Tuesday, September 23, 2008 RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. and LAKEVILLE, Conn. – Conor Daly and Josef Newgarden, currently first and second, respectively, in the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda, were awarded the prestigious Team USA Scholarships for the 2008 season.
Derek Daly's teenage son Conor
Daly, 16, from Noblesville, Ind., and Newgarden, 17, from Hendersonville, Tenn., will fly the Scholarship’s patriotic red, white and blue colors in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, England, on the weekend of October 18-19, and the Walter Hayes Trophy Formula Ford event at Silverstone, England, two weeks later (November 1-2).
Josef Newgarden
The pair will follow in some illustrious footsteps. Jimmy Vasser won the first Team USA Scholarship in 1990. Other subsequent winners include Bryan Herta, Memo Gidley, Jerry Nadeau, Buddy Rice, Paul Edwards, Andy Lally, A.J. Allmendinger and J.R. Hildebrand. "Our Scholarship winners have competed in a wide variety of cars and series since the program was begun in 1990," says Team USA Scholarship founder and auto racing writer/broadcaster Jeremy Shaw. "This year, my fellow Scholarship supporters and I have identified Conor and Josef from among a wealth of talented youngsters. We believe this chance to contest two of the world’s most prestigious Formula Ford events – in the sport’s most widely respected developmental category – offers the most appropriate opportunity for them at this stage in their careers." Prior to Daly and Newgarden racing against each other this year in the Skip Barber National – Daly has four wins and two poles, "Newgy" two wins and a series-leading six poles – the two were competitors in the Stars of Karting ranks. The pair are separated by just five points at the head of the SBN championship standings with just two races remaining at Virginia International Raceway next month. "Being selected for the Team USA Scholarship really means a lot to me," says Daly. "I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until I actually think about all the drivers who have been selected in the past and have gone on to be so successful. Going over to England to compete is going to be a very steep learning curve but, ultimately, a very good experience. I personally can’t wait to see how different the driving styles, techniques and race-craft differ from driving in the U.S.A." Adds Newgarden: "Being selected to compete in Europe is not only a tremendous honor, but an enormous responsibility. I consider it not just my duty but my mission to represent the U.S.A. and this scholarship institution with the racing integrity it deserves. At this point in my career, the recognition from receiving this opportunity means everything to me. I expect to challenge myself and produce the ultimate result when competing for this year’s team at the two Formula Festivals in England." The pair will drive identical Ray chassis prepared by renowned Cliff Dempsey Racing, a multiple championship-winning team based in Ashbourne, County Meath, Ireland. The full lineup of Team U.S.A. Scholarship supporters will be announced shortly.
Click here for more info on the Team USA Scholarship Rick Roso
