Progression continues for Mazda Road to Indy driver Neil Alberico as the Californian competed in his first oval event during his rookie season in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.

Scott Hargrove has narrowed the championship gap to only three points behind the leader after an astounding drive to a second-place finish in the first oval race of the season.

Spencer Pigot had to be content with a third-place finish after a puncture blunted his challenge for the lead in Saturday night's Allied Building Products Oval Challenge, part of the traditional 69th Annual Visit Hendricks County Night Before the 500 at Lucas Oil Raceway. The hard-fought result allowed Pigot to retain his lead in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires at the halfway stage in the 14-race season.

On a weekend that featured hundreds of left turns for the Rising Star Racing drivers, it was Spencer Pigot’s ability keep going straight that saw the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires leader score a podium finish on Saturday night to lead the Rising Star Racing effort on Memorial Day weekend.

Juncos Racing’s Spencer Pigot takes third in the first oval race of the season in Round 7 of the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires at the Allied Building Products Oval Challenge. The 90-lap race ran green to the checkered flag on the 0.686-mile Lucas Oil Raceway located in Brownsburg, Ind., as part of the 69th Annual Visit Hendricks County Night Before the 500. The team continues to lead both driver and team point standings in the Pro Mazda Championship.