As sing it Bon Scott. It’s a long way to the Top if
you wanna Rock ‘n roll!
Thanks to Arizona Bureau Chief Snowbyrd MJ’, I
learned about aspiring IndyCar driver Jace Denmark earlier this year, who hails
from Phoenix, Arizona. Having previously scribbled about Him on No Fenders in
the following tome.
http://www.nofenders.net/2024/05/an-aspiring-racer-named-jace.html
Thus, I’ve been loosely following Jace’s USF
Pro 2000 season exploits. After learning how tantalizingly close He came to
winning the 2022 U.S. F2000 National Championship vs. Pabst Racing teammate
Myles Rowe, who finished runner-up by a scant six points While Michael
d’Orlando driving for Cape Motorsports “Zoom Zoomed” past the two Sparring
teammates enroute to the title.
Myles Rowe won the 2023 USF Pro 2000
Championship, scoring five wins and four Poles enroute to the title in His
rookie season. Seeing Rowe graduate to Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports and His
backers Force Indy.
Fellow rookie Michael d’Orlando finished fourth
overall, with six total podiums, including four wins whilst amassing seven
Poles! Also made the leap to Indy NXT for 2024, albeit with less than expected
results. As d’Orlando was plagued with funding issues and only ran a partial
season for Andretti Cape Indy NXT.
Jace Denmark who finished third overall in
the year’s prior U.S. F2000 National championship, 18 points behind Rowe. Finished
seventh in His maiden USF Pro 2000 Championship season. With three podiums; a
pair of thirds and a second place finish.
For 2024, Denmark was second for much of the
season before slipping to third overall, ten points behind eventual runner-up
Nikita Johnson. As Denmark scored a frustrating five second place finishes,
plus a trio of third place finishes, for a total of eight podiums.
Meanwhile, another aspiring IndyCar driver from
South of The Border named Ricardo Escotto finished 13th overall in
the 2023 USF Pro 2000 championship with one top ten finish, a win at Indianapolis
Moto speedway’s road course’s first round. Then followed up His sophomore USF
Pro 2000 season finishing ninth overall, with just two third place finishes to
His credit.
As Y’all may be wondering why I drug Escotto’s
name into the mix? Well, that’s because Andretti Cape Indy NXT has announced
the Mexican driver as the Piloto’ of its No. 3 entry for 2025. Presumably with
one more seat to fill for next year…
Of
the 22 drivers participating, Myles Rowe, whose joined Abel Motorsports for His
sophomore Indy NXT campaign was quickest. As Rowe finished P11 in His rookie
Indy NXT campaign for HMD Motorsports with Force Indy.
Second
quickest was rookie Dennis Hauger. As the Norwegian, who won the 2021 Formula 3
championship, along with winning five races in Formula 2 will drive for
Andretti Global next year.
As could Hauger become the heir apparent to The
Viking’, aka Anders Krohn?
Aussie’
Lochie Hughes, this year’s USF Pro 2000 champion, also driving for Andretti
Global was third quickest. Moving up to Indy NXT next year courtesy of His USF
Pro 2000 title prize fund.
Fourth
fastest was Callum Hedge, testing with Abel Motorsports. As the Kiwi who just
celebrated His 21st birthday raced for HMD Motorsports this year, finishing
fourth overall in His rookie Indy NXT season. And previously won the overlooked
(Formula Regional) FR Americas title in
2023.
Rounding
out the top five was rookie Kiwi’ Liam Sceats behind the keyboard of one of HMD
Motorsports six car armada, or is it nine? As ironically Sceats finished fifth
overall in this year’s USF Pro 2000 Championship. Winning His maiden race at
the second of the Indianapolis Motor speedway’s road course triple header in
May.
Meanwhile,
Jace Denmark tested for Andretti Cape Indy NXT once again. Having tested with
them last October. With Jace finishing P14 overall.
Being only the second time He’s tested an Indy NXT racecar. And possibly takes
solace from outqualifying Christian Brooks. (P16)
As Brooks was Denmark’s Pabst teammate this
season, along with also driving for HMD Motorsports in Indy NXT. Taking over
the vacated seat of IndyCar bound Nolan siegel.
Escotto finished a respectable ninth overall.
Yet the Mexican driver contested five races for Juncos Hollinger Racing this
season. Making His Indy NXT debut on the “Mean” Streets of Detroit, and now is
set for His first full season Indy NXT campaign.
As the burning $64k question is can Jace Denmark land one of the coveted, remaining Indy NXT seat next year? As Denmark recently left Pabst Racing after a successful four seasons stint with Auggie Pabst’s championship winning team…
