In a preview of drivers and teams taking part in the upcoming USF Juniors season, the 2024 YACademy Winter Series title came down to the very end, where Jack Jeffers won the championship over Sebastian Wheldon during the final race on Sunday morning. They started the last race 1st and 2nd, Wheldon being second only 1 point behind Jeffers. 

 

Quote by Gustavo Yacaman - “ This was by far the most competitive year of the Yacademy Winter Series. I am honored by the turnout this year and very grateful for the support of the teams and drivers during this winter. The next off season cant come soon enough.” 

 

The series consisted of three races on Thursday at Sebring International Raceway and two races on Saturday and one Sunday race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Twenty-one drivers, the most ever at a Yacademy Winter Series, took part across six teams, all six of which are competing in the upcoming USF Juniors season. The series also marked the competitive debut at the USF Juniors level for Sebastian Wheldon, son of two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon and reigning champion of the Skip Barber Race Series.

 

Jeffers, driving for Exclusive Autosport, entered the final race with only a one point lead over Wheldon. Jeffers finished off closing a six-point gap entering the last three races at Homestead by winning the second race. He won again in the last race, securing his fourth straight win and the championship by 11 points. Wheldon, who was running in 3rd place, behind his teammate Max Taylor had a mechanical failure 3 laps from the end bringing a FCY that ended the race with Jeffers on top. 

 

The race also secured Exclusive Autosport the team championship through the combined efforts of Jeffers and teammate Evan Cooley, who finished third in the standings.

 

Strong Week for Exclusive Autosport

 

Exclusive Autosport won the team championship and drivers championship in the same weekend. Jeffers won four of the six races and had five podiums during the six races, starting on pole twice as well. 

 

Cooley was one of only two drivers to finish on the podium in all three of the races at Sebring. João Vergara moved steadily up the timesheets throughout the week, improving in each of the first four races from finishing 11th to finishing third. Vergara’s efforts were enough to hold off for fourth place in the championship by one point, securing Exclusive three of the top four spots in the championship standings.

 

Series Newcomers Shined

 

Drivers who were new to the USF Juniors series who practiced during the winter in test days held by YACademy at circuits like Barber Motorsports Park and NOLA Motorsports Park shined now that they have gotten experience in a race weekend. 

 

One of the rookie standouts was Leonardo Escorpioni finished fifth in the championship for Zanella Racing after winning the second race at Sebring at only 13 years old. California native G3 Argyros got his first podium in race cars after finishing in second place in the second race at Homestead on Saturday afternoon.

 

Standings after all six races

 

1. Jack Jeffers - 47

 

2. Sebastian Wheldon - 36

 

3. Evan Cooley - 32

 

4. João Vergara - 18

 

5. Leonardo Escorpioni - 17

 

6. G3 Argyros - 14

 

7. Patricio Gonzalez - 13

 

8. Max Taylor - 12

 

9. Rodrigo Gonzalez - 10

 

10. Aidan Potter - 6

 

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More About the YACademy Winter Series:

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YACademy operates its winter series to provide a friendly environment for drivers to improve their skills during the winter break. Through its test days at nationally-renowned circuits and the winter series, drivers have the chance to hone their skills ahead of the upcoming season.

 

On top of the winter series for USF Juniors drivers and teams, USF2000 and USF Pro 2000 testing is also available at all YACademy dates. YACademy is an official corporate partner of the USF Pro Championships.

 

The YACademy Winter Series is operated by Promoter Gustavo Yacaman, who has taken part in prestigious series such as IMSA, WEC and Blancpain GT and has also spent years competing in junior formula categories like Formula 3, Formula BMW and Indy Lights.

 

For more information about YACademy, contact Gustavo at gusty@gustavoyacaman.com or over the phone at 317-414-1124