INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Ayrton Houk and his new team, Benchmark Autosport, have made a strong start to the 2025 racing season, building on a solid debut year in USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire. After finishing 11th in the standings and securing a best finish of fourth, Houk is back for his second season, this time under the banner of Benchmark Autosport – a team founded by his father, Kevin Houk.
Reflecting on his rookie season, Ayrton Houk said, “I’m feeling more confident and ready to tackle the challenges ahead. With Benchmark Autosport, we’ve already made great strides, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together this year.”
Benchmark Autosport has also formed a crucial partnership with Don Conner of DC Autosport, whose expertise has been instrumental in getting the team off the ground. With their combined efforts, the team is focused on building a competitive and dynamic program for the 2025 season.
The team’s preparations for the season kicked off in mid-February with a successful test at NOLA Motorsports Park, as part of the YACademy Winter Series. Ayrton and the team worked hard to shake off the winter rust and dial in the car setup, making the most of extensive on-track time.
The team returned to NOLA Motorsports Park later in February for the USF Pro Championships Series' Spring Training test, where they continued fine-tuning the car and addressing some minor mechanical issues. Although the second day of testing was cut short due to rain, it was a productive few days, laying the foundation for the upcoming races.
Ayrton and Benchmark Autosport next headed to the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for the opening rounds of the 2025 USF Pro Championships season. Ayrton was invited to represent the USF2000 series at the Party in the Park event, a prelude to the weekend of racing in St. Pete. The event allowed him to meet fans and forge new connections in the racing world.
The opening rounds of the season provided valuable racing experience. In Race 1, Ayrton started from 15th position and worked his way up to finish ninth, a solid and encouraging result for the first race of the season. Race 2 proved more challenging, with Ayrton starting from 13th and finishing in the same position. Despite the difficulties, Ayrton and the team were pleased with their progress.
“I’m thrilled with how the team performed at St. Pete, and I’m happy to bring the car back in one piece from the concrete canyon,” said Ayrton. “A top-10 finish in the opening race was a big step forward, and it sets us up well for the rest of the year.”
Looking ahead, Ayrton is excited to continue the momentum at the upcoming USF Pro Championships rounds at NOLA Motorsports Park in April: “We’ve got a lot of momentum going into the next races, and I’m confident we’ll take another step forward."
Kevin Houk, team owner of Benchmark Autosport, expressed his pride in his son’s growth and the team’s progress. “It’s been an exciting start to the season, and I’m thrilled to see what Ayrton and the team can accomplish together. We’re focused on building something special here, and I believe this is just the beginning,” he said.
With a promising start to the season, Ayrton and Benchmark Autosport are eager to continue building on their success. Fans and supporters are encouraged to follow the team’s journey as they aim for even greater achievements in the 2025 USF Pro Championships.