Nikita Lastochkin Takes Different Approach into Mid-Ohio Event Weekend
It was round eleven and twelve of the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires this past weekend and Nikita Lastochkin was back behind the wheel of his #59 HMD Motorsports entry. Taking on the 2.4-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lastochkin entered the weekend with a different approach and was happy with the experience gained throughout the four on track days.
“Overall, I was very happy with how the Mid-Ohio event went for me,” explained Lastochkin. “We came in with a different approach for myself in term of the setup on my car, and I felt it was good to try out. Finishing positions might not show it, but I was happy to bring down the gap to my teammates, being a couple of tenths shy of top-five in qualifying.”
With 12th and 11th place results in the two weekend races, Lastochkin was more interested in the gap to his teammates. As a rookie in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires program, the Russian born Californian showed huge strides over the weekend and was able to challenge for positions on a track that was difficult to pass on.
Lastochkin added, “When it came to the races it was the first weekend this season where I had the confidence in the car to actually race and attack all year, just could not make the moves stick. Happy with the learning curve and gained confidence but not too stressed about where we finished.”
With more than six weeks off before the next event, Lastochkin is focused on the future
“The HMD Motorsports team is top notch. They took a different approach with me to make me more comfortable in the car, and I really appreciate that,” expressed Nikita. “I want to continue to learn and progress but need the necessary funding to be able to complete all the test days needed to compete at the highest level possible.”
To stay up to date with Nikita Lastochkin, please follow him on his social media channels: Twitter (NikitaGoesRacin), Facebook and Instagram (NikitaGoesRacing). Please also be sure to also follow HMD Motorsports on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching @HMDMotorsports or visit HMDMotorsports.com.