HARTSDALE, NY. – After a partial season of action in the 2022 USF2000 Presented by Cooper Tires championship, Nick d’Orlando will return to the series' racing action this weekend at the 2023 season opener on the streets of St Petersburg, Fla., reuniting with Indianapolis-based Exclusive Autosport. The 19-year-old New York native, and 2021 Formula Race Promotions F1600 Champion, is looking to build on the four top-10 results he garnered in only four event weekends in 2022, and to put himself in a position to fight for the ultimate goal of the $433,200 scholarship awarded to the season series’ Champion, and advance his career up another step toward the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
d'Orlando’s 2022 season was a learning year to establish which level of the USF Pro Championships to target for 2023. He started in USF Juniors Presented by Cooper Tires series and ultimately after a couple events testing the waters, he made the move up to the USF 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires for the final four events of the season. Without prior testing in the USF-22 car, he showed impressive results, logging one fastest race lap and four top 10 finishes in as many events while adapting to running two events each with two different teams to ultimately finding his home for 2023 with Exclusive Autosport.
The results in 2022 with Exclusive Autosport was the start of a relationship that both sides feel include the workings of success and a strong run at the championship. They will rejoin at the opening round of the 2023 USF Pro Championships Presented by Cooper Tires in St Petersburg, Fla., from March 3-5.
“I’m looking forward to being back with Exclusive Autosport for the season opener in St. Petersburg,” states d’Orlando. “I think we established a great relationship last season and I’m confident that working together again we will be able to achieve quality results for a successful event weekend. This is a very important event for me as it looks like currently it’s the only one I’ve got this year so I’ve done everything I can to make sure I’m ready for it.”
“It was awesome having Nick finish the 2022 USF2000 Championship with Exclusive Autosport.” says Michael Duncalfe, President. “I am really excited that he has chosen to race with EA in the 2023 season. I’m looking forward to seeing Nick back in the car and what we can accomplish at St. Petersburg and hopefully the remainder of the season.”
Making the decision to return to the expertise of Duncalfe and his award-winning program was easy, based on the success and connection the driver and team had in 2022. But the goal of fighting for that championship together continues to be a challenge. Due to limited funding, d'Orlando has been unable to participate in any pre-season training and plans to compete in the events after the St. Petersburg are in question.
d’Orlando will drive the #92 Corpay Cross Border Solutions / Exclusive Autosport car in St Petersburg. He would like to extend a sincere thanks to Exclusive Autosport for the opportunity to be a part of their program. Additionally, d'Orlando would like to thank Priority Payment Systems, a new partner for the opening round of the 2023 season, and returning partners at Rising Star Racing, UFC Gym - Mamaroneck and MotorMedia.
d’Orlando will participate in the one-day official Spring Training testing on February 28 at Sebring International followed by the St Petersburg double header only a few days after on March 3 - 5. The USF 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires season continues in Sebring, Fla., on March 23-26.