News:

ROMAN LAGUDI HEADS TO INDIANAPOLIS FOR THE 'NIGHT BEFORE THE 500'

"Belardi Auto Racing team driver looks to continue impressive streak at Lucas Oil Raceway"

May 24, 2012 - Starting off the 2012 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda series with an impressive run of three podium finishes, Belardi Auto Racing pilot Roman Lagudi heads to Indianapolis, Indiana with confidence. While not in racing mode since the second stop of the series in March at the Streets of St. Petersburg rounds, two recent tests have kept the Las Vegas, Nevada resident fresh heading into this next important race. Taking on the banked-oval at the Lucas Oil Raceway as part of the ‘Night Before the 500’ festivities with the United States Auto Club, Lagudi will put his skills to the test at the only oval stop on the 2012 USF2000 calendar.

Recently taking on two important test sessions at the beginning of May, Lagudi excelled first at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in preparation for the August 4-5 USF2000 event. Making a quick turn-around to Indianapolis, Lagudi and his Belardi Auto Racing team also impressed at the five- hours of oval testing at Lucas Oil Raceway as he geared up for this coming weekend. Taking in the Mazda Road to Indy Clinic the day prior, Lagudi used the knowledge learned from a panel of experts to quickly get up to speed at the 0.686-mile oval track. Posting times in the top three, the Sydney, Australia native will look to keep up his impressive streak to date in 2012, and vie for the coveted race win during the prestigious event.

"I am really looking forward to the oval race," explained Lagudi. "We tested great and I think we are in good shape to challenge for the top spot. I continue to be very motivated and focused on improving on my points position."

Lagudi has already arrived in Indianapolis, with a full pre-event schedule of photo shoots, meet & greets, autograph sessions and meetings. On-track action will begin Friday, May 25 with testing from 3:00-6:00pm. Two practice session will follow Saturday morning and afternoon at the famed Lucas Oil Raceway, with qualifying slated for 4:10-4:55pm. The green flag will drop at 7:40pm eastern time and live timing and scoring will be available at www.f2000.com/Multimedia/Live.aspx.

The 2012 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda series will see 11 stops at some of the most prestigious tracks North America has to offer. Running weekends with the IZOD IndyCar series, the American LeMans series and the United States Auto Club, Lagudi is set to contest for the overall series title with championship-caliber team Belardi Auto Racing. The Las Vegas, Nevada resident is working towards a dream career in motorsports and is proud to represent drivers taking the first step in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder development program.

Roman Lagudi is proudly sponsored by High Performance Distributors and Champion Stone Tool and Supply. For more information on Roman Lagudi, please visit www.RomanLagudi.com or email Paul Lagudi at paul@romanlagudi.com.

2012 Schedule:

Sebring International Raceway, Florida
March 14-16, 2012
(With American Le Mans)

Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida
March 23-25, 2012
(With IZOD IndyCar Series)

Lucas Oil Raceway, Indiana
May 26, 2012
(Night Before the 500 with USAC)

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
August 3-5, 2012
(With IZOD IndyCar Series and ALMS)

Road America, Wisconsin
August 17-19, 2012
(With American Le Mans)

Streets of Baltimore, Maryland
September 1-2, 2012
(With IZOD IndyCar Series and ALMS)

Virginia International Raceway
September 14-15, 2012
(With American Le Mans)