LEXINGTON, Ohio - Joel Granfors targets a quick return to front-running form when USF Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires descends on Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, for a fresh pair of races this weekend.
 
Granfors, who celebrated his 18th birthday last week, has clinched three podiums - including a breakthrough win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway - so far in his rookie campaign in U.S. single-seater racing.

A more difficult weekend last time out at Road America, however, meant Granfors and his Exclusive Autosport squad did not add to their podium tally in Wisconsin.

A swift return to the rostrum, consequently, will be high up the wish list as racing resumes at Mid-Ohio.
 
“We had a tough weekend at Road America, but we believe that was track specific and we actually had a much better test, at Mid-Ohio, just a few days later,” says Granfors. “We just need to press on and I'm confident we'll be right back up there this weekend.”
 
Just over halfway through the season, the USF Pro 2000 championship race continues to gain momentum with six drivers of six different nationalities currently running each other close in the standings.

Out front, local American Myles Rowe leads the way ahead of Italy's Francesco Pizzi, Brazil's Kiko Porto, fourth-placed Granfors of Sweden, Mexico's Salvador de Alba and Ireland's Jonathan Browne. 
 
The top six is currently separated by 67 points - almost the exact same amount (66) on offer for a clean-sweep this weekend alone in Mid-Ohio. Factor in subsequent meetings in Toronto, Texas and Oregon, and it's clear to see the scholarship race is still very much a wide-open affair. 

This weekend's USF Pro 2000 event at Mid-Ohio takes place across Thursday-Saturday. First up are a pair of test sessions on Thursday, followed by qualifying day on Friday. Both races are staged on Saturday.