If anyone knows what it means to fight to the very end, it’s Johnny O’Connell. The odds were not always in his favor, but that never deterred him from putting up a fight. Ultimately, that very same tenacity and competitive spirit gave him the edge to clinch the SRO3 class championship, by one single point no less.
He further proved that consistency is the key in a long championship battle, finishing in the top 3 in fourteen out of sixteen rounds. This included two wins and twelve podiums, emphasizing how every single result matters when the field is this fierce.
When it was all said and done and he crossed the finish line in the final race of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to claim the title, it came with a feeling of relief. The immense amount of effort had paid off, and he was able to soak in the serenity.
“Honestly, it was really just a feeling of peace,” said Johnny O’Connell. “As a tiny team with no testing, we simply executed well all season long.”
O’Connell entered the year with the championship on his mind, yet he remained grounded, keeping a realistic approach amid the intense learning curve of handling a new car.
“You always have the championship in mind when you go into a season,” he explained, describing the delicate balance between big-picture aspirations and immediate goals. “Having a new car, and needing to learn that quickly was critical but Rosella, our lead engineer, and I worked well together and we did our best to maximize points and race smartly.”
This approach proved effective, as they continuously adapted, analyzed, and fine-tuned their tactics to ensure they stayed in the running. This proved to be instrumental in his quest for the championship trophy, as he was entangled in a close battle all season long with newcomer Justin Rothberg, whom O’Connell described as being a competitor who embodies sportsmanship.
“Justin is great,” he expressed. “It’s kind of rare these days to come across someone that shows respect to others on track and races clean without contact. We had some great battles this year at Sebring and in both races at VIR. He just got better and better as the season went on. I have nothing but praise for him, he’s a superb young man with a great family.”
He went on to say that those very same races at VIRginia International Raceway were, in his opinion, some of the best highlights of the season as a whole.
“Both rounds were fun, although I’d like a do-over on that last lap in Race 1,” he joked. “The last race of the season at Indy was pretty cool as well. The left lane opened up for me and we did what we needed to do.”
However, racing, by nature, is unpredictable, and O’Connell’s team faced several setbacks over the course of the year. Despite being a small group, he emphasized that they were composed of great people who were undeterred by the challenges they encountered. They were faced with hurdles such as a penalty at Circuit of The Americas that cost them valuable points, followed by a clutch issue at Road America that limited their time on track. Nevertheless, they put their heads down and pushed forward.
“In the end everyone just pulled together,” he recalled. “Kent and Melissa Hussey, the Team Owners, are two of the best people in the world. There was never any pressure, simply an understanding we would and did address any challenge to come our way.”
Reflecting on the season as a whole, O’Connell extended his respect to a lineup of formidable competitors who helped elevate the series in its entirety. He gave a nod to other standout performers in the field, including Jason Daskalos, James Sofronas, George Kurtz, Kyle Washington, and Jason Bell, all of whom added to the depth and complexity of each event.
As he looks ahead to the upcoming year, one thing is for sure – he’s still a force to be reckoned with.