While race winners Zach Veach, Luke Ellery, Spencer Pigot and Petri Suvanto each garnered their time in the spotlight, USF2000 alumni also have scored their share of headlines.

A large portion of the crowd stayed on after this afternoon’s IZOD IndyCar Series season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg to watch Petri Suvanto become the fourth different winner in as many rounds of the hotly contested Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda.

Spencer Pigot scored an accomplished maiden victory in just his third start in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda, leading from flag to flag this afternoon on the challenging 1.8-mile street circuit in St. Petersburg, Fla.

A thrilling 30-minute qualifying session for Round Three of the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda ended with 17-year-old MAZDASPEED Development driver Spencer Pigot turning a last-gasp lap at 1:13.955 (an average speed of 87.621 mph) to edge Colombian-born, Mexico City-based Juan Piedrahita by a scant 0.002 seconds.

Just one week after emerging victorious from a thrilling race at the famed Sebring International Raceway road course, young Australian Luke Ellery this weekend will defend his hard-earned lead in the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda on the tight and unforgiving 1.8-mile street circuit in St. Petersburg, Fla.