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Contact: Kinley Rice
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Tyler “Sunshine” Courtney to Drive for Abacus Racing in the 2024 Chili Bowl.
INDIANAPOLIS, November 14, 2023 — Abacus Racing announced today that Indianapolis, Indiana native Tyler Courtney will pilot the #57 entry in the 2024 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl.
Courtney is the 2019 USAC National Midget champion, 2018 USAC National Sprint Car Champion and 2-time series champion of the All-Star Circuit of Champions (2021 and 2022). With an extensive resume that includes 26 USAC National sprint car wins, 13 USAC National midget wins and 2 USAC Silver Crown Wins, Courtney is excited to bring his experience to a team that is currently leading USAC National Midget series points.
“I have had a lot of success in racing, but until you get a Golden Driller, you will always feel that there is a void on your trophy shelf. To drive for Abacus (Racing) at the 2024 Chili Bowl Nationals with the year they are having, I know I have a good chance” said Courtney
Brent Cox, Team Principal for Abacus Racing, knew he was going to have a void to fill in the #57 car with current USAC National Midget Points leader Logan Seavey driving for Kevin Swindell in the 2024 Chili Bowl Nationals to defend his 2023 Chili Bowl Nationals win. Said Cox, “Logan let us know early in the year that he was committed to Kevin for the 2024 Chili Bowl Nationals, so we knew it was very important for us to find an experienced driver to fill that seat. We feel very confident we have done that with Tyler.”
The package that Abacus Racing will run for the Chili Bowl is one that Tyler is familiar with from his midget days with Clauson-Marshall Racing. “One plus is the year they are having, but another plus is that they run a Spike Chassis with CSI Shocks and a Stanton SR-11x engine so it is a package I am familiar with”, continued Courtney.
Primary sponsorship will come from long-time Courtney sponsor NOS Energy Drink. Other sponsors will include Carrington Homes, CG CPAs, Indy Custom Stone, Dozerz Nutz & Boltz and Forecheck Marketing.
“I have had some success at the Chili Bowl in prior years, winning rookie of the year in 2011 and a prelim(inary) night win in 2017, but the goal is to make that A-main on Saturday night and work to finish the night on the top step of the podium” continued Courtney. “I believe that Abacus (Racing) can give me that chance, but to get there a lot of things need to go your way along with having a great car. I look forward to getting to Tulsa to see what we can do as a team.”
The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals will begin on January 7, 2024 with practice with qualifying nights starting on January 8 and concluding with its feature events on January 13, 2024.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Contact: Kendall Hedge
kendall@teamabacusracing.com
Logan Seavey to Contest 2023 USAC National Midget Series with Abacus Racing.
INDIANAPOLIS, January 24, 2023 — Abacus Racing announced today that 2018 USAC National Midget Series champion Logan Seavey will pilot the #57 for the 2023 USAC National Midget Series. It will be the first time the team, formed in 2021, will make a full- season points run in a national series.
Seavey, fresh off of his win in the 2023 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl, had this to say, “I am very excited to drive for Abacus in 2023. Our goal is to win races and win the championship, and after driving for them in California this year, I honestly feel like we have a chance to do it.” Seavey drove for the team the last 7 races of the 2022 USAC National Midget Series, giving the team a pair of top 5 finishes. “The equipment was good, and I really enjoyed the team atmosphere and working with Johnny (Cofer) and Kirk (Simpson) for those races.”
Brent Cox, Team Principal of Abacus Racing, had this to say, “To say we are excited is an understatement. The team has continued to progress in so many areas. To make the decision to make a run for a championship is something we do not take lightly, but having Logan in the car this year was something we just could not pass up.”
Seavey, a Sutter, CA native, has already built an extensive resume in the midget ranks. He has a season championship with USAC and won the Turkey Night Grand Prix (in Ventura, CA) in 2021. With his recent Chili Bowl victory Seavey does not have much to prove in midgets. But it was Brent’s passion and future plans that has him intrigued. Continued Seavey, “For a new owner Brent has a lot of goals and future plans and I Iiked what I heard.”
Those plans include near-term and long-term goals. Continued Cox, “Going into 2023, our first goal is to lead laps in feature races. From there, you want podiums and then of course you want race wins. We have won several heat races but the goal of course is a feature win. With Logan at the wheel, and the team we have, I think that is a realistic goal. Not an easy one given the competition in the series, but realistic.”
In addition to the USAC National Midget Series races, Seavey will also pilot the team’s pavement car at the National Pavement Midget Championship races at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2023. That is something that Cox is also looking forward to. He continued, “Last year with every race at LOIRP, we made steady gains. We finished the last race (Championship Saturday) with a 4th place finish with Justin Grant as our driver. We feel like with the baseline we have we can start off the pavement season strong and put ourselves in contention for the midget championship there too.”
Seavey, who finished 2nd in the 2022 USAC Silver Crown Championship, shares the same sentiment. “I had a good season on pavement and dirt last year, so, having the ability to do the entire midget season with the Abacus will give us the ability to make improvements throughout the year which will hopefully yield the results we are looking for.”
The 2023 USAC National Midget Series kicks off April 21, 2023 at Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, IN. The first National Pavement Midget Championship race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is on May 26, 2023 with the Carb Night Classic.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
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Contact: Kendall Hedge
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Laci Ferno to drive for Abacus Racing in 2023 as part of new Women’s Development Team.
INDIANAPOLIS, January 11, 2023 — Abacus Racing announced today that North Carolina native Laci Ferno will join their team of drivers in 2023 as part of a newly formed development team. The “Abacus Racing Women’s Development Team” will begin competition in 2023 with the goal of that car being completely staffed by women no later than the end of 2025 racing season.
Brent Cox, Team Principal of Abacus Racing, had this to say, “This is something very important to me. I believe that women play a vital role in motorsports, and I would like to see more involvement at this level. In my experience in motorsports, I have had the pleasure of working with so many talented women.”
The team, which plans to race under the number 59, will drive select races in the 2023 Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series and POWRi National Midget Series, with the goal of also participating in a few USAC National Midget races.
Continued Brent Cox, “This announcement will be the first of many steps to having this car be completely women run and managed. From the team manager, crew chief, support crew, and driver of the car, the goal is for it to be 100% women. This could include an entirely separate truck and trailer that would be driven by a woman.”
Ferno, 18-years old, will be the newly formed team’s first driver. The Mooresville, North Carolina native is entering her 5th year of racing and has previous racing experience in Outlaw Karts and Micros, as well as 2 starts in 2022 in the POWRi National Midget Series. She is excited to get more opportunities in a midget.
Said Ferno, “I want to keep working to advance my racing career. I had been following Abacus Racing for a while and I am very happy to be able to drive for them. I think this team will give me the experience I need.”
It was Ferno reaching out to Brent, along with a well-timed Podcast that gave him the idea to form the team.
Continued Brent Cox, “I was traveling in my car, and listening to an episode of The Loudpedal Podcast and they had Lacey Doyle (Car Chief for RMS Racing) on there. I just loved her story and I had been in initial discussions with Laci (Ferno) at around the same time. Both stories were based on development and opportunity. That was the genesis for the team.”
Brent continued, “When I first talked to Laci, it is a story that is echoed a lot in motorsports. A driver hungry to do more, to go faster, to get results. They just need the opportunity. I have worked with drivers, executives, owners, and mechanics at all levels of The Road to Indy and INDYCAR, and the primary thing you need is the opportunity to match the drive and desire. Laci had the drive and I really liked that.”
To find women to crew the car is a challenge that Brent looks forward to. His current crew are excited at the opportunity to do what they can to locate and mentor this crew over time. It provides a challenge and an education that many women may not realize is even there.
“When you look at a dirt car, they may look unsophisticated to those who don’t truly understand just how technical these cars are. It takes a tremendous about of talent to set these cars up and to drive them at their maximum level,” continued Brent.
As part of the process, the team also plans to have a team advisory board made up entirely of women. The goal is to take the expertise of that board, along with current Abacus Racing ownership and management, to identify all the ways to make this truly a development team covering all aspects of what the team needs to be successful: marketing, social media presence, media training, technical issues, financial management, sponsorship procurement and activation and on-track success.
“This is an initiative I think can have a major impact on the sport,” continued Brent Cox.
Initial sponsors for the team, advisory board and planned races will be released later.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Contact: Kendall Hedge
kendall@teamabacusracing.com
Spirit of Speedway to Sponsor Daniel Whitley and Abacus Racing at the 2023 Chili Bowl.
INDIANAPOLIS, December 30, 2022 — It was announced on the final day of PRI that Spirit of Speedway would be the primary sponsor of the #57 entry driven by Daniel Whitley being fielded by Abacus Racing in the 2023 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl.
In an interview with Will Marotti, team owner of Marotti Autosport, he stated, “We have been pretty single focused on our entry for this year’s Indy 500, but when the opportunity to be involved in the Chili Bowl as a primary sponsor was presented we saw it as an excellent opportunity to be part of another great event and get the word out about Spirit of Speedway.”
Spirit of Speedway was launched by Marotti in 2021 as the most successful crowd fund in INDYCAR history. For 2022, the fund has been expanded with the goal of fielding an entry in the 2023 Indianapolis 500, allowing investors to work alongside corporate sponsors in the entry, not only giving individuals a chance to share in the thrill of being part of a team entering the Indianapolis 500, but to also honor and celebrate the hometown of the Indianapolis 500 – Speedway, Indiana. Marotti Autosport first competed in the 2016 Indy 500 as a co-entrant with Schmidt-Peterson and driver Oriol Servia. They qualified tenth and finished in twelfth place.
Brent Cox, Team Principal of Abacus Racing, had this to say, “The Indianapolis 500 is the reason I love racing. Growing up as a kid in Indiana, that race means a lot to me. To see Will’s passion for the sport and what he was doing with Spirit of Speedway, it seemed a natural fit for us to work together at this year’s Chili Bowl.”
Continued Marotti, “Racing is as much about honoring its history as it is future innovation. In all the years of the Indianapolis 500, many towns have been honored, but never the hometown of the Indianapolis 500. We see this as a great opportunity to do that with Spirit of Speedway.”
The Chili Bowl has often been labeled “The Indy 500 of Midget Racing.” It is an event that yearly has over 300 cars entered, with practice and racing over 7 days in hopes to make the coveted A-Main Feature race on the final night.
Continued Brent Cox, “The Chili Bowl is an event you have on your mind all year long. To be successful a lot of things have to go your way. It is just like the Indianapolis 500. To win the 500 you have to first make the race. Then you have to finish the 200 laps, have 7 flawless pit stops, get the pit strategy correct, not get caught up in another driver’s accident and have a car fast enough at the end to win. The Chili Bowl is the same way. You have to do very well on your qualifying night to either lock into the A-Main or have enough points to make sure the feature race you start in on Saturday gives you a realistic chance to make the top feature. When you start with over 300 cars, a lot can go wrong to prevent you from doing that and a lot of that may be out of your control.”
To further that point, veteran racer Dillon Welch, driving the #58 as teammate to Daniel Whitley and veteran broadcaster with NBC, the MRN Radio Network and former voice of USAC, is excited to get another opportunity for a Golden Driller said, “This will be my 11th time entering the Chili Bowl. I made the A-Main in 2020, but when I came back in 2021, my qualifying night did not go well with a variety of unfortunate circumstances and in the end got taken out by a competitor in an accident that caused irreparable damage to the car and ended my chances to continue racing the rest of the week. It was gut-wrenching, but that is racing. You need everything to go right to have the kind of success we want as drivers there.” For Welch, that happened in 2022 when he came back and made the A-Main again. “Racing normally offers you another chance at redemption, and luckily we got that in 2022.”
Hoping to make the A-Main in 2023 and driving in his first Chili Bowl will be Ferndale California’s Daniel Whitley who recently drove for Abacus for the last 7 races in the USAC National Midget Series. “Since I got the call from the team, things have moved really fast. After we finished in California, I remember Brent saying, ‘now it’s Chili Bowl time!’ I am very excited for the event and to do what I can for Abacus Racing and to represent Spirit of Speedway in the #57 car.”
“What Daniel showed us in California is he has the speed to win right now. In the last few weeks of the season, Daniel made a feature in a 410 sprint car at Oval Nationals and made 6 of the 7 feature races in our midget in California,” Said Brent Cox. “We are excited to see what he does in Tulsa.”
Continued Marotti, “The Indy 500 is the biggest race in the world. The Chili Bowl is the biggest Midget race in the world. As a team, we are excited to be involved with both events and excited to see how the team and Daniel does.” More information about Spirit of Speedway can be found at www.spiritofspeedway.com.
The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals will begin on January 8, 2023 with practice with qualifying nights starting on January 9 and concluding with its feature events on January 14, 2023.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Contact: Kendall Hedge
kendall@teamabacusracing.com
Dillon Welch to Drive for Abacus Racing in the 2023 Chili Bowl.
INDIANAPOLIS, November 15, 2022 — Abacus Racing announced today that Carmel, Indiana native Dillon Welch will pilot the #58 entry in the 2023 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl.
Welch, a veteran broadcaster with NBC, the MRN Radio Network and former voice of USAC, is excited to get another opportunity for a Golden Driller.
“Dirt racing is something that I love and am very passionate about. For me, the pinnacle of that is the Chili Bowl. It is something I look forward to every year and to be able to do it again is special” said Welch who has participated in the event since 2013 and has made the coveted A-Main twice, including the most recent Chili Bowl in 2022.
For Abacus Racing, putting Welch in one of their entries adds to a list of drivers who have driven for the team in its first full year of competition. Current Xfinity Series driver Sheldon Creed drove for the team at this year’s BC39, while Justin Grant drove for the team at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in October. 2018 USAC Midget Series Champion Logan Seavey is driving for the team for the last 7 races in California as a teammate to rookie talent Daniel Whitley. Adding Welch to its list of drivers is something the team is very proud of.
“When forming Abacus Racing, Dillon was someone I wanted to work with and had in mind when the team was first formed. However, he had just come off of a pretty bad Chili Bowl event (in 2021) and had hinted he was not going to race anymore. However, he decided to keep going and made the A-Main in 2022.” Said Brent Cox, Team Principal for Abacus Racing. He continued, “Then Dillon and I started talking and he hinted he wanted to run at it again and I asked him if he would be willing to drive for us and he said he would. That brings it full circle for me.”
Co-host of the Loudpedal Podcast, Dillon had kept tabs on the team since its inception and was familiar with the progress they had made in their first year. “I think I was one of the first people Brent called to tell me about the team and that Maria (Cofer) was going to drive for him. Being friends with both of them and being in the industry, I couldn’t help but watch their progress. Obviously I’ve liked what I have seen so far.”
Maria Cofer recently stepped away from driving due to health concerns. Her father, Johnny Cofer, who will continue to stay involved with the team, was thrilled at the opportunity to work with Dillon. “I was like ‘heck yeah’ let’s run Dillon. He is so good there and that would be awesome to have him run for us” said Cofer, who continued, “Dillon does not race as much as a lot of the people that show up for the Chili Bowl, but he just understands how to get around that place really well.”
Driving a Spike Chassis powered by a Stanton SR-11x motor, the team feels it has the package to be competitive. Continued Welch, “Last year, they had a really good car. Maria was driving in the same qualifying race as me and was doing well but got caught out by a spinning car that ended her night. Which is the toughest thing about the Chili Bowl. To make that A-Main everything has to go right for you. That is what makes the race so special.”
The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals will begin on January 8, 2023 with practice with qualifying nights starting on January 9 and concluding with its feature events on January 14, 2023. Sponsorship and livery for the #58 entry will be announced at a later date.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Contact: Kendall Hedge
kendall@teamabacusracing.com
Logan Seavey and Daniel Whitley to Drive for Abacus Racing for the USAC Western Swing.
INDIANAPOLIS, October 28, 2022 — Abacus Racing announced today that it will field entries for Logan Seavey and Daniel Whitley for the final races of the USAC National Midget Series schedule.
Seavey will pilot the #58 entry with primary sponsorship from Indy Custom Stone. Currently 13th in National Points, Seavey will look to finish the season strong. “I am excited to drive for Abacus. We have been in discussions for a while about working together, and it made sense to do the races in California.” The 25-year old Sutter, California native and 2018 USAC National Midget Series champion continued, “I got my racing roots started at these tracks. To work with Johnny (Cofer) and Kirk (Simpson) who are both from California will make the California Connection strong.”
The first race will be at Bakersfield Speedway on November 15, and after 3 races at Placerville Speedway and 2 races at Merced Speedway, the Western Swing will end with the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Speedway on November 26, where Seavey is the defending champion.
Said Seavey, “To win Turkey Night last year was one of if not the highlight of my racing career. I am glad to have the ability to go back and try to win it again.”
Having Seavey in the car provides Abacus with veteran experience, which had its primary driver since the team’s inception, Maria Cofer, step away from racing due to health issues. “It was tough to know Maria wasn’t going to be in the car anymore. But, as a team, we knew we needed to do what we could to field entries for these races and Logan was a natural selection for us”, said Brent Cox, Team Principal for Abacus Racing.
Continuing the California Connection will be Daniel Whitley from Ferndale, California who will be driving the teams familiar #57. The 18-year old debuted with the team in the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series earlier this month where he drove his first midget races on the national stage. In his first night with the team, Whitley won his heat race. About the race, Whitley commented, “When I won the race, the series came over the radio and said to proceed to victory lane. I didn’t even know where it was!” Whitley got the call to drive for the team just 2 days prior to that first night in the car. Continued Whitley, “One minute I am getting a call from Johnny and Kirk offering me the ride, then next thing I know I am being interviewed by Hannah Newhouse on DirtVision. It was surreal.”
With primary sponsorship from Forecheck Marketing, Whitley is excited to have the opportunity to continue driving for Abacus. Said Brent Cox, “Daniel really impressed us with his results a few weeks ago. We have a lot of anticipation to see what he does in California.”
Like Seavey, Whitley’s racing roots began in California. “I have driven these tracks a lot in my career, so to come back here and race on the national level is something I am very excited about.”
Whitley has extensive experience in 410 and 360 wingless sprint cars in California, having won 7 times this year along with a history of track championships and rookie honors in 2021. It’s a youthful compliment to Seavey’s extensive racing resume.
“We are very happy with our California driver line-up. Both have experience at these tracks and have had success and won races. Having both of them along with Johnny and Kirk who also have experience at these tracks give us a lot of confidence as a team going into these races,” said Brent Cox.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Contact: Kendall Hedge
kendall@teamabacusracing.com
Abacus Racing announces Indy Fuel as primary sponsor for BC39
The ECHL hockey team will be the primary sponsor for Maria Cofer at the BC39 Event August 3 & 4 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
INDIANAPOLIS, July 20, 2022 — Abacus Racing announced today primary sponsorship from the Indy Fuel for the No. 57 car being driven by Maria Cofer at the annual USAC National Midget Series event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 3-4.
The Indy Fuel are a minor league hockey team in the ECHL that began play in the 2014-2015 season. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Fuel plays their home games at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. They are affiliated with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL’s Rockford Ice Hogs.
“I could not be more excited for this announcement. When it comes to sports, I love hockey and I love racing. To be able to combine them for this event is very special” said Brent Cox, Team Principal for Abacus Racing.
Larry McQueary, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Indy Fuel, commented, “We are excited to partner with Brent and Abacus Racing on this sponsorship. Being based in Indianapolis, our team has always had a racing theme behind It. To be a sponsor for the team at this event is special, and there are other elements to the sponsorship that excite us. It is a comprehensive program with more announcements to come.”
The driver of the Abacus Racing No. 57 Indy Fuel car is Macdoel, California native Maria Cofer. “Brent has been talking about this for a while. I know both sides have worked hard to come up with a program that works for both sides and it is going to be fun to be a part of it”, said Cofer.
Other sponsors for the No. 57 car are: Cox, Beckman, Goss & Company; Indy Custom Stone; Don Smock Auctions; Viva Tia Maria; Prime 47 – Indy’s Steakhouse; Chernoff Cosmetic Surgeons; Drexel Interiors; O’Reilly’s Irish Bar & Restaurant; Laura Kopetsky Tri-Ax; Carrington Homes.
Cofer will drive along Xfinity driver Sheldon Creed who is making his midget debut at this event in a deal announced on July 5, 2022. Creed’s sponsors and livery will be announced soon.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Contact: Kaitlin Craig
media@teamabacusracing.com
(Getty Images)
Sheldon Creed to Make Midget Debut at Famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sheldon Creed to drive for Abacus Racing at the BC39 Event on August 3 & 4 as a teammate to Maria Cofer.
INDIANAPOLIS, July 5, 2022 — Abacus Racing announced today that it will be fielding a second entry for NASCAR Xfinity driver Sheldon Creed for the annual USAC National Midget Series event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 3-4.
Creed will drive along full-time Abacus Racing driver Maria Cofer, who made her debut with the team at this event in 2021.
“As a team, we have been talking about running a second car for a few events this year, and what better place to make that happen than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the BC39 where the team had its first race last year”, said Brent Cox, Team Principal for Abacus Racing.
Creed comes to the team with an extensive racing resume. Currently driving the No. 2 Chevrolet Camero for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Creed also has racing experience in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series where he won the series championship in 2020, as well as the Stadium Super Trucks, Trans Am, ARCA, and K&N Series. Creed, a 24-year-old from El Cajon, CA, is known for his diversity to drive any type of vehicle.
“As a driver, I want to race as much as I possibly can and to drive anything I possibly can. I have always wanted to drive a midget, so I am very excited at the opportunity”, said Creed who has recent dirt experience driving micro sprints.
Cofer, in her first full season with the team, said. “To have a teammate for the first time with Abacus Racing will be something special. For it to be Sheldon is even better” said the 22-year-old from Macdoel, CA.
Abacus Racing has a test session planned for Creed in the midget before the BC39. “I am coming here to be competitive. The level of talent at this race is always very strong, from series regulars to other entrants who come to drive this race because of its significance”, Creed said. He continued, “I want to learn as much as I can from that test so it can translate to the event. I want to provide all the feedback I can for myself and the team.”
More information regarding sponsors and the team liveries for both Cofer and Creed for the BC39 will be announced in the coming weeks.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Contact: Kaitlin Craig
media@teamabacusracing.com
Abacus Racing to Enter Final 7 Races in the USAC National Midget Series Calendar
Maria Cofer to pilot the No. 57 Abacus Racing car at the Bakersfield Speedway, Placerville Speedway, Merced Speedway and Ventura Speedway.
INDIANAPOLIS, October 27, 2021 — Abacus Racing announced today that it will again be fielding the No. 57 entry in the final 7 races of the USAC National Midget Series. The races will take place at Bakersfield Speedway, Placerville Speedway, Merced Speedway and Ventura Speedway at races spanning from November 16 to November 27.
Driving the No. 57 at the USAC Nationals will be Abacus Racing driver and Macdoel, California native Maria Cofer.
“Maria and I have been talking about doing these races since we started working together. It was something we both really wanted to do, and I am so happy we are able to pull the program together for her and the team”, said Brent Cox, Team Principal for Abacus Racing. “With Maria being from California, it makes the opportunity even that much better.”
Cofer most recently drove for Abacus Racing at the USAC Nationals in September at Huset’s Speedway. She had a great weekend going, winning the Hard Charger award at the Friday night feature. Unfortunately, engine issues on Sunday ended her weekend prematurely. Having secured a new motor for the season ending races, Cofer is hopeful to end the season on a high note.
“My racing roots are in California. These are tracks I have raced on a lot so needless to say I am excited at the opportunity to race there again. Having a new engine gives me even more confidence.”
The series of races will culminate with the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway, for which her father, Johnny Cofer (1994 USAC Western States Midget Champion and current) will serve as the event’s Grand Marshall.
Cofer added, “Being able to run the final race of the season with my dad as the Grand Marshall of the event is really special. I’m looking forward to celebrating that honor with him, while finishing strong for Abacus Racing. All of these races are a great step for the team as we prepare for the 2022 season and beyond.”
The team will again be sponsored by Cox, Beckman, Goss & Company, Indy Custom Stone, Ambre Blends and Viva Tia Maria. Other sponsors include Prime 47 – Indy’s Steakhouse, Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery, O’Reilly’s Irish Bar & Restaurant, Ice Barn, KLH Audio, Zirkle Advisors, Guy Co. Homes & Remodeling, Business Art Designs, Tule Vista Ranches and Shining Cross Performance Horses. New sponsors for these races are Exact Insure are Exact IT Consulting.
Maria Cofer is the first female RBO 250 Champion (2014-2015) has already established herself as a driver to watch. Her list of accomplishments includes securing back-to-back BCRA Championships (2017/2018) and currently being tied for most USAC main event wins at Petaluma (CA) Speedway. She was chosen for the 2018 TRD Combine and Cofer was the first female driver to win an official event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when she won a heat race on September 5, 2018, during the 2018 BC39.
Brent Cox is the Managing Partner at Cox, Beckman, Goss & Company, a certified public accounting and business consulting firm in Indianapolis. The Portsmouth, Virginia native is a graduate of Ball State University and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He grew up in Anderson, Indiana and currently resides in Indianapolis with his wife and family.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Contact: Kaitlin Craig
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Abacus Racing to Enter USAC Nationals
Maria Cofer to pilot the No. 57 Abacus Racing car at the USAC National’s event on September 10-11 at Huset’s Speedway.
INDIANAPOLIS, September 2, 2021 — After debuting at the BC39 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 18-19, Abacus Racing announced today that it will again be fielding the No. 57 entry in the USAC Nationals as part of the USAC National Midget Series at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota on September 10-12.
Driving the No. 57 at the USAC Nationals will be Abacus Racing driver and Macdoel, California native Maria Cofer.
“The BC39 was a great first event for Abacus Racing”, said Brent Cox, Team Principal for Abacus Racing. “Maria did an excellent job in the car, and our sponsors who attended the event were thrilled to watch Maria race. I can tell you they are as excited as I am to watch our program grow.”
Running in the USAC National Series at the BC39 against a strong field of competitors gave Cofer, already an established USAC midget racer at the age of 22, the necessary time and experience in the car.
“When we saw that there were over 70 entrants entered for the BC39 and the quality of those entrants, we knew it was going to be a challenge but that is what we are looking for as a team”, said Cofer. “We left that Thursday night after the event very pleased with our progress and Brent and I both knew the key to future success of the team was to enter more races.”
The team will again be sponsored by Cox, Beckman, Goss & Company, Indy Custom Stone, Ambre Blends and Viva Tia Maria. Other sponsors include Prime 47 – Indy’s Steakhouse, Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery, O’Reilly’s Irish Bar & Restaurant, Ice Barn, KLH Audio, Zirkle Advisors, Guy Co. Homes & Remodeling, Business Art Designs, Tule Vista Ranches and Shining Cross Performance Horses.
Abacus Racing also plans to run the last seven races in this year’s USAC National Midget Series. The livery and sponsorship announcements and specific plans for those races will be coming later.
Maria Cofer is the first female RBO 250 Champion (2014-2015) has already established herself as a driver to watch. Her list of accomplishments includes securing back-to-back BCRA Championships (2017/2018) and currently being tied for most USAC main event wins at Petaluma (CA) Speedway. She was chosen for the 2018 TRD Combine and Cofer was the first female driver to win an official event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when she won a heat race on September 5, 2018 during the 2018 BC39.
Brent Cox is the Managing Partner at Cox, Beckman, Goss & Company, a certified public accounting and business consulting firm in Indianapolis. The Portsmouth, Virginia native is a graduate of Ball State University and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He grew up in Anderson, Indiana and currently resides in Indianapolis with his wife and family.
Abacus Racing is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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PRESS RELEASE 8/4/21
Contact: Kaitlin Craig
media@teamabacusracing.com
Abacus Racing to Make Debut at Famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Maria Cofer to pilot the No. 57 Abacus Racing car
at the BC39 Event August 18 & 19
INDIANAPOLIS, August 4, 2021 — Abacus Racing announced today that it will be fielding the No. 57 entry in its USAC National Midget Series debut at the BC39 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 18-19. The team, established by Team Principal Brent Cox, is headquartered in Indianapolis and will be sponsored by Cox, Beckman, Goss & Company, Indy Custom Stone, Ambre Blends and Viva Tia Maria.