HARTSDALE, NY (July 21, 2023) –
Michael d’Orlando created a victory streak this past weekend in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires by bringing home his third win, in front of family and friends on the streets of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The American-Canadian dual citizen from Hartsdale, NY has shown an impressive recovery from a very difficult start to his season, riddled with misfortune and a variety of challenging circumstances, with a victory in each of the last three event weekends. Equally impressive is the five-race front-row qualifying streak, including two pole positions. He still remains one of only two competitors in the USF Pro 2000 series to have multiple pole positions and also one of only two competitors in the series with multiple race wins.
It was a nail-biter for Race 1 on Saturday as d’Orlando kept the pressure on the leader in the first half of the 25-lap event, when the weather changed quickly, and track conditions progressively deteriorated on the bumpy circuit completely lined by intimidating concrete barriers. The 20-car field would be directed to pitlane for a mandatory change from racing slicks to rain tires with less than 10 laps to go. When the field lined up again in single file and returned to racing action, d’Orlando continued to put on the pressure from the second position for the final 6-lap shootout, ultimately capitalizing on an error made by the leader, to bring home his third victory of the season.
“I’m really proud of the pace that Turn 3 Motorsport and I showed this weekend.” exclaims d’Orlando. “The street circuit in Toronto is the most challenging circuit on our calendar and the bumps & concrete barriers are very unforgiving, but getting the win here was an incredible result for me. Winning in front of my family in Toronto was a feeling like no other and I’m ecstatic. “
The unimaginable misfortune that plagued the reigning USF 2000 Champion in the first half of the season reared its ugly head again in Race 2, resulting in devastating heartbreak. Once again, d’Orlando put the pressure on the leader from the second spot in the opening laps and was looking to make a move to the front when a fuel pump failure caused his racecar to lose power. As the car increasingly struggled over the course of the remaining 10 laps, he would make every effort possible to bring his #1 USF Pro Championships/Turn 3 Motorsports/Priority Technology Holdings machine home to salvage as many points for the drivers’ championships as possible, ultimately finishing 14th.
“Although Race 2 didn’t come our way due to a mechanical issue, we put together a fast car and had the opportunity to win.” continues d’Orlando. “I’m just glad to show that we were the driver to beat this weekend; whether or not things fell our way is a different story. We’ll take the break we have for the next few weeks and prepare for some more strong results at COTA. I am so thankful for the ongoing support of my team at Turn 3 and also for the support of the USF Pro Championships. I am looking forward to competing at COTA for the first time with the series and returning to Portland for the season finale just a week later.”
“I’m extremely disappointed to have had the mechanical issue on Michael’s car in Race 2.” expressed Peter Dempsey, Team Owner of Turn 3 Motorsports. “We’ve had excellent reliability all year, so to not have Michael get the weekend he should have had with his strong performance is frustrating. Toronto is the most difficult track we race on, and Michael has really showed great speed and confidence over the past few events. We aim to keep building on that momentum for the remaining two events of the season.”
Despite the setback in Race 2, he currently remains fourth in the championship standings by a mere 12 points from second place.
Rounds 14 and 15 of the USF Pro 2000 Championships Presented by Cooper Tires will commence at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on July 14-16, 2023, leading up to the series finale at Portland International Raceway in a triple-header on August 31 - September 3, 2023.
Michael d’Orlando’s pursuit of the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires is possible by the support and generosity of the USF Pro Championships organization, it’s personnel and it’s partners, as a result of the scholarship funding provided to him as the 2022 USF 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires Champion. We’d like to extend a special thanks to everyone at USF Pro Championships and Cooper Tires for their ongoing support and guidance.
Additional thanks to our corporate partners for being a part of the d’Orlando Enterprises LLC programs for business development, brand awareness & networking, and their support of our drivers’ preparation on and off the racetrack. Thank you to partners at Digital Building Solutions, Priority Technology Holdings, Focused Project Management, Dino Luzzi Energy Drink, DB Collaborative, Turn 3 Motorsport, Pierpont Mechanical, UFC Gym - Mamaroneck NY, Celtic General Contractors , and Rising Star Racing.
How to Help:
In order to complete the season, d'Orlando needs the help of additional sponsors and donations. And as he continues his pursuit in the USF Pro 2000 series this year, he is working to advance his career and compete in the 2024 Firestone Indy NXT series (owned and operated by Penske Entertainment Corp which also owns and operates the NTT IndyCar series). Indy NXT is broadcast live and on-demand on NBC's streaming service Peacock. This step up is a major avenue for business development of corporate partners with direct access and networking with some of the nation's top Fortune 500 companies.
Join our network of partners for business development and brand awareness opportunities and for unique & exciting trackside VIP experiences. Get up close and personal with d'Orlando Enterprises drivers' Michael and Nicholas, stand with them on the grid as they line up for races, full paddock and pitlane access, take a pace car ride or give the "Drivers Start Your Engines" command. Meet and network with IndyCar teams like Andretti Autosport or McLaren Autosport, and partners such as DHL, AutoNation and Gainbridge. For these inquiries please contact Sherri d’Orlando at info@dorlandoracing.com or Art Wilmes at art.wilmes@risingstarracing.com.
DELLC's partnership with Priority Technology Holdings provide businesses with better payment processing services, including merchant processing, payables, early pay, business banking and Lines Loans & MCAs, while also providing additional funding support for future motorsports talent. Visit www.priorityanddellc.com or Contact Us for details.
Every purchase of Dino Luzzi Energy Drink placed here on the TalkShopLive platform directly supports the DELLC drivers. Get yours today! Tell your friends!
To make a monetary donation at any level, click here.
Where to watch: All USF Pro 2000 events are streamed online at 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.
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