Only black driver on the USF2000 grid, Myles Rowe had season in jeopardy due to lack of money. Roger Penske assumed responsibility to keep driver at Pabst Racing
In the fight for the USF2000 title, the American driver Myles Rowe will be able to complete the championship season with Pabst Racing because of the support of Roger Penske, IndyCar's boss.
Penske had already supported Rowe, the only black driver in the series, during the 2021 season as part of the Race for Equality & Change program, created to increase diversity in Indy. Last weekend's triple round at the Indianapolis mixed was to be Rowe's last event with Pabst until Roger's intervention.
"He did a good job, sat down with Pabst and me, and I told them I would firm up the commitment by the end of the season, so we're in good shape. We have a plan. If he gets to where we want him to get to, there may be an option next year. We have focus on that, for sure," said the manager in an interview with the American Racer magazine.
Rowe arrived at Indy with the Force Indy team, created as part of the Race for Equality & Change program. However, the team opted to move up to Indy Lights in 2022, leaving Myles with no place on the grid. The driver even started an online crowdfunding campaign, where he received a $200,000 donation that allowed him to sign with Pabst.
The first black driver to win an Indy-sanctioned race, Rowe is currently fourth in the 2022 USF2000 season, with wins at St. Pete and Alabama.