// USF Pro 2000 returns to action on sacred racing grounds
// Granfors ready for first laps of Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Joel Granfors is set for his first acquaintance with one of the world’s most legendary motorsport venues – Indianapolis Motor Speedway – when USF Pro 2000 descends on the famed circuit this weekend in support to INDYCAR’s GMR Grand Prix.
Few locations on earth are as deeply steeped in motorsport tradition as Indianapolis and “IMS”. Its gigantic Indy 500 oval race (which takes place in just a few weeks’ time) has created global headlines for more than 100 years, attracting close to 400 000 visitors on race day.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has also staged the USA Formula 1 Grand Prix, which ran on a dedicated infield layout within the renowned oval.
It is there, on the 2.4-mile road course iteration, that this weekend’s INDYCAR activities will take place along with all its support categories – including USF Pro 2000 with a 17-year-old Swedish rookie on the grid.
“It’s definitely a special feeling to be taking on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time of my life,” says Joel Granfors. “Additionally, to race there during the “Month of May”, in the build-up to the Indy 500, just adds to the experience. It’s another new circuit for me to learn, but the IMS road course actually looks pretty similar to the kind of tracks I’m used to from Europe. Hopefully I’ll be quickly up to speed.”
Joel Granfors arrives in Indianapolis having scored his first podium of the year last time out in Sebring, even though a full seven weeks have passed since that event.
The extensive spring break has been spent largely at home in Sweden, with Granfors using the opportunity to pick up a victory on a guest outing in the Formula Aquila 1000 series that he won overall back in 2020.
Now, however, the Exclusive Autosport racer is back across the Atlantic and vying for his first win on U.S. soil.
“We’ve had a promising start to the season, but I think there’s more potential to unlock,” Joel Granfors, driving the #92 EA Corpay car, concludes. “Our race pace has been strong but we’ve been lacking a bit in qualifying, so that’s an obvious area to work on this weekend. We were on the podium last time out, in second place, so the next big target has to be that first win.”
GUIDE: Everything you need to know about USF Pro 2000
Back on the INDYCAR support bill this weekend, USF Pro 2000 will head out onto the IMS road course for the first time on Thursday for testing and practice. Friday will feature qualifying and the first race of the double-header meeting, with the concluding Race 2 taking place on Saturday.
Live streaming is available for all races throughout the season via usfpro2000.com, YouTube and the USF Pro Championships App.
TIME TABLE (U.S. Eastern)
USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires
Rd. 3 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA)
Thursday 11 May
Test 1: 1:10-2:10 pm
Test 2: 3:30-4:30 pm
Practice: 5:50-6:20 pm
Friday 12 May
Qualifying: 8:45-9:15 am
Race 1: 2:55-3:45 pm
Saturday 13 May
Race 2: 8:55-9:45 am
LIVE STREAMING & TIMING
www.usfpro2000.com
USF Pro Championships App
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires
After 2/9 rounds
1: Myles Rowe (USA), 116 p.
2: Kiko Porto (BRA), 74 p.
3: Francesco Pizzi (ITA), 74 p.
4: Lirim Zendeli (GER), 64 p.
5: Jace Denmark (USA), 64 p.
6: Joel Granfors (SWE), 63 p.