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THE TIRE GAMBLE AT MID-OHIO: WHAT RACING TEACHES ABOUT DECISION-MAKING UNDER PRESSURE

  • Writer: Margarita Kilpatrick
    Margarita Kilpatrick
  • Jun 11
  • 2 min read

In racing, like in life, you’re constantly making decisions with incomplete information. That’s exactly what we faced this weekend at Mid-Ohio.


The forecast was on a knife’s edge. Some said rain, some said it would hold off. The track was dry, but the skies weren’t exactly confident about staying that way. So we made a call. Two different ones, actually.

  • The #64 went out on rain tires

  • The #46 started on slicks


One team hedged for rain. One bet it wouldn’t come. It never did. This is the kind of racing strategy moment that defines endurance racing. Not just driving skill or car speed, but smart decision-making under pressure. It’s also where discipline comes in. Once the choice is made, the drivers and crew have to commit to it, adapt, and fight for every second on track.


What Happened on the Track

Even with the tire disadvantage, and later contact from a lower-class car, both of our entries fought through.

  • The #46 finished P11 after 4 hours of consistent effort

  • The #64 finished P18 overall, but P2 in the Bronze category, holding a critical lead in the championship


No podium this time. But every point matters in IMSA endurance racing. And in terms of performance under unpredictable race conditions, this event reminded us why preparation and mental toughness are just as critical as speed.


Why This Race Matters

At the JKTG Foundation, our commitment to racing is never just about the results. It’s about what racing teaches us.

This Mid-Ohio race taught us:

  • Why preparation must meet flexibility

  • How fast decisions can shape the outcome

  • That even the tough days move you forward when you stay disciplined


We’re proud of what both cars accomplished this weekend. We gained ground in the overall IMSA Championship. And the #64 extended its lead in the Bronze Cup.


Onward to the next challenge!


P.S. A Quick Word on Driving Research

During the Mid-Ohio broadcast, I shared a bit about how this all connects to our work off the track.


#DrivingResearch isn’t just a slogan. It’s how we approach everything: racing, research, policy, and beyond. Figure out what’s working. Pressure test what isn’t. Adjust. Improve. Go again.


You’ll find the clip below! It's a short reminder that the mindset we bring to the track doesn’t stay there.


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AUTHOR, ADVOCATE, RACER

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From the high-stakes world of federal courtrooms to the high-speed turns of race tracks, Ted Giovanis’s books capture a life built on determination, strategic thinking, and results.

 

In Beyond Fear, Giovanis recounts his extraordinary six-year battle with the U.S. Department, a fight that began with a single email and culminated in one of the largest Medicare court settlements in history. Representing 730 hospitals, he took on the federal government, navigated complex policy battles, and ultimately secured a $3 billion victory. Framed by his humble beginnings and the love and loss of his wife, Jayne, it is a powerful story of persistence, intellect, and the pursuit of justice.

 

In Focus Forward, the pace shifts from legal strategy to the race track, where Giovanis has spent three decades competing at speeds of 180 miles per hour. Starting his racing career at forty-six, he discovered that the discipline, teamwork, and adaptability needed in motorsport mirror the qualities that lead to success in life and business. He shares lessons learned in the driver’s seat, from preparation and resilience to embracing challenges head-on.

 

Together, these books offer a rare double perspective: one from the courtroom and one from the cockpit, united by the same driving force to face obstacles with courage, think strategically, and always keep pushing forward.

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