BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Exclusive Autosport (EA) has signed 17-year-old Joel Granfors as their third driver for the USF Pro 2000 presented by Cooper Tires season.
Granfors, who will pilot the No. 92 Corpay Exclusive Autosport entry, joins EA after a successful 2022 campaign, finishing second in Britain’s GB3 Championship with two wins, three poles and 11 podium finishes.
“This is a thrilling step in my career and literally a new challenge in so many ways,” Granfors said. “It’s a new continent, all new tracks, a new car and a new team, but I’ve massively enjoyed all I’ve seen of it so far. The team has really made me feel at home and I couldn’t be prouder to be in the No. 92 Exclusive Autosport Corpay branded car. It’s all about picking your opportunities in this sport and, for me, I feel the package is right to make this move and try to chase the American dream.”
USF Pro 2000 is the final step on the USF Pro Championships presented by Cooper Tires development system ladder, which leads drivers onwards to INDY NXT (previously known as Indy Lights) and, ultimately, the NTT IndyCar Series — the top tier of U.S. single-seater racing.
To aid progression for talented drivers, USF Pro Championships offers up one of motorsport’s largest scholarships with the USF Pro 2000 year-end driver championship scholarship valued at approximately $664,500 USD to advance to the 2024 Indy NXT Championship.
His signing/announcement brings the Exclusive Autosport USF Pro 2000 squad up to three full-season drivers as Granfors will join already announced teammates Yuven Sundaramoorthy and Lindsay Brewer in the team’s quest for a USF Pro 2000 Championship.
“I am really happy to have Joel join the Exclusive Autosport program for the 2023 season,” said Michael Duncalfe, team principal. “Joel has a proven record on track and his skills and experience will lend itself very well to the USF Pro 2000 car. We had a very successful two days of testing at Sebring International Raceway this past week. He adapted very well to all of the new variables that were thrown his way and his speed showed immediately out of the gate.
“With the testing program we have set out for Joel, I am confident he will be a title contender for the 2023 USF Pro 2000 championship.”
Exclusive Autosport has also continued its partnership with Corpay Cross-Border Solutions. Granfors will don the trademark Raspberry Corpay suit and Corpay-branded livery for the upcoming season.
“Absolutely thrilled to have Joel driving in the No. 92 Corpay Exclusive Autosport USF Pro 2000 car,” said Frank Mannarino, VP, Head of Channels & Alliances, Corpay Cross-Border Solutions. “As a provider of global payments and a multi-year sponsor to Exclusive Autosport, team Corpay is looking forward to supporting this very talented young driver in his journey as he acclimates to new North American tracks and strong competition.”
Granfors will continue an extensive pre-season testing program in preparation for the start of the season on March 3-5 in St. Petersburg, Fla. The USF Pro 2000 Championship presented by Cooper Tires consists of 18 races, including an oval event at Lucas Oil Raceway taking place on the same weekend as the Indianapolis 500.