Parlaying the excitement of Mardi Gras into three days of racing, the Cooper Tires Winterfest will soon commandeer the Big Easy.

Mazda Road to Indy competitors in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires seek not only $50,000 in potential winnings across six races at two venues, but to dial in their respective teams.

“It gives everyone an opportunity to feel out the competition,” Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda team owner John Cummiskey said. “Everyone likes to race. Nobody just likes to go out there and practice.”

On Feb. 18-20 at NOLA Motorsports Park, drivers and teams will have the opportunity to do both on the 2.67-mile, 13-turn road course. For some young drivers, it will be their first competition in the race car. The action turns to Barber Motorsports Park on Feb. 24-26 for three races.

Click it: USF2000 NOLA Winterfest schedule || Pro Mazda NOLA Winterfest schedule 

Pro Mazda driver Spencer Pigot, of Juncos Racing, foreshadowed his successful 2014 season by dominating last year’s Cooper Tires Winterfest, as did then-series newcomer, and Cape Motorsports driver, Scott Hargrove.

In short, these are not lighthearted exhibitions. It’s an opportunity to fine tune the race car and the race team for the points-paying season opener next month on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, as part of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg featuring the Verizon IndyCar Series.

“After the exciting finish in all classes for the 2014 championships, we cannot wait to see who the front-runners will be. The Cooper Tires Winterfest is the first chance to see the 2015 teams and drivers begin, or defend, their title quest,”  Cooper Tires director of motorsports Chris Pantani said.