Two podiums for Quinn Armstrong as teammate Nicolas Giaffone dominates USF Juniors in Alabama

Nicolas Giaffone took victory in both races of the USF Juniors double-header at Barber Motorsports Park ahead of Australian Quinn Armstrong.

DEForce trio Quinn Armstrong, Nicolas Giaffone, and Lucas Fecury on the podium at Barber Motorsports Park. (Gavin Baker Photography)

The two teammates dominated the weekend for DEForce Racing, with Armstrong finishing second in each race behind Giaffone, while third DEForce driver Lucas Fecury and VRD Racing's Jimmie Lockhart each took a third-place finish.

"It was a perfect weekend: P1 in practice, P1 in two qualifying sessions and P1 in both races," said Giaffone.

"It is beyond imaginable. If I knew this would happen coming into Alabama for the first time, I wouldn’t have believed it."

"I have to thank DEForce. They gave me an amazing car and we, as drivers, can’t do much without a good team. All the glory to them. I am just driving."

"I hope I can come back to Alabama soon. I really, really like the track. Now it is time to think about the championship, and we are in a good position."

Nicolas Giaffone leads the field at the start of race one. (Gavin Baker Photography)

Giaffone qualified on pole for race one and led the field confidently into the first corner before the safety car neutralised the field with a pair of incidents further down the field. Armstrong and Fecury made it a DEForce top three, trading positions at the start as Armstrong slipped clear and set about chasing down the leading Brazilian.

Giaffone held the lead and extended the gap for the remainder of the 20-lap race, finishing 4.7 seconds ahead of Armstrong.

Once again on pole, Giaffone pulled clear from the rolling start into turn one, with Armstrong repeating his move on Fecury and securing second place.

Giaffone and Armstrong were in a race of their own at the front, while Jimmie Lockhart denied the team the chance to lock-out the podium for a second time when he passed Fecury on lap seven.

Quinn Armstrong takes his second podium of the weekend. (Gavin Baker Photography)

"Another second place," said Armstrong.

"Good momentum after race one where we took second."

"Once again, a one-two for the team which I really love to see."

"They all put a lot of work in at DEForce, whether they are at the track or not, and I hope this is a bit of a reward for them.”

The pair of podium finishes is extremely positive for the young Australian, who won the season opener at Sebring before falling down the order in the following races.

Giaffone holds the lead of the championship on 141 points ahead of Joey Brienza on 120 points and Quinn Armstrong on 109 points.

The 2023 USF Juniors presented by Cooper Tires returns 2-4 June at Virginia International Raceway.

2023 USF Juniors presented by Cooper Tires - Round 2 Barber Motorsports Park Race 1 Result

1. Nicolas Giaffone

2. Quinn Armstrong (AUS)

3. Lucas Fecury

4. Joey Brienza

5. Jimmie Lockhart

6. Ethan Ho

7. Max Taylor

8. Erick Schotten

9. Ethan Barker

10. Brady Golan

11. Juan Felipe Pedraza

12. Carson Etter

13. Giovanni Cabrera

14. Hudson Schwartz

15. Jack Jeffers

2023 USF Juniors presented by Cooper Tires - Round 2 Barber Motorsports Park Race 2 Result

1. Nicolas Giaffone

2. Quinn Armstrong (AUS)

3. Jimmie Lockhart

4. Lucas Fecury

5. Max Taylor

6. Joey Brienza

7. Ethan Ho

8. Jack Jeffers

9. Ethan Barker

10. Erick Schotten

11. Brady Golan

12. Hudson Schwartz

13. Juan Felipe Pedraza

14. Carson Etter

15. Giovanni Cabrera