Talented trio of Baron, Gooden, and Newey poised to end year on a high-note
MINNEAPOLIS, MIN. – The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda season draws to a close this weekend (October 5-6) with a pair of races on the streets of Houston, Texas, and Afterburner Autosport is poised to challenge for top-honors. After scoring an inaugural series win at the last event in California, the Minnesota-based squad will again have the talented rookie trio of Alex Baron, Wyatt Gooden, and Brandon Newey behind the wheels for one of the premier driver line-ups in Rounds 13 and 14.
With the season-finale taking place on 1.7-mile street circuit around Reliant Park in Houston, a track none of the USF2000 drivers or teams have previously raced at, every squad will be looking for any advantage to build on. Afterburner Autosport is one team that can do so, having visited victory lane and added two more trips to the podium last time the USF2000 racers were on-course.
Baron, a junior formula car racer from France, immediately made an impression in his first-ever start 'Across the Pond' with Afterburner Autosport, scoring the win in his USF2000 debut. The skilled up-and-comer continued to showcase his talents in race two, finishing third. The goal for Baron is to continue this run of form in Texas ahead of a potential championship challenge in 2014.
"Since scoring the win in my series debut with Afterburner Autosport at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, I've been thinking about the races in Houston," stated Baron, who drives the No. 18 13th Avenue/Afterburner Autosport entry. "I am very excited. I love street circuits, and I hope to once again get some great results for all the guys. Afterburner has done a fantastic job, and I am confident that Wyatt, Brandon, and I will fight to be on the podium."
The series newcomer wasn't the only driver under the team awning to showcase his talents in California. Piloting the No. 17 PerfectPedal.com/Afterburner Autosport, Gooden was also part of the post-race podium celebrations in Round 11. With an eye on third in the final points tally, the Ohio racer is focused on more trips to the podium in Houston.
Afterburner Autosport, however, will not be just relying on the momentum of recent series success in Houston. The up-and-coming team has previously enjoyed solid outing within the concrete confines of street circuit racing. Gooden finished P2 in both races on the streets of St. Petersburg, while Newey, who returns to the cockpit of the No. 98 Curb Records/Calcium Pro/USANA/Miller Oils/OMP/Bell Helmets/Afterburner Autosport/Bryan Herta Autosport after missing the twin bill at Laguna Seca, finished fifth and sixth in Florida, before adding a top-10 on the streets of Toronto.
"I'm very excited to be back with the Afterburner guys after having to miss Laguna Seca," commented Newey. "The team had some really great races in Laguna, so we are definitely looking to try and duplicate that this weekend in Houston. I want to thank Tim and Brian for having me back and giving me a chance to end the season on a high-note."
Given the squad's current run of form, and a proven record of success on street circuits, the stage is set for Afterburner Autosport to end the year on a high note.
Afterburner Autosport and its skilled trio of Baron, Gooden, and Newey first sample the street circuit around Reliant Park in Houston, Texas, on Friday (October 4) with an afternoon practice session followed by Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda qualifying later in the day. Race one of the doubleheader takes place at 9:55 am local time on Saturday (October 5), with the season-ending Round 14 on Sunday (October 6) at 9:45 am local time. Live timing and scoring, and trackside audio will be available at www.f2000.com/Multimedia/Live.aspx. Afterburner Autosport enters the doubleheader third in the team standings, while Gooden and Newey are fourth and 14th respectively in the championship fight.
Additional information on Afterburner Autosport is available from the team’s website @ AfterburnerAutosport.com For direct contact, please email afterburnerautosport@gmail.comor call 630-251-1709.
Keep up to date via Twitter @ ABautosport1 and Facebook page @ Afterburner Autosport.
Keep up to date with Alex Baron via Twitter @ AlexBaronPro and Facebook @ Alex Baron.
Learn more about Wyatt Gooden at WyattGooden.comand keep up to date via Twitter @ WyattGooden and Facebook @ Wyatt Gooden Racing.
Learn more about Brandon Newey at BrandonNewey.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ BNEWEY and Facebook @ Brandon Newey.
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About Afterburner Autosport:
Afterburner Autosport was formed in 2010 with the sole purpose of leading the way in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda competition. Under the guidance of two-time SCCA Formula Continental National Champion Brian Tomasi and fellow F2000 racer and engineer Tim Walsh, the team has over 20 years of experience in open-wheel competition. The Minnesota, Min.-based squad, having captured two podium finishes in its inaugural pro racing season in 2011, made its USF2000 Championship debut in 2012, fielding multiple cars in the top Championship class. The squad returns to the first rung of the Mazda Road to Indy program with an expanded multi-car effort in 2013.