HARTSDALE, NY - Michael d'Orlando and Indianapolis-based Cape Motorsports will continue their partnership in the 2021 season, in the Road to Indy's Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship. Building on their success in 2020, in a condensed COVID-affected season, the partnership proved to be successful for d'Orlando's development and showed some impressive results in d'Orlando's first full season of car competition.
"We started this journey with Michael over a year ago and we’re extremely excited to have him back for our 2021 campaign," states Dominic Cape, owner Cape Motorsports. "Michael finished fourth in the 2020 Championship with one victory, five podiums, and 10 top-five finishes. Michael will be one of the main contenders for the 2021 Championship, and as a team we will give him all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals."
When the 2020 season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire season schedule was condensed into a four-month time period with many races held at the same racing circuits. These circumstances directly affected the time and experiences for the partnership to work together. However, the relationship and bond between driver and team grew strong quickly.
Both parties agree that continuing the relationship into 2021 will have the potential to be successful for both parties. Cape looks to build on a resume in USF2000 of 10 team championship titles and 13 driver championship titles, and d'Orlando is eager to build on his success and momentum in 2020, as he continues his development in the Road to Indy towards a career in INDYCAR.
"I'm back!" exclaims Michael d'Orlando, energetically. "And I'm super excited to be back with Dom and Nick [Cape] and the entire team for my second full year in the USF2000 championship. The amount I learned last year is impossible to put into words and I can't wait to build on it this season. We were quick in the off-season testing so I'm super excited to see what speed we can bring to all of the races this year. Together we have the ability to be fight for the championship."
The Road to Indy Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship series is set to kick off alongside the NTT INDYCAR SERIES at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL on April 15-18. The Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires scholarship-based program provides drivers with the opportunity to compete for awards valued to help continue their development up to the next level, and eventually into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The 2021 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship season consists of 18 rounds of head-to-head competition at eight (8) different circuits, including one (1) oval circuit at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, IN and streets circuits in St. Petersburg, FL and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.