TheUSF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire,formerly known as theRoad to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires,is a racecar driver development program, providing a scholarship-funded path to reach theIndyCar SeriesandIndianapolis 500.[1]Sanctioned by theUnited States Auto Club(USAC), the series are owned and managed by Andersen Promotions.
Since its launch in 2010, the ladder system has attracted competitors from around the globe. Drivers from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Zimbabwe have been part of the grids, showcasing their talents at premier venues on a mix of road courses, temporary street circuits, and ovals.
Participating series (in order from lowest to highest ranking)
edit| Series Name | Description | Year Founded |
|---|---|---|
| USF Juniors | A first step on the pathway for younger drivers. Sanctioned byUSAC | 2022 |
| USF2000 Championship | Competing for a scholarship to the next stage of the pathway. Sanctioned by USAC | 1990 |
| USF Pro 2000 Championship | Competing for a scholarship to the next stage of the pathway. Sanctioned by USAC | 1991 |
| Indy NXT | A developmental championship supportingIndyCar Seriesat specific races across the season. Sanctioned byIndyCar | 1977(predecessor) 1986(original) 2002(IndyCarsanctioned) |
| IndyCar Series | Highest class of regional North Americanopen-wheel single-seater formula racing cars.Sanctioned byIndyCar | 1996with history going back to the early 1900s |
In 2021Kyle Kirkwoodwon the Indy Lights championship and became the first driver to win a championship and thus scholarship at every rung of the ladder on their way to IndyCar. However, bothSage KaramandMatthew Brabhamwon scholarships from U.S. F2000 and made it to IndyCar. Karam, Brabham,Tristan Vautier,Oliver AskewandSpencer Pigothave all won two scholarships on their way to IndyCar. In 2017,Josef Newgardenbecame the first Road to Indy graduate and scholarship winner to win the IndyCar Series championship.
Mazda Road to Indy Shootout
editFrom 2016 to 2018, a shootout race for up-and-coming talents was held. In a knock-out format, drivers who won championships in various beginner-level series were invited to compete for a $200,000 scholarship to race in the USF2000 series.
Shootout winners
edit| Year | Track | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca |  Oliver Askew
|
| 2017 | Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park |  Keith Donegan
|
| 2018 | Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park |  Hunter McElrea
|
Champions
edit
References
edit- ^"Mazda Road to Indy".Retrieved25 March2014.