By Steve Wittich

TSO Ladder had a chance to catch up with Dakota Dickerson, the newly crowned F3 Americas Championship Powered By Honda champion at Portland International Raceway last weekend.

Dickerson was back in the Road To Indy paddock coaching Legacy Autosport newcomer Ayrton Ori. The 22-year-old has made 33 USF2000 starts since 2016, including two earlier this year with Legacy Autosport.

With five wins and nine podiums in the first 13 races, the 2018 F4 United States Championship Powered By Honda champion clinched this year’s championship three races early. Dickerson heads to the final event at Sebring International Raceway with a 77-point championship lead.

Dakota Dickerson on track during an F3 Americas Championship Powered By Honda race at Road America (Photo Courtesy of F3 Americas Championship Powered By Honda)

“It’s an awesome feeling being able to clinch the Championship today,” said the third-generation racer. “It was an uphill battle in the race having to start from the back, but we got a flying start and made our way up to second in the first lap. From there, it was just a matter of staying consistent and getting the points that we needed. I can’t thank the Global Racing Team enough for their tremendous effort and support. We’ll celebrate this weekend and keep our heads down to look for some wins at Sebring.”

Dickerson is using the final event of the season to raise money for Nowzad Rescue. The organization helps reunite companion animals with American soldiers that they have formed a bond with while on deployment in Afghanistan. You can find out more and donate here, please. —> Paws on Racecar – Dakota Dickerson Racing fundraiser for Nowzad 

The Californian’s dream drive is in the NTT IndyCar Series. In that light, Dickerson is working hard to put together the support to test an Indy Lights machine at the upcoming Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The former Team USA Scholarship winner is keeping his options open to sports cars though, taking part in some IMSA Prototype Challenge races. That includes a win at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in May.

You can follow Dickerson’s journey on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.