Oconomowoc, Wisc. - Pabst Racing announced today that 18-year-old racecar driver and student Lucas Kohl has signed to drive in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda for 2017. Kohl will drive the #23 Pabst Racing entry during the fourteen-round season.

Born in Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil, Lucas Kohl began his racing career in karts at the age of 10, winning his very first race. Kohl eventually moved on to open-wheel cars in 2014, winning the Formula Junior National Championship with eight victories in only 16 races. In 2015, he gained experience in Endurance Racing driving a P3 Prototype for the State and National Endurance Series in Brazil, earning three podiums.

For 2017, Kohl will compete in his second season of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda with Pabst Racing and is optimistic about entering year two after gaining a great deal of experience in 2016.

“I feel really motivated; I learned a lot in my first year and it's been proved that returning drivers tend to have more success in the series,” said Kohl. “I'm also really happy about being with Pabst Racing. They always do a great job and I'm convinced we can have a run for the championship.”

Kohl found his love for cars and racing at an early age while accompanying his father, an amateur racecar driver himself, in Brazil. He currently resides in Miami, Fla. where he attends Miami Dade College, studying business. His sponsors include Bellko and Kohltrade.

The team is ramping up preparation as the first official series test is only a few weeks away on February 28th at Homestead, Fla.

“Lucas is coming to us with a full season under his belt and second year drivers have a history of great results in the series,” said team owner Augie Pabst. “We are thrilled to have Lucas entering his sophomore season with our team. We can’t wait to get started.”

The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda will begin in St. Petersburg, Fla. March 10th through 12th.

Fans can follow Pabst Racing on Twitter and Facebook.

About Pabst Racing

Pabst Racing has been preparing winning racecars since 1983. The Pabst team was started by Augie Pabst Jr., former sports car racing legend from the 1950s and early 1960s who won many races and championships throughout his career. Current President Augie Pabst III (former driver as well), took over the business in 1991. By 1998 Augie III decided to focus on owning and maintaining a wide variety of winning racecars including SCCA Spec Racer, Shelby Can-Am, 911 Porsche, Ford Mustang GT-1 and primarily Van Diemen Formula 2000 cars. For more information please visit www.PabstRacing.com.