Shelby Blackstock Joins Andretti Autosport For 2012 USF2000 Season

INDIANAPOLIS - Andretti Autosport announced today that they have added Shelby Blackstock to their Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda lineup for the 2012 season. Blackstock will pilot the No. 8 USF2000 car.

Andretti Autosport Credit: Andretti Autosport

Blackstock, a 21-year-old from Nashville, Tenn., has gained attention in the racing world for his performance in the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Series presented by Mazda as well as various Skip Barber regional series. He finished the 2011 Skip Barber National Series in fifth place in championship point standings with two podium finishes.

In 2011, Blackstock also earned two wins in the Skip Barber Summer Series and finished fourth in point standings. He also competed in the Formula Ford 1600 series and GRAND-AM series in 2011. Blackstock gained valuable experience in 2010 while competing in the Skip Barber Summer Series and Skip Barber Southern Regional Series.

Blackstock will take the green flag with Andretti Autosport for the first time at the USF2000 Cooper Tires Winterfest in February 2012 at Sebring International Raceway and Palm Beach International Raceway. The first rounds of the 2012 USF2000 season will begin in March at Sebring.

Sanctioned by INDYCAR, the USF2000 National Championship, presented by Cooper Racing Tires and powered by Mazda, is one of two series part of both the INDYCAR's Mazda Road to Indy ladder system and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver program. Andretti Autosport is currently the only INDYCAR team with entries in all levels of the Mazda Road to Indy.

"We're really excited to have Shelby on board for 2012. He's proven to be a quick learner and quick on the track. We have a really strong lineup for USF2000, so I look forward to helping Shelby compete for the championship."

"I'm honored to join a team like Andretti Autosport as I start my career in the Mazda Road to Indy. The Indy 500 and IMS is such a sacred place for drivers, and I am excited that I'm about to take my first step to racing there in the future. I can't wait to get some experience in the USF2000 car and start getting some podium finishes for the 2012 season. Thanks to Michael Andretti and everyone for making this opportunity a reality for me."

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