Matthew Brabham is close to securing the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires after winning the first race of two at Trois-Rivieres in Canada.
Brabham can clinch the title in the weekend's second race.
The Andretti Autosport driver started on pole managed a perfect getaway in only the second standing start of the season and led all 40 green-flag laps to claim his 10th win of the year. Adding an exclamation point by posting the fastest lap of the race. The 19-year-old Gold Coaster came away with maximum points to extend his championship lead to 73 points over Diego Ferreira of Juncos Racing.
“It has been an absolutely fantastic weekend for us,” said Brabham.
“My dad has been here before so he was coaching me along although the track has changed a bit since he was here.
“I was ready for the lights, had a great start and managed to begin pulling a gap. I was the opposite of Diego [Ferreira] in that I was hoping a yellow flag wouldn't come out. It didn't and I managed to post consistent laps, keep it off the wall and bring it home. It was a great race for me.”
If Brabham sits 65 points clear of Ferreira after the second race at Trois-Rivieres he will be the champion.