Holley Performance Brands, Bowling Green, Kentucky, has signed an exclusive global distribution agreement with FluidLogic, El Segundo, California, the developer of Intelligent Hydration systems designed for high-performance environments. Under the agreement, Holley's premier motorsports safety brands--Simpson, Stilo, HRX and RaceQuip--will serve as the exclusive global distribution channels for FluidLogic's vehicle-mounted hydration systems.

The partnership adds FluidLogic's Intelligent Hydration technology to Holley's growing Safety and Racing ecosystem, introducing a new performance category to its driver safety portfolio. By integrating FluidLogic's systems into its motorsports offerings, Holley expands its ability to deliver solutions designed to support endurance, focus and physical performance in elite racing environments, the company said.

"FluidLogic represents a natural extension of our Safety & Racing portfolio and aligns with our commitment to bringing race-proven innovation to customers worldwide," said Del Bohlman, vice president of safety and racing at Holley Performance Brands. "Its Intelligent Hydration systems introduce a unique technology category that complements our head-to-toe driver safety offerings while enhancing the solutions available to racers, teams and dealers across the globe."

FluidLogic's Intelligent Hydration systems are engineered to address the extreme physiological demands of motorsports competition. The vehicle-mounted platform enables drivers to hydrate without removing their hands from the wheel, helping maintain focus and endurance during long stints in the driver's seat. Powered by a proprietary sweat-loss algorithm and a personalized hydration protocol, the system delivers water through helmet-integrated tubing to support cognitive and physical performance in some of the most demanding race conditions.

"At FluidLogic, expanding access to our technology across the fragmented motorsports retail landscape has been a strategic priority," said Chris Sackett, vice president of consumer products at FluidLogic. "Holley's unmatched reach and deep motorsports heritage provide an ideal platform to accelerate the adoption of Intelligent Hydration systems worldwide. This partnership allows us to remain focused on innovation while expanding into new performance-driven markets."

For more information, visit holley.com.

PRI and SEMA are expanding their Right-to-Race advocacy campaign nationwide. The time to protect race tracks is now, before more long-standing facilities are pushed out of their communities. Learn more at sema.org/right-to-race.

Here's the latest on SEMA and PRI's Right-to-Race advocacy campaign:

South Carolina delivered a major victory for grassroots racing as the state's Right to Race legislation passed both the House and Senate with unanimous support before being signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster.

Similar protections have already been signed into law in Iowa, North Carolina and Kansas––and now South Carolina––reflecting growing national momentum behind the PRI- and SEMA-led Right-to-Race movement.

The bill provides long-standing racing facilities with protections against nuisance-based lawsuits filed by surrounding property owners who arrived after the track was established. PRI and SEMA strongly believe that if the track was there first and is operating within the law, it should not be forced out by newcomers.

In South Carolina, the performance racing industry contributes nearly $1 billion in economic output annually and supports over 5,000 full-time jobs. PRI and SEMA have supported this effort at every stage, building a strong motorsports coalition across the state to highlight the importance of protecting these community staples.

This legislation marks another step forward in that movement, helping ensure race tracks can continue operating and contributing to their communities for years to come. Racing is more than a sport: it represents families, small businesses, culture, heritage, tourism and community.

For more information about PRI's and SEMA's Right-to-Race campaign or to learn how your race track or motorsports business can help support similar legislation in your state, contact Tierra Hubbard, PRI Director of Government Affairs, Racing, at tierrah@performanceracing.com.

Tierra Hubbard (left), director of Government Affairs for Racing, PRI/SEMA; Candice Roberson (center), owner of SC Motorplex in Neeses, South Carolina, and South Carolina State Representative Todd Rutherford (right) helped fight for the passing of the right-to-race law.

 

Longtime John Force Racing executive and daughter of John Force, Adria Hight, has passed away, the team announced. She was 56.

Hight joined the family drag racing business as one of the first employees of John Force Racing before eventually serving as the team's CFO.

The team released the following statement on social media:

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Adria (Force) Hight, the oldest daughter of John Force.

After graduating from Huntington Beach High School, Adria joined the family drag racing business, becoming one of the first employees of John Force Racing.

She played an instrumental role in building the organization from the ground up, handling everything from answering phones and selling t-shirts out of the race trailer, to ultimately serving as CFO of one of the winningest teams in motorsports history.

Her impact, dedication and legacy will never be forgotten.
 

Read more about Hight's life here.

For more information, visit johnforceracing.com.

 
A crucial deadline is approaching quickly for prospective 2026 PRI Show exhibitors. Exhibitors can secure their booth space now for the 2026 PRI Show, set for December 10-12, in downtown Indianapolis, but brands that want to participate in the initial round of booth plotting later this month must submit an exhibitor space reservation agreement and deposit by May 15. Note: Exhibitors will still be able to reserve booth space after the May 15 deadline but will not be able to take part in the first round of space selection.

Motorsports professionals––from buyers and decision-makers to media and influencers––travel from all 50 states and more than 35 countries to source new parts and products. For companies looking to grow their reach, exhibiting is essential. Learn more about why to exhibit. 

A NEW, EASIER PROCESS FOR PRI SHOW EXHIBITORS

The process to submit an exhibit application is a little different this year. PRI has launched a new customer management system powered by Salesforce to better serve its exhibitors year-round.  

Those who have not submitted the Exhibit Space Rental Application (ESRA) for the 2026 event, December 10-12, Indianapolis, are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to be included in the initial plotting of the floorplan.

Returning and new exhibitors must activate a new account in the system this year. 

Once this one-time step is complete, exhibitors can secure their spot on the PRI Show floor, download invoices, complete online payments and access free resources to plan a successful booth.

Getting set up in the new PRI Show exhibitor platform is simple:

• Visit exhibitor.performanceracing.com. 
• Returning exhibitors: Enter the email previously used to purchase a PRI Show booth. A "password reset link" will be sent to your inbox. Follow the link and create a new password.
• New exhibitors––or returning exhibitors using a new email: Click "New Exhibitor," and complete the form to create an account.
   

 

Booth space is in demand, so now is the time to submit your PRI Show exhibit application and lock in your place on the 2026 show floor.

Note: Updating an account email address does not affect exhibitors' account history or PRI Show seniority. To participate in the initial booth selection and floor planning process, exhibitors must submit a signed booth agreement and deposit by May 15, 2026.

Run into roadblocks? The PRI Show team is ready to help:

• Call: 949-499-5413 (select option 4)
• Email: sales@performanceracing.com

 

 

Education for the industry, by the industry. PRI is now accepting seminar and panel proposals for its 2026 education program, offering speakers an unmatched platform to share ideas, technologies, and expertise with the racing and performance community.

Organizers are looking for submissions that showcase current trends, innovative techniques, best practices, and discoveries across the motorsports industry. Program audiences include race teams, speed shops, engine builders, fabricators, machinists, tuners, manufacturers, WDs, sanctioning bodies, track operators, media and other industry professionals––many of whom are small business owners and managers.

Topics of interest can include––but aren't limited to––technical content, sponsorships, hiring and employee management, branding, content creation, youth engagement, small business operations, advertising and promotions, traditional and digital marketing, sales strategies and EV motorsports performance.

2026 PRI Show Education Speaker Submissions

• Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Show dates: December 10-12, 2026
• Location: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN

 

Submit your proposal and help shape the future of racing education at the PRI Show.

 

Two-time INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Zanardi, who inspired millions globally with his courage and perseverance after a life-changing accident, died May 1 in his native Italy, his family announced. He was 59.

Zanardi won INDYCAR SERIES championships in 1997 and 1998 while driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. He recorded 15 victories, 10 pole positions and 28 podium finishes during his INDYCAR SERIES career, which spanned from 1996-98 and 2001.

"Alex Zanardi was a magnificent INDYCAR SERIES champion, and his remarkable abilities on track are legendary and timeless," INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. "His list of wins and accomplishments run alongside an even more impressive legacy of courage, inspiration and determination, which he showed during his life's journey."

"Alex will always remain one of the most admired racers of our sport and is a shining example of the attributes it takes to be a champion."

Zanardi lost both of his legs in an accident in September 2001 during a race at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in Lausitz, Germany. His fight to recover from those injuries inspired fans around the world, and in 2003, he used hand-operated brake and accelerator controls before a Champ Car race car at Lausitz to ceremonially finish the final 13 laps of the 2001 race. It was one of the emotional scenes in racing history, and Zanardi's ceremonial time on track would have qualified him in the first few rows of the actual race.

That fighting spirit embodied Zanardi for his entire career, especially after the accident. He went on to compete in a variety of series, including touring cars and sports cars, around the world with prosthetic legs that he helped to design to facilitate more speed in a race car.

Another highlight of his later racing career was a return to a Formula One car in November 2006 in a test session for BMW Sauber, driving a car specially adapted with hand controls. Zanardi competed in F1 from 1991-94 and again in 1999 with the Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams teams.

Zanardi also captivated fans of another form of wheeled racing, cycling. He worked to become a champion handcyclist, winning two gold medals for Italy in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics. He also won 12 UCI Paracycling Road World Championships in various categories.

But tragedy also struck in that discipline of racing for Zanardi, who suffered serious neurological injuries in a road collision in June 2020 while competing in a handcycling race in Italy.

The charismatic Zanardi received numerous honors for his accomplishments on and off the track during his career. He was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2014, inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2013 and the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame in 2022.

After his first foray in Formula One ended in 1994, Zanardi came to North America and tested with Chip Ganassi Racing, signing in late 1995 to drive for the team in 1996. He became a rookie sensation in 1996, winning three races and six poles, finishing third in the standings behind teammate Jimmy Vasser and Michael Andretti.

That rookie season also featured the classic move of his INDYCAR SERIES career and one of the most iconic passes in motorsports history when Zanardi used a risky maneuver in the dirt to pass race leader Bryan Herta in "The Corkscrew" turn at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Fans still refer to the maneuver simply as "The Pass."

Zanardi ruled the series in 1997, winning five of 17 starts en route to his first title. He was even more dominant in 1998, capturing another championship with seven victories and 15 podium finishes in 19 races.

His famous practice of spinning his car in tight, doughnut-shaped circles after victories became instantly popular with fans and was emulated by drivers around the world.

 

Story and image courtesy of INDYCAR

IMSA and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) have announced a multi-faceted partnership that will aim to combat some of the challenges within the industry for each of IMSA's 18 participating manufacturers--while raising the standard of service the motoring public receives at every dealership service center those manufacturers stand behind.

Each manufacturer that races within IMSA operates its own dealer network, and most of those dealers feature service centers that care for millions of vehicle owners every year. However, there is a critical, persistent and ongoing staffing shortage of skilled technicians to support each dealer and service center--a gap the motoring public feels directly whenever a vehicle needs maintenance or repair. With IMSA and ASE working together, this partnership will provide an aligned and integrated pipeline of ASE Certified technicians prepared to work on the same sophisticated manufacturer vehicles customers drive every day, the sanctioning body said.

The layered approach will work with a three-pronged effort:

• Expand awareness of ASE Certification as the trusted benchmark for service professionals
• Identify career pathways in the transportation industry
• Position ASE as a major driver in meeting manufacturer needs

"ASE is excited to partner with IMSA to highlight the critical role of ASE Certified technicians--the men and women who meet the highest independently verified standards in the industry, on and off the track," said Dave Johnson, president and CEO of ASE. "Every time a driver hands over their keys at a dealership service center, they deserve the confidence of knowing an ASE Certified technician is working on their vehicle. IMSA's commitment to innovation and STEM education aligns perfectly with ASE's mission, and together we are elevating the visibility of technician careers and showing how advanced training is vital to the safe service and repair of today's technically advanced vehicles."

For the motoring public, ASE Certification is a signal that a technician has demonstrated the knowledge, training and hands-on skill to service today's increasingly complex vehicles, the organization said. Every ASE Certified technician has passed rigorous, independently developed exams and verified hands-on experience. Because the 18 manufacturers competing in IMSA depend on their dealer service networks to deliver that same quality and trust long after the sale, the alignment between IMSA's OEMs and ASE Certified service staff translates directly to safer vehicles, more reliable repairs and confidence for vehicle owners nationwide, the organization said.

The program also aligns ASE and IMSA STEM initiatives. IMSA STEM powered by Gainbridge and Konica Minolta is now in its second year of operating at both IMSA race events and digitally. The aim is to shift the focus from simply advanced degrees to greater advanced training. Essentially, this will outline what a training/career technical education path will look like compared to a standard four-plus-year college degree.

"Building the next generation of technicians to service the cars on the road is as important as developing the next generation of talented drivers, crew members and workers within the IMSA paddock as a whole," said IMSA President John Doonan. "We've seen remarkable participation in our IMSA STEM events already, and with this new partnership between IMSA and ASE, we're confident that the ASE Certified technicians emerging from this pipeline will be the trusted hands the motoring public relies on at our manufacturer partners' service centers nationwide as they work toward their certifications."

For more information, visit imsa.com.

American Pacific Industries (API) recently hosted its inaugural XCOMP Ride-and-Drive event at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The event brought together select customers, dealers and partners for an immersive, high-performance experience that marks the beginning of a nationwide series.

The event introduced 140-plus attendees to API's XCOMP Performance tire lineup through a combination of education and immersive experiences, kicked off by a briefing and ground school session. Guests then took to the track for hands-on experiences, including high-speed laps on the Speedway testing the XCOMP high-performance tires in Porsches and BMWs. Participants also had the opportunity to ride along with drift car drivers on the wet and dry surfaces to experience the tires' precision, handling and control in a low-traction environment. Participants enjoyed the versatility of the XCOMP MT, XT, AT and ASII (a highway tire) during an off-road Jeep experience to navigate rugged terrain such as rock crawling, water crossings, and hill climbs. 

"This event represents yet another milestone for API as we bring the XCOMP Tire experience directly to our customers and partners," said Jeff Kreitzman, chairman of API . "The enthusiasm and engagement we saw in Birmingham confirm that there's a strong interest in performance-driven experiences. We're excited to build on this momentum and take the series to markets across the country."

The Birmingham event precedes additional XCOMP Ride-and-Drive activations planned nationwide, the company said.

For more information, visit apitire.com.

Your company has signed up for a display at the 2026 PRI Show. Even though the most important three days to conduct motorsports business are more than six months away, effective planning should begin now to turn this year's trade show into your company's best yet.

Anyone who chooses to exhibit in the PRI Show, which takes place December 10–12, in Indianapolis, Indiana, must complete an ESRA. PRI Senior Show Specialist Tiffany Hale explained: "The Exhibit Space Rental Application [ESRA] is the official request for booth space and the foundation of a company's participation in the Show. Once approved and confirmed by Show Management, it becomes a legally binding agreement that secures a company's booth assignment and outlines the space details, payment terms, and acceptance of Show rules and policies. The ESRA ensures accurate space allocation, establishes financial commitments, and provides clear communication between a company and PRI, so completing it fully and accurately is essential to securing and maintaining the exhibit space."

For those who haven't signed up to purchase a booth yet at the 2026 PRI Show, visit exhibitor.performanceracing.com/s/, which is available to both new and returning exhibitors.

Hale advised, "By May, they should have completed the ESRA and set up a payment plan. This will prepare them for housing opening in June, and the second payment for those on installments in July."

PRI's sales team and Show department will gather May 26–28 to plan the Show layout. The floorplan goes live for exhibitors to see beginning May 29.

Indy Housing

Hotel reservations for the PRI Show will open on Tuesday, June 9, for exhibitors and attendees. Hotel rooms connected to the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) through an enclosed walkway are always the first to fill up, so be ready to book on or soon after June 9 to reserve the closest hotel room to the Show floor. Those hotels include the Westin, Marriott, Hyatt Regency, JW Marriott, and Crowne Plaza. Plenty of hotels are located within a short walking distance of the ICC, such as the Omni Severin, Le Meridien, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Hyatt House, and others. Additional hotel options are available in Plainfield and close to the Indianapolis Airport. PRI offers complimentary shuttle service on PRI Show days, December 10–12, for several airport and Plainfield properties.

"It's never too early to start planning for the PRI Show--and booking your hotel should be one of the first things on your list," advised Michelle Gallegos, PRI senior show specialist, who oversees PRI's housing department. "Reserving through the official PRI hotel block ensures you receive the lowest negotiated rates, complimentary Wi‑Fi, and support from our PRI-Visit Indy Housing team, all backed by warm Hoosier hospitality. With more than 40 hotel options, from select service to historic, modern, and luxury, you can stay just steps from the Indiana Convention Center, Mass Ave., and downtown dining and entertainment.

"For added value, Plainfield and airport hotels offer complimentary parking, free shuttles to the airport, and courtesy PRI Show transportation. Some include breakfast, making them excellent choices for quieter, cost-friendly stays just minutes from downtown.

"Start planning now and secure your stay through the official PRI hotel block to guarantee the best rates, the best support, and the best Show experience," Gallegos added.

While no new hotels are opening in downtown Indy this year, the InterContinental Indianapolis by IHG and Aloft Indianapolis debuted last year in Monument Circle. Next year, PRI visitors will have an additional housing option with the grand opening of the Signia, which will provide an enclosed walkway to the ICC.

PRI housing is booked exclusively through Visit Indy Housing. Other housing companies or travel agencies have marketed their services to those attending the PRI Show, but they are not authorized to represent PRI and do not have access to officially contracted room blocks or rates. For more information about PRI housing, visit performanceracing.com/trade-show/hotel-travel.

As The Show Gets Closer

In addition to designing and building a PRI Show display, consider ways to effectively draw people to your booth. PRI Industry Sales Director Jeff Dahlin shared that due to limited space in the ICC and Lucas Oil Stadium, exhibitors can sometimes become frustrated because they are unable to increase their booth size in a specific location. "Most are simply looking for more exposure for their company and products," he explained. "If this is the situation they find themselves in, they can enhance their presence at the Show with signs. Signs can, of course, filter traffic toward the booth, but they can also alert and educate folks about new product info. We have more options than exhibitors realize, despite trying to get the word out."

For more information about how to place signage throughout the ICC and LOS directing buyers to your booth, contact your PRI sales director or email sales@performanceracing.com.

In addition to signage during the Show, prepare buyers before they leave for Indianapolis with an advertisement in PRI's November Show Issue. "An ad in the Show issue is gold," continued Dahlin. "Buyers actively use that issue to plan their stops at the Show. A visible ad with product info and a booth number can be extremely valuable. How else would many buyers who are not familiar with you find your company?"

Dahlin offered this final tip: "Exhibitors who have the means to use the 'advance warehouse' shipping option can save a lot of effort when they arrive at the Show [their crates are waiting for them in the booth], and when they depart [they pack up and leave their crate in the booth]."

Reach out to the team at PRI with any questions so we can help your trade show experience be as smooth and efficient as possible.

How to Navigate the New Portal for PRI Show Exhibitors

PRI has launched a new customer management system powered by Salesforce to better serve its exhibitors year-round.

Those who have not submitted the Exhibit Space Rental Application (ESRA) for the 2026 event, December 10–12, in Indianapolis, Indiana, must activate a new account in the system.

Once this one-time step is complete, exhibitors can secure their spot on the PRI Show floor, download invoices, complete online payments, and access free resources to plan a successful booth.

Getting set up in the new PRI Show exhibitor platform is simple:

• Visit exhibitor.performanceracing.com.
• Returning exhibitors: Enter the email last used to purchase a PRI Show booth. A "password reset link" will be sent to your inbox. Click that link and create a new password.
• New exhibitors or returning exhibitors using a new email: Click "New Exhibitor," and fill out the form to create a new account.

 

Note: Updating an account email address does not affect exhibitors' account history or PRI Show seniority. To participate in the initial booth selection and floor planning process, exhibitors must submit a signed booth agreement and deposit by May 15, 2026.

Run into roadblocks? Contact the PRI Show team for support at 949-499-5413 and select option 4 or send an email to sales@performanceracing.com.

PRI Show Timeline

Important dates for the PRI Show:

• May 15: ESRA deadline for booth plotting; deposit due
• May 26–28: PRI floorplan plotting
• May 29: Booth confirmations to exhibitors; Exhibitor Service Manual live on PRI website
• June 9: PRI Show housing opens
• June 17: PRI exhibitor registration opens
• July 10: Second booth deposit due
• July 14: Attendee registration opens
• September 3: Booth balance due
• September 17: Last day to be included in PRI Magazine November issue's exhibitor list and exhibitor-sponsored seminars list
• October 16: Deadline to cancel hotel reservations without $50 penalty
• November 13: Exhibitor incentive deadline for Fern; last day to book hotel rooms at discounted PRI rates
• November 14: Exhibitor registration deadline
• November 20: Attendee registration deadline to receive badges in the mail (attendee registration never closes when badges are picked up onsite)
• November 21: Exhibitor badges mailed
• November 28: Last day for attendee badges to be mailed
• December 10–12: PRI Show open

Helpful Hotel Booking Tips

• Plan early--rooms fill fast, and early planners get the best selection.
• Choose a few preferred hotels in case your top choice sells out.
• Share a room with a coworker to stretch travel budgets.
• Look for hotels with breakfast included for added convenience.
• Consider Plainfield or airport properties for strong value and easy transportation.

 

Helpful Web Links:

• General PRI Show information page: performanceracing.com/tradeshow
• PRI Show exhibitor resources: performanceracing.com/trade-show/exhibit
• PRI Show hotel and travel: performanceracing.com/trade-show/hotel-travel
• 2026 Exhibit Space Rental Agreement: exhibitor.performanceracing.com/s/
• PRI Show attendee resources: performanceracing.com/trade-show/attend

 

To read the full article, plus hundreds of other articles like it for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.   

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "Profit-Producing Planning for the 2026 PRI Show " here and additional coverage in the May/June 2026 issue here.

 

Successful drivers must forge their own unique paths to the upper echelons of motorsports. While natural talent may determine how successful a driver can be, it takes more than talent to secure a ride in a top-tier series.

Karting phenoms are plentiful. Countless dreams of motorsports stardom are born behind the wheel of a 350-pound kart--eight-year-olds going wheel-to-wheel, each with visions of becoming the next Max Verstappen or Lando Norris. But between karting tracks and the buzzing grid of big-league auto racing lies a gauntlet that separates the dreamers from the drivers.

Developmental or mid-tier racing series may be less well known to the average race fan, but their importance to the industry is unquestioned. They are both the training and proving grounds for not only emerging drivers, but anyone who hopes to make a professional career in motorsports.

Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) is the sanctioning body for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, North America's premier sports car series that includes the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Beyond its marquee series, IMSA also runs several smaller sportscar series, including the Michelin Pilot Challenge, VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, and several single-make series, including the Ferrari Challenge and Mazda MX-5 Cup.

"These are 100% developmental series," said John Doonan, IMSA President. "These series create an opportunity for so many different disciplines of the sport. This includes the driver, engineer, mechanic or technician, team owner, PR professionals, hospitality folks, logistics folks, transporter drivers, tire inventory [specialists]--all of those different roles in the sport are taught at these levels."

These are the series that connect the entry level to the professional level, where amateurs learn to be professionals--both on and off the track.

The portrayal of Formula 1 in Netflix's "Drive to Survive" may have captivated audiences around the world, but in reality, those are the drivers and personnel who have already made it to the top. The true battle for survival is waged in these all-important developmental series. Before the world knows their names, these drivers and teams battle for track position, sponsorship money, and the opportunity to continue chasing a childhood dream.

Learning Environment

To compete against the best in the world, one must first learn to compete.

"With the single-make series in IMSA, there are a lot of young drivers who are looking to find their way on the career ladder," said Doonan. "Drivers come from karting and can start in the Mazda MX-5 Cup and Ford Mustang Challenge, then move into the more powerful Porsche Carrera Cup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and Ferrari Challenge. As their career grows, the speed and the performance of the car grow, which I think gives them the best shot to become the complete package."

Beyond driver development, these series also provide team members and support staff the opportunity to learn their trades.

"The developmental series are teaching some of those critical operational elements, financial elements, corporate sponsorship elements, and engineering elements that allow people to gain critical skills, refine those skills, and have success at that level so they could potentially reach the premier series," said Doonan.

Based in Palmetto, Florida, the USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire is a junior driver development program that consists of three levels of open wheel competition—the USF Juniors, the USF2000, and the USF Pro 2000.

"The USF Pro Championship is specifically designed to take drivers coming out of karting, F4, Formula 1600, or assorted racing school series and provide them with education and experience in preparation for a move into INDY NXT and INDYCAR," said Rob Howden, director of business development for USF Pro Championships. "As drivers advance up our ladder, the performance of the cars increases with each step."

While it's easy for young drivers to be laser-focused on going faster and winning races, they quickly learn that driving is only part of the equation.

"Drivers are immersed in a professional atmosphere and dynamic with their teams, the series, and the events we run," said Howden. "Everything about a driver's experience in the USF program is detailed to train them for a future in professional motorsports. From drivers' meetings and post-session data debriefing to media responsibilities, autograph sessions, and TV and podcast interviews, there's training outside the car as well as in it."

To read the full article, plus hundreds of other articles like it for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.   

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "Survival Skills: Forging a Path to the Upper Echelon of Motorsports" here and additional coverage in the May/June 2026 issue here.