Bumgarner zooms in on big US races

After successful stints in karting and Asian Formula 3 races, the Philippines’ Michele Bumgarner is bringing her act to a bigger stage.

Bumgarner, 17, will train under the S&L Racing team formed by former football stars Ray Lewis and Gale Sayers through the Accelerate program where she’ll have the chance to be selected and race in the Champ Car Atlantic Series, and if she can pull it off together, in the World Series.

"I feel really excited but nervous too," said Bumgarner alongside her father Lee in yesterday’s media briefing at the City Kart track in Taguig.

Bumgarner gained her spot following impressive performances in Phoenix where she raced in karts and corvettes, and in Las Vegas and Laguna Seca where she competed in open-wheel cars.

She bested six others who are all stars in different motor sports backgrounds to gain a crack at making the Champ Car Atlantic Series, the premier open-wheel development series in all of North America.

"I watched her for four days and she rarely made mistakes, she was really impressive," said Lee. – Joey Villar