Jay Howard Driver Development is set to start their season with one veteran and five rookies

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The much-anticipated start of the 2023 USF Pro Championships race season commences this weekend on the famed Streets of St. Petersburg, and for Jay Howard Driver Development (JHDD) it will be a busy one. Bringing a total of six drivers, four that will see action in the USF2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and a pair that will do battle in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, JHDD drivers comprise of one veteran and five rookies, but all hungry to start the season off right.

Four of the JHDD entries will do battle on the USF2000 side of the program led by 2022 F4 United States Championship Powered by Honda champion and Australian Lochie Hughes. Hughes joins Evagoras Papasavvas, who ran for the Jay Howard led program for the last half of the season as he built momentum for his 2023 campaign as well as Canadian Louka St-Jean and Indiana resident Al Morey, both who gained experience in F4 competition but have now brought their talents and determination for success to the USF Pro Championships Presented by Cooper Tires ladder program.

While the four USF2000 drivers have never been to St. Pete before, the same can also be said for their USF Pro 2000 teammates Ricardo Escotto and the newly announced Reece Ushijima. While both drivers will be making their USF Pro 2000 debut, both will also try to navigate the tight confines of the 1.8-mile, 14-turn barrier-lined circuit.

“This is the largest contingent of USF2000 drivers that JHDD has brought to St. Pete, but I am confident in their abilities, and I know we have a good core group around them,” explained Howard. “We will have a discussion before the first session on the goals and expectations of the weekend, but number one will be to finish each and every on track lap to give them all the best result possible.”