Photo: Gavin Baker Photography
The grid for this weekend’s USF Pro 2000 season opener on the new Arlington street circuit has grown over the last week.
There is now set to be 14 drivers contesting the first races of 2026 in the third-tier IndyCar-supporting championship, but three of those are set race in Arlington only.
The new full-time signing on the grid is Jack Jeffers, whose move up to USFP2000 was set when he won the 2025 USF2000 title back in August 2025 and earned the accompanying $405,000 (£301,255) scholarship which was to be spent on a 2026 USFP2000 seat.
However Jeffers was only announced to be racing for Exclusive Autosport four days ago, despite being a long-time member of the team. He drove for them in USF Juniors for two seasons, coming third in his rookie campaign with three wins then fifth in the 2024 standings, and in his sole USF2000 season he claimed six victories, seven other podiums and five poles.
“I’m incredibly excited to continue my journey with Exclusive Autosport as I step into the USFP2000 championship,” said the 19-year-old American.
“Last year was an amazing experience, winning the USF2000 title and growing with this team taught me so much, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to take the next step with. I have tremendous confidence in our program and everyone at EA, and I’m ready to give everything I have to be competitive in USFP2000.”
Jeffers will have one full-time team-mate, series sophomore Joey Brienza, and Exclusive has announced that it will also field Anthony Martella and Evan Cooley this weekend.
Martella won USF2000’s sole oval race, the Freedom 75, en route to seventh in the standings last year and the 17-year-old Canadian combined touring car racing with USF Juniors and USF2000 outings in 2024.
Cooley finished one spot ahead of Martella in USF2000’s 2025 standings, making the podium twice as one of Exclusive’s drivers. He also came 13th in USF Juniors’ 2024 season with the team.
Both drivers are racing full-time for Exclusive in USF2000 this year, and sit bottom of the standings after retiring from both races in the St. Petersburg season opener.
Also making a USFP2000 cameo in Arlington is Leonardo Escorpioni, who will race for Turn 3 Motorsport as the team’s fifth entry.
“This is a great opportunity for me to challenge myself at the next level and gain valuable experience in the USFP2000 car,” said Escorpioni. “Arlington looks like an exciting street circuit, and racing alongside IndyCar will make the weekend even more special. My goal is to learn as much as possible and make the most of this opportunity with the team.”
The 16-year-old Brazilian is the reigning USF Juniors champion, his 2025 featuring six wins, eight other podiums and six poles, and is currently second in the USF2000 standings after finishing third twice in St. Petersburg.
His USF Juniors title earned him a $249,675 scholarship to spend on graduating to USF2000, and Zanella Racing has run him in both championships.