WINDERMERE, Fla. — Leonardo Escorpioni and Turn 3 Motorsport make their way to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this Fourth of July weekend for a tripleheader weekend in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire championship, with the young Brazilian firmly in the thick of the title fight. Third in the championship standings heading into the holiday weekend event, Escorpioni has his sights set on a result that can close the gap to his rivals and put him squarely in championship contention as the series heads deeper into the summer.
The 16-year-old from Brazil has been one of the standout performers of the 2026 season since the very first round. Escorpioni, the reigning 2025 USF Juniors champion, made an immediate statement at the season-opening Grand Prix of Arlington, winning on the new street circuit and signaling his intentions as a genuine title contender from race one. He followed that with an eye-catching performance at the Carb Night Classic Freedom 90 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, claiming his first USF Pro 2000 pole position on an oval circuit he had never seen before and pushing eventual race winner and Turn 3 teammate Michael Costello all the way to the checkered flag.
More recently, Escorpioni carried his strong form to Road America, where he entered Rounds 6 and 7 third in the standings and continued to demonstrate the pace that has made him one of the most talked-about young drivers in the USF Pro Championships. The 4.014-mile Elkhart Lake circuit has long been one of the most demanding tests on the calendar, and Escorpioni’s ability to perform at tracks of varying character speaks to his adaptability and racecraft.
Off the track, Escorpioni’s trajectory continues to attract serious attention at the highest levels of American open-wheel racing. His association in the HMD Motorsports Junior Driver program — officially announced earlier this season — has added another dimension to his development, providing him with access to the data, mentorship, and infrastructure of one of the Road to Indy’s most accomplished organizations. HMD has produced multiple INDYCAR graduates, and Escorpioni’s inclusion in their program is a clear signal of how highly the paddock regards his potential.
Now, the focus turns to Mid-Ohio. The 2.258-mile, 13-turn permanent road course in Lexington, Ohio is a track that rewards technical precision and smooth car control — attributes Escorpioni has shown in abundance throughout his young career. With three races on the schedule over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the points on offer could prove pivotal in shaping the second half of the championship.
“Mid-Ohio is a track I really enjoy,” expressed Escorpioni. “It’s technical, and with three races this weekend there are a lot of points available. I know the championship gap is close, and that’s motivation for me and the whole Turn 3 team. We’ve shown all year that our speed is there. My goal is simple — I want to win multiple races and leave Mid-Ohio closer to the top of the standings. A Fourth of July weekend with victories would be pretty special.”
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