Hartsdale, NY (March 10, 2023) – The 2023 season of the USF2000 Presented by Cooper Tires championship kicked off on the streets of St Petersburg, FL last weekend. The season-opener at St. Petersburg is currently the only race on the 2023 calendar for 19-year-old Nicholas d’Orlando due to budget restrictions. As such, the Hartsdale, NY and University of North Carolina Charlotte student had one mission. “I’ve only got one shot”, he said prior to the weekend. ”I’ll make it count.” Mission accomplished!
the USF Pro Championships official series test at Sebring Race just two days before St Petersburg. His results in St Petersburg were impressive with his career best finish in the USF Pro Championships and completing the weekend as the top driver for Exclusive Autosport. He currently sits in the top-8 of the drivers’ points championship in a field of 21 drivers.
After a difficult practice session Friday morning, d'Orlando qualified in the seventh position later that afternoon (in the only qualifying session of the weekend). Being a street race, the course is lined with concrete barriers which is extremely challenging, and often intimidating, for any USF2000 driver, but Saturday’s first head-to-head action proved d’Orlando was a solid driver keeping it all together and gaining one position for a sixth-place finish.
Sunday’s early morning start as the first class on the racing surface for the day, had d’Orlando starting in the 6th position with another strong and aggressive start on the opening laps. Unfortunately, in the opening laps he over-drove the corner and went into the safe runoff in Turn 10 which sent him sliding down the order. He made a solid comeback from deeper in the field to finish thirteenth.
“Firstly, I’m quite proud of the accomplishments the team and I achieved this weekend.” states d’Orlando. “After six months out of the car, I think it says volumes that we were able to bring home a sixth place in race one and be on pace to compete for even more in race two. I strongly believe that with more experience on track with the team we would be confidently fighting for wins and podium results. So hopefully we can find some new sponsors to step in so we can make that happen this year. “
We would like to send a special thanks to Michael & Kimberly Duncalfe and everyone at Exclusive Autosports for their support and the opportunity for Nick to compete with them this past weekend, and to our partners at Priority Technology Holdings, Focused Project Management, DB Collaborative, Rising Star Racing, MotorMedia USA, and UFC Gym - Mamaroneck NY.
d’Orlando and his partners continue to push off track to find additional funding to keep him in action when the USF Pro Championships returns for the next round at Sebring Raceway in Sebring, FL on March 23 – 26, 2023.
To help d’Orlando return to racing action in pursuit of the $433,000 scholarship to advance his career, contact Sherri d’Orlando at info@dorlandoracing.com or Art Wilmes at art.wilmes@risingstarracing.com. d’Orlando Enterprises LLC’s new partnership with Priority Technology Holdings provide business development and a potential for increase of revenue to clients, ultimately providing additional funding support for d’Orlando drivers and ultimately future motorsports talent. Visit www.priorityanddellc.com or contact Tom Priore at tom.priore@prth.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), Twitter (dorlandoracing and nickdorlando), TikTok (@nickdorlando) and on LinkedIn.
For more information on the USF Pro Championships, and to watch live streaming of Nick's races, go to www.usf2000.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. See more information at www.dorlandoracing.com