// Exclusive Autosport rookie seals extraordinary USF Pro 2000 victory
// Swede makes up 17 positions in unlikely fightback drive
Joel Granfors clinched a remarkable first win of his USA career with a sensational drive through the field from 18th place in this weekend’s USF Pro 2000 round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Swede delivered a massive comeback as he battled his way into Victory Lane at the IMS road course, showcasing the full scale of his capabilities on the support bill to INDYCAR’s GMR Grand Prix.
Granfors emerged victorious from the second and final race of the weekend on Saturday, overcoming the challenge of a lowly P18 grid slot – a knock-on effect of retiring early from Friday’s opening race (where lap times count towards the Race 2 grid).
Granfors’ voyage to victory began immediately as the green flag flew, the 2022 GB3 runner-up instantly storming through on the opening lap to settle into the top ten.
His rise then kicked into top gear on the first of two restarts, where he avoided confusion to spectacularly haul himself all the way up to P2.
The lead was finally assumed with a pass on team-mate Salvador de Alba following a second restart with 15 laps to go, with Granfors never looking back again and driving off to a resounding first victory.
”What a race!” says Joel Granfors. “It’s a dream come true to win here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I never thought in my life that I’d be here. I’m so, so happy for my first win here in the USA. I had a good start, an even better restart, and then once I got past Salvador I managed to build a gap and bring it home.”
De Alba completed a 1-2 for Exclusive Autosport, earning the team a remarkable double atop the world-famed IMS Victory Podium.
“It’s a fantastic result for the team, a 1-2 here in Indianapolis, and the #92 Corpay car has been great all weekend,” Joel Granfors concludes. “It’s a massive confidence-boost for all of us moving forward. Thank you to the team for all the hard work.”
Thanks to his victory this weekend, Joel Granfors now moves up to fourth in the USF Pro 2000 standings, reducing the gap to overall leader Myles Rowe (USA).
Next up on the USF Pro 2000 calendar is the first and only oval round of the season, staged at Lucas Oil Raceway – also located in Indianapolis – on May 25-26. The race will form part of the high-speed celebrations in the city across Indy 500 weekend.
RESULTS
USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires
Rd. 3 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA)
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires
After 3/9 rounds
1: Myles Rowe (USA), 139 p.
2: Kiko Porto (BRA), 100 p.
3: Francesco Pizzi (ITA), 98 p.
4: Joel Granfors (SWE), 95 p.
5: Jace Denmark (USA), 91 p.