Kiwi driver Jacob Douglas has signed with Pabst Racing for the remainder of the 2023 USF 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires season. Having contested the first seven rounds with Exclusive Autosport, Douglas missed the Lucas Oil Raceway round in Indianapolis and will line up on the grid this weekend with Pabst Racing and new teammates Simon Sikes and Max Garcia. The scenic Road America venue in Wisconsin hosts the ninth and tenth rounds of the season.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity,” said Douglas. “I’ve heard so many good things about them, so I’m really looking forward to getting started. I believe that the team and I can go out there and fight for wins.
“I’ve known Max for most of this year and I’ve known Simon since I moved to the States,” he continues. “They’re two great teammates and are both great drivers and really nice guys, so I’m looking forward to working with them.”
Fellow New Zealander Hunter McElrea drove to second in the 2019 USF2000 Championship with the team and remained with them for the next two seasons in Indy Pro 2000. Having a Kiwi back onboard is a prospect that excites Pabst, who says he can’t wait to see Douglas in action.
“We’ve had an eye on Jacob since he entered the series and never had the opportunity to join forces until now,” said Augie Pabst.
“The entire team is looking forward to giving him a restart to the 2023 season, with expectations to compete for wins and podiums starting at Road America. Welcome to the team, Jacob!”
“It’s hard leaving Exclusive because I’ve been with them since I moved over here,” said Douglas. “They are a great team, and I really got on with all the guys, so a massive thanks to them for everything they’ve done for me.
“I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for them. I came over to America when I was 16 and they provided a great family atmosphere and really made me feel like I was at home, so we’re really thankful to them for that, but now it’s time for a fresh start.”
The battle for USF2000 superiority, not to mention a Discount Tire Driver Advancement Scholarship valued at $433,200, will continue this weekend with Australian rookie Lochie Hughes (Jay Howard Driver Development) and Simon Sikes (Pabst Racing), from Augusta, Ga., separated by just four points, 208-204, following the first eight races of the 18-race season.
“At the moment we aren’t in contention for the championship, but now we can go out and show the potential we had coming into the season and have fun driving and taking each race as it comes,” said Douglas.
The 20 USF2000 drivers will have two 60-minute test sessions on Thursday and a half-hour of official practice at 8:40 a.m. on Friday. Two separate qualifying sessions, at 10:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., will set the starting positions for the pair of races on Saturday at 11:10 a.m. and 3:45 p.m (local time).
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