HARTSDALE, NY (March 6, 2024) – Michael d’Orlando has announced that he will return to racing action this weekend at the Grand Prix of St Petersburg, making the move up to the Indy NXT by Firestone series.
d’Orlando, 22, a native of Hartsdale, New York, returns to a familiar team in an unfamiliar setting, having driven for the Cape brothers through three seasons in the USF2000 series – and captured the team’s historic 14th championship title.
“I’m extremely excited to be racing in the INDY NXT by Firestone series in St. Petersburg this weekend with Andretti Cape INDY NXT,” said d’Orlando, a junior at the University of North Carolina. “Although there is still a lot of uncertainty around the remainder of the 2024 season, I’m very thankful for all the work that Rising Star Racing, Priority Technology Holdings and the Andretti Cape team have put in to make this event happen for me.”
“I know that everyone involved will continue to work together collectively to generate enough support to enable me to run the full season. Being able to work with Cape Motorsports, now with the additional support through their Andretti Global alliance, will be very helpful in our efforts to be competitive.”
d’Orlando had a breakthrough USF2000 season with Cape Motorsports in 2020, earning a dominant victory at Mid-Ohio along with four additional podiums to claim fourth in the championship. The following year he finished second in the championship. Then in 2022, d’Orlando came from behind to capture the USF2000 championship title in the final race of the season, finishing the year with four wins, three poles and eight podiums in 18 races. He finished fourth in USF Pro 2000 last year with four wins, three poles and six podiums in 18 races.
“We're all excited to have Michael back on our team for the season opener in St. Pete,” team co-owners Nicholas and Dominic Cape said. “Michael spent three years with us in USF2000, culminating in a championship in 2022, so we know what he is looking for. I think our guys will all work really well together, and we are all very motivated this year.”
Live coverage of the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg starts at 10 a.m. ET Sunday on Peacock in the USA (NBC’s streaming app), TSN or TSN+ in Canada, and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
About INDY NXT by Firestone: Indy NXT by Firestone (previously known as "Indy Lights") is the official development series and the primary support series for the NTT INDYCAR series. Wholly owned and operated by Penske Entertainment Corp, the Indy NXT series participates in 14 race events spanning 12 weekends across the USA and Canada.
About Priority Technology Holdings: Priority is a leading payments and banking solutions and services provider that helps businesses and financial institutions take and make payments, manage business and consumer operating accounts, and monetize payment networks. Priority’s Plastiq platform will run with d’Orlando on the rear wing of his Radical SR3 machine for the Sebring event. Plastiq capabilities provide businesses to free up cash and pay any vendor with a credit card. Float payments, increase working capital and earn rewards with every bill paid.
About d'Orlando Enterprises LLC: d'Orlando Enterprises LLC, also known as "DELLC", is a driver management, marketing, event planning and activation company with specific focus in the amateur and professional motorsports industry. We develop unique and remarkable VIP experiences, behind the scenes access, and other entertainment opportunities for partners and corporations at race events across the country, including the Indy500.
