Callum Ilott started Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg all the way down in 22nd position, but was able to steadily move up through the field as others around him made mistakes.
The main contributor to his rise through the field was his avoidance of the many wrecks that happened in front of him, which alone allowed him to gain quite a few positions.
By time half of the race had passed, Ilott was already in eighth position, and he gained a few more in the latter half of the 100-lap event to earn his first top 5 result of his young career.
After the race he described that his cool demeanor helped vault him and the Juncos Hollinger Team well ahead of where they were at the start of the season last year.
“Honestly, we improved throughout the weekend and managed to put down a good race today,” said Ilott in television interviews after the race. “I forgot I started 22nd, so I came from a long way back.
“Honestly, kept it cool. I lost out a little bit because I was playing it on the safe side, but those restarts were so slippy. Losing a couple places, but when people were overdoing it, that was when I was able to capitalize.
“What a race, what a day, what a start! Big thank you to everyone, and obviously all our sponsors as well. It’s great. We’ll work hard. Texas is next, quite a bit of a change.
“This was one of our weakest weekends last year, so able to come in with a top 5 is not what I expected. I think that sets a good start for the year.”
Ilott’s rookie team-mate Agustin Canapino also did remarkably well in his IndyCar debut, staying on the lead lap and earning a 12th place finish.
Together both drivers hope to be able to work together to produce consistent results and give their fledgling team more and more respect as each race goes by.
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