DeFabis joins JHDD next weekend in St. Pete

The USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire will kick off their 2024 campaign next weekend at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and a new name will be on the grid in Tanner DeFabis. Joining the Jay Howard Driver Development (JHDD) program, DeFabis completes the five-driver lineup that will kick off the season on the barrier-lined circuit alongside the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

“This is a great opportunity for Tanner to take part in select events in 2024 for a potential full-time campaign in 2025,” explained Howard. “He will be part of a four-car effort in USF2000, a quartet that I feel can have much success in St. Pete.”

“I’m very excited to sign and continue with the JHDD family,” explained DeFabis. “Transitioning from karting to open-wheel race cars last year and now from F4 to the USF2000 program for this coming season, I’m looking forward to getting to work at my first street race next week. I have my work cut out for me, but I have never backed down from a challenge.”

Competing throughout the Midwest, DeFabis graduated from a consistent karting front-runner and podium winner in the TaG classes to open-wheel racing last season and is continuing his ascent in 2024.

Howard continued, “We welcome Tanner to our program with open arms. He has shown steady progression in testing from year to year, and we are excited to confirm his participation in St. Pete and other select events throughout the season.”

The season opener will include a single practice session and qualifying for USF2000 before two wheel-to-wheel races, one on Friday afternoon and race two just 24 hours later on Saturday afternoon.

For more information on Jay Howard’s Driver Development program, follow them on social media by searching Jay Howard Driver Development.