Besides not winning a race, the hardest thing for most racing drivers is waiting for the next one. Fortunately for Rising Star Racing pilots Josef Newgarden, Spencer Pigot and Neil Alberico, that long wait is drawing to the close as all three look forward to the season-opening IndyCar event in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 28-30.

The fourth annual Cooper Tires Winterfest will kick off on Friday, February 21, with an expanded portfolio, plenty of track time for all three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy development ladder and two new venues.

American Michael Johnson will be part of the fight in Pro Mazda, while American Clark Toppe and Australian Scott Andrews are set to do battle in USF2000. When the action shifts to Barber Motorsports Park just a few days later (February 25-26), the trio will be joined by American Kyle Connery in a second Pro Mazda entry.

Quotes from drivers Garett Grist and Shelby Blackstock.

The reigning Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda champion is delighted to be a part of the team’s new Pro Mazda program.