News:

ROMAN LAGUDI SET FOR USF2000 ACTION AT MID-OHIO

"Two month series break will see the Belardi Auto Racing team driver back behind the wheel this weekend"

August 2, 2012 – After a two month hiatus, Roman Lagudi will return to action this weekend as the 2012 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda series resumes at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Piloting his Belardi Auto Racing #4 Champion Stone/Tool and Supply/High Performance Distributors entry, Lagudi will look to his strong Mid-Ohio test results from the beginning of May as motivation to excel this weekend. Posting times at the top of the time sheets during the test, Lagudi should have the speed to stay at the top during the doubleheader event.

After garnering his fourth podium finish in five starts at the most recent 'Night Before the 500' festivities at the end of May, Lagudi is primed and ready to return to the driver's seat. With the USF2000 running in support of both the IZOD IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series, Lagudi will take to the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course in Lexington, Ohio for rounds six and seven.

Emerging as a championship contender due to his four podium results to date, Lagudi currently sits 38 markers behind the overall leader and will look to continue his string of strong results this weekend. A strong 30-car field is set to contest the doubleheader event, and Lagudi is certainly ready to get back into action.

"I am ready to take it to the next level," explained Lagudi. "We have had several strong podium finishes so far, and now I will be looking for that elusive first win. The Mid-Ohio circuit really suits me, and I had a strong test here in May, so this could be my weekend."

Lagudi and his Belardi Auto Racing team will take in two test sessions today, Thursday, August 2, before Friday will see the two official practice sessions. Round six action starts Saturday, August 4 at 10:10am EDT for qualifying with the race commencing at 4:25pm EDT. Back on track Sunday for round seven, an early morning warm up will be first on the schedule before the 11:20am EDT race. Live timing and scoring is available at =http://www.usf2000.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)