LEXINGTON, Ohio (June 9, 2026) — Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) Masters class points leader Whitney Strickland is primed to continue his championship charge this weekend as the grid heads to the historic Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2026 season. Traveling with the open-wheel development squad Hillenburg Motorsports from Texas, Strickland enters the event with immense momentum following an undefeated weekend at Road America last month.
Strickland, pilot of the distinctive No. 21 TF Companies Ligier JS F3, delivered a masterclass performance in Wisconsin, sweeping both Masters class victories on the high-speed Elkhart Lake circuit. Those flawless technical drives vaulted him into absolute control of the Masters Championship standings, establishing a critical gap over his title rivals as the summer stretch commences.
The upcoming double-header on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 marks a significant return to Ohio for Strickland. While Mid-Ohio is widely recognized as one of North America's most challenging and technical natural-terrain road courses, Strickland boasts an extensive notebook at the 2.258-mile, 13-turn facility. His racing resume includes competitive campaigns in the highly-demanding SCCA Formula Enterprises 2 (FE2) and Spec Racer Ford (SRF) categories, providing him with a profound understanding of Mid-Ohio’s treacherous off-camber turns and blind crests.
"Mid-Ohio is an absolute driver’s track, and I couldn't be more excited to return there this weekend with Hillenburg Motorsports," said Strickland. "My past experience in SCCA FE2 and Spec Racer Ford gives me a great mental map of layout zones like the Keyhole and the Madness complex, but the surface dynamics are going to be a completely fresh puzzle. The track underwent a full repavement ahead of the 2024 season, and now that the asphalt has been curing, weathering, and taking rubber for a couple of years, the track surface grip is actively changing and maturing. Finding where the track surface is at its peak will be our first challenge.
"On top of an evolving track surface, managing the No. 21 TF Companies Ligier JS F3 here is a massive departure from my previous formula cars," Strickland continued. "The huge jump in horsepower combined with the aerodynamic downforce of the FR platform means we are forcing the car into the asphalt at much higher speeds. You have to trust the aero through the blind, fast sections. We had a perfect weekend at Road America, and our main objective is to adapt quickly to these shifting track conditions to protect and expand our championship lead."
Hillenburg Motorsports team management echoed Strickland’s confidence, noting that his technical feedback and track-specific experience will be vital assets during Friday's practice and qualifying sessions. The tight, undulating nature of Mid-Ohio rewards patience and precise car placement, characteristics that have come to define Strickland's championship-leading campaign.
The track schedule features competitive sessions spanning the entire weekend, culminating in the critical 35-minute race segments on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
Official Event Weekend Schedule (All times EDT):
Friday, June 12
Saturday, June 13
Sunday, June 14
Fans and partners can follow the action live throughout the weekend. Official practice and qualifying will take place on Friday, setting the stage for an action-packed race weekend with Race 1 scheduled for Saturday, June 13, followed by Race 2 on Sunday, June 14. Live timing and event updates will be available via the official FR Americas website and social media channels.
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