INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Young Jacob Ruud has experienced a “dream season” this year in the all-new TCX division, the latest addition to the TC America classes in the SRO America sports car tour.
Ruud, the 21-year-old from Racine, WI, debuted his No. 81 Light Speed BMW M2 Cup car from Fast Track Racing with a double feature win weekend at Sonoma Raceway in March, and the senior at Rochester Institute of Technology never looked back.
In fact, Jacob won the first six races, first six pole positions and set five fastest race laps in his lightning quick BMW M2 Cup machine. Ruud compiled a huge point lead, and, without a flat tire and a few other issues, he might have netted more winner’s circle celebrations.
Now, the personable youngster travels to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week (Oct. 14-16) in search of two more TCX main event wins for a total of ten victories in 2021.
Just over a week ago at another historic circuit, Sebring International Raceway, Ruud clinched the drivers’ point championship and assisted in the Fast Track Racing team title and BMW manufacturers’ crown.
“The Sebring weekend was big for himself and the team,” said Ruud, who starts action at IMS this Thursday in practice rounds at the 2.605-mile, 13-turn road course inside the 2.5-mile oval. “After a mishap early in practice, the team really had to work hard to repair my BMW. We took parts from other cars and still scored two second place finishes to secure three separate championships, driver, team and manufacturer. So, while I didn’t win there, it was important to take home those three titles.”
“We are very excited to celebrate Jacob’s TCX drivers’ championship at Sebring,” said Toby Grahovec, the former TC America series titleholder and team manager for Fast Track Racing. “And bringing home titles for Fast Track Racing and BMW also is a thrill for the whole team.”
Now, with the championships secured, Ruud looks to record an incredible season wrap-up with two 40-minute sprint races set for Friday (Oct. 14) at 1:35 p.m. EDT and Saturday (Oct. 15) at 3:20 p.m. EDT.
“I’m very excited to race at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week,” said Ruud. “I was able to text recently at IMS and it is such a big place and so historic. After clinching the championships, I can just go and race for the wins. I’d love to win at Indy and finish the TCX season in a high note. I want to thank the Fast Track Racing team and Classic BMW for a great year.
“The season is a long one and the team worked hard to get us to victory lane each week. The Sebring weekend was especially difficult for them, but it shows the strength of the racing team to get everything together. I think the TCX class will be growing, and the competition level will be getting better as well.”
Joining Ruud this week at IMS will be young international ski racer and TCX driver Olivia Askew of Salt Lake City, UT, will pilot the No. 3 DXDT/Fast Track Racing BMW M2 Cup mount car in the doubleheader weekend at Indianapolis. Askew currently ranks fifth in the inaugural TCX season points while only competing in selected events in 2021.
Askew was the 2017 Freeride Junior World Champion at the Grandvalira Ski Resort in Andorra near the France and Spain borders. The Utah competitor entered the motorsports in 2020, racing in the TCR class and moved to the TCX category this year with Fast Track Racing. Olivia has scored two fourth places this year in a limited schedule.
TCX action gets underway on Thursday (Oct. 14) with practice rounds beginning 10:30 a.m. EDT with qualifying scheduled for the Friday (Oct. 15) at 8 a.m. EDT. TCX 40-minute races are set for Friday at 1:35 p.m. EDT and Saturday (Oct. 16) at 3:20 p.m. EDT.
Highlights from the TCX division races will be telecast on CBS Sports Network on Wednesday (Oct. 27) at 7 p.m. EDT with an encore showing on Thursday (Oct. 28) at 1 a.m. EDT.