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Scoop
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Douglas Heads To The Oval After Breakthrough Victory
It has been a busy and rewarding month for Kiwi teenager Jacob Douglas in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires – and the action isn't over yet. This week, Douglas and his Pabst Racing team head to Indianapolis Raceway Park for the season's only oval round, following a breakthrough maiden victory at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course less than two weeks ago. The 0.686-mile (1.104 km) oval presents a unique challenge for the field, with two test sessions scheduled for Thursday, followed by qualifying that evening. A single practice session on Friday will lead into the round's only race. Douglas enters the event sitting fifth in the championship standings, buoyed by his race win in Indianapolis and confident in the team's pace. 'I'm really looking forward to getting back out there,' said Douglas. 'I haven't driven on an oval since 2022, so it's been a while, but I really enjoyed it last time. It's incredibly intense – the walls at IRP come up quickly, and you run right up alongside them. It takes maximum concentration, but we're ready for it. 'We've had strong pace all year, and getting that win at IMS proved it. I'm excited to carry that momentum into this weekend.' Douglas's victory came in Race 2 of the IMS triple-header and served as redemption after cruel misfortune in the opening race when, while leading, an electrical issue forced him to retire. Furthermore, contact from another competitor in a congested Turn 1 while battling for the lead in Race 3 denied him another potential podium. Since then, Pabst Racing has remained busy, heading to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for a two-day test. Douglas collectively completed 81 laps across four of the six sessions, finishing in the top seven in each of them. 'Conditions in Ohio were a bit mixed,' Douglas added, 'but we focused on setups and long-run pace in preparation for our round there later this season.' Douglas's performances throughout May have also impressed team owner Augie Pabst. 'Jacob's Indy pace was phenomenal all weekend,' he said. 'The team was thrilled to see him on the top step at such an amazing place. 'We made great progress at the Mid-Ohio test, albeit with challenging weather conditions. We're looking forward to capitalising on the gains made while testing when we head back in early July' On-track action at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park begins with testing at 4:00 am and 7:00 am NZST (12:00 pm and 3:00 pm EDT) on Friday, followed by qualifying at 9:30 am NZST (5:30 pm EDT). The round's sole race gets underway at 1:30 pm NZST (9:30 pm EDT) and will be streamed live on the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Douglas Primed For Major Month In USF Pro 2000 Championship
The most anticipated month in North American open-wheel racing has arrived, and rising Kiwi talent Jacob Douglas is set to take on the iconic Month of May in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire. Four pivotal races across two weekends await Douglas and his Pabst Racing team, with a mid-season test at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course splitting the two events. It's a defining stretch in the championship's calendar—and one the 19-year-old is eager to embrace. 'The Month of May is the biggest on the IndyCar calendar, and it's no different in the USF Pro 2000 Championship,' said Douglas. 'Two race weekends at my home away from home here in Indianapolis are an exciting prospect. It'll also be fantastic to catch the Indy 500 and catch up with the Kiwi contingent.' Douglas's Month of May campaign begins with a triple-header on the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course this weekend before the field heads to Ohio for testing. The action then returns to the Hoosier State for the season's only oval race at Indianapolis Raceway Park, a high-speed 0.686-mile (1.104 km) oval located less than 10 miles from the Brickyard, just days ahead of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500. 'I can't wait to get back behind the wheel this weekend,' added Douglas. 'We tested on the Indianapolis Road Course last October and had really strong pace, finishing in the top five in every session out of a 24-car field. 'There's so much happening over the next few weeks, but for me, it's about staying focused, building momentum, and continuing to push toward the front.' Douglas currently sits fourth in the USF Pro 2000 Championship standings and is the third highest rookie, despite failing to finish the season opener in St. Petersburg. He rebounded with a maiden podium in Race 2, then backed it up with three fourth-place finishes at NOLA Motorsports Park—cementing his status as a championship front-runner. His team, Pabst Racing, lead both the Drivers' and Teams' standings, with teammate Max Garcia atop the individual leaderboard heading into the month. Track action begins on Thursday (local time) with two hour-long test sessions and an official 30-minute practice, followed by qualifying on Friday. Race 1 takes place at 7:20 a.m. NZST on Saturday, with Race 2 at 1:30 a.m. and the finale at 6:20 a.m. on Sunday, leading directly into the NTT IndyCar Series race on the same circuit. All races can be streamed live via the USF Pro Championships YouTube channel. About Jacob Douglas Jacob Douglas is a 19-year-old racecar driver from New Zealand. He is a multiple-time national champion in karting and was the 2023 USF YACademy Champion. He took 11 podiums, including seven wins, in USF 2000 machinery in the United States in 2023, before making two GB3 cameos in 2024. He is a member of New Zealand's prestigious Elite Motorsport Academy, winning the renowned Bruce McLaren Trophy among the Class of 2024. In 2025, he returns to North America to compete his rookie season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires.
