JAY Motorsports announces three-car USF2000 line-up for 2014

[Source: JAY Motorsports press release]

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Second-year Norwegian racer Furuseth set to partner American rookies Herta and Starrantino

PALMETTO, FLA. (January 28, 2014) – The first green flag of the 2014 season is still a few weeks away, but JAY Motorsports is already confident it can challenge for top honors, having signed three race-winning drivers for the 2014 edition of the Copper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda. 2013 series podium finisher Henrik Furuseth joins the Florida-based squad, and will be partnered with Pacific F1600 Championship champion Colton Herta, and F1600 Formula F Championship Series runner-up Adrian Starrantino. JAY Motorsports having secured its inaugural podium finishes last season, is now ready to fight for wins, the Rookie of the Year award, and the overall championship, thanks to what is one of the premier driver line-ups in the first rung of the prestigious Mazda Road to Indy program.

JAY Motorsports since its inception has prided itself on not only providing its racers with all the tools to be successful and win races, but also training and developing the future stars of motorsports. This coming season the ever-improving squad from Florida will have the chance to do that yet again, joining forces with three talented up-and-coming racers.

Furuseth has quickly established himself as driver worth keep an eye on in the North American junior formula car ranks. An unknown quantity when he joined the USF2000 Championship in 2012, the Norwegian wasted little time showcasing his talents, winning the National class – for Formula Enterprises cars – seven times, en route to the class title. The 17 year-old Furuseth further highlighted his talents behind the wheel this past season, taking home two podium finishes as a Championship class rookie with a single-car team. The stage is now set for Furuseth to contend for a place on the post-race podiums throughout the 2014 campaign.

“‘I am thrilled to be joining JAY Motorsports for the 2014 USF2000 season,” said Furuseth, who is supported by Palfinger and Kongsberg Automotive. “This will be my second year in the series, and being with such a great team as JAY Motorsports, I am confident we can put together a championship-winning package. Having such talented drivers like Adrian and Colton as teammates will also be very beneficial for me to develop my skills further. I believe we will be really strong as a team all year, and I can’t wait to start working with all the guys on the team.”

Despite his young age, 13 years old, Herta is already adding to the well know family racing resume. Making the transition to cars this past season after a title-winning run in the karting ranks, the second-generation racer from California was the driver to beat in the Pacific F1600 Championship. Ultimately Herta captured the title as a formula car rookie via 10 wins and 15 podium finishes in 15 races. While Herta is likely to be youngest racer come the season-opener, he is more than ready to fight for the rookie crown.

“I can’t wait for the season to get started,” said Herta. “We’ve already done some testing together, and I know JAY Motorsports is as motivated as I am this season. The competition is strong in USF2000, but I know I have a great team, and I look forward to becoming a part of the Mazda Road to Indy.”

Winning races is something Starrantino has rapidly figured out how to do. The 19 year-old from California showcased both his pace and racecraft as a formula car rookie in 2012, winning four times in the Skip Barber Racing ranks. Starrantino promptly built on that performance last year, adding three more Skip Barber wins, before dueling for the F1600 Formula F Championship Series title until the season-finale, ending up second with four more wins on his developing racing resume. Starrantino is now positioned to add to his winning ways, and be part of the Rookie of the Year fight in the USF2000 Championship.

“I am more than happy to announce my alliance with JAY Motorsports for the Cooper Tires USF2000 Series in 2014,” said Starrantino, who races with help from AutoWorld Collision, Bell Racing, PPG, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. “I have been eager to run with Jay after watching his results on-track, combined with his professionalism off-track. I can’t wait to get the season started and see what it has in store for us!”

While JAY Motorsports is extremely excited to have the trio of Furuseth, Herta, and Starrantino under its awning for the upcoming season, the team is quite aware that talent and speed does not guarantee results, particularly in the highly-competitive USF2000 Championship. With team founder and principal Jay Green leading the way, everyone is focused on every little detail, and continually improving each and every time the cars are on track.

“I could not be happier with the team we have assembled for the 2014 season,” said Green. “We worked very hard to put together a very talented group of young drivers. Everyone on the team has the same drive and determination to win, and I cannot wait to get the season started!”

Preparations for the for the off-season Cooper Tires Winterfest series are currently on in full force, with the first three races at NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, La., on February 21-22. The championship concludes with three races at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Ala., on February 25-26. The upcoming 2014 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda gets underway on March 29-30, with the opening two races on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., as part of the IZOD IndyCar Series season-opening event.