Andretti Autosport announced it has signed Spencer Pigot as the team's second entry in the 2011 USF2000 National Championship. Pigot will drive the No. 8 car for Andretti Autosport.
Pigot, a 17-year-old born in Pasadena, Calif., and currently residing in Windermere, Fla., captured this year's BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda title with three wins, five poles and 11 podium finishes.
"The opportunity to drive for Michael Andretti is something I didn't think could happen until much later in my career," said the teen-aged Pigot. "It's an honor to be associated with Andretti Autosport, and I'm really looking forward to driving for the team next year in the USF2000 series. My main goal is to become an IZOD IndyCar driver, so there is no better place for me than with this team.
"With all of the knowledge and experience of Andretti Autosport, I'm very excited to be a part of the family. I learned a lot last year in the Skip Barber National Championship that prepared me very well for the upcoming season. I have to thank everyone at MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development, Skip Barber and Andretti Autosport for giving me the opportunity to move up to the first step in the Mazda Road to Indy program."
Pigot won his first karting championship title at age 10 and took his first national title just one year later. His success continued with several prestigious series and race wins, eventually leading to an entry into the Skip Barber National series as a MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Driver. Pigot was also named a Team USA Scholarship winner this year and recently competed in the Formula Ford Festival, qualifying on pole for his heat, finishing fourth in the final, and setting fastest race lap.
Sanctioned by IndyCar, Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda is one of two series part of both IndyCar's Mazda Road to Indy ladder system and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver program. The 2011 USF2000 season will begin March 17 at Sebring International Raceway.