Premium synthetic lubricant and performance chemical manufacturer, Royal Purple®, awarded one driver in each of the three Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires series with the Royal Purple “Slickest Pass,” Award, a $5,000 check to aid them in reaching their goal of racing in the Indy 500.

The unique and highly acclaimed three-step Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires open-wheel driver development program, which offers annual scholarships and awards worth over $3.6M to assist drivers to progress from the grassroots to the pinnacle of the sport in North America, will run alongside the Verizon IndyCar Series on all race weekends in 2017.

Champions from all three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires open-wheel driver development program were honored last night in the Championship Celebration banquet at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. A total of more than $2.3M in Mazda Scholarships and other awards was distributed.

French rookie improves throughout season, winning two races in freshman campaign

The Final race, on the last day, championship Sunday, 23 year-old rookie Aaron Telitz captured the 2016 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Mazda Scholarship by winning the final race of the year.