Competing in only his third-ever open-wheel racing event, Caleb Gafrarar nabbed his first career car podium in the Skip Barber Racing Series this past Saturday and improved on his performance Sunday to climb one step closer to the top. Taking on the fast and flowing VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), Gafrarar earned a P3 result Saturday and second on Sunday to stand on the podium in front of friends and family.
“It was a good weekend and memorable one for me,” explained Gafrarar. “A huge thank you to everyone who has helped get me to this point, and I can’t wait to earn my first win, hopefully at the next event.”
Turning the third fastest lap time in both practice sessions, Gafrarar qualified fourth for race one on the weekend but started third after penalties were assessed to others. Falling to fourth on the start, Gafrarar made his way back to third by running fast and consistent race laps. With three laps to go, Caleb was passed pushing him back to fourth again as he managed to stay in the draft and mount a challenge at the end. Scoring his fastest sector one and two on the final lap, Gafrarar made a last lap move around the outside of a fellow competitor to score his first career Skip Barber podium result.
The race two grid was set based on fastest lap times from race one and Gafrarar would begin his quest for a double podium from the outside of row two in the fourth position. Moving to third quickly with a bold opening lap pass, Caleb battled with a fellow competitor for the third position until the leader retired with a mechanical issue. Pushing hard and going for the gaps that others would not, Gafrarar avoided any contact and survived to cross the line second, besting his previous day’s result.
Gafrarar added, “I have made progress each race weekend. I was one of very few that started the series with no car experience and feel that I have made huge strides forward. Excited for the future.”
With car racing done until August, Caleb will return to karting this coming weekend at the Utah Motorsports Campus (UMC) in Grantsville, Utah. Rejoining the Trinity Karting Group effort, Gafrarar will take on rounds three and four of the Superkarts! USA (SKUSA) Pro Tour.
Caleb Gafrarar would like to thank Skip Barber Racing Series, Trinity Karting Group, Kart Republic NA, LAD Specialties, Circle K, Bell Helmets, Molecule, Minus 273, ULV, From the Ashes, and CPI Security for the continued support as we continue the 2023 racing season.