INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Over the past two years, Belardi Auto Racing has been gaining big-time momentum in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, winning races in both 2012 and 2013. This weekend, they head to the inaugural running of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis this weekend at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway with three hungry young pilots who are all looking to score their first series’ victory, and to add to the team’s overall win total. It’s an international line-up for sure; Canadian Daniel Burkett and Frenchman Nico Jamin will be joined by the Netherlands’ Jeroen Slaghekke in the hunt for podiums and race wins.
Series sophomore Daniel Burkett hit the ground running when the 2014 USF2000 season kicked off in St. Petersburg back in March, using everything that he learned with Belardi Auto Racing last year to roll off the trailer as a frontrunner. During the first two weekends of the schedule, which included four races, Burkett has been extremely impressive in logging three top-five finishes. A visit to the podium is just around the corner for the young Canadian.
"So far this year, I've had a lot of success right away and I'm looking to continue that at IMS this weekend,” Burkett noted, ready to once again jump behind the wheel of his Belardi USF2000 entry. “Racing at IMS is going to be an extremely cool experience, there's so much history that it will be an honor to join the racing legends who have been there before me."
French pilot Nico Jamin has also shown well to begin the new schedule, with his podium finish at the season opening race in Florida standing as his best result. He has the combination of speed, aggression, focus and passion that always results in success.
Belardi Auto Racing also welcomes a new driver to the stable this weekend, as second-year USF2000 pilot Jeroen Slaghekke has moved from another team to join the race-winning Belardi operation for Indy and beyond. Slaghekke ran in the top-10 in both races in St. Petersburg, and maintained this pace and position at Barber Motorsports Park. The 18 year-old has shown great pace and is excited to begin this new opportunity.
“Joining Belardi feels like a fresh start after a very challenging beginning to the season,” offered Slaghekke. “Belardi is a very professional team with some very experienced people and I am thankful they have welcomed me with open arms. I feel confident we will be able to achieve a lot of success this year, hopefully starting right here at IMS!”
The official event begins on Thursday with practice sessions at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm EDT. Qualifying is set for 11:00 am on Friday, ahead of Race #1 at 3:30 pm. The Belardi Auto Racing USF2000 pilots run their second race of the doubleheader on Saturday at 11:00 am.
BELARDI DRIVER SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS:
Daniel Burkett:
Twitter - @dannyburks
Facebook - Daniel Burkett Racing
Instagram - Daniel Burkett
YouTube - Daniel Burkett
Nico Jamin:
Twitter - @Nico_Jamin
Jeroen Slaghekke:
Twitter - @jeroenslaghekke
Facebook - Jeroen Slaghekke
Keep up to date on Belardi Auto Racing via Twitter @ Belardi Racing and on Facebook page @ Belardi Auto Racing
About Belardi Auto Racing:
Belardi Auto Racing is an organization comprised of experienced individuals in the racing industry with an aggressive growth strategy and a strong commitment to finishing up front. No stranger to winning, team members having been achieving success in both the amateur and pro ranks for over a decade, winning numerous junior formula car races and championships. Based in Brownsburg, Ind., Belardi Auto Racing contests multi-car efforts in both the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda series. Goal-oriented and focused on developing the next stars of motorsports, Belardi Auto Racing won in both Indy Lights and USF2000 Championship in 2013.