Teenage racer Frederick returns to second season in USF2000

Kaylen Frederick

The youngest driver in the Mazda Road to Indy in 2017 is returning for a second season in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda.

And he may still be the youngest driver competing in the series.

Pabst Racing announced that Kaylen Frederick will race for the team in 2018. The 15-year-old from Potomac, Maryland native will pilot the #24 Pilot ONE Racing-sponsored Pabst Racing entry in his second season in USF2000.

Frederick, began his racing career at the age of 7 and charged onto the Mazda Road to Indy scene in 2017, earning five podiums and nine top-five finishes. In only his rookie season, he finished an impressive fourth overall.

“After testing in the off-season in BRDC F3, Pro Mazda, Formula Atlantic and USF2000, working with Pilot ONE Racing we’ve decided to focus on the USF2000 campaign in 2018," said Frederick. “Pabst Racing will provide the ideal team, car, and race preparation to enable me to win the USF2000 championship. After testing with Pabst and winning races with Tonis Kasemets in Formula Atlantic, I've found a team, lead engineer and environment that let my driving skills and focus excel."

Although the official racing season has yet to start, Frederick has been honing his skills and race craft, preparing for 2018 in a wide variety of race cars and venues. Recently, Frederick earned three Formula Atlantic wins at Sebring International Raceway in the HSR Series and followed this up with four poles and two more wins at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Sebring in the SCCA Majors and Hoosier SCCA Super-Tour. As pre-season testing quickly approaches, Pabst Racing owner Augie Pabst was thrilled with the addition of Frederick as the fourth driver to an already competitive lineup.

“We had our eye on Kaylen throughout the 2017 season, knowing he would be a great addition to our team in 2018," said Pabst. “Now that he is a Pabst driver, I’m certain we have signed the best four USF2000 drivers in the series. As our driver lineup is now set, we will be focused on the final preparations for the 2018 season."

Having had the opportunity to not only test with the Pabst Racing team but also work with Kasemets in his off-season Formula Atlantic races has given the team and young driver the opportunity to develop solid momentum heading into the exciting 2018 USF2000 race calendar.

“My goals for 2018 are to race at the highest levels and against the toughest fields available," Frederick said. “With the wide variety of circuits, the USF2000 Series and the Mazda Road to Indy is the place for me to be in 2018. As a second year driver in USF2000, my focus is on winning races and leading the championship." IndyCar