The Skip Barber Formula Dodge National ChampionshipPresented by RACER announced that its largest ever field will take the green in the 2004 openersat Sebring International Raceway March 16-19. Thirty (30) drivers are entered; the old recordwas 26 starters, set in both 2001 and 2003.
In addition to Marco Andretti, slated for the Skip Barber National are the six 2004 Barber-Champ Car Karting Scholarship winners: Benny Moon, who earned a paid full season, plusJason Bowles, Mark Burt, Billy Johnson, Lorenzo Mandarino and Ron White, each of whomearned half-seasons.
Also running is Stars of Karting standout Robbie Pecorari, who was awarded a full Nationalseason thanks to an agreement between Skip Barber Racing and Stars of Karting.And 13-year-old John Edwards, the youngest-ever open wheel road racing winner in the U.S.,will run at Sebring, though he's not yet decided if he'll do the entire 2004 FDNC championship.Edwards, who's won two more regional Formula Dodge races since his record-setting win atDaytona in January, is currently in the top-five in points in the Southern Series championshiphunt and may elect to run the Midwest and Eastern Series concurrently this summer inanticipation of a full 2005 FDNC effort.
The Formula Dodge National Championship Presented by RACER is where a number of today'slatest up-and-comers were "cultivated": Ryan Hunter-Reay, A.J. Allmendinger, Bryan Sellers,Patrick Long, Leo Maia and a host of others. FDNC is a seven-weekend, 14-race championshipthat recently announced a $190,000 prize fund, $100,000 of which goes to the season champion.In addition, the Champ Car RuSPORT team is awarding Toyota Atlantic test days to the 2004and 2005 FDNC champions.
Following is the complete alpha-order entry list for FDNC rounds one and two at the 52nd Annual Mobil1 12-Hours of Sebring. Note: Car assignments will be drawn today before the first scheduled practice session.
Andrew Alfonso, 20, Danville, Calif.Marco Andretti, 16, Nazareth, Pa.Gerardo Bonilla, 29, Orlando, Fla.Jason Bowles, 21, Ontario, Calif.Harrison Brix, 23, Marina Del Ray, Calif.Mark Burt, 21, Debary, Fla.Olivier Comeau, 20, Rock Forest, Quebec, CanadaJohn Edwards, 12, Little Rock, Ark.Jonathan Eriksen, 18, Northville, N.Y.Brett Fenske, 28, Appleton, Wis.Charlie Fonseca, 22, Carson, Calif.Dennis Hanratty, Jr., 22, Mechanicsburg, Pa.Seth Ingham, 19, Moxee, Wash.Billy Johnson, 17, San Clemente, Calif.Mathew Koskinen, 26, Grafton, Mass.Lorenzo Mandarino, 17, Burnaby, B.C., CanadaBenny Moon, 20, Shingle Springs, Calif.Mark Patterson, 52, Bronxville, N.Y.Robbie Pecorari, 16, Aston, Pa.John Pew, 47, N. Palm Beach, Fla.Chris Prey, 25, Oshkosh, Wis.Victor Ramos, 19, Hollywood, Fla.Jeff Relic, 23, Palm Coast, Fla.Ricky Schmidt, 25, Lebec, Calif.Matt Varsha, 16, Atlanta, Ga.Erik Ven, 36, Budapest, HungaryRobin Warner, 24, Ann Arbor, Mich.Ron White, 24, San Jose, Calif.Blake Yager, 17, Effingham, Ill.Sergio Perez Mendoza, 14, Zapopan, Mexico
