Canadian rising star Mac Clark had an impressive debut in the USF Juniors series and secured the 2022 championship title with DEForce Racing, a Texas-based team. He will now continue on the USF Pro Championships ladder, advancing to the second level and continuing with DEForce Racing in the 2023 USF2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.
At just 18-years-old, the Milton, Ontario native has established himself as a top junior prospect for a professional driving career in North America. In 2022, he was the most successful junior open-wheel driver on the continent. Additionally, he made history as the only driver to win races in three different national formula series.
With his eyes set on becoming an NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, Clark has partnered with Speed Group management since 2021. Co-founder of Speed Group and Canadian NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver James Hinchcliffe has been mentoring Clark throughout 2021 and now for the 2023 USF2000 championship.
“For Mac and DEForce to take the inaugural title is incredible.” said Hinchcliffe. “Mac performed at an incredibly high level all year and we are all so excited to see what he can do in USF2000 next season. He has the right approach, attitude, work ethic and now experience to be contending from the first race.”
"I am super happy to announce that I will be continuing with DEForce Racing in 2023," said Clark. "We have a lot of momentum to build on from last year's campaign and I’m really looking forward to this coming season in USF2000. I believe our team has what it takes to fight for the championship. I am extremely thankful to the entire team for this opportunity, it’s one big family. LETS GO!"
Clark had a busy racing program put together for him this year which included not only the USF Juniors Presented by Cooper Tires championship, but also the FR Championship with Future Star Racing and his debut in a one-off race event in USF2000 at Portland International Raceway, where he obtained his first ever win in this series. Clark has managed to score wins in every championship he competed in, and has won or led three national formula championships in the last three years.
Clark and DEForce Racing have built a solid foundation of performance and proven results during 2022, that eventually consolidated into clinching the championship title, which secured Clark a scholarship valued at more than $221,000 to graduate to the second step of the USF Pro Championships ladder. The Canadian will come back for a second year with Texas-based DEForce Racing.
“It is great to have Mac back,” said David Martinez, DEForce Racing co-owner. “We had a great first year and we look forward to giving him a shot at the USF2000 championship title, and to building on the success of 2022.”
The 18 year-old Canadian is currently enrolled in automotive engineering at the Ontario Tech University, where he is building on his knowledge and understanding of a race car.
“During his off time,” said Martinez, “Clark spends a few weeks in the year helping DEForce with our simulator development, spending time with the team, from cleaning parts himself, to learning about rebuilding a competitive car.”
Climbing the ladder to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Clark has brought key partners on board for the 2023 season. While maintaining relationships with Valkyrie and Speed Group as partners, and with BELL Helmets and MIR Raceline USA for apparel, Clark has also welcomed Actuarial Risk Management as a new partner in 2023.
“We’re very excited to continue supporting Mac as part of our Valkyrie Velocity platform,” said Charlie Burgoyne, Valkyrie Founder & CEO. “He has proven to be a dominant young driver and a great brand ambassador for us. Our goal is to prove that science, applied to motorsports, can have a demonstrable impact in performance and Mac is a big part of that, and will continue to be as he climbs his way up to IndyCar.”
The 2023 USF2000 schedule is set to begin with an official series test at Sebring, Fla., in February, followed by the season-opener at the St. Petersburg GP, where the support series will race the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida alongside the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.