Official Program: 2022 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding

ION

2021 FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG CHAMP

COLTON HERTA

FEBRUARY 25-27, 2022

O F F I C A L

2022 FAN GUIDE

FOR REDEFINING LIMITS FirehawkTM Indy 500® is our premier ultra-high-performance tire, with wide shoulders to increase the tire’s stiffness so you can corner with confidence.*

*All comparisons vs. prior generation Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500.

Results may vary depending on proper tire and vehicle maintenance, road conditions and driving habits.

NTT INDYCAR ® SERIES and INDY 500 ® are registered trademarks of Brickyard Trademarks, used with permission.

Robert

Palmer

RP Funding Founder

RP Funding - NMLS 70168 - 1400 S. International Parkway, Suite 1000, Lake Mary, FL 32746. Robert Palmer - NMLS 76197. *See website for details.

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2022 SOUVENIR PROGRAM

INSIDE WELCOME LETTERS

FEATURES

Mayor

Schedule

GSRP

Map

Things to See and Do

ENTRY LISTS

Mazda MX-5 Cup takes to the streets of St. Pete

Indy Lights

Firestone Racing’s new home for innovation

NTT IndyCar Series Indy Pro 2000 USF 2000

NTT IndyCar Series filled with intrigue, action, talent in 2022

SRO

Sponsors

MX-5

D’Orlando carries tag as USF2000 favorite Indy Pro 2000 preview SRO Preview Indy Lights enters exciting new era with growing, talented field Spot the differences

EVENT SPONSORS

WELCOME

LETTERS

On behalf of the entire team at Green Savoree Racing Promotions, we’d like to welcome you to the 2022 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, the 18th annual running of this event in spectacular downtown St. Petersburg.

We couldn’t be more excited to be back as the season opener for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES once again and what a way to celebrate while also welcoming a brand new presenting sponsor on-board in RP Funding. The new 54th Mayor of St. Petersburg Ken Welch is our event’s grand marshal. We hope you, our amazing fans, will give him a warm welcome.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will headline this weekend’s festivities of course on Sunday with national live broadcast coverage on NBC. Open-wheel racing’s future stars compete in all three levels of the Road to Indy ladder series. Indy Pro 2000 Championship presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship will entertain and delight in doubleheader races, and a single race for Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires on Sunday morning. Do not miss the show that Mazda MX-5 Cup and SRO GT America put on, also doubleheader races for each! Check out the schedule for more details.

Firestone, our title sponsor since 2014, makes this event possible for us all. Of course, this weekend would not run smoothly without the support of over 500 volunteers. Their hard work and dedication are appreciated by our entire team.

We also greatly appreciate each and every one of you, our loyal Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding fans. It’s going to be a great weekend for racing, so get ready and we’ll see you at the green flag, race fans!

Kevin Savoree President and COO Green Savoree Racing Promotions

Kim Green Chairman and CEO Green Savoree Racing Promotions

CHECK ENGINE

FREE TESTING of alternators, batteries, and starters.

CHECK ENGINE

WIPER BLADES

FREE check engine light testing.

FREE RECYCLING

of oil, oil filters, gear oil, transmission fluid, and batteries.

FREE wiper blade installation.

Applies to most vehicles.

WE LOAN TOOLS

Borrow the specialty tool you need to get the job done.

OReillyAuto.com

ADV 1693

WELCOME

LETTERS

Dear INDYCAR fans: Welcome to this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, a traditional and fan-favorite race on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. INDYCAR is committed to delivering a comprehensive fan experience through outstanding entertainment and competition as our athletes defy all obstacles presented by St. Petersburg’s challenging, 1.81-mile temporary street course.

For the 12th time, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding opens the season, a 17-race journey featuring the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. It’s also serving as the green flag for a new era for our official development series – Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires.

Whether this is your first INDYCAR race weekend or you have been attending races for years, we are excited for you to witness the spectacle of the sport. This weekend has a vibe like few others and is a destination event, so we urge you to take in as much as possible and enjoy it all.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has the most diverse lineup of tracks in motorsports, with superspeedways, short ovals, permanent road courses and temporary street circuits. The collection makes for a true proving ground as elite athletes compete for the most challenging championship in motorsports.

The car used this weekend is one of a kind, featuring a sleek look with the most advanced safety components available. Honda and Chevrolet provide the 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engines, and no tire manufacturer can match Firestone for reliability and competitiveness. You likely will notice INDYCAR’s revolutionary driver-protection aeroscreen that debuted on all cars in 2020.

The look of these cars is reminiscent of INDYCAR SERIES favorites of the 1980s and ‘90s, and driver skill is paramount as the low-downforce machines slip and slide on this challenging road course. Trust me when I say you will be able to see how hard the drivers must work to achieve maximum speed.

You should find that the NTT INDYCAR SERIES offers some of the most daring and defiant athletes in sport, including reigning series champion Alex Palou, young and emerging stars like Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves. The rising talents of the sport, such as Linus Lundqvist, Benjamin Pedersen, Christian Rasmussen and Ernie Francis Jr., will be showcased in thrilling, competitive Indy Lights action.

While at this beautiful facility, 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 Facebook and on Twitter (@INDYCAR), and keep track of Indy Lights at indylights.com, on Facebook (@IndyLightsOfficial) and on Twitter (@IndyLights).

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 the series.

Enjoy the weekend Mark Miles President and CEO, Penske Entertainment Parent company of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway

DEAR RACE FANS On behalf of the citizens of St. Petersburg, welcome to the opening race of the 2022 Indy Car Series.

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a long standing tradition for our city's residents, businesses and visitors alike. As St. Petersburg’s new mayor, it is my great pleasure to welcome 2022’s Indy Car race teams, sponsors and fans.

As this year’s Grand Marshal, I am very excited to wave the green flag to kick off the 2022 Indy Car Series on one of the most beautiful downtown Indy Car circuits in the world.

Just beyond the racetrack, St. Pete offers culturally rich and vibrant experiences at every turn. While you are here, take time to explore our world-class St. Pete Pier and waterfront parks, museums and restaurants throughout our dynamic downtown.

The Firestone Grand Prix weekend showcases so much of what our wonderful city offers. Please enjoy our picturesque waterfront, warm, sunny weather, and don’t miss the marvelous murals throughout the city that reflect the talent, diversity and creativity of our residents.

Thanks for joining us for the 2022 Firestone Grand Prix! #WeAreStPete

Mayor Kenneth T. Welch Follow us on social media @StPeteFL, or visit us online at stpete.org.

WE’RE IN THIS RACE TO SAFE TOGETHER

THIS YEAR, LET’S CELEBRATE THE FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX THE ST. PETE WAY. 361 days of sunshine every year is only the beginning. St. Pete also shines through its charming, bungalow-lined neighborhoods, original craft brew pubs, world‑class restaurants led by award‑winning chefs and a cultural fabric as diverse as its offerings. Come for a weekend.

Stay for a lifetime. Your sunshine is here, safely under the St. Pete sun.

For more details on city safety information, visit stpete.org/RacetoSafe.

Follow us on social media @StPeteFL, or visit us online at stpete.org.

42 Industrial St. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4G 1Y9

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 Julia Neukom Intern

SALES + ADMINISTRATION Randi Bentia Audience Development Manager

STAFF LISTING EXECUTIVE Kim Green Chairman & CEO, Green Savoree Racing Promotions Kevin Savoree President & COO, Green Savoree Racing Promotions Michael Morrisey Executive Vice President & CFO, Green Savoree Racing Promotions Jeff Atkinson Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Green Savoree Racing Promotions

FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG PRESENTED BY RP FUNDING EVENT STAFF Stephen Timms, Deven Keady Operations & Event Control Jim Tario, Nate Young, Kris Boatwright, Weston Bell, Nate Long Track Operations Ryan Cash, Giles Dowden, Matt Borkan, Chad Seufert, Craig Kersey Sales & Client Services Angela Hogeveen, Steve Bidlack, Jenna Hood Marketing & Communications

Mike Raven, Tammi Sipes, Gwen Duffy, Karen Jones Box Office & Credential Center Nathan Savoree Accounting Scott Ellsworth, Matt Coyne Race Control Todd Lewis PA Announcer

Richard Robles Director, Client Services Jason Redmond Motorsport Marketing Manager

IMAGE CREDITS IndyCar Media, RTI, MX-5, SRO, GSRP, PPMG

STORY CREDITS PPMG, INDYCAR Media, GSRP, Road to Indy, MX-5, Stadium SUPER trucks

ADVERTISING sales@ppmghq.com Phone: (416) 922-7526 Toll Free: 1-800-667-7223 www.ppmghq.com

VOLUNTEER TEAM LEADERS Eric Stockwell, Norm Hardwick Access Control

Bart Graham, Jayme Evans Media Center

Ian Boyle Ceremonies

Gary Lewis Showcar

Lisa Hoyland Credential Center

Scott Lescard Photography

Michael Hulett, Jace Kole, Nancy Lafleur, Tony Presley Grandstands

Don Rambajam Volunteer Services

Gene Carine, Rusty Woods Hospitality John Hehn Information Services

David Crump Yacht Club

2022 FESTIVAL MAP TAMPA BAY

RACE CIRCUIT

DEMENS LANDING PARK

PIT LANE SUITES GRANDSTAND BRIDGE VIDEO BOARD ENTRANCE

Bay S

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FIRST AID

SOUTH STRAUB PARK

OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE

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8

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PADDOCK PASS REDEMPTION

*MAP SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. NOT TO SCALE. VISIT GPSTPETE.COM FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION.

1st St SE

GATE 1

4

1st Ave SE

2nd Ave S

BEER GARDEN

Central Ave

1st Ave NE

Sunshine Ln NE

2nd Ave NE

PADDOCK ENTRANCE DAN WHELDON & VICTORY CIRCLE MONUMENT

SPEED ZONE

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WILL CALL ROCOCO STEAK

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6th Ave S

TROPICANA TICKET BOOTH SHUTTLE STOP & WILL CALL

GATE 5

GATE 8

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5th Ave S

O’REILLY

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Box Office Ticket Upgrades Pit Pass Redemption Lost & Found

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2nd St S

7th Ave S

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IS TO AR IT LA P EL TY ST PAR

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2022 FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG PRESENTED BY RP FUNDING

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 TIME

7:45AM 8:30AM 8:50AM 9:20AM 10:05AM 11:05AM 11:40AM 12:40PM 1:40PM 2:25PM 3:40PM 4:40PM 5:40PM

-

8:15AM 8:45AM 9:05AM 9:50AM 10:50AM 11:25AM 12:25PM 1:25PM 2:10PM 3:25PM 4:25PM 5:25PM 6:10PM

SERIES

SESSION

Indy Pro 2000 SRO GT America SRO GT America USF2000 Indy Lights Mazda MX-5 Cup Indy Pro 2000 USF2000 Indy Lights SRO GT America NTT INDYCAR SERIES Mazda MX-5 Cup Indy Lights

Qualifying Qualifying 1 Qualifying 2 Qualifying Practice Qualifying Race 1 Race 1 Qualifying Race 1 Practice 1 Race 1 Final Practice

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022 TIME

8:00AM 9:00AM 10:00AM 11:00AM 12:30PM 2:00PM 3:00PM 4:00PM 8:00PM

SERIES

-

8:45AM 9:45AM 10:45AM 12:00PM 1:45PM 2:30PM 4:00PM 6:00PM

SESSION

Indy Pro 2000 Race 2 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 Mazda MX-5 Cup Race 2 SRO GT America Race 2 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying Indy Lights Autograph Session at the Fan Village NTT INDYCAR SERIES Autograph Session at the Fan Village INDYCAR Party in the Park at North Straub Park Fireworks

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022 TIME

SERIES

SESSION

8:45AM - 9:15AM 9:30AM - 10:30AM 10:45AM - 11:25AM 11:50AM

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Indy Lights USF2000 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding

Warm-Up Race Race 2 Driver Introductions NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race (100 Laps)

12:30PM

*Schedule subject to change without notice, All times Eastern Time

OVER

60 PIE. GO EASY.

DESTINATIONS ALL NON-STOP fly2pie.com

AKRON-CANTON

CLARKSBURG/MORGANTOWN

WICHITA

BELLEVILLE, IL/ST. LOUIS

Allegiant Air Beau Rivage Casino Borgata Casino Sun Country Airlines Swoop

UTAH

Scan for latest routes

KEY WEST

allegiantair.com

888.640.8973

866.755.7117

suncountry.com

flyswoop.com

THINGS TO SEE AND DO FIRESTONE INDYCAR AND SUPPORT SERIES PADDOCKS

The Paddock is like the “locker room of motorsports” by comparison to hockey, football, basketball or baseball. It is better known as the “garage” area in the racing industry. Whenever the cars are not on the race track during an event weekend they will be found inside the Paddock. While the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Paddock requires the purchase of a Paddock Pass, the support series paddocks are completely FREE.

PARTY IN THE PARK

Saturday after the on-track action make your way over to North Straub Park for a Party in the Park! Hosted by the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the City of St. Petersburg, this will be the place to be in St. Pete from 4-6 p.m. Some of your favorite drivers will stop by for Q&As; cars from all the series will be on display; and there will be loads of activations and giveaways! After the party ends, stick around downtown St. Petersburg, grab a bite to eat and watch the fireworks at 8PM.

HORSE SOLDIER BOURBON WATERSIDE CLUB

How many race tracks let you watch from the water? This floating bar area looks exclusive, but it is actually open to everyone! Have a couple cold beverages mingling with other #FirestoneGP fans and watch Turns 10, 11 and 12 from Tampa Bay. Just cross the Woodie’s Wash Shack bridge to get there.

FIRESTONE FAN EXPERIENCE

While you’re headed to the Horse Soldier Bourbon Waterside Club through Albert Whitted Park, stop by the Firestone Fan Experience where you can find giveaways and fan activities as well as where NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights will be hosting driver autograph sessions Saturday afternoon.

SPEEDZONE

Looking for some family-friendly fun?

Walk through the Speed Zone! Check out all the activations with family fun, games and interactive activities. If you’re looking to do a little shopping, check out the merchandise tents with the official Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding gear, INDYCAR collectables, race team gear and more. Stop by Carvana and play the GIGA Machine for a chance to win a Jimmie Johnson diecast car!

MOFFITT CANCER CENTER VICTORY CIRCLE

Be a part of the celebration! After each big race, the stars will head to Moffitt Cancer Center Victory Circle to celebrate, get trophies, take pictures and, of course, spray champagne (apple ciders for the kids!).

Swing by for the party and maybe grab a selfie with your favorite up-and-comer.

STELLA ARTOIS PARTY PIT

A General Admission fan favorite place to watch the race from! Watch the race cars enter “pit in” from this literal, trackside beer garden. The Stella Party Pit is an unobstructed general admission viewing area that is accessible by Grandstand 2.

DAN WHELDON & VICTORY CIRCLE MONUMENT

On March 21, 2013, the Dan Wheldon and Victory Circle Monuments were unveiled to continue on Lionheart’s legacy for years to come and recognize those who have also won on the streets of St. Petersburg. Dan Wheldon’s wife Susie Wheldon and his two sons, along with past Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winners, Dario Franchitti, Graham Rahal, Will Power and Helio Castroneves were at the dedication ceremony of the new monuments. All the winners previous to 2013 were installed during the dedication ceremony with plaques commemorating their terrific victories on the streets of St. Petersburg, and that tradition continues on with each race weekend honoring last year’s winner.

Supercharging the INDYCAR fan experience NTT is shaping the future of INDYCAR racing and fan engagement.

With our innovative smart solutions technology, we deliver real-time insights that keep you connected to all of the on-track action.

Learn more about how our technology drives one of the most challenging series in all of motorsports at global.ntt/nttindycar.

Álex Palou, 2021 NTT INDYCAR® SERIES Champion, NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing

Download the INDYCAR Mobile App powered by NTT DATA to keep up with the evolution of the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES. Official Partner of the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES

NTT INDYCAR SERIES ENTRY LIST #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CAR NAME

TEAM

ENGINE

2

Josef Newgarden

Nashville, Tennessee

Hitachi Team Penske

Team Penske

Chevrolet

3

Scott McLaughlin

Christchurch, New Zealand

DEX Imaging Team Penske

Team Penske

Chevrolet

4

Dalton Kellett

Stouffville, Canada

K-LINE / AJ FOYT RACING

AJ Foyt Enterprises

Chevrolet

5

Pato O'Ward

Monterrey, Mexico

Arrow McLaren SP

Arrow McLaren SP

Chevrolet

06

Helio Castroneves

Sao Paulo, Brazil

AutoNation/SiriusXM

Meyer Shank Racing

Honda

7

Felix Rosenqvist

Värnamo, Sweden

Vuse Arrow McLaren SP

Arrow McLaren SP

Chevrolet

8

Marcus Ericsson

Kumla, Sweden

Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing

Honda

9

Scott Dixon

Auckland, New Zealand

PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi Racing

Honda

10

Alex Palou

Barcelona, Spain

NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi Racing

Honda

11

Tatiana Calderon (R)

Bogota, Colombia

ROKiT / AJ FOYT RACING

AJ Foyt Enterprises

Chevrolet

12

Will Power

Toowoomba, Australia

Verizon Team Penske

Team Penske

Chevrolet

14

Kyle Kirkwood (R)

Jupiter, Florida

ROKiT / AJ FOYT RACING

AJ Foyt Enterprises

Chevrolet

15

Graham Rahal

New Albany, Ohio

United Rentals

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Honda

18

David Malukas (R)

Chicago, Illinois

HMD

Dale Coyne Racing with HMD

Honda

20

Conor Daly

Noblesville, Indiana

BitNile

Ed Carpenter Racing

Chevrolet

21

Rinus VeeKay

Hoofddorp, Netherlands

SONAX

Ed Carpenter Racing

Chevrolet

26

Colton Herta

Valencia, California

Gainbridge

Andretti Autosport w/ Curb-Agajanian

Honda

27

Alexander Rossi

Nevada City, California

NAPA AUTO PARTS / AutoNation

Andretti Autosport

Honda

28

Romain Grosjean

Geneva, Switzerland

DHL

Andretti Autosport

Honda

29

Devlin DeFrancesco (R)

Toronto, Canada

PowerTap

Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport

Honda

30

Christian Lundgaard (R) Hedensted, Denmark

Shield Cleaners

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Honda

45

Jack Harvey

Bassingham, England

Hy-Vee

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Honda

48

Jimmie Johnson

El Cajon, California

Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi Racing

Honda

51

Takuma Sato

Tokyo, Japan

Nurtec ODT

Dale Coyne Racing with RWR

Honda

60

Simon Pagenaud

Montmorillon, France

AutoNation/SiriusXM

Meyer Shank Racing

Honda

77

Callum Ilott (R)

Cambridge, England

Juncos Hollinger Racing

Juncos Hollinger Racing

Chevrolet

All cars use fourth-generation NTT INDYCAR SERIES chassis (Dallara IR12) with universal IR-18 aerodynamic bodywork, Chevrolet or Honda engines and Firestone tires. (R) Denotes Rookie of the Year candidate As of 2/16/2022

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg is hiring for clinical and non-clinical positions.

As home to Pinellas County’s only level II trauma center, we are proud to offer: • Benefits - Eligible Day One • Generous Shift Differentials • Up To 5 Percent Retirement Matching

• Education Assistance Benefits, Include: - Preferred Education Program - Student Loan Repayment - Tuition Reimbursement

• Robust Paid Time Off (PTO) Apply now at BayfrontStPete.com/Careers

For more information, email us at BayfrontCareers@BayfrontStPete.com

GT AMERICA POWERED BY AWS ENTRY LIST #

DRIVER

CAR MAKE/MODEL

TEAM

SPONSORS

2

Jason Bell

Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4

GMG Racing

Meat Market, MOVO, GMG Racing

04

George Kurtz

Mercedes-AMG GT3

Riley Motorsports

Crowdstrike

8

Scott Smithson

Mercedes-AMG GT3

DXDT Racing

Qelo

9

Ziad Ghandour

Lamborghini Huracan GT3

TR3 Racing

TI Capital

15

Bryan Putt

Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4

BSport Racing

Aires, Justice Brothers, Donate Life

21

Nick Shanny

Toyota GR Supra GT4

Accelerating Performance

Shanny Racing

22

Marko Radisic

BMW M4 GT4

SRQ Motorsports

Touchpoint Group

25

Gray Newell

Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4

Heart of Racing Team

Heart of Racing, Seattle Children's Hospital

27

Jason Daskalos

Audi R8-LMS

Daskalos Motorsports

Vintage 423

28

Rick Uhler

BMW M4 GT4

SRQ Motorsports

Touchpoint Group

37

Justin Wetherill

Ferrari 488 GT3

Triarsi Competizione

1337, FERRARI OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

39

Chris Cagnazzi

Mercedes-AMG GT4

Cameron Racing

Presidio

50

Ross Chouest

Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4

Chouest Povoledo Racing

WestPort Yachts, C Port, Hammer Nutrition, Bell Helmets, Sparco

55

Moisey Uretsky

Toyota GR Supra GT4

Accelerating Performance

Baby Bull Racing

57

Bryce Ward

Mercedes-AMG GT3

Winward Racing

Techement, Mobil 1

58

CJ Moses

AUDI R8 LMS GT2

GMG Racing

AWS, Crowdstrike, GMG Racing

62

Bret Curtis

Ferrari 488 GT3

Scuderia Corsa

63

David Askew

Mercedes-AMG GT3

DXDT Racing

Usalco

66

Derek DeBoer

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport

TRG

LaSalle Solutions, Adobe Road Wines, The Racing Series, FASTLIFE.T V, BRM Chronographs , AutoLeadStar

69

Todd Coleman

Toyota GR Supra GT4

Smooge Racing

eStruxture Data Centers, Vertiv, Cable Pass

70

Mirco Shultis

Corvette Callaway Corvette C7 GT3

Mishumotors

79

Chris Gumprecht

Mercedes-AMG GT4

RENNtech Motorsports

C.G. Racing; RENNtech

88

Jason Howard

Lamborghini Huracan GT3

Zelus Motorsports

Zelus Motorsports, 2A4Life, Lions Not Sheep

89

Custodio Toledo

Mercedes-AMG GT4

RENNtech Motorsports

RENNtech

98

Paul Sparta

BMW M4 GT4

Random Vandals Racing

Vbrick System

99

Rob Holland

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport

Rotek Racing

Motul; Gurit

120

Adam Adelson

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport

Premier Racing

191

Jeff Burton

Lamborghini Huracan GT3

Zelus Motorsports

Burton Lumber, Zelus Motorsports

888

Sean Whalen

Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4

Zelus Motorsports

Lions not Sheep, Zelus Motorsports

INDY LIGHTS PRESENTED BY COOPER TIRES ENTRY LIST #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

CAR NAME

TEAM

2

Sting Ray Robb

Payette, Idaho

Andretti Autosport

Andretti Autosport

7

Christian Bogle

Covington, Louisiana

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing

12

James Roe Jr. (R)

Kildare, Ireland

TJ Speed Motorsports

TJ Speed Motorsports

21

Kyffin Simpson (R)

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands TJ Speed Motorsports

TJ Speed Motorsports

24

Benjamin Pedersen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports

26

Linus Lundqvist

Stockholm, Sweden

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing

27

Hunter McElrea (R)

Los Angeles, California

Andretti Autosport

Andretti Autosport

28

Christian Rasmussen (R) Copenhagen, Denmark

Andretti Autosport

Andretti Autosport

51

Jacob Abel (R)

Louisville, Kentucky

Abel Speedwagon

Abel Motorsports

59

Manuel Sulaiman

Mexico City, Mexico

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing

68

Danial Frost

Singapore

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing

83

Matthew Brabham

Boca Raton, Florida

Andretti Autosport

Andretti Autosport

99

Ernie Francis Jr. (R)

Davie, Florida

Force Indy 99

Force Indy

All cars use Dallara IL-15 chassis, AER engines and Cooper tires. (R) Denotes Rookie of the Year candidate

As of 2/16/2022

INDY PRO 2000 PRESENTED BY COOPER TIRES ENTRY LIST #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

TEAM

SPONSORS

1

Kiko Porto (R)

Recife, Brazil

DEForce Racing

Banco Daycoval/Petromega

2

Jonathan Browne (R)

Dublin, Ireland

Turn 3 Motorsport

Human Centred Movement/CRPS Awareness

3

Josh Green (R)

Mount Kisco, NY

Turn 3 Motorsport

SessionGuardian/Zimperium

4

Braden Eves

Gahanna, OH

Jay Howard Driver Development

CCFI/Huston Insurance/Addison Holdings

5

Wyatt Brichacek

Noblesville, IN

Jay Howard Driver Development

JHDD, CSU | One Cure/Lucas Oil

6

Salvador De Alba (R)

Guadalajara, Mexico

Jay Howard Driver Development

Groupo Indi/Mecano/Sidral Aga

8

Nolan Siegel (R)

Palo Alto, CA

DEForce Racing

Towne Ford/Race for RP

18

Yuven Sundaramoorthy (R) Oconomowoc, WI

Pabst Racing

S Team Motorsports

19

Jordan Missig (R)

Joliet, IL

Pabst Racing

AMW Ventures/Motorsports 4 Mental Health

27

Colin Kaminsky

Joliet, IL

Pabst Racing

Slick Locks

40

Jack William Miller

Westfield, IN

Miller Vinatieri Motorsports

Patterson Dental/Blue Marble

47

Enaam Ahmed

London, England

Juncos Hollinger Racing

Clear Capital Market/The Support of Pakistan

55

Reece Gold

Miami, FL

Juncos Hollinger Racing

The Ticket Clinic

90

Louis Foster (R)

Basingstoke, UK

Exclusive Autosport

Copart.com/Novara Technologies

91

Christian Brooks (R)

Santa Clarita, CA

Exclusive Autosport

Delta D8

92

Matt Round-Garrido

Stourbridge, England

Exclusive Autosport

Corpay/Excel Labels/Indigo Medical (R)= Series Rookie

As of 2/14/2022

WH E E L S

P E D A L S

www. r i c mo t e c h. c o m 6 1 3 5NW 1 6 7 t hS t r e e t , S ui t eE 2 3 Mi a mi L a k e s , F L3 3 0 1 5 ( 3 0 5 ) 4 1 7 9 2 4 1

S T E E R I N G

COOPER TIRES USF2000 ENTRY LIST #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

TEAM

SPONSORS

2

Jackson Lee

Indianapolis, IN

Cape Motorsports

IU Cancer Center/Browning Chapman/Spruce

3

Jagger Jones (R)

Charlotte, NC

Cape Motorsports

TBA

4

Michael d’Orlando

Hartsdale, NY

Cape Motorsports

Focused Project Management

5

Nicky Hays (R)

Huntington Beach, CA

Cape Motorsports

Touchstone Helicopters/Molecule Sports

6

Frederik Lund (R)

Managua, Nicaragua

Jay Howard Driver Development

CSU | One Cure/Lucas Oil/LHP

7

Yeoroo Lee (R)

Paramus, NJ

Jay Howard Driver Development

Pagliuso Academy/Turtle Plastics

9

Jorge Garciarce (R)

Guadalajara, Mexico

Jay Howard Driver Development

Sidral Aga/Red Cola/Skarch

10

Thomas Nepveu

Oka, QC, Canada

DEForce Racing

Cromwell/Karting Excellence/Home Hardware

11

Dylan Christie

Princeton, NJ

DEForce Racing

Stilo

12

Bijoy Garg

Stanford, CA

DEForce Racing

DEForce Racing

19

Simon Sikes

Atlanta, GA

Legacy Autosport

Metalloid/Sturgis Finishing/Group6Gear

22

Myles Rowe

Atlanta, GA

Pabst Racing

Penske Entertainment

23

Jace Denmark

Phoenix, AZ

Pabst Racing

Metal Works Custom Fabrication

30

Viktor Andersson (R)

Linköping, Sweden

Velocity Racing Development

Velocity Racing Development

32

Christian Weir

Naperville, IL

Turn 3 Motorsport

EComfort.com/Ferguson/ProFlow

33

Spike Kohlbecker

St. Louis, MO

Turn 3 Motorsport w/Ignite Autosport

Ruckus Racing/Margay Racing

63

Trey Burke

Alvin, TX

Joe Dooling Autosports

Dooling Machine Products Texas

90

Jacob Douglas (R)

Christchurch, New Zealand

Exclusive Autosport

JDM Properties

92

Billy Frazer

Auckland, New Zealand

Exclusive Autosport

Corpay Cross-Border Solutions (R) = Series Rookie

As of 2/14/2022

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IDEMITSU MAZDA MX-5 CUP PRESENTED BY BFGOODRICH TIRES ENTRY LIST #

DRIVER

HOMETOWN

TEAM

2*

Max Opalski

Conifer, CO.

Copeland Motorsports

5

Gresham Wagner

Williamsburg, VA.

Spark Performance

08

Michael Carter

Savannah, GA.

Carter Racing Enterprises

13

Jenson Altzman

Phoenix, AZ.

McCumbee McAleer Racing

15*

Aidan Fassnacht

Madison, NJ.

McCumbee McAleer Racing

21*

Bruno Carneiro

Herriman, UT.

Hixon Motorsports

22*

Laura Hayes

Inman, SC.

Thunder Bunny Racing

23

Glenn McGee

Tampa, FL.

JTR Motorsports Engineering

24

Aaron Jeansonne

Fishers, IN.

Spark Performance

27*

Dante Tornello

St. Petersburg, FL.

Hixon Motorsports

28

Sam Paley

Villa Hills, KY

McCumbee McAleer Racing

31*

Jameson Riley

Darien, CT.

Copeland Motorsports

32

Chris Nunes

San Diego, CA.

Formidable Racing Development

33

Alex Bachoura

Houston, TX.

Spark Performance

36

David Staab

Dallas, TX.

Slipstream Performance

37*

Michael Staab

Inola, OK.

Slipstream Performance

39*

John Jodoin

Lake Barrington, IL.

McCumbee McAleer Racing

43*

Joe Atanasio

Miramar, FL.

Formidable Racing Development

44*

Mickey Thomas

Dawsonville, GA.

Formidable Racing Development

48

Rossi Lee

Houston, TX.

Spark Performance

51

Tyler Gonzalez

Orlando, FL.

Copeland Motorsports

55

Moisey Uretsky

Yekaterinburg, Russia

McCumbee McAleer Racing

65*

Bryce Cornet

Norman, OK.

Hixon Motorsports

69*

Anthony McIntosh

Milwaukee, WI.

JTR Motorsports Engineering

72*

Connor Zilisch

Monroe, NC.

Hixon Motorsports

76

Matthew Dirks

Johnstown, CO.

McCumbee McAleer Racing

82

Woody Heimann

Findlay, OH

JTR Motorsports Engineering

87

Selin Rollan

Orlando, FL.

Hixon Motorsports

88*

Sean Varwig

Barrington, IL.

JTR Motorsports Engineering

89

Justin Piscitell

Wingdale, NY.

McCumbee McAleer Racing

96

Jared Thomas

North Vernon, IN.

JTR Motorsports Engineering

SPONSORS

MRT24

Eclipse International Inc.Sporttrade, Red Team Ventures and ExoConsulting

MRT24

MRT24

* = Denotes Rookie status

As of 2/7/2022

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Untitled-2 1

2022-02-24 7:15 PM

FIRESTONE RACING’S

NEW HOME FOR INNOVATION BRIDGESTONE’S DEDICATION TO INNOVATION LEADS TO A NEW PROVING GROUND

WORDS AND IMAGES PROVIDED BY BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE

hampions have relied on Firestone tires for more than a century, creating an unrivaled racing legacy that is set to continue well into the future.

When Bridgestone Americas announced its partnership extension with the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES in 2019, Bridgestone also announced plans to build a new, state-of-the-art race tire manufacturing facility in Akron, Ohio.

That facility, known as the Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) is slated to open this summer and will be home to all production and manufacturing of INDYCAR tires.

The ATPC, an investment of more than $17 million, speaks to the confidence Firestone has in the future of the sport. It also represents a continued commitment to tire innovation through production of Firestone Firehawk race tires for the world’s most versatile racing series.

The facility will be capable of efficiently producing small batches of specialty prototype tires for testing and development purposes for both racing and on-road applications. It will also feature a new vehicle dynamics test track to assist in the development of future tire technolo-

C

gies. The test track will support ongoing research and play an indispensable role in the tire development work taking place across its Akron campus. Bridgestone engineers will have the opportunity to drive prototypes firsthand and quickly understand the performance enhancements necessary for designing tires. The track will also supplement comprehensive tire testing operations currently performed at Bridgestone’s Proving Grounds in Texas, Ohio, Mexico, and South America.

Upon its completion in the Summer 2022, the test track facility will feature multiple vehicle dynamics courses designed to simulate the rigors of realworld driving conditions. These include a long straightaway to assess lane change performance; an NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) course to test ride comfort and road noise; and a wet and dry weather handling course.

REFURBISHING AND RELIGHTING AN ICON

Bridgestone also flipped the switch and relight its iconic Firestone sign atop the ATPC at the end of 2021. The Firestone sign is an indelible part of the city’s history and stood for more than a century atop

Upon its completion in the Summer 2022, the test track facility will feature multiple vehicle dynamics courses designed to simulate the rigors of real-world driving conditions.

the Firestone Plant One building before being relocated to the ATPC in September of 2021. In the spirit of Bridgestone’s commitment to sustainability, the Firestone sign has undergone a full restoration, complete with upgrades to its structure and the installation of more than 400 linear feet of energy-efficient LED light bulbs.

The Bridgestone Americas Technology Center Akron campus spans more than 100-acres and is home to more than 600 teammates dedicated to developing the design, specification and materials used in tires produced in both North and South America and houses multiple labs and testing technologies to develop solutions for the future of mobility. The center was designed to support both human health and a reduced environmental impact, and it has been certified as meeting LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications for environmentally conscious buildings in the U.S.

FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG PRESENTED BY RP FUNDING

Firestone is proud to be the title sponsor of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. This year’s race marks the Firestone brand’s ninth year as the entitlement sponsor.

The Firestone brand’s history in the Tampa/St. Petersburg market dates back nearly 90 years to the opening of its first area retail location. The Firestone Complete Auto Care store location on Kennedy Boulevard in downtown Tampa opened in 1933 and continues to be a trusted provider of tire and automotive service for customers in the area.

THE FIRESTONE FAN EXPERIENCE RETURNS

Race fans at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding can once again have fun at the Firestone Fan Experience located in Albert Whitted Park just south of Woodie’s bridge near turn 11. The popular interactive area features unique, hands-on activities that include racing simulators, a show car, and a chance to snap and share their legendary

moment. As always, fans also can stock up on Firestone swag like cooler backpacks, sunglasses, t-shirts, and more, plus register to win a set of Firestone tires.

FOLLOW US

Race fans can keep up with Firestone Racing by following @FirestoneRacing on Twitter and Instagram.

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NTT INDYCAR SERIES

FILLED WITH INTRIGUE, ACTION, TALENT IN 2022

SELDOM HAS AN NTT INDYCAR SERIES SEASON BEEN FILLED WITH THIS MUCH INTRIGUE.

ow will seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson fare when he competes for the first time on oval tracks in an open-wheel car?

Can the pairing of two former Indianapolis 500 winners – Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud – prove to be a winning combination for Meyer Shank Racing?

Are the two drivers among the youngest in the sport – Pato O’Ward or Colton Herta

H

– ready to take the championship fight to another still-young driver, reigning series champion Alex Palou?

How quickly can the most decorated driver in the history of the Road to Indy development series – Kyle Kirkwood, who won consecutive championships in USF2000, Indy Pro 2000 and Indy Lights – find success at the highest level of the sport?

Is Tatiana Calderon ready to be the next successful woman driver in INDYCAR?

And those are just a few of the questions to be played out over these 17 races, 14 of which air on NBC. INDYCAR’s season features 26 car-anddriver combinations, and 10 of the combinations are different than they were last year. Johnson, a series rookie with Chip Ganassi Racing last year, is competing in a full INDYCAR season for the first time.

Castroneves is full time with Meyer Shank Racing, and he has a new full-season

teammate – and a familiar teammate from their years together at Team Penske – in Simon Pagenaud.

AJ Foyt Racing drivers Kirkwood and Calderon are part of a six-driver rookie class that features two rising stars from Europe – Christian Lundgaard of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Callum Ilott of Juncos Hollinger Racing – and don’t sleep on David Malukas, the Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports who kept Kirkwood honest in Indy Lights last season.

Kirkwood won a record 10 of the 20 races; Malukas won seven with seven poles.

The sixth rookie is Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport’s Devlin DeFrancesco, who co-drove to a class victory (LMP2) with O’Ward and Herta in this year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona sports car race.

Joining Andretti Autosport is another driver of intrigue. Romain Grosjean, the veteran of 10 Formula One seasons, dazzled in his first INDYCAR season last year with Dale Coyne Racing with RWR. But when an opening became available at Andretti Autosport, he and engineer Olivier Boisson jumped.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 presented

by Gainbridge winner Takuma Sato will replace Grosjean as driver of Dale Coyne’s No. 51 car, and his experience shouldn’t be discounted. Only six drivers in the sport have won more races since the start of the 2017 season than Sato, who has won five.

And no one has won as many “500s” in that span.

Speaking of Indy, Castroneves has a chance to make history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May. He is one of four drivers to have won the “500” four times – A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears are the others – and this year’s race will be the first “Drive for Five” since Unser’s bid in 1993.

Other former “500” winners expected to compete in the 106th Running on Sunday, May 29 are Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan of Chip Ganassi Racing, two-time champion Juan Pablo Montoya of Arrow McLaren SP, Alexander Rossi of Andretti Autosport, Will Power of Team Penske and Pagenaud.

There is so much intrigue to this season that we’re this deep into the story without mentioning much of Chip Ganassi’s team, which last year won six of the 16 races.

Palou won three times -- tied with Herta for the series lead – while Marcus Ericsson won two and Dixon one. All three drivers finished in the top six in points, and Palou nearly won the “500” as Castroneves passed him for the lead with two laps to go. Palou is trying to become INDYCAR’s first repeat season champion since Dario Franchitti (2009-2011).

Dixon is always one to watch. He is taking his second shot at tying Foyt for the most INDYCAR championships in his

career – Dixon has six – and he entered the season needing just one race win to tie Mario Andretti for second place with 52.

Foyt won 67. Dixon also has won a race in a record 19 seasons, 17 in succession.

O’Ward and Herta combined to win five races last season, finishing third and fifth, respectively, in points. O’Ward will give Arrow McLaren SP a chance to win its first INDYCAR championship while Herta, who drives for Andretti Autosport w/ Curb-Agajanian, could be the first champion from the organization since Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2012. Rossi figures to challenge Herta for top team honors, and Felix Rosenqvist is flanking O’Ward.

Team Penske is only fielding three cars this season after running four last year, but it still has plenty of firepower. Josef Newgarden was INDYCAR’s champion in 2017 and 2019, and he has won more races over the past five seasons – 17 – than any driver in the sport. Power is trying to win a race for the 16th consecutive season. Scott McLaughlin, the three-time Australian V8 Supercars champion, is back following his Rookie of the Year season in INDYCAR. Honda is fielding 15 entries, including three from the expanded Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, which has Graham Rahal, Jack Harvey and the rookie Lundgaard.

Chevrolet’s contingent includes Ed Carpenter Racing, which returns Rinus VeeKay and Conor Daly, plus AJ Foyt Racing, which has Kirkwood, Calderon and Dalton Kellett.

All on-track activity – practices, qualifying sessions and races – will air for the first time live on Peacock, NBC Sports’ streaming service.

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INDY LIGHTS ENTERS EXCITING NEW ERA

WITH GROWING, TALENTED FIELD IMAGES BY GAVIN BAKER

ndy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires is gearing up for an unprecedented 2022 season as new faces, higher car counts and an increased role as the developmental series of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES take open-wheel racing’s future stars to new heights.

Defending champion Kyle Kirkwood, who won a record-tying 10 races in 2021, has graduated to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and will compete for AJ Foyt Racing, and championship runner-up David Malukas also will move up with Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports. This means the battle for the Indy Lights championship is wide open.

Among the early favorites will be Linus Lundqvist of HMD Motorsports, who won three races in 2021 and is looking to make his mark on the series as the most successful returning driver. But there is a host of new, young faces that will challenge Lundqvist for the three-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES scholarship that comes with winning the Indy Lights title.

Leading the charge is defending Indy Pro 2000 champion Christian Rasmussen, who is looking to follow in Kirkwood’s path as a champion of USF2000, Indy Pro 2000 and Indy Lights. He’ll race for Andretti Au-

I

tosport, which seeks its fourth consecutive Indy Lights championship.

A returning face, and likely the oldest in the field at age 28, features one of the most renown names in racing: Matthew Brabham. A USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 champion, Brabham will return to Indy Lights for Andretti Autosport eight years after he competed in the series full time in 2014.

Brabham competed in two NTT INDYCAR SERIES races in 2016, but is this his best

opportunity to make it to North America’s premier open-wheel series full time?

And a completely new face to the world of INDYCAR will begin his open-wheel career this season for Force Indy: Haitian American driver Ernie Francis Jr. The seventime Trans Am Series champion is venturing further into open-wheel racing after winning three Formula Regional Americas races in 2021, his first season of racing without fenders. African American-led

Force Indy is also entering Indy Lights for the first time as the team and Francis look to bring Penske Entertainment’s “Race for Equality & Change” initiative closer to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Add in other new teams like Abel Motorsports and its rookie driver and college student Jacob Abel, TJ Speed Motorsports and its drivers: Cayman Islands resident Kyffin Simpson and Irishman James Roe, and Exclusive Autosport’s two-car expansion into Indy Lights, and the series is expected to have its highest car count in nearly a decade.

It’s an exciting new era for Indy Lights as INDYCAR gains operational control of the series and looks to train successful athletes today to become superstars tomorrow. The series is set for a 14-race schedule in 11 key markets, all of which will happen within NTT INDYCAR SERIES weekends.

This will provide an inclusive atmosphere for the developmental series with a more integrated paddock area. It’s sure to foster the next generation of NTT INDYCAR SERIES talent, and likely the 10th driver to boast both an Indy Lights and INDYCAR SERIES championship.

INDY PRO 2000

PREVIEW WORDS BY JEREMY SHAW AND

IMAGES BY GAVIN BAKER/ROAD TO INDY.

he Road to Indy Presented

by Cooper Tires returns this weekend to the traditional venue for its opening rounds of the season with a few changes, some new cars and the same attributes which have marked it as the world’s premier open-wheel driver development program.

The top rung on the ladder, Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, is now run underneath the umbrella of INDYCAR, while the first two steps, the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship and the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, remain under the remit of Palmetto, Fla.-based Andersen Promotions.

The majority of drivers in this weekend’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener have benefited from competing in series which comprise the Road to Indy, which in 2022,

T

Braden Eves celebrated victory last year in St. Petersburg.

uniquely in the world of auto racing, continues to provide awards and scholarships to enable talented young drivers an opportunity to progress from the grassroots of the sport to the pinnacle.

The USF2000 champion’s scholarship allows Kiko Porto to step up to Indy Pro 2000 with DEForce Racing.

Both Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 will debut new Tatuus chassis’ this weekend, now enhanced with an F1-style, halo-type device offering the very latest in driver protection. The new cars also provide a little more downforce than before.

Last year’s Indy Pro 2000 champion, Christian Rasmussen, has stepped up to Indy Lights, courtesy of a scholarship valued at $723,065, leaving the way clear for another host of talented youngsters who are intent upon following in his footsteps.

Ohio’s Braden Eves must be regarded as the clear title favorite. The 2019 USF2000 champion finished as runner-up in the standings last year, bouncing back from a nasty injury which curtailed his 2020 campaign, and has been reunited with Jay Howard Driver Development, which guided Rasmussen to the championship and with which Eves made his initial transition from

Louis Foster will make his American debut with Exclusive Autosport.

karting to cars back in 2017. It should be a potent combination.

Second year driver Wyatt Brichacek made his intentions perfectly clear by topping the timing charts during the final “Spring Training” open test last week at the Homestead-Miami Speedway road

course. Mexican rookie Salvador De Alba will pilot a third JHDD Tatuus PM-22.

Juncos Hollinger Racing also will rely upon two proven front-runners in its quest to add another championship to its collection. Reece Gold, from Miami, Fla., looks to build on a strong rookie season which net-

Wyatt Brichacek was the pacesetter for JHDD at Spring Training.

ted one win and five pole positions, while English-raised Pakistani Enaam Ahmed, a former British Formula 3 champion, showed well during a partial campaign in 2021 which included a second-place finish on his debut with the Indianapolis-based team in the season finale.

Exclusive Autosport harbors similarly high expectations for its trio of young chargers, Christian Brooks, who swept both USF2000 races at St. Petersburg last year, highly rated Louis Foster, who has proven his talents in Europe over the course of the last several years, and fellow Englishman Matt Round-Garrido.

After scoring a USF2000 win at St. Petersburg in 2020 and going on to win the championship in 2021, Brazilian Kiko Porto graduates to Indy Pro 2000 with DEForce Racing, thanks to a scholarship valued at over $400,000. He will be joined by fellow USF2000 graduate Nolan Siegel.

Pabst Racing will field a trio of cars for veteran Colin Kaminsky and rookies Yuven Sundaramoorthy and Jordan Missig, while Jack William Miller continues with his family-run Miller Vinatieri Motorsports team.

MAZDA MX-5 CUP

TAKES TO THE STREETS OF ST. PETE

or the third year in-a-row, the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires will take its fierce competition to city streets (and runways) at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. More than 30 cars are entered for the series’ sole street race.

The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup is known for close racing, lots of drafting and incredible finishes. The catalyst for these amazing 45-minute races is the MX-5 Cup car. It’s the same road-going Mazda Miata you can buy at a dealership, only 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.

A total of five drivers entered this weekend call Florida home, including one of last year’s St. Pete winners, Selin Rollan. The Orlando resident loves this circuit, partly because he regularly flies into Albert Whitted Airport and gets a bite to eat at The

F

Hangar restaurant. A University of Central Florida graduate, Rollan recently completed all the requirements for his commercial pilot’s license. The only flying Rollan will be doing this weekend is behind the wheel of his No. 87 Hixon Motor Sports car.

Another Florida driver, Tyler Gonzalez, is fresh off of his first MX-5 Cup win. The 17-year-old made a brave move on the final

lap of the season opener at Daytona International Raceway to secure his maiden win. Perhaps he’ll claim his second on the streets of St. Pete in the No. 51 Copeland Motorsports entry.

Each year Mazda holds a competition for amateur Mazda racers to help them go pro in MX-5 Cup. The overall winner receives a scholarship to compete in MX-5

Cup valued at $110,000, a runner-up scholarship valued at $75,000 is also awarded, plus one female racer receives the Mazda Women in Motorsports Initiative Scholarship, also valued at $75,000.

The current $110,000 scholarship winner is Connor Zilisch, a 15-year-old so talented he’s been picked up by NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick’s management team.

The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup is known for close racing, lots of drafting and incredible finishes.

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is the only street course on the 2022 MX-5 Cup schedule and that tends to make it a favorite amongst the drivers.

Look for Zilisch in the No. 72 Hixon Motor Sports car making physics-defying moves at the front of the field.

Zilisch, along with fellow scholarship recipients Bryce Cornet (No. 65 Hixon Motor Sports) and Laura Hayes (No. 22 Thunder Bunny Racing) are part of a talented crop of rookie drivers all vying for the $80,000 Rookie of the Year prize. However, it wouldn’t be shocking to see one of these gifted newcomers take home the drivers’ championship purse of $250,000.

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is the only street course on the 2022 MX-5 Cup schedule and that tends to make it a favorite amongst the drivers. The remaining venues on the calendar include Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (May 13 – 15), Watkins Glen International (June 23 – 26) Road America (July 1 - 3), VIRginia International Raceway (August 26 - 28) and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (September 28 - 30).

All MX-5 Cup races are streamed live on RACER.com and IMSA.com/tvlive. They are then able for on-demand viewing on the RACER and IMSA YouTube channels.

For more information about MX-5 Cup visit www.mx-5cup.com.

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2022 GT AMERICA PREVIEW IMAGES BY RICK DOLE, BRIAN CLEARY, FABIAN LAGUNAS

he 2022 GT America powered

by AWS season kicks off on February 24-26th nestled alongside Tampa Bay on the picturesque and winding streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. The last time that SRO raced on this seaside 1.8 mile circuit was in 2019 and will be the first trip for SRO’s GT sprint series under GT America. This year, the weather is shaping up to be a pleasant mid-to-upper 70s and sunny for the massive, 29-car field.

A solid variety of chassis make up the SRO3, GT2, and GT4 classes, which bolsters GT America as one of the premier North American racing series. Iconic hardware by Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Audi, BMW, Toyota, Chevrolet, and Mercedes-AMG permeates throughout the grid, creating a diverse field of engine displacements, power- and drivetrain configurations.

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WEDNESDAYS IN THE

PR101715

A TRUE GT SHOWCASE

Mercedes-AMG is one of the more populous platforms in SRO3, and will see some familiar teams in its ranks.

Teammates Scott Smithson and David Askew will be behind the wheel of the #8 and #63 DXDT Racing GT3s, whereas George Kurtz will pilot his familiar #04 CrowdStrike Racing by Riley Motorsports machine, and Bryce Ward in the #47 Windward Racing rig.

Racing with raging bulls on their hoods are Jason Harward and Jeff Burton in the #88 and #191 Zelus Motorsports Lamborghini Huracan GT3s, and Ziad Ghandour in the #9 TR3 Racing Lamborghini.

Just two Ferraris are in the mix, but they’re no strangers to Floridian track action. Scuderia Corsa will field the #62 488 GT3 piloted by Bret Curtis, and Justin Wetherill will be at the helm of the #37 Triarsi Competizione 488. Triarsi is the family behind local dealer Ferrari of Tampa Bay, and brings a lot of experience racing in various series around North America to the grid.

The lone bowtie entry in GT3 is the #70 Callaway Corvette C7 piloted by German driver Mirco Shultis. It’s a homecoming for the Callaway Corvette, which made its North American debut on these same streets in 2018.

Finally, two Audi R8 LMs entries will be fielded. The #58 GMG Racing R8 LMS GT2 will feature CJ Moses behind the wheel, and Jason Daskalos will be in the eponymously named Daskalos Motorsports #27 car R8 LMS Ultra.

PACKED GT4 FIELD READY TO RUMBLE

After a successful and thrilling inaugural 2021 GT America season, the GT4 field features some stacked competition with some

new and returning faces in the paddock.

The Toyota GR Supra GT4 will join in the fun with Todd Coleman driving the #69 Smooge Racing entry, and teammates Moisey Uretsky in the #55 and Nick Shanny in the #21 Accelerating Performance rigs.

Alongside and outnumbering them in the GT4 field are several teams sporting the Aston Martin Vantage AMR, with Sean Whalen in the #888 Zelus Motorsports car, Ross Chouest in the #50 Chouest Povoledo Racing entry, and Gray Newell

The sophomore season of GT America is sure to be one for the history books with strong car-counts, solid driving talent, and a beautiful, technical, and actionpacked venue to kick it all off. in the #25 Heart of Racing car. Bryan Putt will race the #15 car for local Florida team BSport Racing.

Tampa hometown hero and 2021 SRO GT America GT4 defending champion Jason Bell will be piloting the #2 GMG Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR. Racing under the blue and white Bavarian roundel in GT4 are teammates Marko Radisic and Rick Uhler in the #22 and #28 SRQ Motorsports BMW M4. Paul Sparta rounds out the trio at the helm of the #98 Random Vandals Racing M4.

Sporting the Mercedes-AMG GT4 are Chris Cagnazzi in the #39 Cameron Racing car, with Chris Gumprecht in the #79 and Custodio Toledo making his series debut for RENNtech in the #89.

The Porsche camp lies entirely in the GT4 field. The #99 Rotek Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport will be driven by Robb Holland, whereas the #120 Premier Racing 718 will have Adam Adelson at the helm, and Derek DeBoer will be piloting the #66 TRG rig.

Get Ready For 2022

The sophomore season of GT America is sure to be one for the history books with strong car-counts, solid driving talent, and

a beautiful, technical, and action-packed venue to kick it all off.

The weekend schedule, live timing and scoring, and session reports are available at gtamerica.us. Check out race livestreams for free on YouTube at GT World.

Finally, get up-to-the minute info on the GT America powered by AWS social channels on Facebook @srogtamerica, Instagram @gt_america and Twitter @gt_america

Cape Motorsports teammates d’Orlando and Jones testing their new Tatuus USF22s last week at Homestead.

D’ORLANDO CARRIES TAG AS

USF2000 FAVORITE WORDS BY JEREMY SHAW AND IMAGES BY GAVIN BAKER/ROAD TO INDY

ichael d’Orlando begins the new Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship season this weekend with his sights set on the champion’s scholarship valued at $406,925. The title would ensure graduation onto the next step of the Road to Indy open-wheel development ladder, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, in 2023.

The 19-year-old from Hartsdale, N.Y., has established his credentials over the past two seasons. He finished second in the 2021 title-chase with three wins to his name and an impressive streak of four consecutive pole positions to conclude his campaign. D’Orlando continued that momentum into the traditional preseason “Spring Training” test last week at Homestead-Miami Speedway, posting the fastest lap time and cementing his status as the championship favorite.

“There is a lot of pressure there, but (this is) my third year in USF2000 and obviously I’m going to go for the championship,” said d’Orlando. “I was close last year – I was the only one that could have won it at the last race weekend and I’m going for gold, shooting for the stars.”

A strong field of rivals are set to challenge d’Orlando, including no fewer than three teammates at Cape Motorsports,

M

A strong field of rivals are set to challenge d’Orlando, including no fewer than three teammates at Cape Motorsports, which has an unrivaled history in USF2000 after winning nine straight titles between 2011 and 2019.

Michael d’Orlando finished second in the 2021 title-chase.

which has an unrivaled history in USF2000 after winning nine straight titles between 2011 and 2019. Series veteran Jackson Lee will be joined by rookies Jagger Jones, grandson of 1963 Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones, and Nicky Hays, all of whom are expected to show well.

DEForce Racing, which guided Brazilian Kiko Porto to the 2021 championship, defends its title with Canadian Thomas Nepveu, who won at Road America last year, Dylan Christie and Bijoy Garg.

The other perennial front-running team, Pabst Racing, also relies on experience with Myles Rowe, who scored a memorable maiden win last year at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and Jace Denmark, whose rookie season highlight was a podium finish at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

After winning the final race of the 2021 season with Josh Green, who has joined several other front-runners in making the step up to Indy Pro 2000, Turn 3 Motorsport will field a pair of new Tatuus USF-22s for 2021 Rookie of the Year Spike Kohlbecker and Christian Weir, who displayed

a promising turn of pace while contesting the second half of the season.

Two talented young New Zealanders lead the challenge from Canadian-based Exclusive Autosport. Billy Frazer impressed while earning a top-five finish on the streets of St. Pete during his rookie campaign, while fellow former Formula Ford

standout Jacob Douglas featured regularly among the top five during last week’s “Spring Training” test in South Florida.

A trio of rookies, Frederik Lund from Nicaragua, Jorge Garciarce, from Mexico, and New Jersey native Yeoroo Lee, will fly the flag for Jay Howard Driver Development, with the 18-car field completed by Simon Sikes, who claimed four podium finishes during a partial season with Legacy Autosport in 2021, and another rookie, Sweden’s Viktor Andersson, for Velocity Racing Development.

Two 20-lap races, presented by Cooper Tires and Foundation Building Materials, kick off the 18-race season with the opening round slated for 12:40 p.m. on Friday and a followup immediately prior to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES feature event at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday.

Canada’s Thomas Nepveu has joined defending champion team DEForce Racing.

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