Jake Rozelle the Ultimate Street Car Series at Pikes Peak International Raceway

While leading up to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational, Jake Rozelle has played an important role in the series.

Throughout it’s nine-year timespan, the Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series has seen some incredible drivers, but very few have made an impact on the series quite like competitor Jake Rozelle.  Rozelle got his name as “the kid” after achieving notoriety as the youngest Optima competitor ever to race in the series.  This title was almost lost when driver Cody Mason, who was a few years younger than Rozelle, started racing for Ken Thwaits under the Showtime Motorsports name.  Both underage drivers were remarkably fast, but there was something about Rozelle’s 1969 Camaro that continued to draw attention at each event he attended.

Rozelle has earned notoriety from both his successful driving and his age, making him one of the youngest competitors to ever compete in the Optima Series.

Rozelle has no fear.  When you watch him on a road course, many question how a 1969 Camaro can respond and handle like Rozelle’s through each turn.  Catch his speeds on the straights and Rozelle will most likely be one of the fastest drivers you’ll see at these Optima events.

Rozelle has already won two Optima events this year in his 1969 JCG built Camaro.

We’ve watched Rozelle grow from a boy to a young man as he just recently graduated the University of California San Diego with a Bachelor’s in Science in Electrical Engineering.  Over the past several years we have witnessed his success while making several appearances on Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car television series.  When someone talks about the Optima Series, Rozelle’s name is one of the few that are mentioned as top contenders.  The Kid is fast and his natural talent behind the wheel is obvious when you watch him on track.

It was no surprise that Rozelle would take the GTV Class win at Pikes Peak International Raceway, making it his third back-to-back win this year.

With two previous GTV wins in the Optima Series for the 2016 season, Rozelle already secured his spot to compete at this year’s Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Every Optima event that Rozelle has attend during the 2016 has resulted in a win, therefore it was expected that Rozelle would take home the win in the GTV class again at the Pikes Peak International Raceway event.

A dedicated team is behind driver Jake Rozelle including his father, Roy Rozelle and JJ Furillo.

There is not much that can stop K&N sponsored driver Jake Rozelle from taking podium at an Optima Series event.  Rozelle has some of the best team members who will tear apart his car in a moments notice just to gain another second if needed.  Rozelle’s father, Roy Rozelle, and suspension guru, JJ Furillo, are typically on site addressing any problems or modifications needed between runs.  This combination of driver and crew has been successful over the past couple years and continues to make Rozelle more competitive at each event.

Not only did K&N driver Jake Rozelle take the win in the GTV Class, Rozelle placed first in all three race segments along with the overall event win for the weekend.

Though heat conditions and high altitude were not ideal for the California native and his ’69 Camaro, Rozelle ran strong all weekend.  Rozelle continued to stay focused throughout the Colorado obstacles, knowing that placing first in the GTV class would make this his third back-to-back Optima event win.

When it came down to the final overall reveal, competition was close, but Rozelle’s performance throughout the weekend was flawless.  Not only did Rozelle take home first in all three race segments throughout the weekend, he went home with the overall event win, proving that forty-seven year old car (with proper modifications) could outrun late model technology.

An automotive influence during childhood could have contributed to Jake Rozelle’s success over the years, but dedication and raw talent are what keep Rozelle in the drivers seat.  As a young driver who has had a very successful racing career, Rozelle can only continue to grow, possibly taking home the title of the Ultimate Street Car in November.    One thing is for sure; several eyes will be on Jake Rozelle as he makes his way to Vegas, knowing he is one driver to watch out for in the upcoming months.