One day after the championship titles for all three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires open-wheel driver development program were decided at the famed Watkins Glen International road course, around 250 drivers, families, teams and sponsors gathered on Monday evening at the nearby Harbor Hotel for the traditional Championship Celebration banquet. A total of more than $2.6 million in Mazda Scholarships and other awards was distributed at the upscale venue on the shores of Seneca Lake.

Rinus VeeKay takes the win while Oliver Askew secures the series championship

Talented rookies Oliver Askew and Rinus VeeKay have been locked in combat for this year’s USF2000 championship. Both contenders are taking part in their first full season of car racing after enjoying hugely successful careers in karting. They are chasing a Mazda Scholarship package valued at almost $400,000 to assist in the graduation to the next step on the Mazda Road to Indy, Pro Mazda, in 2018.

All three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires – the world’s most effective open-wheel development ladder – will continue to enjoy competition at three high profile venues as Andersen Promotions and Green Savoree Racing Promotions today announced a new multi-year contract

Oliver Askew of Cape Motorsports and Rinus VeeKay of Pabst Racing are separated by 13 points in the battle for the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda crown entering the season finale at Watkins Glen International to be held September 2.