Californian up-and-comer finished a well-deserved second at VIR in Round 13, and followed it up with a fifth-place result in Round 14 LOS GATOS, CALIF. – American rising star Neil Alberico ended his rookie season in the highly-regarded Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in superb fashion this past weekend (September 14-15), securing a trip to the post-race podium. With a runner-up finish in Round 13 at VIRginia International Raceway and a follow-up fifth-place result in Round 14, the Californian up-and-comer not only ended what was an-up-down year behind the wheel on a high-note, but also positioned himself for a strong off-season and a potential title run in 2013.
Given Alberico has been a consistent front-runner since the traditional summer hiatus - scoring four top-fives - the American was excited about the opportunity to continue his run of form in the finale two races of the year at VIR. Add in both Alberico and JDC had learned a great deal and been quick in official series testing at the undulating 3.27-mile road just one week prior, and the stage was set for a standout event by the 2012 Team USA Scholarship finalist.
Things got off to a good start, with the No. 19 Kartel Motorsports/Bondurant School/RaceLite Protection/ Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports inside the top-five in the opening two promoter's test day sessions, and two top-10 efforts in the two practice runs, despite focusing on car setup and balance for qualifying and the races.
The lone qualifying outing, which set the grid for Race One of the Virginia twin bill, proved to be successful, albeit slightly disappointing. Alberico secured a Row Three starting position with the fifth best lap, but believed there was more speed in the car.
When the talented 25+ field rolled on-course just before lunch on Friday for Race One, the 19-year-old was focused on just one thing...standing on the podium when the checkered flag waved. Alberico immediately positioned himself to do just that, getting a superb launch and subsequently avoiding some first turn chaos to slot into second place. From that point forward, the former Bondurant Championship Race Series champion not only drove fast mistake free laps, but also held off multiple challenges from a former series race winner. Alberico in the end earned a well-deserved first visit to the post-race celebrations with a sublime second-place finish.
Returning to the cockpit of his Kartel Motorsports/Bondurant School/RaceLite Protection/Red Line Oil -backed racing steed one day later, Alberico set about building on his Race One momentum in the Round 14 finale. In what was an entertaining caution-free 14-lap race, he dueled not only multiple drivers, but also a teammate for the final podium place. Alberico concluded his return to North American junior formula car competition - having raced in the renowned Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain last year - with a hard fought fifth-place result.
"The whole team has been working so hard for me all season, so to finish the season on the podium with a solid second place feels great!" stated Alberico. "We knew the speed was there, it was just a matter of putting it all together. I am delighted for John Church and everyone on the team. All the guys did great this past weekend, and I think it's safe to say we definitely earned this one. It's no doubt a great momentum builder going into the winter and onto next year. I just want to thank the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, RaceLite Protection, JDC MotorSports, and most of all my parents for all their support this season."
The talented and highly-rated Alberico will now take a very brief break to relax and reflect on his rookie Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda season, before commencing preparations for 2013, including the on-going search for funding.
Those interested in supporting this rising American racer are encouraged to contact Neil Alberico directly @ neil@neilalberico.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Learn more about Neil Alberico at neilalberico.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ NeilAlberico and his Facebook page @ Neil-Alberico-Racing.
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About Neil Alberico:
A native of Los Gatos, Calif., Alberico first started racing karts at the age of 10, competing in IKF region 11 action. Over the course of four seasons (2004-07), the young talent captured the Junior Sportsman, Junior Super Sportsman, and Junior Puma championship titles. In 2008, Alberico first got behind the wheel of a race car, graduating from the Skip Barber 2-day Advanced school at Laguna Seca prior to participating in the Formula BMW recruitment day at Miller Motorsports Park. Continuing to race in the karting ranks while raising funds to pursue a career in motorsports, Alberico won the Snap-On Stars of Karting Series National finale in Las Vegas in 2009, before finishing third in CKI National TAG Senior championship. Alberico built on this success in 2010, winning the TaG Senior class in the WSK North American Series, as well as the Bondurant Championship Race Series, capturing 10 wins in first full season of car competition. As part of the prize package for winning the Bondurant Championship, the teenager tested a Pro Formula Mazda with World Speed Motorsports and a Formula Atlantic Swift 016.a with Finlay Motorsports. In 2011, Alberico made his European racing debut, competing in the world-renowned Formula Ford Championship of Great Britain with Irish-based Cliff Dempsey Racing. Finish ninth in his maiden FF season, the Californian earned a Team USA Scholarships. As a Team USA driver, he captured a Semi-Final win and finished third in the historic 40th Formula Ford Festival. Alberico joins the Mazda Road to Indy program in 2012, driving for JDC MotorSports in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda.