US F4 field grows to 32 entries

#16 Kent Vaccaro

Last minute entries for the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda continue to intensify the competition, increasing the grid to 32 entries for the season debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida, April 8-9.

Returning to the F4 U.S. lineup is second-year driver Benjamin Pederson of Copenhagen, Denmark, with Global Racing Group and competing for a partial season under Group-A Racing is inaugural season first runner-up Konrad Czaczyk of Loxahatchee, Florida. John Paul Southern Jr. of Westlake, Ohio, was also confirmed by Jay Howard’s Motorsport Driver Development as its fourth driver.

"We couldn’t be more pleased about the continued response F4 U.S. is receiving," said SCCA Pro Racing Vice President Steve Oseth. "It is a clear indicator of the value F4 U.S. presents."

Pedersen, 17, resumes his F4 campaign in the black and orange stripped No. 24 DirtFish Rally car with Haas Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean as his mentor.

"Only 10 months ago, I sat in the DirtFish car for the first time. To grab a podium position in the first F4 race in the United States was simply amazing," said Pedersen. "Having Romain as a mentor is very humbling. To have someone as knowledgeable as him, is a huge advantage. Following a pre-season program involving testing, training, simulator work, physical exercise and classroom training, I can’t wait for the red lights to go out at Homestead-Miami Speedway."

Pedersen finished 10th overall in the inaugural season, and with his return, Grosjean will be added to GRG’s Sporting Advisory Board.

"Our connections across the world to FIA Formula series is an essential element in providing opportunities for our drivers," said GRG President and CEO Christian Pedersen. "Romain Grosjean and his team provide us tremendous help and guidance in that regard. We are excited to have him on our Sporting Advisory Board."

Czaczyk returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway after an incredible 2016 season. The 20-year-old swept the inaugural event and went on to complete the season with six second-place finishes and one third-place finish.

"We are very excited about adding Konrad to our lineup this year," said Group-A team principal Joe Scarallo. "This is a very last minute addition but with our crews experience and Konrad's success last year we think we can play catch up really quick to have some great results."

Due to a previous commitment, Czaczyk will compete in only three of the six F4 U.S. events for Group-A Racing. The team will fill the seat for Indianapolis Motor Speedway, VIRginia International Raceway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a soon-to-be-announced driver.

Southern, 15, finalized MDD’s lineup. The rookie starts his F4 U.S. career coming off a successful 2016 season, earning three national karting championships.

"I’m looking forward to not only improving my driving skills," said Southern, "but also gaining experience in public speaking, communicating clearly with engineers, building my brand and moving up the racing ladder. MDD and F4 will help me become a well-rounded athlete."

The F4 U.S. Championship joins the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli for a high-energy SCCA Pro road racing weekend. General admission tickets are available for purchase in advance of the event at HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com for $10 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday. Two-day passes can also be purchased online for $20.

General admission tickets will be available at the gate on the day of the event. Infield tickets are $15 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. Two-day passes purchased at the gate are $25. Children 12 years and younger are admitted for free on both days. Parking is free all weekend and will be located in the infield on Main Street and Road Course South (east portion).

For an event schedule and entry list visit F4USChampionship.com.

F4 U.S. Homestead-Miami Speedway Entry List

As of 4/1/17