After a comprehensive review process by karting industry authority eKartingNews.com’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Rob Howden and Managing Editor David Cole, Mission Viejo, Calif., native Jake Craig, 19, emerged from a list of six finalists to earn a coveted ticket to the Mazda Road to Indy USF2000 $200K Scholarship Shootout.

A little more than a month after the conclusion of a hard-fought 2017 season, teams and drivers from all three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires will officially begin preparations for the 2018 campaign this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires today unveiled its 2018 calendar of events. The most effective driver development program in the world with over $3.5M in scholarships and awards on offer will continue its momentum at premier road course, street circuit and oval venues in support of the Verizon IndyCar Series.

The 19-year-old Californian makes his first official foray up the motorsports ladder from karting to the USF2000 series

South African FF1600 Champion Julian van der Watt enjoyed a couple of productive days testing at Gingerman Raceway in Michigan with Team Pelfrey’s Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda squad last week