Up-and-coming American led every lap in lone oval on series calendar to re-ignite title charge
LOS GATOS, CALIF. – Neil Alberico re-established himself as a driver to beat in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda on Saturday night (May 25) with a stellar win at Lucas Oil Raceway. The Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing star never put a wheel wrong in the famed Night Before the 500 event, leading every lap at the lone oval race on the series calendar, securing his second win of the season.
After a pair of less than representative results on the streets of St. Petersburg back in late March, Alberico was greatly looking forward to getting back behind the wheel at Lucas Oil Raceway and re-igniting his charge for a second championship title in 2013, having won the six-race Cooper Tires Winterfest.
When the talented USF2000 Championship field first took to the 0.686-mile oval just down the road from the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Alberico immediately showed his intentions, posting the fastest time in two of the three Friday test sessions, unofficially breaking the lap record in the process.
The former Team USA Scholarship winner and Bondurant Championship title winner continued his weekend run of form when race day started at the Indiana oval, turning the quickest lap in the final practice run.
Alberico returned to the driver's seat of the No. 2 Racelite Protection/Bondurant School of High Performance Driving/eFormulaCarNews.com/J&M Trophies/OMP America/Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing entry a short time later for single-car qualifying. As expected, when the Californian rolled on-course for his two-lap run, he immediately challenged for the pole position. Alberico ultimately just missed out on the best combined two-lap time, earning a front-row starting position, a mere 0.127s back of the pole winner.
After some time to re-energize and go over strategies for the 70-lap race, it was time to roll back on-course under increasing threatening skies and in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. Alberico promptly wasted little time making his presence felt, getting a good launch when the green flag waved, immediately passing his teammate for the lead. Once out front, the Round Two winner never looked back. Holding a multi-car advantage lap after lap, his pursuit of the Night Before the 500 win only came under any threat of note in the closing stages. Alberico, having been forced to deal with increased lapped traffic, held off a last lap challenge to win Round Five with a mistake-free effort on the often treacherous short oval.
"That was a great race," stated Alberico. "You can't ask for much more than to lead every lap and win the race. We have had such a rough season thus far. It’s been kind of a win or lose situation for me. To bounce back, and win here at Indy was huge for the team. I just feel so blessed. Hopefully we can build on this win and work our way back up into the title fight. I have to give a big thank you to the Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing crew. They have done such a great job with the car here at the oval. I also want to thank Mazda, Cooper Tires, and the series, as they have done an awesome job supporting the Mazda Road to Indy. It's a great program to be a part of, and I have everyone to thank for that."
Alberico now has a break in the action until July 13-14, when the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda points chase resumes with a pair of races on the streets of downtown Toronto, Ont. The Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing standout enters the lone race in Canada now eighth in the point standings.
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 Facebook @ Neil Alberico Motorsports
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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 joined the Mazda Road to Indy program in 2012, earning a podium finish and nine top-fives in his rookie season in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. This season, the California standout returns to USF2000 Championship action, joining two-time defending champion Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing.