This is the weekend that has long been anticipated for Rising Star Racing as the Mazda Road to Indy championships will be decided at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Both Spencer Pigot and Neil Alberico are in the thick of the championship hunt in their respective categories as the 2015 season culminates with a double-header event for both the Indy Lights and Pro Mazda Series.

Less than three years ago, Timothé Buret set himself on an ambitious racing program designed to put him into competitive open-wheel racing as quickly as possible. The young Frenchman has seen the fruits of that labor this season in Pro Mazda, earning a victory and eight podium finishes, which sets him third in the championship heading into the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Neil Alberico is the very picture of California cool. The affable 22-year-old Los Gatos native enjoys surfing, golfing and racing cars. But on the inside burns a competitive fire that belies the cool exterior, a fire that earned Alberico last year’s Pro Mazda Spirit Award, presented to the driver or team that embodies the heart of a champion as they strive to reach their goals.

Team Pelfrey’s Santiago Urrutia made an immediate impact in Pro Mazda competition, finishing second and fourth at the season-opener in St. Petersburg, Fla., and earning his first series victory two weeks later at NOLA Motorsports Park. The 19-year-old Uruguayan comes to the season finale with plans to take home the title – and to honor a fallen countryman.

There was lots to smile about under the JDC MotorSports tent last weekend (July 30-August 1) during the Mazda Road to Indy event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.