THORNVILLE, Ohio - Patrick Gallagher is excited to announce his involvement in the 2012 edition of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda. One of America’s brightest stars in the junior open-wheel formula car ranks plans to compete in the National Class with JAY Motorsports.
Gallagher will pilot a National Class Formula Enterprises Van Diemen chassis. The Ohio native and Ohio State University Freshman already has serious accolades on his "ROAD TO INDY". The 2010 SCCA F500 National Champion and former Team USA Scholarship nominee has high hopes based on his previous success in the Formula Enterprises Pro Series this past season.
Gallagher had an impressive 2011 campaign. Finishing second in the Formula Enterprises Pro Series, Gallagher posted eight podiums, nine top-fives, 10 top-10s and three pole positions on his way to Rookie of the Year honors. Gallagher also scored a podium finish at the 2010 SCCA National Championships in Formula Enterprises. With his impressive resume, Gallagher is sure to be a clear threat in the National Class at Sebring.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to drive for JAY Motorsports again this year," said Gallagher. "These guys work harder than any other team in the paddock and I would like nothing more than to bring some results their way.
"Although at this time it’s only a partial involvement in the first two rounds, I’m confident with success we can acquire the additional funding to compete. I have to thank MAZDA and Dan Andersen for giving myself and other Formula Enterprises drivers the opportunity to compete in the series. I also have to thank JAY Motorsports, CTL Engineering, ProMotion Driver Development and the Mazda Road to Indy for my continued rise up the motorsports ladder.”
While on track, Gallagher has shown well, and he also added Daytona 24 Hours Winner to his resume recently. Gallagher, willing to further develop as a driver, was a crew member on the victorious Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian team.
“It was a huge learning experience," Gallagher noted. "To be a complete driver these days you really have to go above and beyond. It’s not just driving the car anymore. You need that experience to be successful.”
With all his success, Gallagher is certainly poised for big things in 2012 and is an added personality to the USF2000 paddock and Mazda Road to Indy ladder system.