CANADIAN TALENT ON THE RISE

By Diane Swintal // Photography by Gavin Baker

From the moment Toronto native Mac Clark signed with DEForce Racing to compete in USF2000 Presented by Cooper Tires, this weekend has been circled on his calendar.

The 19-year-old sophomore at Ontario Tech University (who is working toward a degree in Mechanical Engineering) can’t wait for the chance to compete on one of the biggest open-wheel stages in Canada.

“I remember coming here when I was 12 or 13 years old, seeing Parker Thompson (the Red Deer, Alberta native) win in USF Pro 2000 with a Canadian team (Exclusive Autosport),” said Clark. “I was walking around the paddock with my dad, before I ever thought about the possibility of racing cars, seeing the few young

Canadian guys. It was a very cool feeling as a kid: it made the racing a little bit more relatable, made me realize it was possible. Now it’s my turn.”

Clark figures that among sponsors, friends and family, the contingent will number somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 people. Does that add pressure?

“Honestly, I put the most pressure on myself. I want to win, I want to succeed in my career. It’s going to be fun.”

Racing was a Clark family hobby, with grandparents on both sides of his family, two uncles and his father all sharing a karting background. As a 13-year-old, he won his first karting championship and represented Canada at the 2017 and 2018 World Karting Finals in Italy. With racing now much more than just a hobby, the Clark family decided it was time to move from karts to cars.

In 2019, Clark was named the F1600 Canada Rookie of the Year and the following season became the series’ youngest champion ever – capturing 16 victories from 18 races.

“After two years and a proper taste of open-wheel racing, I knew in my heart that I wanted a career nothing short of INDYCAR,” said Clark. He finished second in the 2021 US F4 Championship Powered by Honda and joined DEForce Racing to contest the inaugural season of USF Juniors Presented by Cooper Tires.

Clark made a name for himself right out of the box, scoring victories in each of the first four races. He went on to earn five wins, 10 pole positions and 12 podiums in 16 races to capture the title – and the scholarship that would propel him into USF2000 in 2023.

“I wouldn’t be racing this year without the scholarship. USF Pro Championships does such a great job in that way. It’s such a great ladder, and it allows drivers to keep progressing. Racing is expensive and it’s hard to find the funds to compete, so knowing I could keep my racing career going meant so much to me.”

In 13 races, Clark has scored two wins, two poles and six podiums, lying fourth in championship points.

There will be many new experiences for the young Canadian this weekend, but the opportunity to interact with his hometown fans ranks at the top of his expectation list.

“It’s been so much fun this year, doing all our autograph sessions on the INDYCAR weekends. I’ve met so many nice people and I think it’s going to be crazy this weekend. It’s a cool feeling. It’s cool to interact with the fans – and who knows, maybe that autograph card will be worth something in a few years?

“This is the most special race of the year by far for me, and winning here would mean an opportunity to inspire a future generation of Canadian drivers. I don't only want to win Toronto in USF2000, but the ultimate goal is to win it in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES too.”

The Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Toronto doubleheader takes the green flag Saturday at 1:40 p.m. and Sunday at 8:10 a.m. Fans can meet Clark during an autograph session on Friday at 11:00 am in Heritage Court which will feature all USF Pro Championship drivers.