USF Pro 2000

Myles plays a winning tune in Saint Pete.

Myles Rowe, young American talent powered by Penske Entertainment, started his 2023 racing campaign hustling and winning in the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida past weekend, pouncing on the podium in both USF Pro 2000 races of the weekend.

He qualified fourth for the opening race of the weekend on Saturday. At the end of the 25-lap race he climbed on the podium in third place less than a second behind race winner.

A stellar performance in Sunday’s race 2 saw him move up rapidly from fifth on the grid. By lap 10 he was in charge of the lead and never looked back – apart from the cool down lap when he pulled in front of the first-corner grandstands to wave to his proud family, in attendance in full force from Atlanta.

This was his second triumph in St Pete in two years. Last year he won the USF2000 race.

A merry Myles described his street success, “It was a blast, honestly. My opponents made it really hard for me. Coming from fifth, I had to get around Lirim, who didn’t make it easy at all that first couple of laps. Then I had to get by Jace, who always makes it hard on me, which is great. And then Francesco who made it very difficult and pushed me all the way down to the inside in the marbles, but somehow, I got it done.

“I capitalized on a little error from Kiko and luckily ran away with it. Pabst just gave me an amazing car to keep the lead and stretch it out a bit. Credit to Bob (Perona), my driver coach, and all my sponsors – Penske Entertainment, Force Indy, Pabst Racing, Sparco, Bell, SimCraft. “Without them, it wouldn’t be possible, so I am just super blessed. I am really thankful for my family being here so they got to see it and I am looking forward to going home and enjoying it with them.”

Rookie Myles leads the championship with 53 points; three more than second year Brazilian driver Kiko Porto.

Last year Myles had a mega season in the US formula 2000 Championship; he scored more wins (5) and had more podium finishes (10) than any other driver, and placed second in the championship.

He is currently a university student based in Brooklyn. Graduation may be a year or two away, he already has a degree in high performance.

– Nasir Hameed.