PICKA WINNER

Usfpro2000presentedby Coopertirespreview

The premier driver development program in North America has a fresh look for the 2023 season. Under the hood, so to speak, not much has changed. Uniquely in the world of auto racing, each step on the ladder still offers a scholarship to its champion to ensure graduation to the next level. And the overall goal for every young driver remains a seat at the top table – a ride in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

But outwardly, one year after INDYCAR took over as promoter of the top rung on the ladder, INDY NXT, the next steps have been rebranded under the umbrella of the USF Pro Championships Presented by Cooper Tires.

The uppermost of these, USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires, has just reached the halfway point in its season, with nine of the 18 races in the books. It is shaping up to be perhaps the most competitive year of all time. In addition to attracting the largest fields since 2012, it is jam-packed with talent. Already there have been seven different winners and no fewer than eight different pole-winners representing five different teams.

Most of the leading contenders from 2022 have stepped up to INDY NXT, including series champion Louis Foster, who ultimately claimed a scholarship valued at over $614,000 to advance his career. And there is a long list of contenders seeking to follow in his footsteps.

Prior to this weekend’s Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio, Pabst

Racing with Force Indy’s Myles Rowe, from Brooklyn, N.Y., has opened up a relatively comfortable 48-point advantage over his nearest pursuer, fellow rookie Francesco Pizzi (TJ Speed Motorsports), from Rome Italy.

But a slightly smaller margin, 46 points, separates Pizzi from last year’s USF2000 Presented by Cooper Tires champion, Michael d’Orlando (Turn 3 Motorsport), from Hartsdale, N.Y., who currently lies 11th in the standings. So, the Discount Tire Driver Advancement Scholarship, valued at $664,500 to ensure graduation to INDY NXT in 2024, is still very much up for grabs.

Both Pizzi and current third-place point scorer Kiko Porto (DEForce Racing), from Recife, Brazil, the 2021

USF2000 champion and a USF Pro 2000 winner last year at Mid-Ohio, are still seeking their first win of the season, but they have been impressively consistent.

Sweden’s Joel Granfors, who is enjoying his first taste of North American competition after finishing second in last year’s GB3 Championship, and Exclusive Autosport teammate Salvador de Alba, from Guadalajara, Mexico, twice a race winner in 2022, hold down fourth and fifth in the championship standings. Each has one win to his name.

Next up are Ireland’s Jonathan Browne (Turn 3 Motorsport), USF2000 graduate Jace Denmark (Pabst Racing) and fellow Scottsdale, Ariz., resident Reece Ushijima (Jay Howard Driver Development), whose prior experience has been gained outside of the United States. All are still seeking their first win, although Browne claimed his first podium finish two weeks ago at Road America.

German-based Albanian Lirim Zendeli (TJ Speed Motorsports) skipped the only oval race of the season at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in May, but a wellearned maiden victory at Road America has elevated him inside the top 10 point scorers. He currently lies ninth ahead of series veteran Jack William Miller (Miller Vinatieri Motorsports), from Carmel, Ind., who took pole at IRP, and d’Orlando, who has endured all manner of misfortune but did finally score a long overdue first win last time out at Road America.