OKA, Québec, Canada - Thomas Nepveu, a young driver from Oka, will be back in Indianapolis on May 27 for the only event on an oval track this season. Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will host the Cooper USF2000 Championship drivers on its 0.686-mile oval track, just 15 minutes away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the Month of May festivities are still in full swing.

The USF2000 series, part of the Road To Indy Presented by Cooper Tires program, will be on track only Thursday and Friday, weather permitting, while the spotlight will be on the iconic Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29.

"Racing at Lucas Oil Raceway is always special because we have to adapt our driving style," explained the driver of the #10 Cromwell | Pétrole Bélanger | Home Hardware | Karting Excellence car. "The fourth row up is the fast lane, and you have to drive along the wall the entire lap, so you have to commit and stay focused. Last year I finished 14th because I lacked experience on this track."

"However, we did some testing last week, and I have to say that I have never been so comfortable on the oval. I was consistent in my times, and we simulated a qualifying session and a race."

"It will be imperative to set a good time in qualifying, as passing is difficult. If I go off the banking, I will lose momentum, and it's almost impossible to pass. Even on the banking, passing is complicated; it can take 10 laps side-by-side with a competitor before you can pass them."

"The qualifying session will be similar to the Indy 500, I'll be on my own on the track, and I'll have a warm-up lap, then a lap on the green flag and on the white flag and the checkered will be given. The series will take the average speed of both laps to build the starting grid."

The Cooper Tire Freedom 75 will be on May 27 at 7:05 p.m., in conjunction with Carb Day in IndyCar, a pre-event to the 106th Indy 500.