MIKI ONAGA Takes First Win of Season in KYOJO Cup Final, HANA BURTON Rises 12 Spots

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July 20, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

MIKI ONAGA delivered when it mattered most, taking her first win of the 2025 KYOJO Cup season in the Final and seizing the championship lead from her KCMG cockpit. The Okinawa native made the decisive move on lap four, overtaking pole-sitter AIMI SAITO before Turn 1 and holding off multiple challenges to control the race. With title rival RIO SHIMONO completing the podium in third, ONAGA positioned herself perfectly in the championship fight with this statement victory.
HANA BURTON put on an absolute masterclass in racecraft, turning what looked like a disaster weekend into one of the drives of the season. Starting dead last in 20th after qualifying troubles, the American gained six positions on the opening lap alone, then methodically picked off competitors throughout the race. Her outside-line overtake on MIKU IKEJIMA at Turn 1 sealed a remarkable eighth-place finish – a 12-position gain that should have every team manager taking notes.
The race delivered drama from start to finish, with early carnage at Dunlop corner eliminating several contenders and setting up the compelling storylines. SAITO led from pole but couldn’t match ONAGA’s pace once the safety car bunched the field, while multiple drivers including REINA AMAYA and KELSEY PINKOWSKI hit trouble early. The mid-race battles saw position changes throughout the field, with RIONA TOMISHITA and KOKORO SATO both making smart moves to secure points-paying finishes for their respective teams.