Monticello, New York (26 September 2018) Talk about having a good year.
Stepping up when the pressure was on, Selin Rollan won the 2018 Mazda Road to 24 Scholarship after an intense four-driver shoot out to claim $100,000 towards the 2018 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich season.
The Florida racer came on strong in the season, scoring a break through victory at the Circuit of the Americas and backing that up with several podium appearances including another win in the most recent round at Portland International Raceway.
That big win sealed another big accomplishment for Rollan, who has secured the 2018 Rookie of the Year Global Mazda MX-5 Cup title ahead of this weekend’s season finale and will claim $75,000 in racing support from Mazda for the honor.
“My goal ahead of the season was to get Rookie of the Year and to have that locked up before the last race weekend is pretty cool,” said Rollan. “I wanted to win and get on the podium, so to have had the season that I’ve had is just amazing. It is cool to have shot past my goal and now be in a fight for the overall championship.”
But Rollan has no intention of calling it a day as he hopes to add another big title on the year.
Rollan has in fact set himself up for a championship battle as the series prepares to stage a double-header finale race weekend at Monticello Motor Club. There are six drivers mathematically eligible to win, but points leader Nikko Reger and Rollan lead the standings with Reger holding a one point advantage.
“My mentality going into the Monticello weekend is that I’m really thankful to be in this position,” said Rollan. “I’m so excited to be doing what I’m doing, even this far into the season it still feels kind of surreal to be in this spot.”
If he is able to do so it would net him $200,000 in scholarship support from Mazda.
“I’m almost in shock that I’m in this kind of position to fight for the championship,” said Rollan. “After some tough finishes, I thought I was out of the championship, but then a good weekend in Portland put us right back in it! I’m hoping for the best, but even if that doesn't work out, it is so cool to be in this position and I’m going to race hard to try to get that championship!”
The season-ending event at Monticello Motor Club will open with practice on Friday, September 28, with the final two races of the regular championship season set for Saturday, October 29.