2026 USF2000 Championship Season
The 2026 USF2000 season highlights the newest wave of open‑wheel talent competing on the first step of the USF Pro Championships ladder. Featuring the Tatuus USF‑22 chassis, tight wheel‑to‑wheel racing, and a schedule aligned with major North American race weekends, USF2000 continues to shape the future stars of IndyCar. Follow the full season with race coverage, driver stories, and detailed event photography.
2026 Grand Prix of Indianapolis
The Grand Prix of Indianapolis weekend is one of the signature early‑season stops for USF2000, held on the fast and technical Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. The event brings together the full USF Pro Championships ladder alongside IndyCar, creating a packed schedule of practice, qualifying, and multiple races. For USF2000 drivers, IMS represents a crucial proving ground — long straights, heavy braking zones, and drafting battles showcase racecraft and precision. The weekend often produces breakout performances, dramatic multi‑car fights, and some of the most photogenic moments of the season.
Race 1
Anthony Martella claimed victory in Race 1, delivering a composed and strategic drive through heavy drafting battles and multiple lead changes. Martella controlled the race with strong restarts and clean execution in the braking zones, pulling away late to secure the first win of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis weekend. His performance immediately reshaped the early championship momentum.
Qualifying
Oliver Wheldon captured pole for the USF2000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis with a standout lap on the IMS road course, mastering the long frontstretch draft and the technical infield. His pace set the benchmark for the field and positioned him as the early weekend favorite. Qualifying at IMS is always tight, and Wheldon’s run delivered the precision and consistency needed to lead the grid into Race 1.
2026 Freedom 75 @ Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
The USF2000 Freedom 75 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park showcases the next generation of open‑wheel talent during the Carb Night Classic. Featuring the Tatuus USF‑22 chassis, this event highlights rising stars chasing IndyCar dreams on the historic .686‑mile oval.
USF2000 Test Session 2 Photos
Test Session 2 for the USF2000 Freedom 75 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park saw Oliver Wheldon top the charts for VRD Racing, mastering the Tatuus USF‑22 chassis under evening conditions as teams refined their oval setups for the Carb Night Classic weekend.
USF2000 Freedom 75 Practice Photos
The USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire field opened the Carb Night Classic weekend at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park with official practice for the 2026 Freedom 75. The .686‑mile oval challenged drivers to refine mechanical grip, aerodynamic balance, and consistency in the Tatuus USF‑22 chassis.
Teams from Exclusive Autosport, VRD Racing, Pabst Racing, DEForce Racing, JHDD powered by ECR, and ENVE Motorsports worked through long‑run simulations and traffic‑management drills.
Evan Cooley, representing Exclusive Autosport, topped the session with the fastest lap, immediately establishing himself as the driver to beat. His pace set the tone for a weekend defined by precision and control on one of the most demanding short ovals in American open‑wheel racing.
USF2000 Freedom 75 Qualifying Photos
Qualifying for the USF2000 Freedom 75 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park delivered the intensity expected from the Road to Indy’s foundational series. Drivers pushed the Tatuus USF‑22 to its limits as they chased the perfect two‑lap average on the historic .686‑mile oval.
Evan Cooley, listed in the official entry document with Exclusive Autosport, delivered a commanding pole‑winning performance. His lap showcased exceptional stability through Turns 1 and 2 and the confidence required to run inches from the wall at full commitment.
Cooley’s pole run solidified Exclusive Autosport’s strength on ovals and set the stage for a potentially dominant Freedom 75 performance.
USF2000 Freedom 75 Race Photos
The Freedom 75 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park capped off the Carb Night Classic with a showcase of rising‑star talent in the USF2000 championship. The Tatuus USF‑22 cars produced tight pack racing, bold outside passes, and the kind of short‑track intensity that defines the Road to Indy ladder.
From the drop of the green flag, Evan Cooley controlled the race from pole position. After leading practice and qualifying, Cooley completed a rare weekend sweep — dominating the Freedom 75 for Exclusive Autosport. His pace, racecraft, and composure in traffic marked one of the most complete oval performances of the 2026 season.
The victory further cemented Cooley as one of the standout prospects in USF2000 and a driver poised for rapid advancement up the open‑wheel ladder.
2026 USF2000 Patriot 250 at Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course – Full Photo Gallery and Event Coverage
The 2026 USF2000 Patriot 250 at the Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course brought one of the largest junior open‑wheel fields of the season to one of America’s most historic road racing venues. As part of the Honda Indy 200 NTT IndyCar Series weekend, the USF2000 Championship Presented by Continental showcased rising talent from across the United States and around the world. The series uses identical Tatuus USF‑22 chassis, featuring a 2.0‑liter engine, sequential gearbox, and aerodynamic design that emphasizes driver development, mechanical grip, and racecraft fundamentals.
Mid‑Ohio’s 2.258‑mile, 13‑turn layout () is known for its elevation changes, technical corner sequences, and narrow racing lines that challenge drivers throughout practice, qualifying, and three intense races. Key sections such as the Keyhole, Madness, Thunder Valley, and the Carousel create a rhythm‑based challenge that rewards precision and consistency. With 20 entries listed for the weekend (), the Patriot 250 produced tight battles, drafting duels, and dramatic overtakes that highlight why USF2000 is a crucial step on the ladder toward the NTT IndyCar Series.
This gallery features full photo coverage of practice, qualifying, Race 1, Race 2, and Race 3, capturing the speed, intensity, and atmosphere of one of the most important development series events of the season. These images are optimized for search visibility to help fans, drivers, teams, and motorsports enthusiasts discover the action from Mid‑Ohio.
Mid‑Ohio Sports Car Course – Patriot 250 Grand Prix
The USF2000 Championship Presented by Continental is the second step on the USF Pro Championships ladder, bridging the gap between entry‑level junior formula racing and the higher‑powered USF Pro 2000 and Indy NXT categories. Drivers compete in identical Tatuus USF‑22 open‑wheel machines powered by a 2.0‑liter engine, designed to teach advanced racecraft, braking precision, cornering technique, drafting strategy, and competitive discipline.
