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Palmetto Today
By the People, for the People
USF2000 Kicks Off Season on Streets of St. Petersburg
The middle step of the USF Pro Championships ladder opens its 2026 campaign this weekend.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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The USF2000 series, part of the USF Pro Championships ladder, will kick off its 2026 season this weekend on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. The series has raced on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary circuit for 17 consecutive years, with past winners including current NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT drivers. With many top contenders from 2025 moving up, the door is open for a new champion to earn a $409,816 scholarship to the next level, USF Pro 2000.
Why it matters
The USF2000 series is a crucial stepping stone for young drivers looking to progress to the higher levels of open-wheel racing, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The St. Petersburg street circuit has produced many future stars, making this an important early-season event to watch for the next generation of talent.
The details
The USF2000 series will hold two 20-lap races this weekend, with the second race marking the 250th event since the series was reinstated in 2010. Defending champion team Exclusive Autosport has a strong roster, including Evan Cooley and Anthony Martella, who both finished in the top 10 last season. Other top contenders include Sebastian Garzon, Eddie Beswick, and the top three drivers from the USF Juniors series in 2025: Leonardo Escorpioni, Liam Loiacono, and Joao Vergara.
- The first race will take place on Friday at 11:30 a.m. EST.
- The second race will be held on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. EST, following the headline event.
The players
Exclusive Autosport
The defending champion team in the USF2000 series.
Evan Cooley
A driver for Exclusive Autosport who placed fifth in the 2025 USF2000 title chase and was fastest in the Fall Combine post-season test at Indianapolis last October.
Anthony Martella
A Canadian driver for Exclusive Autosport who finished seventh in the 2025 USF2000 season after scoring a dominant victory at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Sebastian Garzon
A 16-year-old Colombian driver for DEForce Racing who impressed with a fourth-place finish in St. Petersburg last year and posted the fastest time at the recent Spring Training pre-season test at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Eddie Beswick
A former Formula Ford champion from Australia who has joined Pabst Racing, which seeks to bounce back after winning the USF2000 championship in 2023 and 2024.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
The USF2000 series continues to be a crucial stepping stone for young drivers looking to progress to the higher levels of open-wheel racing, with the St. Petersburg street circuit serving as an important early-season event to showcase the next generation of talent.
