Spencer Pigot scored an accomplished maiden victory in just his third start in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda, leading from flag to flag this afternoon on the challenging 1.8-mile street circuit in St. Petersburg, Fla.

A thrilling 30-minute qualifying session for Round Three of the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda ended with 17-year-old MAZDASPEED Development driver Spencer Pigot turning a last-gasp lap at 1:13.955 (an average speed of 87.621 mph) to edge Colombian-born, Mexico City-based Juan Piedrahita by a scant 0.002 seconds.

Just one week after emerging victorious from a thrilling race at the famed Sebring International Raceway road course, young Australian Luke Ellery this weekend will defend his hard-earned lead in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda on the tight and unforgiving 1.8-mile street circuit in St. Petersburg, Fla.

In a race filled with non-stop action and a constant battle for the lead, 22-year-old Luke Ellery emerged victorious at Sebring International Raceway this afternoon capturing his first win in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda.

The 2011 Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda season kicks off in style this week with a top-quality field set to do battle over two races in support of the 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the opening round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.