Photo credit: Gavin Baker Photography

Heading into the Mid-Ohio weekend, Nikita Johnson said he knew something had to change.

After a sizzling start to the season, with four wins and five podiums in the first six races, Johnson had only finished in the top five in one of the last six. Having fallen to third in the standings, what he chose to change is this: the 16-year-old began growing a mustache. Johnson proclaimed after qualifying at Mid-Ohio on Friday afternoon that he would not shave it until he won.

The next day, he did.

Starting from pole, Johnson put on a clinic, dominating and leading all 30 laps of the USF Pro 2000 opener on his way to his series-leading fifth victory of the year.

The Floridian finished first ahead of Pabst Racing’s Jace Denmark and Christian Brooks. Turn 3 Motorsport driver and championship leader Lochie Hughes, and Pabst’s Simon Sikes rounded out the top five.

Those top five all spent practically the entire race separated by a second each from each other. Behind them was a 13-second gap to DEForce Racing’s Mac Clark back in sixth.

Saturday morning’s race was also the first USF Pro Championships race of the weekend to run from green-to-checkered without cautions. Turn 3 Motorsport’s Tyke Durst was the only driver to retire from the race, which he did on lap 15.

For Johnson, the result will allow for him to jump Denmark for second place in the championship by one point. The two will close their gap to Hughes to 42 and 43 points with another race slated for 4:50 p.m. local time.

For full results, check out usfpro2000.com/results/live-timing