FAN GUIDE
On behalf of the entire Green Savoree Racing Promotions team, welcome to the 2025 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, the 21st annual running of this racing event in the spectacular downtown St. Petersburg.
Another NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off on the beloved waterfront of St. Pete this weekend! A special thanks given to Firestone, the title sponsor of this event since 2014, and Bridgestone Americas just announced a three-year extension of this partnership through 2028. RP Funding returns as our presenting sponsor for a fourth year. The support from these incredible organizations makes this marvelous event possible.
It’s an extra special weekend to have Susie, Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon with us participating in pre-race honorary roles. It’s been almost 20 years since Dan Wheldon’s win on the streets of St. Petersburg on April 3, 2025, and we appreciate having them here to commemorate that and Dan’s incredible racing legacy.
Eight races fill the schedule Friday to Sunday. Doubleheaders are set each from the Mazda MX-5 Cup and the rising stars of the USF2000 Championship and USF Pro 2000, aspiring to work their way up the motorsports ranks. Finally, INDY NXT by Firestone will ignite the crowd on Sunday morning before the NTT INDYCAR SERIES fights for 100 laps in its season-opening event. Check out the schedule for more details on all the on and off-track festivities.
Make a pit stop at the vast array of food and drink options available across the track, featuring many flavors from the St. Pete area. Our version of “gasoline alley” is also lined with displays, merchandise and exhibits. There are new and expanded general admission activations adding to the festival experience, like the Horse Soldier Bourbon Waterside Club, Ultra Party Pit and NUTRL Victory Garden, plus find a wide array offerings in the Festival Plaza, site of live music on Saturday evening after the racing.
To make this event come to life, Mayor Ken Welch and his outstanding City of St. Petersburg team play a major part in the weekend’s success, from supporting the track build process to on-site fire, police, safety and sanitation services support to name a few of the areas. The victory of the opening race is also fueled by 500+ volunteers who offer their time to lend a hand to the event. Our entire team appreciates the help they provide in key special areas.
Most importantly, this race would not be what it is without your passion and patronage, our loyal fans. Get ready for a full-throttle weekend of racing here at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. We’ll see you at the green flag!
Kevin Savoree Owner, President and COO Green Savoree Racing Promotions
Kim Green Owner, Chairman and CEO Green Savoree Racing Promotion
DEAR INDYCAR FANS
Welcome to the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, a fan-favorite event and the season-opening race on the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule.
INDYCAR is committed to delivering a comprehensive fan experience through outstanding entertainment and thrilling competition as our drivers take on the challenges presented by St. Petersburg’s challenging, 1.8-mile temporary street course.
Whether this is your first time at an INDYCAR race weekend or you have been attending this race for years, we are thrilled for you to witness the excitement of INDYCAR SERIES racing. This weekend is a destination event, so we urge you to take in as much as possible and enjoy it all.
For the 15th time, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding opens the 17-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. This weekend also serves as the green flag for our official development series – INDY NXT by Firestone.
All weekend, you’ll see the fastest racing on earth, which serves as a true proving ground for our talented drivers as they compete for the most challenging championship in motorsports as we launch our groundbreaking partnership with FOX Sports.
You’ll find that the NTT INDYCAR SERIES offers some of the most daring athletes in sports, including reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou, who is seeking a third-straight series title. But you can also cheer for young stars like Pato O’Ward, Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard and Scott McLaughlin and record-chasing legends in the making such as Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden and Will Power.
In addition, the rising talents of the sport will be showcased in thrilling, competitive INDY NXT by Firestone action.
While visiting this beautiful city, we invite you to download the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA on your smartphone to get behind-the-scenes driver features, live timing and scoring, in-car cameras and more information to help you follow the action.
Also, follow the NTT INDYCAR SERIES online at INDYCAR.com, on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok (@INDYCAR), and keep track of INDY NXT by Firestone at indynxt.com or on Instagram, X, Facebook and TikTok (@indynxt)
Thank you for your continued support. INDYCAR appreciates your attendance this weekend. We are glad you can experience the speed, action and excitement that defines INDYCAR SERIES racing.
Enjoy the weekend!
Mark Miles President and CEO, Penske Entertainment Parent company of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway
St. Pete is proud to host the kick off to the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, presented by RP Funding.
Nicknamed “The Sunshine City,” St. Pete, FL is one of America’s fastest growing cities. Offering beautiful weather year-round, world-class museums and galleries, local dining, professional sports, a wellness focused community, and some of the nation’s top ranked parks systems - St. Pete is quickly becoming one of the most talked about cities in Florida and beyond. With its laid back, small town vibe and big city attitude - St. Pete is now a major hub for high-caliber talent, business investment, and innovation with focus on inclusive progress.
Follow us on social media @stpetefl or visit us online at stpete.org.
WE ARE INNOVATIVE, WE ARE INCLUSIVE, WE ARE IMPACTFUL, WE ARE IN-TOUCH WE ARE... EMBRACING THE RACE!
Dear Race Fans,
As Mayor, it is my pleasure to welcome the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series race teams, sponsors, and fans to the Sunshine City for another thrilling Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg!
For over two decades, this incredible event has been a defining tradition in our city, bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate world-class racing against the backdrop of our beautiful downtown waterfront. The Grand Prix fuels excitement and serves as a major driver of economic opportunity, supporting our small businesses and showcasing everything St. Pete has to offer.
Just beyond the racetrack, you’ll find a city that is rich in culture, history, and resilience. Hop on the SunRunner or a trolley to explore our one-of-a-kind shops, enjoy our world-class St. Pete Pier and diverse restaurants, and take in the beauty of our historic architecture, districts, and neighborhoods.
Known as the “City of the Arts,” St. Pete is home to many museums, a thriving performing arts scene, 50 public art studios, and the internationally-renowned SHINE Mural Festival, all of which reflect the incredible talent and diversity of our community. We take pride in fostering a city that is welcoming, vibrant, and constantly evolving.
The Grand Prix is a shining example of the power of partnerships and ingenuity, and we are honored to continue hosting this spectacular event for years to come.
We’re glad you’re here! Enjoy the race and everything St. Pete has to offer.
We Are St. Pete,
Kenneth T. Welch Mayor
STAFF LISTING
EVENT STAFF
Deven Keady, Christopher Kersey, Chad Seufert, Ben Valentine Operations & Event Control
GREEN SAVOREE RACING PROMOTIONS EXECUTIVES
Kim Green Chairman & CEO
Kevin Savoree President & COO
Michael Morrisey Executive Vice President & CFO
Jeff Atkinson Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Craig Kersey Vice President, Operations
Weston Bell, Kris Boatwright, Nathan Long, Spencer Prill, Dave Schwall, Jordan Sipes, Jordan Strohl, Jim Tario, Nathan Young Track Operations
Matthew Borkan, Ryan Cash, Giles Dowden Sales & Client Services
Steve Bidlack, Alexis Boyer, Jack Carney, Jenna Hood, Christian Ryan Marketing & Communications
Gwen Duffy, Anita Karklins, Mike Raven, Tammi Sipes Customer Service & Ticketing
Paul Alterio Safety & Security
Nathan Savoree Accounting
Scott Ellsworth Race Control
Todd Lewis PA Announcer
PERFORMANCE PRODUCTIONS
MEDIA GROUP
EXECUTIVE
Tim Rutledge
Group Publisher & CEO
EDITORIAL
Anna Rutledge Special Projects Editor
Adam Gordon Associate Editor
George Webster Motorsport Editor
DESIGN + PRODUCTION
Queue Gonzalez Creative Director
Patrick Dinglasan Production / Senior Art Director
Edward Shintani Senior Art Director
Patrick Beltijar Senior Art Director
VOLUNTEER TEAM LEADERS
Eric Stockwell Access Control
Kelli LaPuma Ceremonies
Patricia Zimmerman Credential Center
Josh Derringer, Michael Hulett, Jace Kole, Nancy Lafleur Grandstands
Rusty Wood, Dennis Gleason Hospitality
Todd Skinner Information Services
Jayme Evans Media Center
Leslie Prewitt Paddock Redemption
Scott Lescard
Photography
John Thompson Refreshment Services
Gary Lewis Showcar
Don Rambajan Volunteer Services
Beth Dillon Yacht Club
SALES + ADMINISTRATION
Richard Robles Director, Client Services
Julia Neukom
Project Manager
Harjaan Sivia Director of Strategic Partnerships
Jason Redmond
Motorsport Marketing Manager
IMAGE & STORY CREDITS INDYCAR
GSRP
TAMPA BAY
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025
TIME SERIES SESSION
9:10 AM-9:45 AMUSF Pro 2000 Practice
10:00 AM-10:30 AMMazda MX-5 Cup Practice 1
10:45 AM-11:20 AMUSF2000 Practice
11:35 AM-12:05 PMUSF Pro 2000 Qualifying
12:20 PM-12:50 PMMazda MX-5 Cup Practice 2
12:45 PM-1:45 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIES Autograph Session American Legion in Fan Village
1:05 PM-1:35 PMUSF2000 Qualifying
2:00 PM-2:45 PMINDY NXT by Firestone Practice 1
3:05 PM-4:25 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1
4:45 PM-5:30 PM USF2000 Race 1
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025
TIME SERIES SESSION
8:05 AM-8:45 AMMazda MX-5 Cup Qualifying
9:10 AM-9:55 AMINDY NXT by Firestone Practice 2
10:15 AM-11:15 AMNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 11:35 AM-12:15 PMUSF Pro 2000 Race 1 12:30 PM-1:10 PMUSF2000 Race 2
1:30 PM-2:00 PMINDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying
2:30 PM-4:00 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying
4:15 PM-5:00 PMINDY NXT by Firestone Autograph Session American Legion in Fan Village
4:25 PM-5:10 PMMazda MX-5 Cup Race 1
6:30 p.mLive performance by Pitbull Toddler
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2025
TIME SERIES SESSION
8:00 AM-8:40 AMUSF Pro 2000 Race 2
9:02 AM-9:27 AMNTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm-up
10:10 AM-11:05 AMINDY NXT by Firestone Race (45 Laps) 11:26 AMNTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions 12:29 PM Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding (100 Laps)
3:00 PM-3:45 PM Mazda MX-5 Cup Race 2
Healthcare, Turbocharged.
Proud to be with you for every lap.
EVENT SPONSORS
Firestone
At Moffitt, our research teams are fast-tracking innovative cell therapies and clinical trials that are providing survival rates up to 4 times the national averages. We’re accelerating the science for early detection and here at the Firestone Grand Prix we’re offering free screenings for skin, head and neck cancer. Just visit our mobile site Sunday, March 2, 2025 from 10 am to 2 pm.
For the best cancer outcomes, choose Moffitt first. Learn more at Moffitt.org/Outcomes.
ENTRY LISTS
INDYCAR SERIES
ENTRY LISTS
INDY NXT
BY FIRESTONE
USF PRO 2000
ENTRY LISTS
ENTRY LISTS
ENTRY LISTS
WHELEN MAZDA MX-5 CUP
PRESENTED BY MICHELIN
FIRESTONE EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP WITH GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG THROUGH 2028
Words and Images Provided by Bridgestone/Firestone
here is no better way to shake away the winter offseason than a Sunshine State weekend on the streets of St. Pete. And Firestone is proud to be part of that annual tradition.
TThe season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding has become a marquee event, combining the excitement of INDYCAR racing with a stunning waterfront backdrop and a unique urban street circuit. The Firestone brand has been the entitlement sponsor since 2014, and this year it announced an extension through 2028. Working together with Green Savoree Racing Promotions, Firestone will continue to support an event that entertains fans and showcases worldclass motorsport action in St. Petersburg.
“St. Pete is always an exciting event as we reconnect with fans and wave the green flag for a new season of racing,” said Lisa Boggs, Director, Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “We take great pride in Firestone’s rich history in the sport, and starting each season at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has
become a big part of that. We’re excited to extend this tradition as part of our continued commitment to driving excitement and innovation in racing for years to come.”
Firestone’s roots run deep in the Tampa/ St. Petersburg area. Firestone Complete Auto Care opened its first local retail location in 1933 on Kennedy Boulevard in downtown Tampa. It remains a trusted neighbor by providing tires and automotive services at multiple locations in the area, reinforcing Firestone’s enduring presence and commitment to the local community.
“Firestone has been an integral part of the growth and success of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as title sponsor. This latest extension will take our partnership
to a remarkable 15-year span,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. “It’s an iconic brand that’s helped champions redefine limits in racing for generations, which aligns perfectly with the energy and excitement that embody this event.”
FIRESTONE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
“The best today. Still better tomorrow.” That mindset formed the cornerstone of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company upon its founding 125 years ago in Akron, Ohio on August 3, 1900. The brand’s legacy in racing began in 1911 when Ray Harroun won the inaugural Indianapolis 500® on his Firestone-equipped Marmon Wasp. Guided by the pioneering vision of its founder, Harvey Firestone, the brand has relentlessly driven new racing innovation as the choice of champions for more than a century. Today, it continues to carry forward that spirit of pushing boundaries and redefining performance limits as part of Bridgestone’s global motorsports initiatives.
25 YEARS AND COUNTING WITH THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Firestone has proudly served as the exclusive tire supplier for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for the past 25 seasons, and its focus remains on the future. In September 2024, Bridgestone and Penske Entertainment announced a long-term extension for Firestone to continue in that role for all INDYCAR-sanctioned racing, which includes
the INDY NXT by Firestone development series and the Indy 500.This year, the Firestone Race Tire Engineering team and nearly 60 expert tire builders will deliver approximately 32,000 Firestone Firehawk race tires for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. In all, Firestone Racing will design, develop and deliver more than 60 different race tire specifications to meet the extensive and varying demands of the 16 unique oval, road, and street course configurations across the 2025 schedule.
INDY NXT BY FIRESTONE
While involved with previous iterations of INDYCAR’s top-tier development series since the early 1990s, Firestone strengthened its commitment to the sport’s future in 2022 by becoming the presenting sponsor and exclusive tire supplier for INDY NXT by Firestone. Driving on Firestone tires provides the next generation of drivers with invaluable development experience and the opportunity to elevate their level of competition on equipment similar to that used by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
GREEN! GREEN! GREEN!
Alternate green sidewall tires are back for a third year of competition at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. These tires were first introduced in 2022 for all street circuits with sidewalls that incorporate natural rubber derived from guayule, a desert shrub grown at the company’s R&D facilities in Arizona.
This is one of several Firestone Racing activities in recent years that demon-
strate the values of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which outlines areas where the company is focused on helping create a more sustainable future. As part of a broader initiative to accelerate the use of recycled and renewable materials and new technologies across the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Firestone Racing is delivering on the Bridgestone E8 Commitment values of emotion, energy and ecology.
Additionally, Firestone developed and delivered Firehawk Indy 500 race tires that incorporated materials made from hard-to-recycle plastics in 2023 and palm oil waste residue in 2024. These monomers are certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system for the transparency and traceability of sustainable raw materials throughout the supply chain.* Efforts are also ongoing to advance energy-efficient transportation and end-of-life recycling initiatives for race tires used throughout the season.
DRIVING INNOVATION FROM CIRCUIT TO STREET
All Firestone Firehawk race tires are produced at the Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) in Akron, Ohio. The ATPC opened in 2022, marking the start of a new chapter for Firestone’s rich history in the community where it was founded. The Firestone Race Tire Engineering team collaborates closely with fellow tire engineers and innovation colleagues at the nearby Bridgestone Americas Technology Center, where insights from racing
on track help enhance product development across the Bridgestone and Firestone tire portfolio for the road.
THE FIRESTONE FAN EXPERIENCE RETURNS
Race fans attending the 21st edition of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding can look forward to visiting the Firestone Fan Experience, an interactive fan zone that offers unique, hands-on activities designed to engage fans of all ages. Located in Albert Whitted Park just south of Woodie’s bridge near Turn 11, the Firestone Fan Experience features racing simulators, a Firestone showcar, and provides fun Firestone swag along with a chance to win a set of Firestone tires.
FOLLOW US
Follow along with Firestone all season via @FirestoneTires on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), as well as @Firestone on Tik Tok.
MARCUS ERICSSON
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF MOTIVATION FUELING MARCUS ERICSSON ENTERING THIS YEAR’S FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG.
By Joey Barnes
he 34-year-old Swedish native had an entire offseason to think about last year’s campaign, his first in Andretti Global’s No. 28 Honda, that was underwhelming by his standards. Now, though, he turns the page to the 2025 season for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, which begins at the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit.
TAnd a fast start could be key for Ericsson as each time he finished in the top 10 in the first race of the season, including his 2023 victory at St. Petersburg with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR), he finished sixth in the championship standings (2021-23).
“It has always, for me, been historically a good way to have a good season,” said Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner.
“Last year, it was very telling there, where we qualified in the Fast Six, I was running in the top five and then that air filter failed and then we had a DNF (did not finish) to start off the season. It does put you on the backfoot and puts you in a position where you try and get points back on the others, so a good start is very crucial.
“With that said, I see that as a challenge. If for some reason we don’t have a good start, I need to find a way to not change my mindset and have a strong year anyway. I see it both ways, but definitely having a good start - for many things - helps you kick off the season and have a good year.”
Ericsson took last year’s lessons to heart, examining everything within his own race craft and mentality, to even packing on “10 pounds of muscle” over
the past five months. Despite being with a new team and environment that presented an obvious learning curve, there were still flashes of pace.
However, various mistakes, including those that were self-inflicted, left much to be desired as there was only one podium (second - Detroit Grand Prix), four top fives and three Firestone Fast Six appearances to show for it.
“I was trying a bit too hard some weekends trying to force things,” Ericsson said. “I had six DNFs and you can only afford one or two DNFs to have a good result in the championship.
“One of the big things is that I need to take what’s given to me kind of approach a bit more ‘cause that’s what made me very successful the previous years. The other thing is to keep working on that qualification. INDYCAR is getting more competitive every year and I could see firsthand last year when we were qualifying in the top five or six in the past six, we were having really strong races and finishing in the top five or on the podium. Those are for me the key areas I need to focus on. And then, that goes hand in hand with all the work I put in the offseason to be better in general.”
One of the more underlying items that Ericsson also needed time to adjust to was Andretti’s damper program, which had an entirely different feel compared to what he experienced at CGR.
“Every team has their own philosophy on how they build their dampers and that is crucial to then set up the car around that philosophy,” said Ericsson, a veteran
of 97 Formula 1 starts. “Two top teams have won a lot of races, but they have very different philosophies on how they set up their cars and how the dampers feel. I think people don’t really understand how powerful that is.
“Also, drivers have been jumping on different teams, how difficult it is and how different it is between team to team to drive different types of cars. So, it’s still surprising how it can be like that in such a sort of one-spec series, but I think it’s also very cool that it is like that.”
Another adaptation is the hybrid engine, which INDYCAR introduced midway through the 2024 season at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Although the regeneration and deployment has left Ericsson to adjust his preferred driving style of leaning on the outside tire of corner entry, it’s a challenge he’s looking forward to mastering.
“It definitely puts more stress on the rear axle, so that’s a challenge,” he said. “That’s something that a driver like me with my driving style has to work around a bit more. I found it a bit more of a challenge, but I also like that challenge because it makes it a little bit more tricky to get it right. But it does change things. It’ll be interesting to come back to St. Pete now with the hybrid and see how it changes things there.”
Where that could be an advantage for Ericsson is based off of last year’s event in Toronto, the only street circuit the new power unit was run on, that saw Andretti teammates Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood finish 1-2. Additionally, Honda-powered teams swept the top seven spots. In
turn, that showing by the Japanese manufacturer has only increased optimism.
“It was interesting to see the way Honda was pushing and developing the hybridthe strategy and simulation around it - to optimize it for every given track and situation,” Ericsson said. “That was something that was very impressive. And that’s going to be key now coming to new tracks for the start of the year and then optimizing on the tracks we already raced that last year. It’s about optimizing that and being flexible for different conditions during a race, the way you use the hybrid system.
“It is not the most powerful hybrid system, but it’s still very important to use it in the most efficient way. That’s where Honda was standing out last year and I’m expecting them to be the same this year.”
STOUT FIELD FOR USF PRO 2000
by
Another USF Pro Championships season is upon us. And the most senior level of the world-renowned open-wheel development series ladder, USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire, seems set for another intriguing contest. More than 20 young drivers representing at least seven nations will compete in this weekend’s Andersen Interior Contracting Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, commencing an 18-race campaign which will culminate in the series champion securing a scholarship valued at a minimum of $594,500 to graduate to INDY NXT in 2026.
Collectively, USF Pro 2000, USF2000 and USF Juniors, provide a distinct and well-proven pathway from karting all the way to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, with full scholarships at each level to ensure progression for the champions onto the next step of the ladder.
A true indication of USF Pro 2000’s level of competitiveness can be gleaned from the fact that each of the most recent six championships,
dating back to 2019, has been won by drivers representing as many different teams. Let’s see if that remarkable trend will continue in 2025.
Turn 3 Motorsport emerged on top of the pile in 2024. Australia’s Lochie Hughes became the fourth successive rookie driver to win the coveted title and a scholarship to ensure graduation to INDY NXT. So who will emerge this year to fol-
Jeremy Shaw, Images courtesy of Gavin Baker Photography.
USF2000 Champion Max Garcia steps up to USF Pro 2000.
Floridian Alessandro De Tullio has joined Turn 3 Motorsport.
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low in his footsteps? Make no mistake, with almost all of the leading protagonists from last season moving on to fresh challenges, the door is wide open.
The team run by Peter Dempsey, who himself came close to claiming the championship as a driver in both 2008 and 2009, will field four cars in a quest to become the first organization to clinch back-to-back crowns since Juncos Racing in 2017 and 2018. Florida’s Alessandro De Tullio, who finished a strong fourth in the inaugural USF Juniors title-chase in 2022, will be joined by fellow USF Pro 2000 veterans Tyke Durst and Cooper Becklin, as well as rookie Titus Sherlock, who placed fourth in last year’s Formula Regional Americas series.
After securing its second straight Team Championship last year, Pabst Racing will feature an all-new lineup for 2025, albeit with strong credentials. Max Garcia, from Coconut Grove, Florida, and New Zealander Jacob Douglas already have a tight bond with the Wisconsin-based team. Garcia was a convincing winner of the 2024 USF2000 championship, claiming five race wins – including a sweep of both races here in St. Petersburg –while Douglas grabbed a pair of USF2000 wins for
the team in 2023. The third member of the squad, Michael Costello, from Naples, Fla., also has a USF2000 win to his credit during last year’s finale at Portland International Raceway.
A deep field of talent also includes Canadian Mac Clark (Exclusive Autosport), a former USF Pro 2000 polesitter and the inaugural USF Juniors champion in 2022, and Max Taylor (VRD Racing), whose hectic and successful 2024 campaign included four USF2000 wins and the USF Juniors championship.
Others to keep an eye on include series veterans Frankie Mossman (Jay Howard Driver Development) and George Garciarce (DEForce Racing), and a pair of TJ Speed Motorsports rookies in Israeli Ariel Elkin and New Zealander Sebastian Manson. Elkin won three USF Juniors races last year, while Manson finished second in both the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship and the Formula Regional Japanese Championship. He has also scored a couple of wins already this year while contesting the Formula Regional Oceania Championship (formerly known as the Toyota Racing series) in his homeland.
Max Garcia will carry the distinctive USF Pro Championships livery.
Frankie Mossman finished fourth last year on the St. Petersburg streets.
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PABST CHASES THREE-PEAT
by
SF2000 Presented by Continental Tire is the middle step on the USF Pro Championships ladder. It stands between USF Juniors, which was introduced in 2022 as the entry point to the professional ranks of auto racing, and USF Pro 2000, the final stepping stone to INDY NXT and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
UThe category’s history in North America dates back to 1990, when the first true national championship was held. However, its roots date back much further. Formula Ford 2000 made its bow in the United Kingdom in 1974 as a logical progression from Formula Ford, which had been introduced seven years earlier, and within a few years had followed its illustrious predecessor in gaining a foothold in both the U.S. and Canada.
No fewer than eight different drivers tasted the fruits of victory from 18 USF2000 races in 2024, but only one, G3 Argyros, will return this year in a bid to win a scholarship valued at well over
$400,000 to ensure graduation to the USF Pro 2000 ranks in 2026.
The 16-year-old Californian progressed in leaps and bounds following his graduation from karting. His primary focus initially was on USF Juniors, although he began a parallel program in USF2000 midway through the season and ended up winning a chaotic finale at Portland International Raceway after lining up 14th on the grid. Argyros has
Jeremy Shaw
Photography by Gavin Baker Photography.
A race winner last year, G3 Argyros has joined the crack Pabst Racing squad.
Former F1600 champion Thomas Schrage has high hopes for his first full season.
since joined the Pabst Racing powerhouse, which seeks its third consecutive championship after guiding Simon Sikes and Max Garcia to top honors in 2023 and 2024. Argyros will therefore arrive at this weekend’s Foundation Building Materials Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as one of the favorites alongside highly rated rookie teammate Caleb Gafrarar, a multiple time karting champion who impressed in a handful of UK Formula Ford races in 2024.
VRD Racing and Jay Howard Driver Development came closest to upsetting the Pabst domination in 2024. Ohio’s Thomas Schrage became a potent force when he joined VRD for the final portion of the campaign, claiming three pole positions –more than anyone except series champion Garcia – and two fastest race laps from the last six races. A race victory eluded him, but the former F1600 champion and Team USA Scholarship winner aims to set that record straight in short order this year.
Jay Howard’s team also will feature at least one title contender in Liam McNeilly. The talented Briton narrowly missed out on last year’s USF Juniors title following an impressive maiden season in the U.S. He also shone during an exploratory USF2000 outing on the streets of Toronto, where he qualified fastest for Race Two and finished
a strong second behind teammate and series veteran Evagoras Papasavvas, who at that juncture remained in title contention.
Other likely contenders will include Exclusive Autosport rookies Jack Jeffers and Evan Cooley, Australian Eddie Beswick, who will line up with the same team, Synergy Motorsport, which took him to the Australian Formula Ford championship title, and Indiana’s Ayrton Houk, who is the top returning driver from last year. Houk also will drive for a single-car team in Benchmark Autosport, albeit with the continued proven expertise of Don Connor, who for many years was an integral part of the Cape Motorsports juggernaut that secured nine consecutive USF2000 championships between 2011 and 2019.
Ayrton Houk will drive for the new Benchmark Autosport team.
Liam McNeilly made an impressive USF2000 debut for JHDD in Toronto.
WHELEN MAZDA MX-5 CUP
BACK TO TACKLE STREETS OF ST. PETE
FOLLOWING A ONE-YEAR ABSENCE, THE WHELEN MAZDA MX-5 CUP PRESENTED BY MICHELIN HAS RETURNED TO THE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG!
This fan favorite series, composed of more than 30 identically prepared Mazda MX-5 race cars, is back with two 45-minute races on the only street course of its entire 2025 season.
Mazda MX-5 Cup races are always high drama on the streets of St. Pete. The concrete walls framing the circuit leave no room for error, although these convertibles can get away with a scrape of the wall here and there. When accidents do happen, they often claim several cars, as the track walls also prevent drivers from evading incidents they had nothing to do with.
The walls also contribute to some amazing racing. MX-5 Cup drivers are known for making successful passes where no one else can and St. Petersburg is a prime example of that. Be prepared to witness passing zones in places where physics says passing should not work.
“Drivers love the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg because it’s America’s Monaco.”
“Drivers love the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg because it’s America’s Monaco,” said two-time series champion and 2022 St. Pete race winner Jared Thomas. “It’s a great course that really tests the skills of the drivers, plus the fans and city really get behind the race and support it which makes for a great environment to race in!”
When it’s time for the checkered flag to come out, it will be a drag race down the Albert Whitted Airport runway. In 2023, Connor Zilisch exited the final corner in the lead, but Gresham Wagner drafted past Zilisch to take the win by a stunning 0.021-second (and yes, that’s the Connor Zilisch, now NASCAR driver and Red Bull Athlete). Race margins of victory below
half a second are just another hallmark of MX-5 Cup racing.
This year is the 35th Anniversary of the Miata and the cars you see on track are the same road-going Mazda Miata you can buy at a dealership. But after these leave the assembly line in Japan, they head to Flis Performance in Daytona Beach, Florida, to be converted into a true race car. Several components on the car are sealed to ensure even competition and a cost-saving platform.
All MX-5 Cup races are streamed live on the IMSA and RACER YouTube channels and are available to rewatch immediately, so you can replay that crazy last lap pass for the win over and over again.
