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indypro 2000 series usf20000 series road to indyUSF JUNIORS

USF Pro 2000 Championship

USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire is an evolution of the Road to Indy, one of the most successful driver development programs in the world. Comprised of USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire, USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire and USF Juniors Presented by Continental Tire

www.usfpro2000.com

Busy Weekend Sees Cardenas, Cooley and Machado Perez

Atop the Times

gavin baker

SPEEDWAY, Ind. – Two days of testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix road course wrapped up this afternoon with the conclusion of the traditional post-season USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire Fall Combine.

Cool, dry conditions persisted throughout the weekend, providing teams and drivers on all three steps of the acclaimed open-wheel development ladder an opportunity to properly commence preparations for the 2026 season.

Generally speaking, slightly warmer temperatures allied to a clearing sky ensured that lap times yesterday were fractionally faster. It was still an enormously productive exercise for the total of 65 drivers representing more than a dozen nations, and ended with Andres Cardenas, from Lima, Peru, fastest in USF Pro 2000 for Jay Howard Driver Development, Exclusive Autosport’s Evan Cooley, from Mokena, Ill., setting the pace in USF2000 and Ivan Machado Perez, from Madrid, Spain, posting the best times in USF Juniors for Olivia Racing.

Cardenas took advantage of overcast conditions – and a fresh set of Continental tires – this morning to set what would stand as the fastest lap of the weekend at 1:20.7744, an average speed of 108.703 mph.

The top five times in USF Pro 2000 were set this morning, with Canadian Mac Clark just 0.1322 of a second shy of the quick time for Exclusive Autosport. Frankie Mossman, from Newport Beach, Calif., ended the weekend a very close third for VRD Racing as G3 Argyros (Pabst Racing), also from Newport Beach, Calif., and Michael Costello (Turn 3 Motorsport), from Sarasota, Fla., rounded out the top five.

Peru’s Cardenas once again was fastest in the final session of the weekend, edging New Zealander Jacob Douglas (Pabst Racing) by less than a tenth of a second.

“I came here with no expectations, to be fair, but I'm happy about everything,” said Cardenas. “In my opinion, the car is even better than in Europe, and everything about the series – the safety, the stewards, the scrutineering – seems very good. It's completely new to me but I really liked the car, how it handles and I really liked working with the Jay Howard team. Let's see what we can do for the future."

Results

Evan Cooley continued to set the pace in USF2000 today for Exclusive Autosport. He was once again fastest in each of the first two sessions, before opting to complete just a few laps in the final go-round which left the door open for Colombia’s Sebastian Garzon to lead the way for DEForce Racing.

Cooley’s fastest lap from yesterday, 1:24.6455, remained quickest overall, while his session-leading lap from this morning, 1:24.7235, also stood as the best of the day.

"This year was my rookie year, so I'm still learning a lot," said Cooley, "but I think I'm ready to go for a championship in 2026. This weekend showed what we've been working on. We were top in five out of the six sessions and just pulled in early in the last one. So overall, it was a really good weekend. I will be one of the favorites for next year and I'm excited to get back on track next time."

Canada’s Anthony Martella also enjoyed a strong showing aboard a second Exclusive Autosport Tatuus. Martella was second in all six 35-minute sessions, concluding the weekend with a best of 1:24.8038, followed by Garzon, and impressive Canadian rookie Jensen Burnett, who improved today to 1:24.9011 for VRD Racing. Teammate Joao Vergara, from Miami, Fla., completed the top five as he seeks to progress from USF Juniors in 2026.

Results

Machado Perez and Brenden Cooley, younger brother of Evan, continued to trade times in USF Juniors today. Cooley topped the timing charts this morning, while Machado Perez took advantage of a fresh set of Continental tires to record the day’s fastest lap on his final time around the 2.439-mile road course.

“This weekend has been really impressive,” said Machado Perez, whose best lap at 1:29.1521 came in the third session on Saturday. “I think it's totally what motorsports needs – a good ladder system with good scholarships in order to really boost racing drivers that have the talent to make it to the top. Let's hope I can try to benefit from it.

“I'm still a bit shocked because it's a different environment to what I'm used to, but really, really good. And the competition around seems tough. So I think if I'm able to make it to next year, it's going to be really, really fun.”

Cooley also impressed for Exclusive Autosport as he looks to build upon the experience he gained during his rookie campaign in 2025.

"My rookie season, I learned a lot," said Cooley. "It was my first year really competitively racing, so I was pretty green, but I learned a lot with racecraft, pace and first of all just driving a race car. We improved a lot from where we were from the beginning of the season, showed some good pace, and I’m looking forward to carrying that into next season – but this time trying to go for wins and a championship. Be the leader, not the chaser."

Justin Di Lucia, from Palm Beach, Fla., this afternoon bettered his fastest lap from yesterday to end up third on the overall charts for Exclusive Autosport ahead of Polish karting standout Karol Pasiewicz (Olivia Racing) and Lebanese Max Mokarem (Zanella Racing).

Results

The USF Pro Championships teams will now spend time finalizing their plans for the 2026 season, which will officially begin with the annual Spring Training pre-season test at Homestead-Miami Speedway in South Florida on February 17/18.

Newcomers and Veterans Impress in USF Pro Fall Combine Test

Cardenas, Cooley and Machado Perez Set the Pace on Day One at IMS

gavin baker

SPEEDWAY, Ind. – The annual USF Pro Fall Combine test kicked off today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix road course with a total of nine sessions – three for each of the three junior open-wheel categories that comprise USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire.

Rookie Andres Cardenas, from Lima, Peru, emerged fastest for Jay Howard Driver Development in USF Pro 2000, while Exclusive Autosport veteran Evan Cooley, from Mokena, Ill., topped the timing charts in USF2000 and another newcomer, Ivan Machado Perez, from Madrid, Spain, set the pace in USF Juniors for Olivia Racing.

The tightest group of times came in the senior category, USF Pro 2000, with a different driver heading the way in each session.

Newcomers and Veterans Impress in USF Pro Fall Combine Test

Cardenas, Cooley and Machado Perez Set the Pace on Day One at IMS

This season’s recently crowned USF2000 champion, Jack Jeffers, from San Antonio, Texas, led the way this morning for Exclusive Autosport at 1:21.4442. Consistent track conditions – and cool ambient temperatures – saw lap times progressively improve as VRD Racing’s Frankie Mossman, from Newport Beach, Calif., was fastest immediately after lunch at 1:21.3462 and then Cardenas took advantage of fresh tires at the end of the day to record a best lap of 1:21.1331.

"I'm really happy with the work we've done,” said Cardenas, who has raced in Europe the past few years, firstly in Spanish F4 and this season in Eurocup3. “I have watched the INDYCAR series a lot and I knew about the opportunities [in North America], and I’m very happy to be here.

“It's my first time on this circuit with everything new to me, but it's super nice that the team gave me a car that is really quick. That has given me confidence of course. The main difference for me is the engine. I have always driven (previously) with turbo engines, so it's different with the engine braking, the throttle response, but I adapted quite quickly. The first session was a little bit difficult, but now of course it started to go better and better, so I'm happy with the progress."

The Pabst Racing pair of G3 Argyros, from Newport Beach, Calif., and New Zealander Jacob Douglas ended up fractionally shy of Cardenas’ best time, with Turn 3 Motorsport’s Michael Costello, from Sarasota, Fla., only a tenth further back in fourth.

USF Pro 2000 Results

Evan Cooley, who placed sixth in his rookie season of USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire, used the experience to excellent effort by recording a best time of 1:24.6455 this afternoon – fractionally faster than the existing race lap record set by Braden Eves at 1:24.7440 back in 2019.

“The day was really good," said Cooley. "I led all three sessions, just working on my driving a lot. We changed some things to the car, just finding a little bit more time, but overall, a really good day. I'm excited for tomorrow.

"Experience is definitely big. This will be my second year in USF2000, and having the time in the car really helps a lot."

Exclusive Autosport teammate Anthony Martella, from Toronto, Ont., Canada, followed in second place today at 1:24.8038, followed by DEForce Racing’s Sebastian Garzon, from Neiva, Colombia.

Another Toronto native, Jensen Burnett, was the fastest rookie, seventh overall at 1:25.3494 for VRD Racing.

USF2000 Results

In USF Juniors, rookie Machado Perez impressed enormously by posting the fastest laps in two of today’s three sessions.

Machado Perez, who has already clinched this year’s Skip Barber Formula Race Series title, turned a fastest lap of 1:29.1521 to edge Evan Cooley’s younger brother Brenden (Exclusive Autosport), from Mokena, Ill., by a tick over four tenths of a second.

"I'm here because the guys from Olivia Racing invited me to do the test and see how everything could go,” said Machado. “Yesterday when we arrived and I was looking at the environment around me, being here in Indianapolis just feels unreal. It really gives me a lot of chills, a lot of good vibes. And also to be able to do some fast laps around here is just a mental experience.

“After a great season in the Skip Barber Series, this is my second chance to racing,” continued Machado Perez, who competed in some European formula car racing a few years ago before “retiring” from the sport at age 19 due to the lack of a budget, then earning an opportunity to join the Skip Barber ranks after securing an iRacing scholarship.

“The day has been pretty good all around. From the first moment I've felt very comfortable with the car. Also, the guys have worked really, really hard to make several setup changes that have suited me very, very good. By the end of the day, I was just feeling super comfortable with the car, being able to throw it around pretty happily and just pointing it wherever I wanted. So, yeah, pretty happy with how the day has gone and looking forward to tomorrow and seeing if we can improve.”

Cooley, who placed 10th in his rookie season of USF Juniors, was quickest in the opening session this morning and ended the day second fastest, less than a tenth clear of Exclusive Autosport teammate Justin Di Lucia, from Palm Beach, Fla.

USF Juniors Results

The USF Pro Fall Combine test will conclude tomorrow following three more sessions for each of the three classes. Once again, live timing will be available on the USF Pro Championships App and respective series websites, usfpro2000.com, usf2000.com and usfjuniors.com.

USF Pro Championships Announces 2026 Schedules

52 Races and Six New Events on deck for Rising Open-Wheel Talents

PALMETTO, Fla. – Andersen Promotions today confirmed the calendar of events for the three series that comprise USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire, the world’s most successful driver development platform which enters its 17th season in 2026. Since its inception, the ladder system has awarded over $29M in scholarships for drivers to take the next step in their careers.

Underscoring the program’s success, the past eight USF Pro 2000 champions have all graduated to the INDY NXT and NTT INDYCAR SERIES ranks. Reigning Pabst Racing USF Pro 2000 champion and former USF2000 champion Max Garcia has already begun testing as he prepares for his debut in INDY NXT with ABEL Motorsports next year. USF2000 champion Jack Jeffers (Exclusive Autosport) and USF Juniors champion Leonardo Escorpioni (Zanella Racing) also will move up the ladder next season.

Highlights of the 2026 schedule include:

A total of 32 races in support of INDYCAR
An expansion to two oval events for USF Pro 2000 with the addition of The Milwaukee Mile
A debut on the Streets of Markham for USF Pro 2000 and USF2000
Inclusion on the highly anticipated Streets of Arlington inaugural event for USF Pro 2000
Three new circuits for USF Juniors including Lime Rock Park alongside the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, which set a current-day attendance record last year to become the most successful event in the track’s 68-year history
An extended schedule ending in late September at Road America for all three rungs of the ladder, culminating in a Sunday Championship Awards Celebration at The Osthoff Resort
The continuation of both INDYCAR and AMR Safety Team services

Full Schedule

Once again, over $1.48M in prize money and awards will be distributed in 2026 including champion’s scholarships valued at $594,500 for the USF Pro 2000 champion to graduate to INDY NXT, $405,050 for the USF2000 champion to advance to USF Pro 2000 and $249,675 for the USF Juniors champion to move to USF2000.

Continental Tire will continue to provide $53,000 in pole position awards over the course of the season.

A total of 74 drivers comprised this year’s USF Pro Championships rosters with 31 different drivers claiming podium finishes.

Live streaming of all events will continue to be provided by USF Pro Championships TV (Pro Racing Group), which returns for its 13th season providing behind-the-scenes content. PRG was recently honored with a 2025 Telly Award for its highly acclaimed mini-documentary series The Climb.

“Our 2026 schedule brings some new and exciting events to our series while keeping our footprint at traditional venues that have been a tremendous training ground for our drivers,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “I want to thank our returning promoter partners and our new partners for their support in generating a calendar that truly meets our needs as a driver development platform and provides great exposure for our competitors.

“Each year we see more and more of our graduates peppering the INDYCAR and INDY NXT grids, and that is extremely rewarding to everyone associated with our program from our staff at Andersen Promotions to our series’ partners and teams. With drivers representing 13 countries on our grids this year, there is worldwide interest in what we do and we strive to do better each year.

“All of our 2026 races for USF Pro 2000 and USF2000, bar one, are in support of INDYCAR events. USF Juniors will tackle three new venues which include making their first trip over the border at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

“We look forward to seeing a lot of familiar and new faces at our USF Pro Fall Combine at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, and to kicking off the start of the 2026 season at Homestead-Miami Speedway in February.”

USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire – 9 events/18 races

Additional Test Days: Spring Training at Homestead-Miami Speedway February 16-18; Indianapolis Motor Speedway April 15-16; Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course May 11-12; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park May 19; Road America June 10-11; Milwaukee Mile June 22; USF Pro Fall Combine at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway October 17-18.

USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire – 8 events/18 races

Additional Test Days: Spring Training at Homestead-Miami Speedway February 16-18; Indianapolis Motor Speedway April 15-16; Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course May 11-12; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park May 19; Road America June 10-11; USF Pro Fall Combine at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway October 17-18.

USF Juniors Presented by Continental Tire – 6 events/16 races

Additional Test Days: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course May 11-12; Road America June 10-11; Lime Rock Park July 7; USF Pro Fall Combine at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway October 17-18.

Field of 65 Drivers Set for USF Pro Fall Combine Test

Indianapolis GP Road Course to Host all Three Steps

on Open-Wheel Ladder

PALMETTO, Fla. – The 2025 USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire season wrapped up more than a month ago, and the focus has already shifted toward brand-new campaigns in 2026. The signs are entirely positive, as evidenced by an extraordinarily strong entry list for the traditional USF Pro Fall Combine two-day test which will take place this coming weekend, October 25/26, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix road course in Speedway, Ind.

All three steps on the highly acclaimed open-wheel racing ladder – USF Pro 2000, USF2000 and USF Juniors – will take to the 2.439-mile track for three 35-minute sessions slated on each of the two days.

Already 65 drivers have signed up for the test, with 13 different countries and 16 states being represented.

Entry List

The USF Pro 2000 contingent includes several returning drivers, among them Canadian Mac Clark, who finished third in the 2025 title-chase with Exclusive Autosport, and fifth-place finisher Jacob Douglas, from New Zealand, who remains with Pabst Racing.

Newcomers include recently crowned USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire champion Jack Jeffers (Exclusive Autosport), from San Antonio, as well as his two closest rivals from this year, Teddy Musella (VRD Racing), from Orlando Fla., and Thomas Schrage, from Bethel, Ohio, who joins TJ Speed Motorsports.

An intriguing addition to the field is Poland’s Tymek Kucharczyk, who finished third in the competitive GB3 series in 2024 and went on to win this year’s Euroformula Open Championship. Kucharczyk is slated join Turn 3 Motorsport for one of the two days.

A strong 24-driver field for USF2000 will feature returning hot shoes Caleb Gafrarar, from Charlotte, N.C., who placed fifth during his rookie campaign and will represent Jay Howard Driver Development, and fellow race winner Anthony Martella, from Canada, who will line up with defending champion team Exclusive Autosport.

Brothers Ayrton and Gabriel Cahan, from Santa Fe, N.M., also will join Exclusive Autosport after placing first and second in this year’s hotly contested F1600 Championship Series. Wesley Gundler, from Holly Springs, N.C., who, incredibly, ended the season merely two points shy of winning that title, will join Pabst Racing for the two-day test.

Others to watch will include USF Juniors champion Leonardo Escorpioni, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and equally highly rated Canadian Ty Fisher. Both are set to graduate to the next step of the ladder with Zanella Racing.

Only three returning drivers from USF Juniors are nominated for the Fall Combine. Two of them, Brenden Cooley, from Mokena, Ill, and Connor Aspley, from O’Fallon, Mo., will spearhead the challenge for Exclusive Autosport, while Maddie Colleran, from Hunting Valley, Ohio, remains with defending champion team Zanella Racing.

Other potential front-runners include Canadian Alex Berg (Berg Racing w/ VRD), son of 1980s Formula 1 driver Allen Berg, Spain’s Ivan Machedo Perez, who joins the Olivia Racing squad after dominating this year’s Skip Barber Formula Race Series, and teammate Jimmie Lockhart, from Boca Raton, Fla., who is seeking to make a comeback after impressing during his second USF Juniors campaign in 2022.

Live timing for all sessions can be found on the free USF Pro Championships App and respective series’ websites, usfpro2000.com, usf2000.com and usfjuniors.com.

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Photos: Gavin Baker Photography

USF JUNIORS

usfjuniors.com.