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Turn 3 Motorsport Crowned 2026 Team Champions at Road America
Escorpioni finishes runner-up in Drivers Championship as Turn 3 Motorsport closes 2026 season with first Team Championship title
Elkhart Lake, Wis. (Sept. 28, 2026) – Turn 3 Motorsport capped off the 2026 USF Pro 2000 Championship presented by Continental Tire season by securing its first Team Championship title following a three-race season finale at Road America. Leonardo Escorpioni closed out an impressive rookie campaign with two podium finishes over the weekend to finish second in the Drivers Championship, while contributions from Brady Golan, Tyke Durst, Sebastian Manson, and Michael Costello throughout the season helped deliver the historic team title.
Escorpioni entered the finale just 17 points from the Drivers Championship lead and remained in contention as the title fight came down to the final weekend. Despite ultimately falling short of the Drivers Championship, the reigning 2025 USF Juniors champion concluded his first USF Pro 2000 season second in the standings with five victories and five pole positions — an impressive rookie campaign made even more notable after missing two races earlier in the season.
The Team Championship capped off a season-long effort across Turn 3 Motorsport’s entire driver lineup. All five drivers who competed for the team in 2026 recorded at least one top-five finish, with Escorpioni and Costello both earning race victories and Golan, Durst, and Manson each contributing strong results throughout the year.
RACE 1
Escorpioni started the opening race of the weekend from third and quickly moved into second before settling into third following an early restart, where he remained through the checkered flag to secure another podium finish.
Behind him, Manson delivered an impressive recovery after contact damaged his front wing in the opening laps. Quick work from the Turn 3 Motorsport crew and a timely caution kept the #22 car on the lead lap, allowing Manson to charge back through the field and ultimately finish fifth. Durst was forced to retire early after an issue slowed the #3 car midway through the race, while Golan's strong early charge from 15th to ninth was derailed by an engine issue that required a late pit stop. Durst and Golan were ultimately classified 14th and 15th, respectively.
RACE 2
Race 2 featured 15 laps of uninterrupted green-flag racing, with Escorpioni once again starting third and steadily closing on the #26 car of Thomas Schrage before making the move for second. Escorpioni held the position through the checkered flag to earn his second podium of the weekend.
Manson finished eighth following a steady run in the #22 car, while Golan advanced from 15th to 11th and Durst crossed the line 13th.
RACE 3
The final race of the 2026 season was interrupted almost immediately by a multi-car incident in Turn 1 that brought out the red flag. Following the restart and another early caution, Escorpioni held fourth while Durst and Golan moved into seventh and eighth, respectively. Manson’s race came to an early end after just two laps, with the #22 car retiring from the season finale.
Durst and Golan’s progress was unfortunately cut short later in the race when the teammates made contact while battling through Turn 5, ending both of their races prematurely. Escorpioni continued on to finish fourth, while Golan, Durst, and Manson were classified 12th, 13th, and 15th, respectively.
Escorpioni's fourth-place finish brought the 2026 season to a close and officially secured Turn 3 Motorsport's first USF Pro 2000 Team Championship, capping a season that saw all five of the team's drivers contribute to the championship-winning campaign.
#4 – LEONARDO ESCORPIONI
Data Pioneer Solutions / Qwilt / Peer 1 / Mensalize
“It was a really strong year, and obviously we came into this weekend wanting to win the championship,” said Escorpioni. “We fought hard all the way through the final weekend, but in the end, we came up just a little short. To finish second in the championship in my rookie season, especially after missing two races, is still something I’m really proud of. We had five wins, five poles, and so many great moments throughout the year.
“I can’t thank everyone at Turn 3 Motorsport enough for everything they’ve done for me this season and for giving me such a fast car all year. Winning the Team Championship together is a great way to finish the season, and I’m really proud of what we accomplished as a team.”
#44 – BRADY GOLAN
Marina
“It was definitely an eventful final weekend at Road America, and unfortunately we didn’t quite get the results we were hoping for,” said Golan. “We showed some good pace and were able to make progress through the field, but a few issues and incidents kept us from putting everything together.
“Overall, I learned a lot throughout this season and had some really good moments with the team. I’m incredibly proud of everyone at Turn 3 Motorsport for winning the Team Championship, and I’m grateful to have been able to contribute to that. A huge thank you to everyone on the #44 car and the entire team for all of their hard work this year.”
#22 – SEBASTIAN MANSON
Mansons TCLM / Maramarua Beef / Ted Manson Foundation / Express Plumbing
“It was a pretty eventful final weekend, but I was really happy with the recovery we had in Race 1,” said Manson. “After losing the front wing early, the guys did a great job getting me back out, and we were able to work our way through the field and come away with a P5. The other two races didn’t quite go the way we wanted, but it was still good to finish the year showing what we were capable of.
“I’ve learned a lot throughout the season, and I’m really grateful for all the work everyone at Turn 3 Motorsport has put in. It’s awesome to finish the year as Team Champions, and I’m glad I could be a part of it.”
#3 – TYKE DURST
FHI / Relay Payments / Drive Toward A Cure
“We certainly went out with a bang this weekend,” said Durst. “The roller coaster ride really started on our test day when we had a rear-end issue and were significantly off pace as a consequence. The #3 car crew worked hard into the night to fix the issue, and we finally got on track for the second day and qualified 11th. With limited practice, it was hard to know where I wanted the balance, and we paid the price for that in Races 1 and 2.
“For Race 3, we made a big swing to try to find the balance. The car was where I wanted it, and we were having fun keeping pace with the lead pack. Unfortunately, that’s where our race ended. Heading into Turn 5, I went on my lid and got to experience flipping a race car to close out the year.
“This team has given me so much love and support throughout these three years, and I can’t thank them enough. All the guys on this team have truly become a family, and I know I’ll have to find a way back to this family somewhere down the track. From my first conversations with Peter (Dempsey), I knew this wasn’t going to be just another stop on the trail. I can’t thank everyone enough for everything they’ve done for me over these last three years.”
PETER DEMPSEY – TEAM OWNER
“It was a great year for our team,” said Dempsey. “Winning six of the 18 races this season was massive for us, and to bring home our first Team Championship makes it even more special. I’m incredibly proud of the effort from all of our drivers this season. The crew we assembled this year was outstanding, and Mandy (Dempsey), Dave (Budres), and I are very grateful to be able to work with such a great group of people.
“A huge congratulations to Leo (Escorpioni) on an amazing rookie season in USF Pro 2000. He’s such a talented driver, and it’s going to be great to watch him continue to move forward in his career. I also want to congratulate all of the race winners and champions across the entire USF Pro Championships ladder. There is so much work that goes into competing at this level that often goes unrecognized, so I want to give all of them a shoutout for what they accomplished this season.
“For us, we’ll enjoy this Team Championship, but our focus is already shifting toward 2027. We’re fully focused on building an even stronger Turn 3 Motorsport team and coming back ready to fight for more championships next season.”
Turn 3 Motorsport concludes the 2026 season as USF Pro 2000 Team Champions with six race victories, five pole positions, and top-five finishes from all five drivers who represented the team throughout the year. Escorpioni finishes his rookie USF Pro 2000 campaign second in the Drivers Championship following his 2025 USF Juniors title.
Fans can revisit coverage from the season through the free USF Pro Championships App, YouTube channel, and USFPro2000.com.
To stay up to date on Turn 3 Motorsport, follow the team on social media using the handle @turn3motorsport.
For more information or images, please contact Mandy Dempsey at turn3motorsport@gmail.com.
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