 | |
| Category | Single seaters |
|---|---|
| Country |  United States |
| Inaugural season | 2022 |
| Drivers | 17 |
| Teams | 7 |
| Constructors | Tatuus |
| Engine suppliers | Mazda |
| Tyre suppliers | Continental |
| Drivers' champion |  Leonardo Escorpioni |
| Teams' champion |  Zanella Racing |
| Official website | usfjuniors.com |
 Current season | |
TheUSF Juniors championship, also known asUSF Juniors presented by Continental Tire for sponsorship reasons, is an American auto racing series running withUSF2000 cars (as of 2023). The series was inaugurated in 2022 as a new first rung of theRoad to Indy, below theUSF2000 Championship. The series is owned by Andersen Promotions and sanctioned by theUnited States Auto Club (USAC).[1]
The USF Juniors championship was formally announced in September 2021. Series founder Dan Andersen cited the need for an additional step up abovekarting luxe to the increasingly competitive nature of theUSF2000 Championship. He further established the want to provide "a true entry level series that is professionally managed where drivers, teams and parents can focus on training and racing via shorter, more economical events, while also lowering the spotlight on young drivers that often occurs on IndyCar race weekends."[2] The series was also made as a direct competitor to theFormula 4 United States Championship.[3] To allow champions of the series to progress in their careers, winners will receive a scholarship valued at $200,000.
For the series' inaugural season, a six-event scheduled was planned featuring allroad courses.USAC, which already handled duties for theUSF2000 Championship andUSF Pro 2000 Championship, was named the sanctioning body for the series. Former driverGustavo Yacamán was hired as the series manager, while another two former drivers,Joel Miller andJohnny Unser, were hired as race stewards.[2]
For the series' inaugural season, competitors used aLigier JS F4 chassis with a 160hp 2.0 Liter engine made byHonda Performance Development (HPD).[4] As with all other series in the Road to Indy ladder,The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, through theirCooper brand, was the tire supplier for the series for the first two years. For the 2023 season, USF Juniors began using theTatuus JR-23 chassis, which can be upgraded for use in bothUSF2000 andUSF Pro 2000 as drivers and teams progress through the Road to Indy ladder. The new car also uses the same MZR engine used in the Road to Indy series.[5] From 2024,Continental provides the tires along with the title partnership of the series.[6]
| Season | Drivers Champion | Teams Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 |  Mac Clark | Velocity Racing Development |
| 2023 | Nic Giaffone | DEForce Racing |
| 2024 | Max Taylor | Velocity Racing Development |
| 2025 | Leonardo Escorpioni | Zanella Racing |
