Ruud Seeks to Clinch 2nd Straight TCX Title This Weekend at Sebring for Fast Track Racing

Ruud Seeks to Clinch 2nd Straight TCX Title This Weekend at Sebring for Fast Track Racing
  • Young Jacob Ruud has 7 wins in 2022 and can secure 2nd TCX this weekend at Sebring
  • College student Garrett Adams comes to home track in TCX doubleheader
  • Former Skiing champion Olivia Askew says recent testing helps her for Sebring races

SEBRING, FL (August 21, 2022) – Young racer Jacob Ruud of Racine, WI, can wrap up his second consecutive TCX class drivers’ championship this weekend (Sept. 23-25) at the historic Sebring International Raceway with the penultimate rounds of the 2022 TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School series, part of the SRO America sports car event.

Ruud, 22, has been the dominant TCX driver for the last two years with 17 feature wins in 2021 and 2022 with the 24 series races competed since the division’s debut some 20 months ago. The recent Rochester Institute of Technology graduate walked away with the 2021 title and hopes to secure another championship this weekend in the two 40-minute sprint races set for Saturday and Sunday at the legendary 17-turn, 3.74-mile road circuit.

Already in 2022, Ruud has captured seven TCX contests at Sonoma (2), NOLA, VIR, Watkins Glen and Road America (2) including three wins in a row entering this weekend’s Sebring doubleheader events. To show Ruud’s dominance this year, he holds a 59-point lead and could clinch another title at Sebring.

It hasn’t just been stepping to the top of the winner’s circle podium for Jacob either. The driver of the No.1 ArmiClenz/Fast Track Racing BMW M2 CS (Cup) sports car has been racking up pole positions and fastest race laps as well. Fast Track Racing is sponsored by the Sewell Automotive Companies.

“It’s been a good year so far,” said Ruud. "But Sebring is a very unique challenge. The undulations in the road surface are unlike anywhere else and therefore puts an extra emphasis on car setup and a drivers’ car control. As we learned first-hand last year, this track is very unforgiving in some places.

“This weekend will reward drivers able who focus on smooth inputs to not over stress one aspect of the car. Personally, I'll be looking to manage the points gap I have at this time without subjecting myself to unnecessary risk."

If Ruud leaves this weekend’s events with a 50-point margin, he’ll wrap up his second TCX crown with two races remaining at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Oct. 7-9.

Joining Ruud in the Texas-based Fast Track Racing TCX effort this weekend at Sebring will two more youngsters in local driver Garrett Adams in the No. 54 Garrett Adams Racing BMW M2 CS (Cup) car and former skiing champion Olivia Askew in the No. 29 SmartCert BMW M2 CS (Cup) machine.

Adams made his TCX debut last year at Sebring, his home track, with a podium finish for Fast Track Racing and seeks another podium performance when the green flag drops in Saturday’s Race 1 at 1:05 p.m. EDT and Sunday’s Race 2 at 10:05 a.m. EDT.

“Sebring has history for me,” said Adams, the college student from Oviedo, FL. “This is the first racetrack I drove on and I consider it my home track. It's a very hot and rough track with different challenges for every driver. I'm excited for this weekend and can't wait to show my pace and confidence here.”

Askew, the former Freeride Junior World Skiing Champion, entered the TCX class full-time in 2022 and has shown good speed throughout the season including recorded a top-five finish at Watkins Glen.

Olivia looks for a podium finish after a recent testing session at Sebring.

“Sebring should be fun,” Askew said. “Garrett and I tested last week for two days, and we also have a promoter test day on Thursday so the whole team will be plenty prepared for the race weekend. It’s always fun to come to Florida and race at such an iconic track as Sebring, so I'm really looking forward to this weekend.” 

Action for the TCX series this weekend starts Friday with practice at 9:15 a.m. EDT and 2:30 p.m. EDT followed by qualifying on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. EDT. The two TC America 40-minute sprint races are set for Saturday at 1:05 p.m. EDT and 10:05 a.m. EDT on Sunday.

The TC America telecast of the Sebring highlights will be televised on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Sebring events will also be shown live at www.tcamerica.us.

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ABOUT FAST TRACK RACING: Fast Track Racing was founded in 2005. Fast Track Racing has sold 117 BMW factory race cars to our customers in the past five years. Fast Track Racing has earned six championships in the SRO World Challenge series, and two S.C.C.A. National Championships. Fast Track Racing is the first and only United States team to win the BMW Sports Trophy. In total, Fast Track Racing has earned 26 professional wins and over 100 total wins, including 22 poles and 113 podiums, with 23 of the fastest laps in SRO competition. As BMW Motorsport experts, Fast Track Racing also races these vehicles and knows them inside and out. Fast Track Racing is tenured, with track-tested experience. Fast Track Racing has engineering expertise and provides coaching and consultation to ensure a driver’s performance is maximized.