What a season! First and foremost, a massive thank you to all the racers, teams, parents, and families who made the Formula Pro USA 2025 season such a success. We were thrilled to watch each competitor grow, continually gaining invaluable skills, becoming faster, and maturing both on and off the track. The passion and commitment you bring are what define this series.
The 2025 Formula Pro USA season concluded in spectacular fashion this past weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, where an unexpected atmospheric river brought heavy rain to what is typically a dry and sunny venue. Despite the challenging wet conditions, drivers in the FPUSA 4, FPUSA 3, and WRS classes delivered thrilling performances across two races, culminating in the crowning of the year’s champions.
“It was a fitting end to an incredible season, with Mother Nature adding an extra layer of excitement and testing our drivers’ skills to the limit,” said BD Morgan, Principal of Exclusive Racing. “Congratulations to all our competitors, race winners, and new champions. We’re already looking ahead to 2026, where we’ll continue providing a premier platform for aspiring racers to build their careers in a supportive, affordable environment.”
Saturday’s race unfolded under a steady downpour, turning the track into a slick challenge. In FPUSA 4, Austin Kaszuba dominated with a composed drive, securing first place and the fastest lap. Ridgeley Welsh followed closely in second, while Yashom Kapoor rounded out the podium in third. The WRS class saw Ana Palestro outperform her main rival Carolyn Fitzgerald to take the win. In FPUSA 3, Aiden Zelaya held the lead and set the fastest lap but spun on the final lap in the treacherous conditions, handing the victory to Larry Schnur.
Sunday brought slightly improved but still damp conditions, allowing for more aggressive racing. Kaszuba again shone in FPUSA 4, claiming first and the fastest lap, with Welsh in second and Aiden Schuh delivering an impressive drive to secure third place ahead of the field. FPUSA 3 saw the Saturday’s positions reverse, as Zelaya topped Schnur for the win. In WRS, Palestro once more stayed ahead of Fitzgerald to claim victory.
While Yashom Kapoor and Ridgeley Welsh (the top two competitors in FPUSA 4) battled back and forth all season long, in the end as the final points were tallied, Ridgeley Welsh emerged as the 2025 FPUSA 4 Champion, thanks to consistent podium finishes throughout the year and a winning surge as the season closed out. Yashom Kapoor took second in the championship standings, with Carolyn Fitzgerald completing the podium in third.
In FPUSA 3, Larry Schnur’s steady dominance across the season—marked by reliable performances in every race—earned him the championship title.
The WRS class featured a season-long battle, with Ana Palestro showing remarkable improvement and securing wins late in the year. However, Carolyn Fitzgerald’s accumulated points proved decisive, making her the 2025 FPUSA WRS Champion.
Congratulations to Our 2025 Championship Winners!
FPUSA 3 Champion Larry Schnur
FPUSA 4 Champion Ridgeley Welsh
FPUSA WRS Champion Carolyn Fitzgerald
Final Points
With the 2025 season now complete, plans for the 2026 Formula Pro USA Western Championship and Winter Series are in motion, with schedules to be announced soon.
