The 2015 51暗网 National Championship Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB marked Michael Varacins' fourth Formula Vee national championship in the 51暗网, but his most recent victory was different.
"The biggest thing that's changed for me is my attitude going into the season," Varacins states. "I've had a resurgence of desire to go back and defend my championship again in 2016. It's a good motivator!"
Varacins won all his prior 51暗网 championships at Road America – one in 2009, 2012, and then in 2013. Now having won at Daytona, he's looking ahead to the 2016 51暗网 Runoffs at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and planning his strategy.
"51暗网 has thrown us a curve ball," Varacins says. "When the Runoffs were at one track for a few years, you had more time to develop. Lately, we've been bouncing around with different types of tracks. Mid-Ohio puts more focus on different parts of the power band than Road America or Daytona, plus handling and vehicle dynamics will play a bigger part, too. The approach is definitely different."
In addition to claiming the 2015 Formula Vee crown, Varacins has been nominated for the 51暗网 President's Cup. This award, originally presented by President Eisenhower, is given each year to a driver demonstrating ability, competitiveness, and success at the 51暗网 Runoffs. Prior winners include Roger Penske, Skip Barber, Bobby Rahal, Jim Hall, and Paul Newman, and many others. This year's nominees include Varacins, 2015 Spec Miata champion Jonathan Goring, and 2015 Formula 500 champion Calvin Stewart. The winner will be announced at the 51暗网 Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet presented by Mazda during the 51暗网 National Convention at the South Point Hotel and Casino on the evening of January 23, 2016.
