White Plains, NY (October 9, 2024) – Another racing season has come to a close and after all the trials and tribulations, despite the uncertainty of whether he would even race at all this year… Congratulations to Nick d’Orlando, the 2024 Radical Cup North America Pro 1500 series Vice-Champion and series’ Rookie of the Year!
Entering the finale weekend at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, CA, d’Orlando was sitting a mere eight points out of the lead in the drivers’ championship, with no prior experience at wine country’s prestigious circuit. The triple-header event began with a single practice day followed by two days of racing action. The rookie got up to speed quickly in his #15 Priority Technology Holdings SR3 XXR race car, and under the direction of his team at Radical Indianapolis/Graham Rahal Performance, would put himself on the pole position for Race 1. Despite being forced off the track in the opening corners, he would recover nicely to earn his 13th podium of the season with second place, however losing a few points in the championship battle.
The growing deficit of points in the championship was not ideal, but d’Orlando would remain focused and committed to battling it out until the very end. The final two race events would be plagued with interference in the multi-class field and penalties would force him down the order early in both events. But he would continue to fight back through every lap for two more fourth place finishes. Albeit a little short for the championship title he wanted so immensely, d’Orlando’s impressive season-long consistent performances would earn him the Vice Champion titles in both the Pro 1500 class and the overall Radical Cup North America series’ championship which consists of three different classes (Platinum, Pro 1500, 1340). Furthermore, he also brought home the honors of Rookie of the Year!
d'Orlando’s season statistics were quite impressive. He lead the field with the most pole positions with a total of eight, and earned 13 podium results including five victories and seven fastest laps. He also set three track records along the way. What makes these statistics even more impressive is that prior to his one and only test day just one week before the start of the season back in March, he had never even sat in a Radical race car before and hasn’t been in head-to-head to competition since March 2023. The 21-year-old Charlotte, NC resident has had only part-time participation in any competition since his last full-season of racing in 2021 when he earned the Formula Racing Promotions F1600 series championship title.
"This year has been quite the journey, and I was excited to finish it off somewhere new to me at Sonoma Raceway. The weekend was going to be a real challenge for the #15 crew given the points standings and we did everything we could to make the most of it." says d'Orlando. "Winning the championship from our position required taking some chances and we certainly did, but the thing with chances is that they don't always pan out. As always, I gave it my all and am proud to take home Vice Champion and Rookie of the Year honors in my first full season of competition in 3 years."
"I cannot thank the team at Graham Rahal Performance/Radical Indianapolis enough for all their hard work and support on track this year. They are a great group of people to work with and I enjoyed every part of it.. And also a sincere thank you to Rising Star Racing and Priority Technology Holdings for their efforts and support to get me back in the seat this year. It was very touch and go at the beginning of the season but to have their support throughout the entire year was so important to me and I am grateful to have partners like these."
With the conclusion of the 2024 racing season, the 2025 "silly season" is now in full force and pre-season testing has already commenced for all racing series. Nick d'Orlando's immediate goal is to begin his own testing program with the top teams in a series in preparation of competition for next year. He continues to work building new partnerships and expand on existing partnerships to try to fulfill the required budgets for meet these short- and long- term goals. Your help is needed and appreciated.
Through our partnerships, we have developed a low to no cost B2B partnership option where you can sponsor Nick for 2025. For more information on these or for other sponsorship inquiries, please contact Art Wilmes of Rising Star Racing at art.wilmes@risingstarracing.com or Sherri d'Orlando of d'Orlando Enterprises LLC at sherri@dorlandoracing.com.
To stay up to date on Nick d'Orlando, check out his new website at www.nickdorlandoracing.com, and follow his social media on Instagram (dorlandoracing, nickdorlando), Facebook (Nicholas d'Orlando Racing) and on X (dorlandoracing and nickdorlando).
About Priority Technology Holdings: Priority is a leading payments and banking solutions and services provider that helps businesses and financial institutions take and make payments, manage business and consumer operating accounts, and monetize payment networks. Priority’s Plastiq platform provides businesses with the ability to free up cash and pay any vendor with a credit card. Float payments, increase working capital and earn rewards with every bill paid.
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 Indy 500.
d'Orlando Enterprises LLC | Headquarters, White Plains, New York 10603 |917-952-0243 | info@dorlandoracing.com | www.dorlandoracing.com
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