15-Year Old Max Garcia Claims Victory in USF Pro 2000 Race 2 at St. Petersburg
Max Garcia delivered a commanding victory in Race 2 of the Andersen Interior Contracting Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, marking a successful weekend for Florida teenagers in USF Pro 2000 competition.
The 15-year-old Coconut Grove native overtook pole-sitter Alessandro De Tullio (Turn 3 Motorsport) after a restart, executing a decisive inside pass at Turn 1. Garcia, driving for Pabst Racing, never relinquished the lead throughout the incident-filled 25-lap race.
Race driver with checkered flag
Mac Clark secured second place for Exclusive Autosport, while Garcia's teammate Jacob Douglas completed the podium. Clark advanced impressively from eighth on the grid, capitalizing on an early collision between Elliot Cox and Michael Costello.
Race cars lined up at start
De Tullio's race ended prematurely after a braking error sent him into the barriers at Turn 4. VRD Racing's Max Taylor finished fourth, followed by teammate Owen Tangavelou and TJ Speed Motorsport's Jace Denmark.
Jorge Garciarce earned the Tilton Hard Charger Award, advancing from 18th to ninth position. Pabst Racing received the PFC Award for the winning car owner.
The victory strengthens Garcia's position in the championship chase, which offers a scholarship valued at nearly $600,000 for advancement to Indy NXT in 2026. The series continues at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, Louisiana, on April 12-13.
USP Pro 2000 race standings
Provisional Championship Standings (after 2 of 18 rounds):
- Max Garcia, 57
- Mac Clark, 44
- Alessandro De Tullio, 37
- Max Taylor, 36
- Jace Denmark, 28
- Owen Tangavelou, 27
- Tanner DeFabis, 25
- Michael Costello, 23
- Jacob Douglas, 23
- Nicolas Monteiro, 22
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