back right tire. My No. 6 Jay Howard's Motorsport Driver Development launched over the other competitors car, landing upside down, sliding down the breaking zone of the track. I reached the grass on the outside of the track which caused me to flip. Finally, after three flips I landed right side up. (Watch the video here) This wasn’t the start of the season I was hoping for. I showed great pace after only having one lap to qualify and in my first race ever in a car, I started eighth. The incident ended my weekend.
Since my accident, I have been struggling with regaining my confidence. However, after each race I complete, I become more and more comfortable. In between the F4 race weekends, I compete in the Lucas Oil Racing Series to develop my race craft and comfortability within cars.
It took a lot of dedication and faith in myself, my MDD team and the car to finally regain my confidence.
A few weeks ago Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, I had to race in tight packs of cars. I was able to hold position without making a mistake. I knew, at that moment, I was back. Now it was time to work on my speed.
While in the short term, my wreck has put me back this year. In the long term, I think is has made me a much better driver. It taught me a lot and I continue to build on that each time I am in the car. I will continue to learn and improve over the course of this season and during the off-season, taking that knowledge into a successful year two.