Photo credit: Gavin Baker Photography

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I recently conducted an Instagram poll asking whether the USF Pro Championships should add another oval race to its schedule.

The poll gathered input from dozens of fans, 20 USF Pro Championships drivers (criteria: participated in at least one 2024 race or offseason test), and multiple team owners. Support for expanding oval racing was overwhelming: 87% of fans and 82% of drivers and team owners expressed interest in adding another oval to the USF2000 and USF Pro 2000 calendars.

For the past two seasons, the lone oval race for the USF Pro Championships has been part of the Carb Night Classic at Indianapolis Raceway Park, held on the Friday night before the Indianapolis 500. However, as recently as 2022, the USF Pro 2000 series competed at World Wide Technology Raceway. The series has also visited both the Milwaukee Mile and Iowa Speedway within the past decade, showing that there’s a prime opportunity to add a second oval race—and I’d like to propose a potential solution, as a fan, for where and how that could happen.

For many drivers moving up to Indy NXT, IRP is their only oval experience before racing on larger, faster tracks like Nashville Superspeedway. 

Several drivers who responded to the poll pointed out this could lead to entering Indy NXT with minimal oval experience. They emphasized that having more exposure to ovals in the lower series would better prepare them for the jump to faster cars and larger tracks.

In fact, success on ovals in the USF Pro Championships seems to be an indicator of future performance. Of the ten USF Pro 2000 oval winners from 2017-2022, seven went on to win races in Indy NXT or IndyCar. Louis Foster, for example, used his 2022 win at IRP as a springboard to sweep the ovals in Indy NXT this year and secure the championship. Clearly, gaining experience on ovals early in a driver’s career pays dividends down the road.

There’s also a compelling viewership argument for more oval racing. The Freedom 75 and 90 at IRP were the most-watched USF Pro Championships races on YouTube in both 2023 and 2024. Oval racing is exciting, and people want to watch it. The exposure and sponsorship opportunities that come with popular races are essential for young drivers trying to build careers in motorsport.

So, where should a second oval race fit? I propose adding a Friday race at Iowa Speedway during the IndyCar weekend. Logistically, this makes sense. The infrastructure, track rental, and safety crew are already in place for the IndyCar event, reducing costs for Andersen Promotions. Iowa, a key oval for Indy NXT, would also help ease the transition for drivers moving up to the next level.

Additionally, IndyCar tallied over 80,000 fans across the Iowa race weekend in 2024. Racing in front of a large, passionate crowd would increase exposure for USF Pro Championships drivers. With free admission on Friday, it would be a great opportunity for fans to see the series up close and for drivers to showcase their talents to a broader audience.

That said, there are challenges. Iowa is a longer trip for many teams, most of whom are based in Indiana. Lower-budget teams might skip the race to save costs or sit out if their drivers lack oval experience. Adding another oval could also require negotiations with IndyCar and Iowa organizers to ensure there’s enough paddock space and time to fit in the sessions.

However, the benefits of adding an oval far outweigh the challenges. It would provide better preparation for drivers moving up the ladder, boost viewership and give fans more of the exciting racing they crave. Andersen Promotions, who runs the USF Pro Championships, has done tremendous work in advancing driver development through its existing scholarship system and partnerships with IndyCar. Expanding oval racing seems like the next logical step.

With public support from both fans and drivers possibly backing the move, it’s time to consider adding another oval race. While we cherish the IRP race every May, an additional oval could take the USF Pro Championships to new heights.