The new Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires commenced with a pair of 12-lap races yesterday and today at Circuit of The Americas, and while Team Pelfrey seemed to bear more than its fair share of misfortune, both of its drivers, returning veteran Petri Suvanto and rookie Spencer Pigot, displayed strong pace. The weekend was highlighted by a fine second-place finish in Race 1 for Pigot and a pair of stirring fifth-place results for Suvanto.

Matthew Brabham was disappointed to finish third in yesterday’s opening round of the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires at the Circuit of The Americas, especially after setting the pace consistently during pre-season testing. Last year’s winner of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda more than made amends in this afternoon’s Round 2, run over 12 laps on the 20-turn, 3.41-mile road course, sweeping from third to first at the drop of the green flag and never being seriously challenged.

Quotes from drivers Matthew Brabham and Shelby Blackstock.

Diego Ferreira had displayed dramatic improvement during his rookie season in 2012, and the youngster from Maracay, Venezuela, clearly demonstrated he had continued on that upward curve over the winter as he came out of the blocks to score a fine first-ever victory in today’s opening round of the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires at Circuit of The Americas.

Juncos Racing’s Diego Ferreira claims the first win of the 2013 Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires season in Round 1 at the Circuit of the Americas. Teammate Scott Anderson finishes a strong sixth in the 16 car field.