Radical Cup North America - The Final Weekend at Sonoma

Friday : Qualifying and Race 1 Set the Tone

Friday marked the start of the championship weekend, with teams and drivers finalizing their preparations during the morning practice sessions. By the afternoon, it was time for qualifying, where the stakes were high as each driver looked to secure a favorable starting position for the first race. After the dust settled from the qualifying session, Michai Stephens, Jordan Missig, and Chris McMurry emerged as the top contenders in their respective classes, taking pole positions for Race 1.

The first race of the weekend followed, giving fans and teams a glimpse of the intensity that would follow for the rest of the event. With championships still undecided in all classes, every point mattered as competitors fought for every inch of the track.

Platinum Class: Michai Stephens was a force to be reckoned with from the very start of the weekend. In qualifying, he set a blistering lap time of 1:39.979 to grab pole position, and from there, he never looked back. Stephens delivered a masterclass in racing during Race 1, leading from start to finish and building an impressive lead. His pace was unmatched, setting the fastest race lap nearly two seconds quicker than his closest rival. Stephens crossed the finish line a full 30 seconds ahead of Jon Field, who managed to finish second and keep his championship hopes alive. Steve Jenks rounded out the podium with a third-place finish, delivering a solid performance for Group-A Racing.

Pro 1500 Class: The Pro 1500 class saw Jordan Missig’s resilience shine through after an early weekend setback. On Thursday, a fire forced Missig to switch cars, jeopardizing his championship run. However, the Graham Rahal Performance driver bounced back with determination, piloting his borrowed chassis to a stunning victory in Race 1. Missig’s win extended his points lead and kept him on course for the championship. Nicholas d’Orlando finished second, keeping the pressure on Missig, while Evan Slater finished third, maintaining his own slim title hopes. The race also saw a heroic drive from Spencer Schmidt, who, after an engine change and starting from the back, earned the Sunoco Hard Charger of the Race award for his impressive climb through the field.

Pro 1340 Class: In the Pro 1340 category, Chris McMurry took an important step toward closing the gap in the championship standings. McMurry’s victory in Race 1 brought him within just two points of championship leader Suellio Almeida, setting up an intense battle for the final two races. Crown Racing’s Matt McMurry finished second, making it a family podium sweep, while newcomer Anders Fjordbach showed his talent by finishing third in his first Radical Cup event. Despite finishing fourth, Almeida managed to hold on to his championship lead heading into Saturday’s decisive races.

Saturday : Championship Drama Unfolds

Saturday marked the final day of competition, with two more races, including the highly anticipated Race 3, which featured a mandatory pit stop. The atmosphere was electric, and the championship picture in each class remained uncertain as the green flag waved.

Platinum Class: Michai Stephens continued his dominant form in Race 2, securing another victory and setting up a potential weekend sweep. However, the final race of the season didn’t go according to plan for the RYNO Racing driver. Despite an aggressive start and early lead, Stephens encountered a mechanical issue, forcing him to relinquish the lead to Jon Field. Field, who had been a consistent front-runner all season, took full advantage, driving flawlessly after the pit stop to claim victory in Race 3 and secure the Platinum Class championship. Steve Jenks also enjoyed a strong day, finishing third in Race 2 and second in Race 3, while Chip Romer rounded out the podium in the final race. Field’s win also ensured that One Motorsports captured the Platinum Team Championship.

Pro 1500 Class: Jordan Missig capped off a perfect weekend by winning all three races in the Pro 1500 class, earning him the championship title. In Race 3, Missig bided his time behind early leader Evan Slater before making his move and taking the lead in the latter half of the race. Slater finished second in both of Saturday’s races, showing great pace throughout the weekend. Matt Romer secured third in both races, delivering consistent results for One Motorsports. Nicholas d’Orlando faced some struggles, particularly in Race 3, where an early issue dropped him down the order. However, he fought back to finish fourth and secured the Rookie of the Year honors. Jack Yang dominated the Gold Class, winning both of Saturday’s races and securing the Gold Class championship.

Pro 1340 Class: The Pro 1340 championship battle went down to the wire, with Suellio Almeida and Chris McMurry fighting tooth and nail for the title. Race 2 saw Almeida make up some ground with a second-place finish, while Chris McMurry could only manage third, giving Almeida a slight edge heading into the final race. In Race 3, Almeida drove strategically, focusing on the big picture rather than risking everything for the win. Crown Racing’s team tactics came into play, with Fjordbach and Matt McMurry working together to pressure Almeida. Despite losing the lead late in the race, Almeida’s smart decision-making allowed him to finish third, securing enough points to win the championship. Fjordbach won the race, followed by Matt McMurry in second. Chris McMurry’s fifth-place finish ended his title challenge, but he left Sonoma with his head held high after an intense season-long fight.

2024 Radical Cup North America Champions

• Platinum Class Champion: Jon Field

• Pro 1500 Class Champion: Jordan Missig

• Pro 1500 Gold Class Champion: Jack Yang

• Pro 1340 Class Champion: Suellio Almeida

• Rookie of the Year: Nicholas d’Orlando

Team Champions:

• Platinum: One Motorsports

• Pro 1500: Graham Rahal Performance

• Pro 1340: Crown Racing with Apex

Looking Ahead

The 2024 season of Radical Cup North America ends with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for what’s to come. "A great season has come to a close, and we have three more champions crowned,” said Tom Drewer, Director Americas at Radical. “Thank you and congratulations to all who made this program a huge success. We will take a little break but begin our 2025 preparations next week, starting with our schedule announcement."

As the Radical Cup community takes a brief respite, teams and drivers will soon turn their attention to the 2025 season. Expectations are high, and the competition is only getting fiercer. Stay tuned to Radical Motorsport for more information on the 2025 schedule and updates from the Radical Cup North America series.