California star converted the poles in Rounds Eight and Nine into victories at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
LOS GATOS, CALIF. – Neil Alberico re-asserted himself as both a Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda title contender and premier junior formula car racer with a double win effort this past weekend (August 3-4) at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing standout was a leading force during the lone tripleheader on the series schedule, earning the pole position for both Rounds Eight and Nine prior to two flag-to-flag victories. With the double trip to the winner's circle, the Californian enters the final four races of the championship fight second in the points.
Alberico traveled to the technical Mid-Ohio as one of the hottest drivers in the Mazda Road to Indy program thanks two wins two in the past three races, and the talented up-and-comer promptly wasted little time continuing his run of form. Piloting the No. 2 Racelite Protection/Bondurant School of High Performance Driving/eFormulaCarNews.com/ J&M Trophies/OMP America/Cape Motorsports entry, he alternated between first and second fastest in event testing and practice before securing the pole position for race one of the triple bill with the top time in the lone qualifying session.
One day later, the USF2000 field was greeted by less than ideal conditions for Round Eight, as overnight rain resulted in a very slick track. Alberico was ultimately up to the challenge, overcoming the lack of grip and a brief pass following a mid-race restart to lead all 13 laps of the limited green affair.
"We had a rough beginning to the season and it has taken awhile to get back to where we were, but it is definitely starting out to be a great points-scoring weekend," said Alberico. "A win is a win and we need to keep moving forward. The Cape Motorsports guys made a great call with the car given the conditions were super, super tough so they deserve a lot of credit. Both Danilo [Estrela] and Scott [Hargrove] were definitely fast. They both had a great restart on the last one and Scott was able to get around me but those two got together and, fortunately for me, I made out. It’s good to be on top and congratulations to these two guys [Jason Wolfe and RC Enerson] for being on the podium."
Returning to the cockpit a short time later for race two in Ohio, Alberico again led the 28-car field to the green flag. This time the 2013 Cooper Tires Winterfest champion, former USA Scholarship winner and Bondurant Championship title winner did so on a dry track and under sunny skies. Alberico yet again showcased he was the driver to beat, rapidly building a gap on the chasing pack when the action got underway. In what was perfect run, he never put a wheel wrong, comfortably holding the top spot from start-to-finish for a second win on the day.
"The track was obviously a lot faster being dry," stated Alberico. "The Capes predicted the track perfectly again. Thanks to those guys. They are the backbone of this team. They make our job a lot easier. Two wins in one day is awesome. We still have one more to work on to try to get the win tomorrow morning."
With two victories from two starts during the IZOD IndyCar Series weekend, Alberico was excited to have a third opportunity to stand on the top-step of the podium on Sunday morning. Starting P2 for Round 10, things unfortunately did not go according plan. The 20 year-old was involved in a multi-car incident just as the green flag waved, ending his race prior to the completion of a lap.
Despite the less than desirable end to the Mid-Ohio event, Alberico exited the weekend with five wins in the 10 races contested thus far, leading the series, and more importantly sitting second in the title chase.
The quest for the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda crown and a scholarship to advance up the Mazda Road to Indy ladder resumes for Alberico on September 6-7, with Rounds 11 and 12 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in his home state of California.
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.