HARTSDALE, NY (February 23, 2023) –
2022 USF2000 Presented by Cooper Tires champion and scholarship winner Michael d’Orlando has signed with Turn 3 Motorsport for the 2023 USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires (“USFPro”) season. The 20-year-old New York native is coming out of a standout year in USF2000, winning four races, five pole positions, and eight podiums, and ultimately claiming the title of overall champion in a season that came down to a thrilling last race shootout at Portland International Raceway.
A veteran of the USF Pro Championships Presented by Cooper Tires (formerly the Road to Indy), d’Orlando has three successful seasons of USF2000 under his belt, under the direction of Cape Motorsports, finishing fourth overall in his debut season and taking the vice champion title in 2021,. In addition to his multiple poles, race wins, and podiums last season, d’Orlando scored a series-high 14 top-five finishes, three fastest race laps, a tie for the most races led, and the most laps led all season – including a weekend sweep of the Cooper Tires Freedom 75 oval race in back-to-back seasons – marking a truly incredible year for the young American.
A successful pre-season training program with Turn 3 Motorsport has shown d’Orlando quickly adapt to the Tatuus IP-22 car, proving the rookie will be a top competitor in 2023.
“I’m so excited to be back,” said d’Orlando. “Since the final USF2000 race in Portland last year, I’ve had very limited testing or any sort of driving time in general. I’m very appreciative of Turn 3 Motorsport’s support of me in the off-season, and I’ve absolutely loved working with them during pre-season testing. I’m confident that we can perform well together in my rookie year in the USF Pro 2000 series, especially in those beautiful USF Pro Championships scholarship colors. Bring on the season!”
“It’s a great honor for our team that the USF2000 scholarship winner has chosen us for his 2023 USF Pro 2000 program,” said Team Owner Peter Dempsey. “It shows how far we’ve come since joining the series in 2020. Michael has been a pleasure to have so far in our program throughout pre-season testing and has proved to us why he is a champion. He adapted to the IP-22 car very quickly and is certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with throughout the year. I’m confident we can give him the tools for a successful rookie season and look forward to carrying both Turn 3’s and Michael’s momentum into 2023.” The scholarship provided by Andersen Promotions and Cooper Tires gives d’Orlando the opportunity to move up the ladder to the top level of the USF Pro Championships and two steps from the goal of racing in the NTT IndyCar series. The scholarship valued over $400,000 provides the lion share of the financial support for the nine-event 18-race season across the US and Canada. Additionally the scholarship provides Michael with a race suit from Sabelt America and a state-of-the-art Bell HP-77 helmet from Bell Helmets USA with paint design by Goose Graphics Inc. d’Orlando will drive the #1 USF Pro Championships/Priority Payments Systems/Focused Project Management/Turn 3 Motorsport car for the 2023 season. Additionally our partners include Rising Star Racing, Motor Media USA and UFC Gym Mamaroneck. Additional partners are needed to continue to provide the necessary funding for pre- & mid-season testing and all in-season promoter days. These on-track testing and promotion days are key to maintaining d’Orlando’s development and enable him to complete the season in pursuit of a $650,000 scholarship to advance to the 2024 Indy NXT series, officially owned and operated by Penske Entertainment and the NTT IndyCar series. The official pre-season Spring Training testing will commence on February 27-28, 2023 at Sebring International Raceway followed by the first event of the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires season on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida from March 3-5. To stay up to date on Michael d'Orlando, follow his social media on Instagram (dorlandoracing, michaeldorlandoofficial), Facebook (Michael d'Orlando Racing), Twitter (dorlandoracing and michaeldOrland1), TikTok (@michaeldorlando) and on LinkedIn. For more information on the USF Pro Championships, and to watch live streaming of Michael's races, go to www.usfpro2000.com or download the USF Pro Championships app. 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. To be a part of our growing network of partners and for more information on these experiences, our drivers or alternative partnership opportunities, contact Art Wilmes of Rising Star Racing at art.wilmes@risingstarracing.com or Sherri d'Orlando at info@dorlandoracing.com.
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