A new Formula 4 United States Powered by Honda victor emerged Saturday as James Goughary Jr. of Jupiter, Florida, won Race 1 at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Saturday (27 August) after an early incident jumbled the top order.

Jackie Ding of Shenzen, China, was in position two when his rear swung out from behind him, spinning him in the middle of the track’s apex. As most of the field tried to dodge contact by going wide of the incident, Goughary used his 30 years of racing experience to his advantage by taking the inside of the turn to avoid traffic and contact.

Fellow Primus teammate Kyle Kirkwood of Jupiter, Florida, followed suit and the duo quickly took first and second place positions. The two would hold their standings until the checkered flag was thrown.

“Once the guys took that little bobble on the first lap, I saw a hole in the bottom and just took it,” Goughary said. “I got a big gap right away and was able to maintain that. It was by no means easy. All these guys are very talented. I could finally breathe once I crossed that finish line.”

Raphael Forcier of Montreal went from starting the race in last place to earning a third-place podium spot. Forcier qualified 12^th but during Thursday’s practice session, Forcier blew a motor. A 10-grid penalty for three races is issued to competitors who change motors during race weekend. This pushed Forcier’s grid position to last.

Pole starter Cameron Das of Brooklandville, Maryland, was involved in the early incident. No contact was made but the on-track mishap shuffled Das to the back of the field. Das chipped his way back to finish the race fifth.

Das went on to steal the show claiming a pair of victories in Races 2 and 3 as the Formula 4 United State Championship mid-season event came to a close at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Sunday.

“It feels amazing to come in so quick and do well through the entire weekend,” Das said. “It shows that the hard work in the beginning really pays off in the end.”

Das, piloting the metallic blue and white Zero Chroma JDX Racing F4 U.S. car, was unstoppable the entire weekend setting fast lap time in practice, qualifying and all three races. Das blasted from the Formula 1-style standing start in both races, gaining a substantial lead on his competitors.

Das would only be passed once during both 30-minute race sessions by Moises de la Vara of Guadalajara, Mexico. Das quickly regained the lead from de la Vara after one turn.

Konrad Czaczyk of Loxahatchee, Florida, who swept the inaugural weekend of F4 U.S. events in July before a pair of 10^th-place finishes earlier this month, found himself back on the podium, finishing second in the weekend finale events.

“I tried chasing down Cameron toward the end of the race,” Czaczyk said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to catch him today. He was just a little too fast this weekend.”

Series newcomer Skylar Robinson of Augusta, Georgia, crossed the finish line back-to-back times in third position. Robinson’s battle for third during Race 3 was alleviated once the safety car was called to the track for a single-file restart after a full track double yellow. Robinson was able to nail the start, find his racing line and pull away from the back of the pack. 

Double yellows were thrown halfway through the final event of the day after Darren Keane of Boca Raton, Florida, took a wild ride off-track at Turn 1. After crossing the start finish line during lap seven, first-time F4 U.S. Championship event entrant Quinlan Lall of Ringwood, New Jersey, tried to make a run on Keane late in the front straight to overtake fourth-place position. The two competitors connected tires midway through the turn and Keane’s car went off-track, rolling two times through the air. Keane emerged from the car unhurt but was unable to return to the race. Lall’s No. 3 car skidded into the dirt off-track but continued the race.

“I radioed to everyone that I was just fine after sitting there with my eyes closed for a minute,” Keane said. “I want to thank Crawford Composites, Honda, SCCA Pro Racing and the FIA for making such a safe car. I walked away without a scratch on me and I can’t wait to get back in the car to make a podium run at Road Atlanta.”

F4 U.S. Championship points leader Kirkwood had a rough second day of racing. He started fourth on the grid during Race 2, but after braking issues lost momentum throughout the race and finished in 11th place. During Race 3, Kirkwood’s brake problems were resolved. Starting in 14th position, he made his way through the pack, chipping away at his competition eventually making his way to fourth, challenging Robinson for podium position. Kirkwood’s charge ended after suffering rear tyre puncture. He returned to the pits for a quick change and continued the race.

The F4 U.S competitors return to action for their fourth event of the season Sept. 17-18 at Road Atlanta in Atlanta.

For full results and photos of the event, visit F4USChampionship.com