PORTLAND, Ore. – After wrapping up another successful season of competition on Sunday at Portland International Raceway, USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire adjourned yesterday evening to a nearby location overlooking the Columbia River, with a majestic view of Mt. Hood, for its traditional Championship Celebration banquet.

A total of over $1.4 million in scholarships and awards was distributed among all three series that comprise the widely acclaimed open-wheel driver development program – USF Pro 2000, USF2000 and USF Juniors. And for the second year running, all three series concluded their on-track action on the same weekend and in conjunction with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

The only title that had been wrapped up prior to the final weekend was in USF Pro 2000. Max Garcia, 16, from Coconut Grove, Fla., performed perhaps even more impressively then he did in 2024, when he won the USF2000 championship. Both titles were earned in conjunction with Pabst Racing.

Garcia set out his intent early, taking the points lead after the opening doubleheader event on the Streets of St. Petersburg, where he finished second in the first race and followed up with his maiden win. Victory number seven on the Streets of Toronto was enough to clinch the title with three races remaining. As if that wasn’t enough, Garcia went on to sweep this weekend’s Portland doubleheader to match the single-season record of nine race wins set by current NTT INDYCAR SERIES standout Kyle Kirkwood on his way to winning the crown in 2019.

Garcia last night picked up his champion’s scholarship check of $594,500 to assist in his progression to INDY NXT in 2026.

The USF2000 and USF Juniors series were both decided on Saturday when Exclusive Autosport’s Jack Jeffers and Zanella Racing’s Leonardo Escorpioni tied up their respective championships with one race to spare.

In USF2000, Jeffers, from San Antonio, Texas, played second fiddle to Jay Howard Driver Development’s Liam McNeilly, from London, England, in the early part of the 18-race campaign. But when McNeilly encountered visa issues and was unable to return Stateside after winning the first five races on the bounce, Jeffers became embroiled in a tight tussle with Ohio’s Thomas Schrage, of VRD Racing.

Jeffers broke the deadlock at Mid-Ohio, where he won twice, then doubled up also on the Streets of Toronto to take a healthy lead into this weekend’s tripleheader season finale. The 19-year-old’s win on Saturday evening represented his series high sixth of the season, ensuring him of a scholarship prize valued at $405,000 to advance to USF Pro 2000 next year.

Escorpioni, meanwhile, took the 16-round USF Juniors series by storm. He led the way in race wins (six), poles (six) and podium finishes (14). The 15-year-old Brazilian national, who is based in Windermere, Fla., also displayed true his class at Road America. After a poor qualifying session left him mired in the pack, Escorpioni fought his way from 17th to fourth in one of the three races and from 14th to second in another. He duly wrapped up the title in fine style at Portland, where he dominated the first two races. Escorpioni will graduate next year to USF2000 on the strength of a scholarship valued at $249,675.

“At the beginning of any new season, I wonder what the talent will be like, will we train up some great drivers, will the racing be exciting?” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “This season we saw fantastic racing, and we know we have trained drivers who we will see in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES down the road. This is why we exist, and I am proud of what my team has done. This was a great year.”

Over 160 guests, including teams, drivers, sponsors and officials attended the Championship Celebration banquet on a hot summer’s evening. And while the equally intense racing action has been concluded, the focus of attention already has switched toward preparations for the 2026 season, which will reach fever pitch during the traditional Fall Combine Open Test at the Indianapolis Grand Prix road course on October 25/26.

Champion – Max Garcia, Pabst Racing

Second Place – Ariel Elkin, TJ Speed Motorsports

Third Place – Mac Clark, Exclusive Autosport

Champion Team – Pabst Racing

Rookie of the Year – Max Garcia, Pabst Racing

Marelli Engineer of the Year– Tonis Kasemets, Pabst Racing

Makita Tools Mechanic of the Year – Tom Vasi, Pabst Racing

PRG Spirit Award – Carson Etter, Exclusive Autosport

Tilton Hard Charger Award – Nicholas Monteiro, Turn 3 Motorsport

YACademy Move of the Year  – Jacob Douglas, Pabst Racing

Carl Haas Golden Wishbone – Turn 3 Motorsport

Champion  – Jack Jeffers, Exclusive Autosport

Second Place – Teddy Musella, VRD Racing

Third Place – Thomas Schrage, VRD Racing

Champion Team – VRD Racing

Rookie of the Year – Jack Jeffers, Exclusive Autosport

Marelli Engineer of the Year – Louis D’Agostino, Exclusive Autosport

Makita Tools Mechanic of the Year – David Clubine, Exclusive Autosport

PRG Spirit Award – Eddie Beswick, Synergy Motorsport

Tilton Hard Charger Award – Eddie Beswick, Synergy Motorsport

YACademy Move of the Year  – Eddie Beswick, Synergy Motorsport

Carl Haas Golden Wishbone  – VRD Racing

Champion – Leonardo Escorpioni, Zanella Racing

Second Place – Liam Loiacono, Jay Howard Driver Development

Third Place – Joao Vergara, VRD Racing

Champion Team – Zanella Racing

Rookie of the Year – Liam Loiacono, Jay Howard Driver Development

Marelli Engineer of the Year – Ernie Gonella, Zanella Racing

Makita Tools Mechanic of the Year – Mimo Tomasello, Zanella Racing

PRG Spirit Award – Liam Loiacono, Jay Howard Driver Development

Tilton Hard Charger Award – Diego Guiot, Zanella Racing

YACademy Move of the Year – Patricio Gonzelez, DEForce Racing

Carl Haas Golden Wishbone – VRD Racing