Birmingham, Ala. - Thomas Nepveu was back on track last weekend in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship, part of the Road to Indy program. The driver of the #10 Cromwell | Pétrole Bélanger | Home Hardware | Karting Excellence of DEForce Racing car scored important points for the championship in both races held at Barber Motorsports Park.

Nevertheless, it was a tough weekend for the young DEForce Racing driver who was hoping for better results. "I had set the fastest time in practice at Barber a few weeks ago, so I was confident that I had the speed to fight for a top-five finish," said Thomas, who qualified seventh in both races and finished sixth on both occasions. "However, this is a track where it is very complex to overtake, so in the race, besides a few maneuvers here and there, I was more of a spectator."

"It was a tough first race," the Oka native recalls. "We had a good start and gained a position, but it was hard to get close to the driver before me. Every time I managed to catch him, I couldn't get around him. I maximized the material I had but I had more ambitions for the weekend's second race."

The second race presented many challenges, starting with the rain that first delayed the on-track sessions, then cut them short. However, the first series dried the track, so by the time the USF2000 race started, the tarmac was dry and the sun was shining bright.

The day before, DEForce Racing had made some adjustments to Thomas' car that paid off, according to the driver: "We were faster than Saturday, but again, passing was complicated. I moved up one place from the start but that's all I managed to do. I'm pleased with my car and will definitely maximize its potential at the next event."

The race was very tight, especially due to a caution in the final minutes that brought the field back together. Thomas was in the lead pack but couldn't catch up on Simon Sikes, but ultimately finished the 17-lap event in sixth place.

"The results are not representative of the weekend's performance," said Thomas Nepveu's motorsport coach, Coy Arbour. "We didn't execute well in the first qualifying session, and Thomas was well on his way to set claim position when a caution occurred in the second session. Barber Motorsports Park is a difficult track and aerodynamics is a key element that can be compromised when cars are following each other too closely. Still, we scored valuable points and we now head to a tripleheader event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in two weeks."

Next Race
It's the beginning of May, or as NTT IMNDYCAR SERIES fans say, it's the 'Month of May', which begins at Indianapolis. Indeed, every year INDYCAR sets sail on the mythical track for the whole month. Thomas will first tackle a tripleheader from May 12 to 14 at the Indianapolis Grand Prix Circuit, then move on to the Lucas Oil Raceway oval from May 26 to 27.