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US F2000: Fonferko earns US F2000 ride

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 26, 2001

SONOMA, CALIF. —This past weekend, Ross Fonferko earned a ride in the U.S. F2000 National Championship Presented by Speedvision after winning the 2001 Russell/USAC Triple Crown Pro Series.

Fonferko entered the 2001 Triple Crown Pro Series as the man to beat, having captured the Rookie of the Year award last year. The Wheaton, Illinois native immediately showed why he was a favorite to win the series. In Round One, Fonferko led from flag-to-flag to capture the win. He followed up the impressive performance with a win in Round Two, taking a commanding lead in the three-race championship. Needing only to post a strong finish in Round Three to secure the championship, Fonferko drove a strong but safe race, finishing second and securing the title.

In winning the Russell/USAC Triple Crown Pro Series, Fonferko earned nearly $11,000 cash and a ride in the U.S. F2000 National Championship season-finale at Daytona International Speedway. The ride with front-running Primus Racing West includes free entry and race car rental, two days of pre-event testing and a free on-board camera in both races for the Speedvision broadcasts.

Fonferko becomes the second champion to benefit from the strategic partnership between The Jim Russell Racing Drivers School and the U.S. F2000 National Championship. Last year, Tim Barber contested the final two rounds of the U.S. F2000 season at Road Atlanta.

"I'm really looking forward to running in the U.S. F2000 races in Daytona,” said the 20-year old, Fonferko. “I hope to show what I've learned at Jim Russell and catch the eye of some sponsors for next year."

“We’re looking forward to working with Ross,” said Primus Racing West owner, Bobby Oergel. “He has been impressive this year in the Russell series, and we hope to have him along with regular drivers Travis [Irving] and Sean [McIntosh] running up front at Daytona.”

The U.S. F2000 National Championship resumes its training of the world’s best young drivers, August 11, 2001, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, as part of the CART FedEx Championship Miller Lite 200 weekend.

Text provided by Allen Craighead

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