For the moment, everyone is still officially together, and a few dozen drivers are on their way to IndyCar. Some drivers have moved up. Some drivers have moved over. Some drivers are back. Two-thirds of the series have new names, but Indy Lights will still be referenced as Indy Lights until the second series at least gets a more respectable name.
Indy Lights
The season opens at St. Petersburg on March 5, but the series will have almost two months off before round two, which will be at Barber on April 30. Two weeks late, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course will host the series on May 13. The first of two doubleheader weekends will take place on the streets of Detroit over the weekend of June 3-4.
Road America on June 18 and Mid-Ohio on July 2 will close out the first half of the season. Iowa will be held on July 22, the first of two oval races. Nashville plays host on August 6 before Indy Lights returns to the IMS road course five days later. The final oval round will be Gateway on August 26. Portland hosts the penultimate round on September 3 before the Laguna Seca doubleheader closes out the season on September 9-10.
Teams:
Andretti Autosport
Louis Foster: #26 Copart/USF Pro Championship Scholarship Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Foster won the Indy Pro 2000 championship with seven victories, 12 podium finishes and 14 top five finishes in 18 races, ending with 451 points.
What to expect in 2023: Foster drove a smart 2022 season in Indy Pro 2000. He grew into the season and became the man to beat. He could do the same this season. If he keeps up the consistency, he could make a run for the championship, but this grid is tougher than last season, and he has a teammate who will not be a push over. Foster should win a few races and be competing for the top five in the championship.
Hunter McElrea: #27 Smart Motors Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Finished fourth in the 2022 Indy Lights championship with 460 points, the top rookie, with two victories, seven podium finishes and nine top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: McElrea is one of the early championship favorites. He was in the top five of both Homestead tests in January and earlier this week. He came to grips with the car and improved as 2022 went on. He should be starting 2023 vastly more comfortable than much of the competition. McElrea should win more races. He should at least improve on fourth in the championship. This isn't title or bust, but if he is fourth again it will be a disappointment.
Jamie Chadwick: #28 DHL Dallara
What did she do in 2022: Chadwick won her third consecutive W Series championship with five victories in seven races, including three from pole position.
What to expect in 2023: This will be a challenging season for Chadwick. Her Homestead testing results had her 15th in January and 13th earlier this week. She did have some good tests at Sebring. This is a tougher car to drive than what she has been in the last few years. She should improve as the season goes on, but top ten in the championship would be a brilliant season.
James Roe, Jr.: #29 Topcon Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Roe was 12th in the Indy Lights championship, participating in only 11 of 14 races with his best finish being seventh.
What to expect in 2023: Roe never really showed any great pace last year. In testing, he was third at Homestead earlier this week, but last month he was 15th out of 18 cars. I am not sure what Roe we will see. He is in a good team, but he is arguably the team's fourth best driver. Andretti Autosport alone should bump up his results, but I expect him to be all over the board and in some fight just to make the top ten.
HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing
Josh Green: #3 Zimperium Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Green won the Indy Pro 2000 season opener at St. Petersburg, but he had only four total podium finishes and was sixth in the championship on 298 points.
What to expect in 2023: There are nine HMD drivers this season. Green was good in the January Homestead test ending up ninth, but he was slowest in the Homestead test earlier this week. Green will be fighting to crack the top ten in the championship.
Christian Rasmussen: #6 Valeo/Archer Law Firm Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Rasmussen was sixth in the Indy Lights championship with 440 points with two victories, five podium finishes and eight top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Sixth in the championship was a little harsh for Rasmussen considering he probably should have won the season opener in 2022 only to run out of fuel. He got in a few accidents. He was third in the January Homestead test, but 11th in the test earlier this week. At his best, Rasmussen could push for the championship, but he has to minimize those mistakes. Anything less than the top HMD driver will not be acceptable.
Christian Bogle: #7 Pelican Energy Consultants Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Bogle's best finish in Indy Lights was fourth at Belle Isle, but he finished 11th in the championship on 298 points with that lone top five finish.
What to expect in 2023: This will be Bogle's third season in Indy Lights. In two U.S. F2000 seasons, he never finished better than sixth. He was 11th in the Indy Lights championship in each of his first two seasons. He doesn't really match well to the rest of this grid. He will be at the back, likely worse than 11th in the championship.
Rasmus Lindh: #10 GarageXYZ Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Lindh started four IMSA races in the LMP3 class after running a full season in 2021 while also competing in the IMSA Prototype Challenge series.
What to expect in 2023: At the end of 2019, Lindh looked poised to be in IndyCar in no-time. He was set with an Indy Lights ride for 2020, but then that season was cancelled due to the pandemic, and Lindh's career was re-routed. He has done well in LMP3 competition. He was in the top ten of both Homestead tests. This season is considerably more difficult than the Indy Lights season Lindh was set for in 2020. He could sneak into the top five of the championship and find a way to win a race or two.
Nolan Siegel: #39 Menlo Ventures Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Siegel was fourth in the Indy Pro 2000 championship on 333 points after winning two races and standing on the podium six times with nine top five finishes. He also started the Indy Lights season finale at Laguna Seca, where he finished tenth and ninth in the two races.
What to expect in 2023: Testing sent mixed messages. Siegel was sixth in the January Homestead test, but 18th earlier this week and slower than he ran in January. This is where being one of nine HMD-associated drivers is a bad thing. He should pull out some good races but other times he might be the bottom of the barrel.
Danial Frost: #68 DenJet Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Frost won on the IMS road course, but his five top five finishes only earned him seventh in the championship on 382 points.
What to expect in 2023: Last season was a plateau for Frost. He won but he didn't make any gains. With the grid getting tougher in Indy Lights, I don't see Frost exceeding seventh. It would be something if he got back to seventh. He could still be in the top ten of the championship, but he could be lost in the clutter of HMD drivers.
HMD Motorsports
Josh Pierson: #14 Open Context Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Pierson was third in the FIA World Endurance Championship Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Drivers while winning on debut at Sebring. He was also sixth in IMSA's LMP2 class and he was sixth in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he became the youngest starter at 16 years and 119 days old.
What to expect in 2023: We aren't quite sure how many races Pierson will do, as he will still have WEC and other sports car racing responsibilities. Pierson did two seasons in U.S. F2000 and was fourth in the 2021 championship. This is a change from an LMP2 car. He is an Ed Carpenter Racing development driver. The results don't carry that much weight. He is only 17 years old. When he commits to a full Indy Lights season then the results will matter.
Kyffin Simpson: #21 Ridgeline/American Legion Dallara
What did he do in 2022: With two top five finishes, Simpson was ninth in the Indy Lights championship on 312 points. He spent the first eight races with TJ Speed Motorsports and the final six races with HMD Motorsports.
What to expect in 2023: Simpson was eighth and seventh in the January Homestead and last week's Homestead test respectively. Last year was underwhelming, and considering his best results were with TJ Speed, it makes 2022 look worse. I don't see a championship driver, at least not in 2023. I am not sure he can win a race. If 2023 is identical to 2022, no one should be surprised.
HMD Motorsports with Force Indy
Ernie Francis, Jr.: #99 James Schnabel Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Francis, Jr. was tenth in the Indy Lights championship on 299 points with his best finish being seventh in the St. Petersburg season opener.
What to expect in 2023: With the grid getting deeper, I doubt Francis, Jr. will get back into the top ten of the championship. He is still relatively new to single-seater racing. This is year two in Indy Lights. There should be some improvement and he should be more competitive, but the competition has only increased. Improvement does not mean he will see better results.
Abel Motorsport
Jacob Abel: #51 Abel Construction Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Abel was eighth in the Indy Lights championship with five top five finishes, scoring 355 points.
What to expect in 2023: Performing slightly better than expected, Abel lifted expectations for himself. However, this grid has gotten tougher than 2022. Abel does have the advantage of time with this car and he knows the circuits. If he was eighth in the championship again that would be a respectable achievement.
Colin Kaminsky: #57 Slick Locks Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Only starting ten of 18 Indy Pro 2000 races left Kaminsky 14th in the championship, but he did score three podium finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Kaminsky will be toward the back of the field, but not without some good efforts. He just needs time to develop. The results should not stop him from getting a second season in 2024. A second season would got a long way.
Cape Motorsports
Enaam Ahmed: #47 Cape Motorsports Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Ahmed did not win in Indy Pro 2000, but he had five podium finishes and 13 top five finishes and would earn him third in the championship with 338 points.
What to expect in 2023: Ahmed was a late addition to the Indy Lights grid, but he was fastest in the January Homestead test and he was fifth at Homestead earlier this week. Ahmed's best quality is he can bring the car home and not tear up equipment, but he was missing that last bit of magic to win races and be a force. He should at least continue his good form. If he is at the front, he will have a shot at victories, but he needs to find that extra boost if he wants to be a contender for more.
Jagger Jones: #98 TotalSim US/SimCrat/APEX Motor Club/Cape Brothers Speed Shop Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Jones was fourth in the U.S. F2000 championship with one victory and five podium finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Jones is taking the big leap from U.S. F2000 to Indy Lights. The only other notable driver to do that was RC Enerson, and Enerson did quite well in Indy Lights. I don't think Jones is going to be competing at the front immediately. He should at least be a midfield driver and improve over the course of the season. This should at least be a two-year program.
Juncos Hollinger Racing
Reece Gold: #75 Ticket Clinic Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Gold won four races in Indy Pro 2000, but his seven podium finishes and 11 top five finishes could only earn Gold silver, runner-up in the championship on 390 points.
What to expect in 2023: Gold had fantastic testing results, second at Homestead in January and then fourth earlier this weekend. He was quite consistent over his two seasons in Indy Pro 2000. If he repeats that form, he could challenge for the top five in the championship. If he can pull out a few victories, it could be enough to win the championship.
Matteo Nannini: #76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Dallara
What did he do in 2022: Nothing. Nannini did not compete in 2022. In 2021, he was 14th in the Formula Three championship with one victory and two podium finishes. He also started eight Formula Two races and his best finish was tenth in the Bahrain feature race.
What to expect in 2023: Nannini surprisingly topped the Homestead test at the start of the week. In January, he was fourth in the Homestead test. He could be ready for a breakout season, but all the circuits will be new. He improved on his second visit to Homestead, but the only track he will visit twice is the IMS road course. A few race victories and a championship challenge is not out of the question, but there will be a few weekends where Nannini is behind the eight-ball and fighting from behind.
USF Pro 2000
The season begins with a St. Petersburg doubleheader over March 4-5. The first of two standalone weekends will be over March 25-26 at Sebring, the first time the series has visited the track since 2010. USF Pro 2000 will be back together on the IMS road course May 12-13 before running at Indianapolis Raceway Park on May 27. Road America marks the halfway point with a doubleheader over June 17-18.
A doubleheader will occur at Mid-Ohio on July 1-2 and another will be on July 15-16. Austin will host the penultimate round of the season, a doubleheader over August 26-27, its first visit to the Texas capital since 2013. Portland will host the final round, ending with a triple-header spread over September 2-3.
Teams:
Exclusive Autosport
Yuven Sundaramoorthy: #90 S Team Motorsports Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Sundaramoorthy had three podium finishes in Indy Pro 2000, but those were his only top five finishes of the season, and he was tenth in the championship on 244 points.
What to expect in 2023: Sundaramoorthy had a slow start in U.S. F2000 and in his third year it clicked. He spent those three seasons and last year in Indy Pro 2000 with Pabst Racing. He is now with Exclusive Autosport. A change of scenery could be a good thing, but I think Sundaramoorthy will be around where he was last year. It would not be surprising if he fell outside the top ten of the championship.
Salvador de Alba: #91 Archandel/Red Cola/Z MotorsTatuus
What did he do in 2022: De Alba was eighth in Indy Pro 2000 on 289 points with two victories, four podium finishes and six top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: De Alba was the overachiever of the 2022 season. I think he can win a race or two, but end up around where he was last season. It is going to be tough to crack the top five in the championship, and it just feels like the depth will keep him from being a title fighter. He should be the top Exclusive driver in the championship.
Joel Granfors: #92 Corpay Cross-Border Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Granfors was second in the GB3 Championship with two victories and 11 podium finishes in 24 races.
What to expect in 2023: This is a big jump for Granfors. The GB3 Championship is effective a suped-up Formula 4 car. These will be new circuits. He should be outside the top ten in the championship.
Lindsay Brewer: #93 C4 Smart Energy/Biocide Systems/Autoshocker Tatuus
What did she do in 2022: Brewer competed in 11 of 18 Indy Pro 2000 races with her best finish being eighth. She was 15th in the championship.
What to expect in 2023: Brewer had a few good days in her partial season in 2022. I don't see much of a change in 2023. She will crack the top ten a few times but wind up in the back half of the championship.
Jay Howard Driver Development
Ricardo Escotto: #4 JHDD/CSU One Cure/Lucas Oil Products/LHP Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Escotto was 22nd in the F4 Spanish Championship with his best finish being ninth. He was also 25th in the F4 UAE Championship.
What to expect in 2023: Testing looked good for a driver that was not that spectacular in Formula 4. It is tough to imagine he will be in the championship top ten. A handful of top ten finishes could be a good season for Escotto. He is driving with a respectable team. That will help him.
Reece Ushijima: #6 Susquehanna Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Ushijima was 20th in the Formula Three championship with one podium finishes and five total points finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Ushijima did ok competing in Europe. He was fourth in the 2021 GB3 Championship. He was did score points in Formula Three. That isn't easy. He improved over each session at the Sebring test earlier this week. Ushijima is learning most of these circuits, as he mostly developed in Japan and Europe. You would think he should be a shoe-in for the championship top ten and perhaps a sleeper for the title. I am not sure that is the case. I do think he will have at least a few top five finishes.
DEForce Racing
Bijoy Garg: #7 DEForce Racing Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Garg was ninth in the U.S. F2000 championship on 203 points despite not running the final three races. He had two podium finishes. Garg did run the final four Indy Pro 2000 races, where he finished tenth in three of those races.
What to expect in 2023: Garg did surprisingly well last year, and his U.S. F2000 championship finish would have been better if he had run the final three races. He got a taste of this series last year, but I think this will be a learning year and he will be in the back half of the top ten of the championship with a chance he is just outside the top ten, but there will be three or four notable days.
Kiko Porto: #12 Banco Daycoval/Petromega Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Porto won one race, had three podium finishes and six top five finishes to earn seventh in the championship on 290 points.
What to expect in 2023: Porto had a tough first season in USF Pro 2000, but he should move forward in 2023. This championship has regenerated talent. A lot of good drivers left for Indy Lights, but the talent that has entered is equally as good. I don't think Porto is going to have his way, but he should still be competing for top five in the championship. A title isn't out of the question either.
Pabst Racing
Jordan Missig: #19 Racing For Mental Health/AMV Ventures Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Missig was 11th in the Indy Pro 2000 championship on 199 points with his best finish being sixth.
What to expect in 2023: Missig took a good stride forward in preseason testing. Things looked better toward the end of 2022. I am not sure he can be a constant top five presence, but he should pick off at least a few top five finishes and maybe find three or four positions in the championship.
Jace Denmark: #20 Metal Works Custom Fabrication Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Denmark was third in the U.S. F2000 championship with four victories, seven podium finishes and 11 top five finishes, leaving him with 363 points.
What to expect in 2023: Denmark was a quiet championship contender in U.S. F2000 last year. I almost expect the same thing to happen in USF Pro 2000 this year. He will have some strong days, but we will not see him dominate and win four or five consecutive races. He will build his season with top five runs and podium finishes while minimizing poor days.
Myles Rowe: #99 Penske Entertainment Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Rowe was runner-up in the U.S. F2000 championship on 381 points, winning a series-leading five races, standing the podium ten times with 13 top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Rowe topped the USF Pro 2000 test held at Sebring earlier this week. Rowe had a big breakthrough last season, and it was crushing he didn't win the U.S. F2000 championship, where he was arguably the best driver in 2022. Accidents cost Rowe the title, and he has a way of getting into them while in strong positions. If he cleans it up, he could easily be USF Pro 2000 champion. Rowe should be competitive and win a few races, but I think there will still be a handful of results where he throws it away and it makes his season more difficult.
Turn 3 Motorsport
Michael d'Orlando: #1 Focused Project Management Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: D'Orlando won the U.S. F2000 championship on 387 points with four victories, eight podium finishes and 14 top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: D'Orlando won the U.S. F2000 championship by not making mistakes. He didn't have many accidents and could bring a car home in the top five. He was in the top five of the U.S. F2000 championship in three consecutive seasons. Each of those three seasons basically look the same. Regular top five finisher, and that will get you victories and podium finishes. I almost expect to see the same in this series and at worst he will be fifth in the championship, at best he has another title and will be onto Indy Lights.
Jonathan Browne: #2 Human Centred Movement/CRPS Awareness Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Browne was 12th in the Indy Pro 2000 championship on 187 points with one top five finish.
What to expect in 2023: Testing didn't look much different from 2022. Browne could find his way into the top five more, but could still be just outside the top ten in the championship.
Christian Brooks: #3 OFTV Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Brooks was entered for the 2022 Indy Pro 2000 season with Exclusive Autosport, but an accident in qualifying ahead of the St. Petersburg season opener ended his season.
What to expect in 2023: We aren't sure. Brooks tested at Sebring and was tenth in testing, but Brooks has not announced any plans for this season. He had a promising few seasons in U.S. F2000 and looked ready for something special in 2022.
Jackson Lee: #47 IU Simon Cancer Center/Browning Chapman/Prime 47 Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Lee ran 13 U.S. F2000 races with his best finish being seventh. He was 15th in the championship.
What to expect in 2023: In 27 U.S. F2000 starts, Lee had four top ten finishes. I don't think it gets much better in USF Pro 2000. He will be battling Browne for who is better among the Turn 3 Motorsport drivers.
Miller Vinatieri Motorsport
Jack William Miller: #40 Patterson Dental/Blue Marble Productions Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Miler had two podium finishes and six top five finishes in Indy Pro 2000 on his way to finishing ninth on 251 points.
What to expect in 2023: With the talent that has entered this series, Miller should take a step back. Expect fewer podium finishes, fewer top five finishes and Miller sliding back in the championship.
TJ Speed Motorsports
Lirim Zendeli: #10 Vexavit/Ajdini Spedition Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Zendeli competed in the Formula Three round at Barcelona, where he finished 20th and 15th, and the Formula Two round at Spa-Francorchamps, where he finished 20th and 21st. In 2021, he was 17th in the Formula Two championship with his best finish being seventh.
What to expect in 2023: TJ Speed is bringing over a few European drivers and Zendeli was seventh in the Sebring test. We haven't seen many drivers with Formula Two experience come to USF Pro 2000. Zendeli is a championship sleeper. Every track will be new, but he should have no issues with the car. It will not be surprising if he wins races this season.
Christian Weir: #32 EComfort.com/Ferguson/ProFlow Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Weir was eighth in the U.S. F2000 championship with 229 points. He stood on the podium twice and he had four top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Weir looked good last season. He has flashes, but hasn't shown breathtaking pace. He left some room for improvement in testing. He should have a few top ten finishes and it should have him clawing for a top ten championship finish.
Francesco Pizzi: #55 Villa Mercede/Shaka Spirit/Roscioli Hotels Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Pizzi was 27th in the Formula Three championship with one point scored at Imola. He stared 2023 winning the LMP2 class in the 24 Hours of Daytona with Proton Competition.
What to expect in 2023: Like Zendeli, Pizzi is coming from Europe, and he had a good start in Formula 4, but his Formula Regional European and Formula Three results are not anything to brag about. However, Pizzi was eighth in testing, right on Zendeli's heels. I feel less confident in Pizzi's success than Zendeli's. This season could see Pizzi be a stunning champion or he has a few brilliant results and then about nine races full of mistakes that knock him down the championship.
NeoTech Motorsport
Nicholas Monteiro: #81 Unique/Caye International Bank/Collection Suites Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Monteiro was eighth in the F4 Brazilian championship.
What to expect in 2023: This is a massive leap for Monteiro. It will be a rough season.
U.S. F2000
The U.S. F2000 schedule almost exactly mirrors the USF Pro 2000 schedule. It starts with doubleheaders at St. Petersburg and Sebring. The IMS road course round will be a triple-header for U.S. F2000. There will be one race at Indianapolis Raceway Park and a doubleheader at Road America.
Mid-Ohio will be a triple-header before a doubleheader in Toronto and the season will conclude with U.S. F2000's third triple-header in Portland.
Teams:
Jay Howard Driver Development
Evagoras Papasavvas: #6 BodyWise/Tiger Natural Gas/Ares Elite Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Papasavvass participated in the final ten races of the U.S. F2000 season. His best finish was 11th and he ended up 23rd in the championship.
What to expect in 2023: Last year was Papasavvas' first in car racing. It was a good start. Results should get better. He should at least get a few top ten finishes and perhaps a few top five results.
Al Morey: #7 JHDD/CSU One Cure/Lucas Oil Products/LHP Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Morey started 12 of 18 Formula 4 United States Championship races with his best finish being ninth.
What to expect in 2023: This is a big jump from Formula 4. I don't think he will be a front-runner immediately, but he could develop into one as the season progresses.
Lochie Hughes: #8 JHDD/CSU One Cure/Lucas Oil Products/LHP Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Hughes won the Formula 4 United States Championship with six victories and ten podium finishes from 18 races. He also ran the Mid-Ohio U.S. F2000 round where his best finish was fourth.
What to expect in 2023: Hughes should be competitive. He should be pushing for race victories and podium finishes. If he does that, he will be in the championship conversation.
Louka St. Jean: #9 Planiform Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: St. Jean was 11th in the Formula 4 United States Championship after starting 12 of 18 races with one podium finish.
What to expect in 2023: There should be a battle between St. Jean and Morey for third best JHDD driver this season.
DEForce Racing
Mac Clark: #1 Clubine Motorsports/Valkyrie Al Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Clark won the USF Juniors championship on 393 points with five victories and 12 podium finishes from 16 races. He started the U.S. F2000 round at Portland and won the second race while finishing fourth in the first race.
What to expect in 2023: Clark is exciting, and he could be set for a massive season. Clark was third in the Sebring test. No one would be surprised if he won the championship. He won immediately last year driving in a cameo role. He is more than ready for this step. He should be one of the best this season.
Jorge Garciarce: #10 Sidral Aga/Red Cola/Skarch Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Garciarce was 13th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 142 points with his best finish being sixth.
What to expect in 2023: Results improved over the course of 2022. I think he will make a step forward and at least be in the top ten of the championship.
Maxwell Jamieson: #12 2W Technologies Inc. Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Jamieson was 15th in the USF Juniors championship on 97 points with his best finish being eighth.
What to expect in 2023: With limited racing experience and slow testing results, Jamieson will be using this year to grow.
Exclusive Autosport
Jacob Douglas: #90 JDM Properties Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Douglas was 12th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 179 points with three top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Douglas should make an improvement in year two. Championship top ten should be his goal and he should be aiming to push for the top five.
Joey Brienza: #91 UBS Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Brienza started only three U.S. F2000 races, but participated in three rounds. His best finish was tenth.
What to expect in 2023: Brienza has plenty of experience in F1600 competition. He will be part-time in U.S. F2000 while running full-time in USF Juniors.
Nicholas d'Orlando: #92 Focused Project Management Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: D'Orlando started the final ten U.S. F2000 races and he had four top ten finishes, giving him 20th in the championship on 77 points. He ran the first two rounds in the USF Juniors championship.
What to expect in 2023: D'Orlando had a good first taste of U.S. F2000. He should be pushing to be the best Exclusive Autosport driver if he drives full-time, but at the moment, all he has confirmed is St. Petersburg.
Avery Towns: #93 Speed IntelliComm/Pizza Inn/Towns Law Firm Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Towns won the SCCA Formula X US Majors championship for the second consecutive year.
What to expect in 2023: Towns did not start racing until he was 18 years old in 2021. He immediately became an SCCA champion. This is a step above club racing. The success will not come as easy.
Chase Gardner: #95 Mindshift Financial Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Gardner ran in the U.S. F2000 round on the IMS road course. His best finish was tenth.
What to expect in 2023: Though he ran at IMS last year, Gardner still does not have that much car racing under his belt. There will be some growing pains in 2023, but he could have a few impressive drives.
Velocity Racing Development
Sam Corry: #14 Red Line Oil/Fill-Rite/Stilo Helmets Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Corry was second the USF Juniors championship on 369 points with three victories, 11 podium finishes and 12 top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Corry was in Mac Clark's shadow last season in USF Juniors. He is 15 years old and he should be using this season as a building block. Another year in U.S. F2000 would not be a bad thing in 2024.
Nikita Johnson: #17 Allen Exploration, LCC/Walker's Cay Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Johnson ran in eight U.S. F2000 races. He was runner-up in the first Portland race and had four top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2023: Johnson showed a few sparkling moments in his partial season in 2022. He could piece together a strong season and find himself pushing for top five in the championship.
Danny Dyszelski: #18 Formula Imports/Charlotte Mechanical Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Dyszelski ran 14 of 18 U.S. F2000 races and his best finish was sixth. He finished 16th in the championship on 99 points.
What to expect in 2023: Last year was his first year in car racing. He doesn't turn 15 years old until April. There is no rush. A few more top ten results than 2022 would be a good season.
Gordon Scully: #19 VRD Racing Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Scully was seventh in the FRP Formula 16000 Championship Series.
What to expect in 2023: A late-bloomer, Scully is 24 years old and last year was his first year in car racing. Expectations are low. This is a big leap for him.
Noah Ping: #32 Ping Racing/Star Pharmaceuticals Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Ping was third in the Formula 4 United States Championship with four victories and eight podium finishes.
What to expect in 2023: This car should be in Ping's comfort zone. He shouldn't struggle mightily, but the competition could be tougher than Formula 4 and have Ping scraping for results.
Zack Ping: #97 Ping Racing/Star Pharmaceuticals Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Ping ran in the World Racing League and competed in the SCCA Spec Racer class.
What to expect in 2023: Ping has announced he will drive in USF Juniors, but it appears he will also get a few U.S. F2000 starts as well.
Pabst Racing
Simon Sikes: #22 Group6Gear Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Sikes started the first eight U.S. F2000 races with three top five finishes and his worst finish was ninth, but he did not run the final ten races and was 14th in the championship on 119 points. An average of 14.875 points per start had him on pace for 267.75 points, good enough for sixth.
What to expect in 2023: Sikes has had three partial seasons in U.S. F2000 and he has shown promise. Sikes topped the Sebring test. He has also won multiple SCCA national championships. If he competes full-time, he could compete for the championship, but history tells us he will not run a full season.
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Development
Elliot Cox: #67 Drive Planning/Hartman Oil Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Cox was 11th in the USF Juniors championship on 140 points but he did not run the final three races.
What to expect in 2023: This should be a building year, but Cox looked good in testing. He will only turn 16 years old in August. He should have a two-year U.S. F2000 plan, but an early championship could accelerate his career plans.
Future Star Racing
Andre Castro: #56 Wings & Wheels Foundation/Premier Arms Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Castro was fifth in USF Juniors on 233 points with one podium finish and six top five finishes.
What to expect in 2023: This is a comeback for Castro. He first ran in U.S. F2000 in 2017 and ran six races in 2021. He did well in USF Juniors last year, but not remarkable. This is a new team. Results will be tough to come by.
Trey Burke: #58 Wings & Wheels Foundation/Premier Arms Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Burke ran the first ten U.S. F2000 races and his best finish was seventh. He also ran the Indy Pro 2000 race at Gateway and the NASCAR Truck race at Mid-Ohio.
What to expect in 2023: Burke hasn't shown much in single-seater racing. He has been dabbling in NASCAR and ARCA. He isn't going to be in the top ten regularly and I sense this is the year he sees a shift in his career direction.
DC Autosport
Ethan Ho: #68 Triple S Suspensions/MEGA Automotive Tatuus
What did he do in 2022: Ho was seventh in the USF Juniors championship with 182 points and two top five finishes. He ran in the U.S. F2000 final round at Portland where his best finish was 11th.
What to expect in 2023: Ho will also be competing full-time in USF Juniors again this year while running part-time in U.S. F2000. However, he was second quickest in the Sebring test. Keep an eye on him.
The first Road to Indy Series race will be USF Pro 2000 competing at 11:15 a.m. ET on Saturday March 4 from St. Petersburg. U.S. F2000 will have its first race later that afternoon at 3:45 p.m. ET. On Sunday March 5, U.S. F2000 opens up the day with its second race at 8:00 a.m. ET. Indy Lights will be at 10:00 a.m. ET and USF Pro 2000 rounds out the day at 3:00 p.m. ET.
