Rochester, N.Y., September 29 — Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear driver, Conor Daly, regained sole possession of the number one spot in Deep Throttle's American Driver Ranking for the end of September thanks to clinching the title with a race to go. The European contingent, Alexander Rossi (GP3 Series), Josef Newgarden (GP3), and Gabby Chaves (Italian F3 Championship) remain in the next three spots respectively.

Connor De Phillippi (Star Mazda) moved up to fifth spot displacing Charlie Kimball (Firestone Indy Lights) who drops to sixth. Chris Livengood (F2000 Championship Series) enters the Ranking for the first time at 15th.

Five drivers who have appeared in the Ranking were amongst eight candidates invited to a special shootout to determine the two winners of the Team USA Scholarship award. For the first time, the Team USA Scholarships will be determined by a competition instead of purely a selection. The shootout was hosted by the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, based at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Ariz. on September 10. The winners will be announced at Road Atlanta during the Petite Le Mans event.

Miles Maroney in Pacific F2000 action at Laguna Seca.

The five drivers included three BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National presented by Mazda competitors: Ashley Freiberg (Southern Division champion and Skip Barber National winner) who dropped out of this month's Ranking, Spencer Pigot (current points leader with two wins) ranked ninth, and Felix Serralles (third in standings with two wins) ranked 14th. Joining them are F2000 Championship Series driver Jonathan Scarallo, ranked 12th, and Corsa Car Care presents Pacific F2000 driver Miles Maroney, ranked 13th.

Matt Lee (Italian F3) made the biggest jump in the Ranking, moving from 11th to eighth. He tucked in behind Cole Morgan who remained in seventh as he locked up the runner up spot in the F2000 Championship Series. Sage Karam (Cooper Tires presents USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda) dropped to 10th as his series had the month off.

The next and last 2010 Ranking will not be released until November 10, allowing for the running of the Walter Hayes Trophy at Brands Hatch to be included. That event, along with the famed Formula Ford Festival at Silverstone two week earlier, are the two events the Team USA Scholarships winners will contest.

You can read more details concerning why the ranking is being done and how the ranking is put together. There is also a junior formula motorsports schedule. with any questions or to discuss the ranking.

If you wish to be added or removed from the American Driver Prospects Ranking for Open Wheel Road Racing press release email list, just stating your wishes, and we will gladly comply.

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