Shannon McIntosh and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda officially opened the 2012 open-wheel racing season in support of the 60th Annual Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring this week with the first two rounds of USF2000 at Sebring International Raceway.

Spencer Pigot pulled off a magnificent around-the-outside pass of Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing teammate Matthew Brabham immediately after a full-course caution to ensure victory in today’s second round at Sebring International Raceway.

Florida-born, third-generation racer Matthew Brabham put down a marker by besting a huge, 36-car field and winning this afternoon’s opening round of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda at Sebring International Raceway.

With talented racers Heamin Choi and Timmy Megenbier behind the wheels, the Minnesota-based team enters the prestigious 60th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida event doubleheader positioned to fight for a place on the podium in its series debut.

Interest in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, the first step on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder, has skyrocketed over the winter, such that a high-quality field of 35 entries is poised to take the green flag in the opening rounds of the 14-race championship.