Birchwood, Wis. - After winning the Skip Barber Championship Shootout and claiming a $200,000 scholarship package from Mazda, 22-year-old Aaron Telitz joined ArmsUp Motorsports for a successful 2014 race season in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. 
 
The 14-race schedule comprised seven events at some of the most legendary and challenging race tracks in North America, including Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The season kicked off with a rocky start at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Fla., after contact resulted in early retirement in both races. 

"It was a difficult start to the race season," said Telitz. "Street courses are known for being messy, but that's not how I wanted to start my first USF2000 season. However, the team and I still learned from it and moved on."

Not to be deterred, Telitz went on to claim his first win at Lucas Oil Raceway at the Night Before the 500, plus five additional podium finishes and two more top-fives. Telitz finished fourth in the championship standings and clinched Rookie of the Year honors. 

"Getting a podium at the Indianapolis Grand Prix and then to win at Lucas Oil Raceway were surreal experiences," said Telitz. "Both tracks are so legendary in their own right, and to see all our team's hard work pay off for a strong championship finish and the Rookie of the Year award was incredibly gratifying, and something I'll never forget."

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2014 race season, Team USA Scholarship announced Telitz and five other young racers as nominees to win a chance to represent the stars and stripes at the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone, England, in the fall. The nominees journeyed out to California for an audition where they showcased their skills on and off the track. The winners will be announced in coming weeks.

"To be nominated is an incredible honor," said Telitz. "If you look at previous drivers who have been nominated for this scholarship in the past 25 years, it's incredible to see the depth of talent. To be included among the list of winners would be such a great opportunity. I'd like to thank Jeremy Shaw and the rest of Team USA Scholarship for the consideration, as well as ArmsUp Motorsports, Mazda, Rice Lake Weighing Systems, Assured Automotive, PPG Finishes, Chuck G Fabrication, and my spotter Steve Welk for their support for this past season. Every success was truly a team effort."

For 2015 Telitz plans to return to USF2000 and capture the Championship using what he learned in 2014. "I have great momentum going into 2015," stated Telitz. "The way things have been going recently in the Mazda Road to Indy shows that coming back for a second season can really make the difference and give you the edge to win the championship."

To learn more about Aaron, visit Aarontelitz.com or visit his blog at MoreFrontWing.com