ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – When Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing drivers take the green flag for the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda “Night Before the 500” race on Saturday night, they will attempt to continue a winning tradition. The team won the event in 2010 and 2011.
Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing drivers Matthew Brabham (No.83), Trent Hindman (No. 3) and Spencer Pigot (No. 2) are up for the challenge, and hope to continue the streak for the team.
“Racing the Night Before the 500 is a big moment for any driver,” Hindman said. “The Indy 500 is one of those races that everyone wants to be a part of, and to be the supporting act right before the main show is really cool. I'm extremely excited for the race because it will be my first oval race. I know the Capes will give me a good car, so I will be doing everything I can to get us a good result. I definitely think that we will be right in contention all weekend, so hopefully luck stays on our side and we get a great result.”
“I'm really excited for the Night Before the 500 race,” Pigot said. “It's a great atmosphere and to be a part of the Indy 500 weekend is a really cool experience. We gained a lot of information at the series test a few weeks ago so we're expecting to be fighting at the front for the win.”
For Brabham, the Indy 500 is a family tradition.
“Being able to race as a part of the Indianapolis 500 festivities means an incredible amount to me,” Brabham said. “Both my father (Geoff) and my grandfather (Jack) raced in the Indy 500. It has been really awesome to see for the first time the hype and spectacle that they went through. But being a part of it is something else. I am definitely out to win this race. It would be such a cool race to win. After being quickest in official test day a couple weeks ago, I'm very confident that I can get a good result, and I cannot wait to get the weekend underway.”
The Cape Motorpsorts with Wayne Taylor Racing team has traditionally done well at the Lucas Oil Raceway (O’Reilly Raceway Park). The team is going for its 7th straight pole at the 0.686-mile oval race track, and has taken the checkered flag first five of the last six races. Many of the team’s former drivers will be competing in Indianapolis this weekend.
“The Indy 500 is a huge event, but for us, it is a source of pride,” said team owner Dominic Cape. “We have five former drivers racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend.”
JR Hildebrand, Wade Cunningham and Josef Newgarden will be competing in the Indy 500, Gustavo Yacaman will be racing in the Firestone Indy Lights Series and Petri Suvanto will be competing in Star Mazda. Additionally, Kasey Kahne will be racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. All six drivers worked with the Capes early in their racing careers.
The USF2000 team drivers have taken the checkered flag in the first four races of the 2012 season. Pigot and Brabham are currently one and two in the Championship Class driver standings (Pigot – 115; Brabham 113). The team holds a commanding 72 point lead in the team championship.
“We are very proud of all three of our drivers in the USF2000 Series, as well as our former drivers competing this weekend,” said team owner Nicholas Cape. “We have the talent to win - both from our drivers and our crew. We are looking forward to a good weekend.”
The drivers will first be on track Friday, May 25th for a three-hour test session beginning at 3 p.m. After two 30-minute practice sessions on Saturday, May 26th, the drivers will qualify at 4:10 p.m. with the race going green at 7:40 p.m. All times are ET. For live timing and scoring, please visit www.usf2000.com.
In addition to its three-car assault in the USF2000 Series, the team and its driver Matias Köykkä will be racing in the F1600 Formula F Championship Series at Lime Rock Park, May 25-26. Köykkä won the first race of the season at VIR in April and set the track record. For more information, please visit www.f1600series.com.
Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing was formed in 2010 as a partnership between two successful racing entities. With leadership from brothers Nicholas and Dominic Cape, and along with Wayne Taylor and his organization in Indianapolis, the team campaigns cars in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda and the F1600 Formula F Championship Series. In 2011, the team helped Petri Suvanto claim the driver championship. For more information, please visit www.capemotorsports.com. You can follow the team on Facebook and Twitter for updates (CMwithWTR).