WATKINS GLEN, New York - Less than 24 hours after crowning its three newest champions, the Mazda Road to Indy presented by Cooper handed out more than $2.6 million is scholarship prizes and maybe a lot more.

“Like I said yesterday in the interviews, you aren’t just giving out prize money, you’re giving hope,” said 2017 Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tires champion Victor Franzoni. “The Mazda Road to Indy is just amazing.”

The season-ending celebration ceremony, held Monday evening at the Harbor Hotel Watkins Glen on Seneca Lake, honored top drivers from each of the Mazda Road to Indy's three series, including champions Oliver Askew (Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda), Franzoni and Kyle Kaiser (Indy Lights presnted by Cooper Tires).

One of the most competitive seasons for the development ladder saw the rapid rise of Askew, a 21-year-old Floridian driving for Cape Motorsports.

Less than a year after winning the Team USA Scholarship and the $200,000 Mazda Road to Indy Shootout to earn his way onto the first rung of the MRTI development ladder, Askew captured the USF2000 title. It delivered the team its astonishing seventh consecutive championship in the series.

“What a year it has been,” said Askew, who also claimed Hyperco Rookie of the Year Award. “In the course of a year, I won three championships and without them I wouldn’t have been able to continue in the sport. My dreams that I thought were impossible have been made possible. It was an unforgettable year.”

Askew earned a scholarship worth $325,000 to advance to Pro Mazda, the next stage of the MRTI ladder, in 2018.

This year’s Pro Mazda title came down to the wire between Franzoni of Juncos Racing and Anthony Martin of Cape Motorsports for the doubleheader event at Watkins Glen International. Franzoni, a 21-year-old Brazilian, swept the final two races to win the championship and secured a prize worth almost $800,000 to move up to Indy Lights next season.

“One week before the season started I found a ride, and it was the ride of my life,” Franzoni said. “Juncos Racing made me a champion and taught me everything I had to learn to be a champion, and it was an amazing year with those guys. This year was awesome and it ended the way we needed it end because this was my last chance (in racing).”

Martin didn't walk away empty handed despite his disappointment. In addition to the $25,000 runner-up prize, the Australian was named BBS/Mazda Rookie of the Year earning a a $7,500 prize and the choice of a new Mazda road car. Franzoni, Martin and Carlos Cunha were also awarded an Indy Lights test day.

The final scholarship of the evening went to Kaiser, who earned the Indy Lights championship and secured a $1 million Mazda scholarship that awards him three races during the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season, including the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.

"I’ve been part of the Mazda Road to Indy for five years now, and it’s been an eventful five years,” the 21-year-old Californian said. “I’ve had many ups and plenty of downs, but all of it has shaped me into the driver I am today. I’m proud to represent the Mazda Road to Indy and hope I’ve been a good ambassador for the sport.”

The MRTI Hall of Fame also introduced three new members: Bobby Oergel, a former USF2000 driver who is now team principal of PR1/ Mathiasen Motorsports, which has developed numerous standout drivers; former Mazda Road to Indy competitor and current NBC Sports broadcaster Anders Krohn and 1993 Indy Lights champion, former Indy car competitor and two-time Indy 500-winning team co-owner Bryan Herta.

Mazda Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires 2017 Award Winners:

Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires

Champion ($1 million scholarship) – Kyle Kaiser, Juncos Racing

Second place ($75,000) - Santiago Urrutia, Belardi Auto Racing

Third place ($50,000) – Colton Herta, Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing

Fourth place ($25,000) – Matheus Leist, Carlin

Fifth place ($10,000) – Zachary Claman De Melo, Carlin

Indy Lights Rookie of the Year ($15,000) – Herta

Tilton Hard Charger Award ($2,500 product certificate) – Ryan Norman, Andretti Autosport

Team Championship ($15,000) – Belardi Auto Racing

INDYCAR Mechanic of the Year ($1,000) – A.J. Smith, Juncos Racing

Hi-Tide Boat Lifts Kids on Track Spirit Award ($5,000) – Dalton Kellett, Andretti Autosport

Royal Purple “Slickest Pass” Award ($5,000) – Urrutia

Dallara Bent Pushrod Award ($2,000) – Carlin

Jostens Champion’s Ring – Kaiser

Freedom 100 Champion’s Ring – Leist

Mazda Road to Indy Rings (drivers contesting all three levels) – Nico Jamin and Aaron Telitz

Motegi Winning Driver Team Owner Trophy (set of street wheels) – Ricardo Juncos

Cosworth Champion’s Cash Award ($25,000) – Kaiser

Dallara Champion’s Parts Credit ($25,000) – Kaiser

SS Tube Champion's Award ($5,000) – Kaiser

Original artwork by Jim Swintal – Kaiser

Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires

Champion ($790,300 scholarship and Indy Lights test) – Victor Franzoni, Juncos Racing

Second place ($25,000 and Indy Lights test) – Anthony Martin, Cape Motorsports

Third place ($12,500 and Indy Lights test) – Carlos Cunha, Team Pelfrey

Fourth place ($7,500) – TJ Fischer, Team Pelfrey

Fifth place ($5,000) – Nikita Lastochkin, Team Pelfrey

BBS/Mazda Rookie of the Year ($7,500 and choice of new Mazda road car) – Martin

National Class Champion ($2,000) – Brendan Puterbach, Fatboy Racing!

Team Championship ($7,500) – Team Pelfrey

INDYCAR Mechanic of the Year ($1,000) – Tom Vasi, Team Pelfrey

Hi-Tide Boat Lifts Kids on Track Spirit Award ($5,000) – Bobby Eberle, World Speed Motorsports

Royal Purple “Slickest Pass” Award ($5,000) – Lastochkin

Carl Haas Auto Golden Wishbone Award ($900 damper rebuild certificate) – Team Pelfrey

Quarter Master Hard Charger Award ($1,000 product certificate) – Franzoni

Jostens Champion’s Ring – Franzoni

Cooper Tires Champions Award ($67,000 tire credit for Indy Lights) – Franzoni

Andersen Promotions Champions Award ($24,000 credit for Indy Lights entry fees) – Franzoni

Original artwork by Jim Swintal – Franzoni

Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda

Champion ($325,000 scholarship) – Oliver Askew, Cape Motorsports

Second place ($10,000) – Rinus VeeKay, Pabst Racing

Third place ($5,000) – Parker Thompson, Exclusive Autosport

Fourth place ($3,000) – Kaylen Frederick, Team Pelfrey

Fifth place ($2,000) – Calvin Ming, Pabst Racing

Hyperco Rookie of the Year ($2,500) – Askew

Team Championship ($4,000) – Pabst Racing

INDYCAR Mechanic of the Year ($1,000) – Jay Green, Exclusive Autosport

Hi-Tide Boat Lifts Kids on Track Spirit Award ($5,000) – Thompson

Royal Purple “Slickest Pass” Award ($5,000) – Kory Enders, DEForce

Carl Haas Auto Golden Wishbone Award ($900 damper rebuild certificate) – Pabst Racing

Tilton Hard Charger Award ($1,000 product certificate) – Devin Wojcik, Arms Up Motorsports

Motegi Winning Driver Team Owner Trophy (set of street wheels) – Augie Pabst

Jostens Champion’s Ring – Askew

Cooper Tires Champions Award ($23,000 tire credit for Pro Mazda) – Askew

Original artwork by Jim Swintal – Askew