Dempsey captures wild photo-finish in Firestone Freedom 100
INDIANAPOLIS - Results Friday of the Firestone Freedom 100 Firestone Indy Lights Series event on the 2.5 mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, laps completed and reason out (if any):
1. (3) Peter Dempsey, 40, Running
2. (4) Gabby Chaves, 40, Running
3. (1) Sage Karam, 40, Running
4. (2) Carlos Munoz, 40, Running
5. (6) Zach Veach, 40, Running
6. (10) Jorge Goncalvez, 40, Running
7. (11) Jimmy Simpson, 40, Running
8. (9) Chase Austin, 40, Running
9. (7) Juan Pablo Garcia, 40, Running
10. (5) Jack Hawksworth, 14, Contact
11. (8) Kyle O'Gara, 2, Contact
Race Statistics
Winners average speed: 162.995
Time of Race: 00:36:48.6540
Margin of victory: 0.0026
Cautions: 1 for 4 laps
Lead changes: 2 among 3 drivers
Lap Leaders: Karam 1-12; Munoz 13-39; Dempsey 40
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1. (3) Peter Dempsey, 40, Running
2. (4) Gabby Chaves, 40, Running
3. (1) Sage Karam, 40, Running
4. (2) Carlos Munoz, 40, Running
5. (6) Zach Veach, 40, Running
6. (10) Jorge Goncalvez, 40, Running
7. (11) Jimmy Simpson, 40, Running
8. (9) Chase Austin, 40, Running
9. (7) Juan Pablo Garcia, 40, Running
10. (5) Jack Hawksworth, 14, Contact
11. (8) Kyle O'Gara, 2, Contact
Race Statistics
Winners average speed: 162.995
Time of Race: 00:36:48.6540
Margin of victory: 0.0026
Cautions: 1 for 4 laps
Lead changes: 2 among 3 drivers
Lap Leaders: Karam 1-12; Munoz 13-39; Dempsey 40
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Karam captures pole for Firestone Freedom 100
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 23, 2013) - Sage Karam earned the Sunoco Pole Award for the Firestone Freedom 100 in his first Firestone Indy Lights oval race.
Karam, an 18-year-old from Nazareth, Pa., posted a two-lap average speed of 189.243 mph (1 minute, 35.1160 seconds cumulative time) May 23 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Karam, driving the No. 8 Comfort Revolutions car for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian, is in his first season in the series after placing third in the Pro Mazda Championship in 2012. He has a pair of podium finishes in the three races on road/street circuits. It's the fifth earned pole and sixth pole start for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in the Firestone Freedom 100.
Series points leader Carlos Munoz, who recorded a two-lap average of 189.276 mph, will start second in the No. 26 Dialy-Ser Andretti Autosport car. He was .0703 of a second off Karam's cumulative time over the five miles. Munoz also will start second in his first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 26.
Peter Dempsey (189.359) and Gabby Chaves (187.770) will share Row 2 in the Firestone Freedom 100. St. Petersburg race winner Jack Hawksworth (187.410) and Kyle O'Gara (187.393), making his Firestone Indy Lights debut, will be on Row 3.
DAY 10 NOTEBOOK:
ABC will televise the Indianapolis 500 for the 49th consecutive year on Sunday, May 26, continuing a Memorial Day tradition that began in 1965.
A one-hour preview show airs from Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 11 a.m. ET, with the race telecast, presented by GoDaddy, at noon.
ESPN's production of the Indianapolis 500 on ABC will utilize 84 cameras to televise the premier event of the IZOD IndyCar Series, including three onboard cameras per car in 12 of the 33 cars competing in the race.
Among the cameras will be the newly-enhanced "Batcam," a camera that provides unique and dramatic views running on a cable over pit road and the frontstretch and has been utilized by ESPN at Indy for several years. But with new technology, "Batcam" can now move faster than ever, reaching speeds of 95 mph.
Views and replays also will be enhanced with expanded usage of four Ultra Hi Motion cameras. As was the case last year when the cameras were used for the first time, they will be located in the short chutes at each end of the 2.5-mile track as well as at the fourth-turn exit, with a fourth robotic camera added this year to provide a low shot entering the first turn. The cameras can shoot at speeds of up to 1,200 frames per second. ESPN also will have Super Slo Motion cameras positioned in each turn.
Pole sitter Ed Carpenter will be one of the 12 drivers carrying onboard cameras, as will defending race winner Dario Franchitti and defending IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay. Others will be Charlie Kimball, JR Hildebrand, James Hinchcliffe, Townsend Bell, Will Power, Helio Castroneves, Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal and Tristan Vautier.
Viewers of the ABC telecast will have the option of a second-screen experience through a choice of live streaming video from the onboard cameras on ESPN3, ESPN's multi-screen live sports network. ESPN3 will carry the feeds exclusively through WatchESPN and on Indycar.com to fans who receive their Internet or video subscription from an affiliated provider. Viewers will be able to choose which driver's onboard cameras they want to watch from among the available cars and this year, for the first time, all of the feeds also will include ESPN's live scoring ticker. ESPN3 also will have replays of the ABC telecast following the event. ESPN3 is available online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE.
Marty Reid will call the race, with analysis by former Indianapolis 500 driver Scott Goodyear and 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever. ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor Lindsay Czarniak will host the telecast while pit reporters will be Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch.
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The Tony Hulman Classic USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car race has been rescheduled for Friday, June 21 at the Terre Haute Action Track. Rain forced the postponement of the race Wednesday.
***
The Race Day talent lineup for the IMS Radio Network's broadcast of the 97th Indianapolis 500: Mike King, anchor; Davey Hamilton, driver analyst; Donald Davidson, track historian; Jerry Baker, color analyst; Paul Page, race commentary; Jake Query, Turn 2 announcer; Mark Jaynes, Turn 3 announcer; Chris Denari, Turn 4 announcer; Kevin Lee, pit reporter; Nick Yeoman, pit reporter; Michael Young, pit reporter; Dave Furst, pit reporter; Dave Wilson, garage and medical center reporter.
***
Indianapolis 500 veteran drivers will sign autographs for fans in two sessions Saturday afternoon during Legends Day Honoring Parnelli Jones at the Speedway. Both sessions will take place in the Plaza Pavilion. Autographs are free with gate admission for the day, $10 for adults, with 12 and under free.
The session lineup, with all drivers subject to change
•1-2:30 p.m.: Bill Alsup, Tom Bagley, Donnie Beechler, Tom Bigelow, Brian Bonner, Geoff Brabham, Pancho Carter, Michael Chandler, Steve Chassey, Gil de Ferran, Dominic Dobson, Josele Garza, Phil Giebler, Paul Goldsmith, Janet Guthrie, Bob Harkey, Bernard Jourdain, Mel Kenyon, Steve Knapp, Phil Krueger, Arie Luyendyk, Arie Luyendyk Jr., Jack Miller, Rocky Moran, Eldon Rasmussen, Sam Schmidt, Jerry Sneva, Bobby Unser, Johnny Unser
•3-4:30 p.m.: Mario Andretti, Kenny Brack, Buzz Calkins, Tyce Carlson, Derek Daly, Spike Gehlhausen, Stephan Gregoire, Scott Harrington, Stefan Johansson, Herm Johnson, Lee Kunzman, Bob Lazier, Jaques Lazier, Greg Leffler, Robby McGehee, Hiro Matsushita, Max Papis, Johnny Parsons, Bill Puterbaugh, Billy Roe, Eliseo Salazar, Joe Saldana, Bill Simpson, Bruce Walkup, Bill Whittington, Denny Zimmerman
***
IZOD IndyCar Series team co-owner Sarah Fisher has enrolled in the College of Business at WGU Indiana to finish her bachelor's degree.
Fisher, co-owner of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, will begin her studies in August. She began college after graduating seventh in her high school class with honors in Ohio. But her IZOD IndyCar Series and USAC driving commitments forced her to postpone finishing her degree.
WGU Indiana was established nearly three years ago by former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels for working Hoosiers to pursue a high-quality college degree at an affordable price. The university has grown to more than 3,300 students and graduated more than 700. Students and graduates represent every county in the state. As Indiana's nonprofit, online university, WGU Indiana's flat-rate tuition is $3,000 per six-month term, a rate that has not increased since the university was created.
SARAH FISHER: "Now that I'm a mother, a wife and an IndyCar team owner, I'm constantly juggling my schedule. I'm ready to finish my degree, but I need a university that's adaptable to my life and offers quality programs that make going back to school a good investment of my time and energy. I'm excited about earning my degree at WGU Indiana."
ALLISON BARBER (Chancellor, WGU Indiana): "WGU Indiana is proud to provide an education to a disciplined, determined competitor. I expect Sarah to excel in our university because she demonstrates the same traits of our other students - a strong work ethic, independence and a commitment to excellence. I'm excited to watch her learn and inspire other Hoosiers to continue their dreams of a college degree."
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CountryMark will serve as an associate sponsor for the No. 20 Fuzzy's Vodka/Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet entry driven in the 97th Indianapolis 500 by pole sitter Ed Carpenter. It's the second consecutive year the Indianapolis-based corporation has sponsored Carpenter's team.
CountryMark is a recognized as a trusted and leading American oil company. CountryMark maximizes sustainable value by producing and supplying market-leading energy products and services.
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John Haslett of Penske Racing received the C&R Racing "True Grit" Award after qualifications Sunday. Haslett received a $5,000 award from Indianapolis-based C&R Racing, which manufactures and distributes complete cooling systems, chassis and drivetrain components, wind-tunnel models and an assortment of other parts and pieces to race teams.
Haslett received the award for dedication to his work with IZOD IndyCar Series cars, the ability to overcome adversity and the embodiment of the excellent qualities of such a highly skilled trade. He has participated in 29 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races with a position in transportation and as a tire specialist.
JOHN HASLETT: "I am honored to receive this award," said Haslett. "I started working in racing when I was just 22 years old. I was green as green can be, fresh out of the U.S. Navy. My first year at Indy, I was working on Bobby Unser's car. We won that race, and I have been hooked on racing ever since. It is the best feeling ever to help win the '500' for Roger Penske, and I'm grateful to be acknowledged for all my efforts."
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PEAK Motor Oil and Advance Auto Parts will sponsor the No. 91 Lazier Partners Racing Inc. entry for 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier in the 97th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
BUDDY LAZIER: "I am really proud of what the team has accomplished in such a short amount of time and to now sign PEAK Motor Oil and Advance Auto Parts is evidence of how hard everyone is working. Getting the car on the track and finding a sponsor were the two top goals of the team, and we've now done that. So we're ready to go racing with PEAK Motor Oil and Advance Auto Parts Sunday."
BRYAN EMRICH (Senior vice president of marketing, PEAK): "Peak Motor Oil & Antifreeze along with our partner Advance Auto Parts are proud to join forces with Lazier Partners Racing to support Buddy's bid to win the Indy 500 for the second time. PEAK is a company that is proud of its independent, family-owned heritage, the same spirit that drives Lazier Racing. We look forward to the racing."
***
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE:
At 9 a.m., the ambient temperature was 62 degrees with a relative humidity of 84 percent and winds from the west at 5 mph. Skies were overcast. The track temperature was 73 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
9 a.m. - Firestone Indy Lights officials have delayed the start of session due to track preparation following overnight rain showers.
Rain returned at 11:40 a.m. to the Speedway.
Firestone Freedom 100 qualifying started at 4:15 p.m., three hours after its scheduled start of 1:15 p.m., due to rain.
***
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 SUNOCO POLE QUALIFYING:
Firestone Indy Lights qualifying consists of a two-lap qualifying attempt. Cars are ranked in order based on the quickest cumulative time. Cars take the green flag on the first time past the flag stand. Only one attempt is allowed per car.
Track qualifying record: Wade Cunningham, 1 minute, 34.6485 seconds, 190.177 mph (May 2009). Fastest Firestone Indy Lights lap today: #8 Sage Karam, 47.3732 seconds, 189.981 mph.
At 4:15 p.m., the ambient temperature was 63 degrees with a relative humidity of 72 percent and west winds at 11 mph. Skies were mostly cloudy. The track temperature was 82 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS SUNOCO POLE WINNER QUICK QUOTE:
SAGE KARAM (No. 7 Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb-Agajanian): "I can't thank the team enough. The team put a good car together for me. The rain threw a little bit of a curve ball. To get the pole is a surprise to me. We've been working really hard on the race setup. Qualifying here isn't as important as other tracks, but it's definitely a confidence-booster." (Is your goal to climb to the IZOD IndyCar Series?): "Oh, yeah. That has been my goal since I first walked into the tunnel at 4 years old."
***
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 FIELD NOTES:
•This is the first career Firestone Indy Lights Sunoco Pole for Sage Karam, in his first year in the series. His previous best start was third in April at Barber Motorsports Park.
•Sage Karam is the first American to win the pole position for the Firestone Freedom 100 since Ken Losch in 2007.
•Carlos Munoz has qualified on the front row for all four Firestone Indy Lights races this season. He won the Sunoco Pole for the first three races of the season and qualified second today.
•Carlos Munoz is the first driver to qualify on the front row for the Indianapolis 500 and Firestone Freedom 100 in the same year. He qualified second for both races in Andretti Autosport entries.
•Peter Dempsey qualified third, his best Firestone Indy Lights start at Indianapolis. His previous best at Indianapolis was sixth in 2011.
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 FIELD NOTES:
•This is the fifth earned pole and sixth pole start for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in the Firestone Freedom 100. Winning the pole for SPM were Thiago Medeiros (2004), Jaime Camara (2005), Wade Cunningham (2009), Pippa Mann (2010) and Sage Karam (2013). Bryan Clauson started from the pole in 2011 in an SSM car after qualifying was rained out.
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FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 POST-QUALIFYING QUOTES:
KYLE O'GARA (No. 67 SFHRD/RW/SPM - Moynahan Williams): "We were still a little bit conservative, being my first qualifying attempt ever in an Indy Lights car. We definitely had some room to go if we could have. If we would have had a little more practice in this morning, it might have changed that. But, I am very thankful for being here. I am looking forward to tomorrow. We had a very good race car this morning and at the test. We're looking forward to it."
JACK HAWKSWORTH (No. 77 Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb-Agajanian): "It was great to get out on the track because we've been pits all day with the rain. There was a lot of waiting around, time spent going over things for qualifying. We had a good run, qualified fifth. The car was pretty decent, and we're pretty happy with it. The qualifying round doesn't mean too much, so we can't read too much into it. It's going to be about what happens tomorrow. I was very happy with the race car the last time we ran it, so I think we're in for a good race."
GABBY CHAVES (No. 7 Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb-Agajanian): "I think it was a good qualifying effort. We were flat out from the moment we left the pits, and after that, it's just being as smooth as you can, going through the gears correctly and hoping you get a gust of wind at the right moment to pick up a few miles an hour. I think we had a good qualifying, and we have a strong car for the race."
PETER DEMPSEY (No. 5 Belardi Auto Racing): "I wasn't really happy with the first lap, but the second lap was really solid. The Belardi Auto Racing guys put amount of effort into this car over the past month. The wind has definitely picked up since we rolled onto pit lane for qualifying. I was just trying to pick the best gear selection that I could and play around with the tools that I had in the car. Hopefully, I got it right. Definitely, my second lap, I nailed it."
JUAN PABLO GARCIA (No. 2 TMR-International-Euclid Chemical): "Unfortunately we were quite a bit slower than this morning in practice. I'm not sure what changed with the car. The car didn't feel bad; it felt good. Qualifying well is an important piece but not the most important thing. We have a good car that is fast and capable of winning tomorrow. We will go back to the garage and go over everything in the car to ensure we have a winning result tomorrow."
CARLOS MUNOZ (No. 26 Dialy-Ser/Andretti Autosport): "It was pretty good. It was totally different as I was used to IndyCar (and) to go back to Indy Lights. They have a great car, and we will focus on the race tomorrow." (How does it feel to have the potential to win both the Indy 500 and the Firestone Freedom 100 in the same year?) "It would be great. Here in Indy Lights, the qualifying is not as important as the tow in the race. Here (at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) the race is really amusing. We had so much fun last year in that race because we were overtaking all the time. But I am going one by one. I am focusing first with Indy Lights - then I will focus on the Indy 500."
CHASE AUSTIN (No. 28 Starting Grid): "We had a better car than that in practice. I'm not quite sure what happened. We have to go back and look at the telemetry. But we are looking forward to the race tomorrow. We got a good race car. Like I said, I just don't know what happened. I am excited for the race tomorrow. I can't wait for it. We have a good car, and we got a chance of winning."
ZACH VEACH (No. 12 K12/Andretti Autosport): "I don't think that is what we had in the car. I don't know why we fell off what we did in practice. We were very quick this morning, but we will go back and see what we can do better. The race is a lot better than qualifying. I think we have a good race car. We'll go back and see what we've got to do now, and we'll get after it again tomorrow."
SAGE KARAM (No. 7 Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb-Agajanian): "That was a really good run for us. We've been really focusing on race setup, and to go a qualifying lap like that was really kind of unexpected. We'll take it. We're happy with that. There was a little less grip (on the track after the rain), but we trimmed the car out more. The rain did throw a little curve ball at us, but the team responded real well and gave me a good car. I was pretty stable out there, and I felt real good about the car."
JORGE GONCALVEZ (No. 4 Belardi Auto Racing): "It was really hard because I so flat out there the whole run. Basically, the setup of the car was pretty good. We found a good setup for qualifying, but something was wrong with the car. We will try to figure it out later. It should be good for the race."
JIMMY SIMPSON (No. 22 TMR-Reed Smith-Xtreme Drilling & Coil): "I'm a little bit disappointed that we weren't quicker. We thought we would be quite a bit quicker than this. We made some changes to the car that we thought would be faster, and the thing actually went slower than we were in practice. I'm not really sure. I think we're just going to look at the data and make some sense of it and make some improvements for tomorrow. And, you know, we do have a race car. The thing is very comfortable in traffic. It's just really strange that the car was this slow. I think the wind made a big difference for me. I noticed one of my laps was quite a bit quicker than the other one, and I got into the rev limiter a little earlier - quite a bit earlier - on the first lap, and I think I must have caught a gust on the second lap. But something might be amiss with the car. We'll just have to check and see what is going on with it. We were quicker in race trim and, as you know, race trim is quite a bit slower than qualifying trim."
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StemCyte Inc., a global leader in human cord blood stem cell banking, has become an associate sponsor of the No. 16 Acorn Stairlifts Honda fielded by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and driven by James Jakes in the IZOD IndyCar Series for the remainder of the 2013 season.
StemCyte, Inc. and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) will work to support awareness of umbilical cord blood banking and its educational initiative "Stars for Stem Cells." Cord blood stem cells are potential cures for more than 80 illnesses, including cancers, blood disorders and immune and genetic diseases, and continue be a key element in regenerative medicine research.
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IMS Historian Donald Davidson and legendary car builder A.J. Watson, both members of the Auto Racing Hall of Fame, will sign copies from noon-12:30 p.m. Friday of a brand-new 32-page photo essay book featuring the Sheraton-Thompson Watson Offy roadster that A.J. Foyt drove to his second Indianapolis 500 victory in 1964.
The autograph session will take place in the Pagoda Plaza. The book, written by Davidson with considerable input from Watson, is available in all IMS Gift Shops. Foyt wrote the foreword.
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Firestone Indy Lights rookie Jimmy Simpson, driving the No. 22 TMR-Reed Smith-Xtreme Drilling & Coil car, has won the Purdue evGrand Prix and the collegiate evGrand Prix for electric-powered vehicles at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Purdue Grand Prix for gas-powered vehicles on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. He is the first person to win both the electric and gas races. Simpson went to Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and is a student at Purdue University.
JIMMY SIMPSON: "The EVC (Electric Vehicle Club) car was really good the entire time and we ended up winning. The Purdue Grand Prix was just an awesome race. The race was really long and really wore on the driver a lot. We brought a really good pit crew and ended up winning that, as well. It's a pretty wild race. There are a lot of crashes all over the place. I saw an onboard video of another guy who actually ran into me in the middle of the race. I was like: 'There's me. He ran into me.' Of course, racing at Indy is more fun, but the gas karts are a blast. I grew up racing gas karts, so winning that race meant a lot. There was a whole grand prix week leading up to that. And it means a lot to everybody. I was glad to win that." (As a local person, what does it mean for you to be able to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?): "It is an amazing feeling. I remember all through high school my parents would pull me out of school early and write me some note like I was sick or something, and we would come to the racetrack for a couple days to watch. Being able to race here is just amazing. I've come here since I was a little kid. It is just fantastic to be able to race in front of all of your friends and family - especially at this place. This is the coolest place in the world. You're going 200 miles an hour, and it is an amazing feeling."
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Firestone Indy Lights rookie Kyle O'Gara, the brother-in-law of former IZOD Indy Car Series competitor and current team owner Sarah Fisher, has some busy days ahead.
O'Gara practiced and qualified today for the Firestone Freedom 100 and will drive in the race Friday. and qualifying in his No. 67 SFHRD/RW/SPM - Moynahan Williams car for the Firestone Freedom 100, followed by the race on Carb Day Friday. On Saturday, he is graduating from Roncalli High School, located on the south side of Indianapolis. After he receives his diploma, he heads out to the NOS Energy Drink Night Before the 500 USAC Midget Series at Lucas Oil Raceway.
KYLE O'GARA: "I'm looking forward to it. We know it is going to be a busy weekend. I think we can tackle it and take it all one step at a time. I am really looking forward to (Friday.) It will be my first time racing in the Indy Lights series. There are a lot of talented drivers in the field. The car count may not be high, but the quality is up. I'm really looking forward to it. On Saturday, I'm driving for RW Motorsports after I graduate from high school. It's going to be fun." (Is it true that your high school principal is letting you graduate first so you can make the Saturday night race?) "That is right. I am walking first from my class. Then I am heading out to Clermont to practice for The Night Before the 500. I think we can pull out another podium. We raced out in New Smyrna, Florida, in the beginning of February. It was my best national finish (second.) The team has really stepped up this year. I have Bobby Santos as a teammate. He is very good to lean on. I tested out there last week, and everything went really well." (With the busy weekend ahead, which is the bigger event for you: Driving and racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or graduating from high school?) "Definitely turning laps at Indy. It is something that I have always looked forward to doing. We got this chance at the beginning of the month. Every lap is something different; you learn something different. It's awesome. I have studied the history of the track for a long time, since I was little. To be a part of it now really means a lot."
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Karam, an 18-year-old from Nazareth, Pa., posted a two-lap average speed of 189.243 mph (1 minute, 35.1160 seconds cumulative time) May 23 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Karam, driving the No. 8 Comfort Revolutions car for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian, is in his first season in the series after placing third in the Pro Mazda Championship in 2012. He has a pair of podium finishes in the three races on road/street circuits. It's the fifth earned pole and sixth pole start for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in the Firestone Freedom 100.
Series points leader Carlos Munoz, who recorded a two-lap average of 189.276 mph, will start second in the No. 26 Dialy-Ser Andretti Autosport car. He was .0703 of a second off Karam's cumulative time over the five miles. Munoz also will start second in his first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 26.
Peter Dempsey (189.359) and Gabby Chaves (187.770) will share Row 2 in the Firestone Freedom 100. St. Petersburg race winner Jack Hawksworth (187.410) and Kyle O'Gara (187.393), making his Firestone Indy Lights debut, will be on Row 3.
DAY 10 NOTEBOOK:
ABC will televise the Indianapolis 500 for the 49th consecutive year on Sunday, May 26, continuing a Memorial Day tradition that began in 1965.
A one-hour preview show airs from Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 11 a.m. ET, with the race telecast, presented by GoDaddy, at noon.
ESPN's production of the Indianapolis 500 on ABC will utilize 84 cameras to televise the premier event of the IZOD IndyCar Series, including three onboard cameras per car in 12 of the 33 cars competing in the race.
Among the cameras will be the newly-enhanced "Batcam," a camera that provides unique and dramatic views running on a cable over pit road and the frontstretch and has been utilized by ESPN at Indy for several years. But with new technology, "Batcam" can now move faster than ever, reaching speeds of 95 mph.
Views and replays also will be enhanced with expanded usage of four Ultra Hi Motion cameras. As was the case last year when the cameras were used for the first time, they will be located in the short chutes at each end of the 2.5-mile track as well as at the fourth-turn exit, with a fourth robotic camera added this year to provide a low shot entering the first turn. The cameras can shoot at speeds of up to 1,200 frames per second. ESPN also will have Super Slo Motion cameras positioned in each turn.
Pole sitter Ed Carpenter will be one of the 12 drivers carrying onboard cameras, as will defending race winner Dario Franchitti and defending IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay. Others will be Charlie Kimball, JR Hildebrand, James Hinchcliffe, Townsend Bell, Will Power, Helio Castroneves, Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal and Tristan Vautier.
Viewers of the ABC telecast will have the option of a second-screen experience through a choice of live streaming video from the onboard cameras on ESPN3, ESPN's multi-screen live sports network. ESPN3 will carry the feeds exclusively through WatchESPN and on Indycar.com to fans who receive their Internet or video subscription from an affiliated provider. Viewers will be able to choose which driver's onboard cameras they want to watch from among the available cars and this year, for the first time, all of the feeds also will include ESPN's live scoring ticker. ESPN3 also will have replays of the ABC telecast following the event. ESPN3 is available online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE.
Marty Reid will call the race, with analysis by former Indianapolis 500 driver Scott Goodyear and 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever. ESPN "SportsCenter" anchor Lindsay Czarniak will host the telecast while pit reporters will be Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch.
***
The Tony Hulman Classic USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car race has been rescheduled for Friday, June 21 at the Terre Haute Action Track. Rain forced the postponement of the race Wednesday.
***
The Race Day talent lineup for the IMS Radio Network's broadcast of the 97th Indianapolis 500: Mike King, anchor; Davey Hamilton, driver analyst; Donald Davidson, track historian; Jerry Baker, color analyst; Paul Page, race commentary; Jake Query, Turn 2 announcer; Mark Jaynes, Turn 3 announcer; Chris Denari, Turn 4 announcer; Kevin Lee, pit reporter; Nick Yeoman, pit reporter; Michael Young, pit reporter; Dave Furst, pit reporter; Dave Wilson, garage and medical center reporter.
***
Indianapolis 500 veteran drivers will sign autographs for fans in two sessions Saturday afternoon during Legends Day Honoring Parnelli Jones at the Speedway. Both sessions will take place in the Plaza Pavilion. Autographs are free with gate admission for the day, $10 for adults, with 12 and under free.
The session lineup, with all drivers subject to change
•1-2:30 p.m.: Bill Alsup, Tom Bagley, Donnie Beechler, Tom Bigelow, Brian Bonner, Geoff Brabham, Pancho Carter, Michael Chandler, Steve Chassey, Gil de Ferran, Dominic Dobson, Josele Garza, Phil Giebler, Paul Goldsmith, Janet Guthrie, Bob Harkey, Bernard Jourdain, Mel Kenyon, Steve Knapp, Phil Krueger, Arie Luyendyk, Arie Luyendyk Jr., Jack Miller, Rocky Moran, Eldon Rasmussen, Sam Schmidt, Jerry Sneva, Bobby Unser, Johnny Unser
•3-4:30 p.m.: Mario Andretti, Kenny Brack, Buzz Calkins, Tyce Carlson, Derek Daly, Spike Gehlhausen, Stephan Gregoire, Scott Harrington, Stefan Johansson, Herm Johnson, Lee Kunzman, Bob Lazier, Jaques Lazier, Greg Leffler, Robby McGehee, Hiro Matsushita, Max Papis, Johnny Parsons, Bill Puterbaugh, Billy Roe, Eliseo Salazar, Joe Saldana, Bill Simpson, Bruce Walkup, Bill Whittington, Denny Zimmerman
***
IZOD IndyCar Series team co-owner Sarah Fisher has enrolled in the College of Business at WGU Indiana to finish her bachelor's degree.
Fisher, co-owner of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, will begin her studies in August. She began college after graduating seventh in her high school class with honors in Ohio. But her IZOD IndyCar Series and USAC driving commitments forced her to postpone finishing her degree.
WGU Indiana was established nearly three years ago by former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels for working Hoosiers to pursue a high-quality college degree at an affordable price. The university has grown to more than 3,300 students and graduated more than 700. Students and graduates represent every county in the state. As Indiana's nonprofit, online university, WGU Indiana's flat-rate tuition is $3,000 per six-month term, a rate that has not increased since the university was created.
SARAH FISHER: "Now that I'm a mother, a wife and an IndyCar team owner, I'm constantly juggling my schedule. I'm ready to finish my degree, but I need a university that's adaptable to my life and offers quality programs that make going back to school a good investment of my time and energy. I'm excited about earning my degree at WGU Indiana."
ALLISON BARBER (Chancellor, WGU Indiana): "WGU Indiana is proud to provide an education to a disciplined, determined competitor. I expect Sarah to excel in our university because she demonstrates the same traits of our other students - a strong work ethic, independence and a commitment to excellence. I'm excited to watch her learn and inspire other Hoosiers to continue their dreams of a college degree."
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CountryMark will serve as an associate sponsor for the No. 20 Fuzzy's Vodka/Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet entry driven in the 97th Indianapolis 500 by pole sitter Ed Carpenter. It's the second consecutive year the Indianapolis-based corporation has sponsored Carpenter's team.
CountryMark is a recognized as a trusted and leading American oil company. CountryMark maximizes sustainable value by producing and supplying market-leading energy products and services.
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John Haslett of Penske Racing received the C&R Racing "True Grit" Award after qualifications Sunday. Haslett received a $5,000 award from Indianapolis-based C&R Racing, which manufactures and distributes complete cooling systems, chassis and drivetrain components, wind-tunnel models and an assortment of other parts and pieces to race teams.
Haslett received the award for dedication to his work with IZOD IndyCar Series cars, the ability to overcome adversity and the embodiment of the excellent qualities of such a highly skilled trade. He has participated in 29 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races with a position in transportation and as a tire specialist.
JOHN HASLETT: "I am honored to receive this award," said Haslett. "I started working in racing when I was just 22 years old. I was green as green can be, fresh out of the U.S. Navy. My first year at Indy, I was working on Bobby Unser's car. We won that race, and I have been hooked on racing ever since. It is the best feeling ever to help win the '500' for Roger Penske, and I'm grateful to be acknowledged for all my efforts."
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PEAK Motor Oil and Advance Auto Parts will sponsor the No. 91 Lazier Partners Racing Inc. entry for 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier in the 97th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
BUDDY LAZIER: "I am really proud of what the team has accomplished in such a short amount of time and to now sign PEAK Motor Oil and Advance Auto Parts is evidence of how hard everyone is working. Getting the car on the track and finding a sponsor were the two top goals of the team, and we've now done that. So we're ready to go racing with PEAK Motor Oil and Advance Auto Parts Sunday."
BRYAN EMRICH (Senior vice president of marketing, PEAK): "Peak Motor Oil & Antifreeze along with our partner Advance Auto Parts are proud to join forces with Lazier Partners Racing to support Buddy's bid to win the Indy 500 for the second time. PEAK is a company that is proud of its independent, family-owned heritage, the same spirit that drives Lazier Racing. We look forward to the racing."
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FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRACTICE:
At 9 a.m., the ambient temperature was 62 degrees with a relative humidity of 84 percent and winds from the west at 5 mph. Skies were overcast. The track temperature was 73 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
9 a.m. - Firestone Indy Lights officials have delayed the start of session due to track preparation following overnight rain showers.
Rain returned at 11:40 a.m. to the Speedway.
Firestone Freedom 100 qualifying started at 4:15 p.m., three hours after its scheduled start of 1:15 p.m., due to rain.
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FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 SUNOCO POLE QUALIFYING:
Firestone Indy Lights qualifying consists of a two-lap qualifying attempt. Cars are ranked in order based on the quickest cumulative time. Cars take the green flag on the first time past the flag stand. Only one attempt is allowed per car.
Track qualifying record: Wade Cunningham, 1 minute, 34.6485 seconds, 190.177 mph (May 2009). Fastest Firestone Indy Lights lap today: #8 Sage Karam, 47.3732 seconds, 189.981 mph.
At 4:15 p.m., the ambient temperature was 63 degrees with a relative humidity of 72 percent and west winds at 11 mph. Skies were mostly cloudy. The track temperature was 82 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS SUNOCO POLE WINNER QUICK QUOTE:
SAGE KARAM (No. 7 Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb-Agajanian): "I can't thank the team enough. The team put a good car together for me. The rain threw a little bit of a curve ball. To get the pole is a surprise to me. We've been working really hard on the race setup. Qualifying here isn't as important as other tracks, but it's definitely a confidence-booster." (Is your goal to climb to the IZOD IndyCar Series?): "Oh, yeah. That has been my goal since I first walked into the tunnel at 4 years old."
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FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 FIELD NOTES:
•This is the first career Firestone Indy Lights Sunoco Pole for Sage Karam, in his first year in the series. His previous best start was third in April at Barber Motorsports Park.
•Sage Karam is the first American to win the pole position for the Firestone Freedom 100 since Ken Losch in 2007.
•Carlos Munoz has qualified on the front row for all four Firestone Indy Lights races this season. He won the Sunoco Pole for the first three races of the season and qualified second today.
•Carlos Munoz is the first driver to qualify on the front row for the Indianapolis 500 and Firestone Freedom 100 in the same year. He qualified second for both races in Andretti Autosport entries.
•Peter Dempsey qualified third, his best Firestone Indy Lights start at Indianapolis. His previous best at Indianapolis was sixth in 2011.
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 FIELD NOTES:
•This is the fifth earned pole and sixth pole start for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in the Firestone Freedom 100. Winning the pole for SPM were Thiago Medeiros (2004), Jaime Camara (2005), Wade Cunningham (2009), Pippa Mann (2010) and Sage Karam (2013). Bryan Clauson started from the pole in 2011 in an SSM car after qualifying was rained out.
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FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 POST-QUALIFYING QUOTES:
KYLE O'GARA (No. 67 SFHRD/RW/SPM - Moynahan Williams): "We were still a little bit conservative, being my first qualifying attempt ever in an Indy Lights car. We definitely had some room to go if we could have. If we would have had a little more practice in this morning, it might have changed that. But, I am very thankful for being here. I am looking forward to tomorrow. We had a very good race car this morning and at the test. We're looking forward to it."
JACK HAWKSWORTH (No. 77 Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb-Agajanian): "It was great to get out on the track because we've been pits all day with the rain. There was a lot of waiting around, time spent going over things for qualifying. We had a good run, qualified fifth. The car was pretty decent, and we're pretty happy with it. The qualifying round doesn't mean too much, so we can't read too much into it. It's going to be about what happens tomorrow. I was very happy with the race car the last time we ran it, so I think we're in for a good race."
GABBY CHAVES (No. 7 Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb-Agajanian): "I think it was a good qualifying effort. We were flat out from the moment we left the pits, and after that, it's just being as smooth as you can, going through the gears correctly and hoping you get a gust of wind at the right moment to pick up a few miles an hour. I think we had a good qualifying, and we have a strong car for the race."
PETER DEMPSEY (No. 5 Belardi Auto Racing): "I wasn't really happy with the first lap, but the second lap was really solid. The Belardi Auto Racing guys put amount of effort into this car over the past month. The wind has definitely picked up since we rolled onto pit lane for qualifying. I was just trying to pick the best gear selection that I could and play around with the tools that I had in the car. Hopefully, I got it right. Definitely, my second lap, I nailed it."
JUAN PABLO GARCIA (No. 2 TMR-International-Euclid Chemical): "Unfortunately we were quite a bit slower than this morning in practice. I'm not sure what changed with the car. The car didn't feel bad; it felt good. Qualifying well is an important piece but not the most important thing. We have a good car that is fast and capable of winning tomorrow. We will go back to the garage and go over everything in the car to ensure we have a winning result tomorrow."
CARLOS MUNOZ (No. 26 Dialy-Ser/Andretti Autosport): "It was pretty good. It was totally different as I was used to IndyCar (and) to go back to Indy Lights. They have a great car, and we will focus on the race tomorrow." (How does it feel to have the potential to win both the Indy 500 and the Firestone Freedom 100 in the same year?) "It would be great. Here in Indy Lights, the qualifying is not as important as the tow in the race. Here (at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) the race is really amusing. We had so much fun last year in that race because we were overtaking all the time. But I am going one by one. I am focusing first with Indy Lights - then I will focus on the Indy 500."
CHASE AUSTIN (No. 28 Starting Grid): "We had a better car than that in practice. I'm not quite sure what happened. We have to go back and look at the telemetry. But we are looking forward to the race tomorrow. We got a good race car. Like I said, I just don't know what happened. I am excited for the race tomorrow. I can't wait for it. We have a good car, and we got a chance of winning."
ZACH VEACH (No. 12 K12/Andretti Autosport): "I don't think that is what we had in the car. I don't know why we fell off what we did in practice. We were very quick this morning, but we will go back and see what we can do better. The race is a lot better than qualifying. I think we have a good race car. We'll go back and see what we've got to do now, and we'll get after it again tomorrow."
SAGE KARAM (No. 7 Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb-Agajanian): "That was a really good run for us. We've been really focusing on race setup, and to go a qualifying lap like that was really kind of unexpected. We'll take it. We're happy with that. There was a little less grip (on the track after the rain), but we trimmed the car out more. The rain did throw a little curve ball at us, but the team responded real well and gave me a good car. I was pretty stable out there, and I felt real good about the car."
JORGE GONCALVEZ (No. 4 Belardi Auto Racing): "It was really hard because I so flat out there the whole run. Basically, the setup of the car was pretty good. We found a good setup for qualifying, but something was wrong with the car. We will try to figure it out later. It should be good for the race."
JIMMY SIMPSON (No. 22 TMR-Reed Smith-Xtreme Drilling & Coil): "I'm a little bit disappointed that we weren't quicker. We thought we would be quite a bit quicker than this. We made some changes to the car that we thought would be faster, and the thing actually went slower than we were in practice. I'm not really sure. I think we're just going to look at the data and make some sense of it and make some improvements for tomorrow. And, you know, we do have a race car. The thing is very comfortable in traffic. It's just really strange that the car was this slow. I think the wind made a big difference for me. I noticed one of my laps was quite a bit quicker than the other one, and I got into the rev limiter a little earlier - quite a bit earlier - on the first lap, and I think I must have caught a gust on the second lap. But something might be amiss with the car. We'll just have to check and see what is going on with it. We were quicker in race trim and, as you know, race trim is quite a bit slower than qualifying trim."
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StemCyte Inc., a global leader in human cord blood stem cell banking, has become an associate sponsor of the No. 16 Acorn Stairlifts Honda fielded by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and driven by James Jakes in the IZOD IndyCar Series for the remainder of the 2013 season.
StemCyte, Inc. and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) will work to support awareness of umbilical cord blood banking and its educational initiative "Stars for Stem Cells." Cord blood stem cells are potential cures for more than 80 illnesses, including cancers, blood disorders and immune and genetic diseases, and continue be a key element in regenerative medicine research.
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IMS Historian Donald Davidson and legendary car builder A.J. Watson, both members of the Auto Racing Hall of Fame, will sign copies from noon-12:30 p.m. Friday of a brand-new 32-page photo essay book featuring the Sheraton-Thompson Watson Offy roadster that A.J. Foyt drove to his second Indianapolis 500 victory in 1964.
The autograph session will take place in the Pagoda Plaza. The book, written by Davidson with considerable input from Watson, is available in all IMS Gift Shops. Foyt wrote the foreword.
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Firestone Indy Lights rookie Jimmy Simpson, driving the No. 22 TMR-Reed Smith-Xtreme Drilling & Coil car, has won the Purdue evGrand Prix and the collegiate evGrand Prix for electric-powered vehicles at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Purdue Grand Prix for gas-powered vehicles on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. He is the first person to win both the electric and gas races. Simpson went to Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and is a student at Purdue University.
JIMMY SIMPSON: "The EVC (Electric Vehicle Club) car was really good the entire time and we ended up winning. The Purdue Grand Prix was just an awesome race. The race was really long and really wore on the driver a lot. We brought a really good pit crew and ended up winning that, as well. It's a pretty wild race. There are a lot of crashes all over the place. I saw an onboard video of another guy who actually ran into me in the middle of the race. I was like: 'There's me. He ran into me.' Of course, racing at Indy is more fun, but the gas karts are a blast. I grew up racing gas karts, so winning that race meant a lot. There was a whole grand prix week leading up to that. And it means a lot to everybody. I was glad to win that." (As a local person, what does it mean for you to be able to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?): "It is an amazing feeling. I remember all through high school my parents would pull me out of school early and write me some note like I was sick or something, and we would come to the racetrack for a couple days to watch. Being able to race here is just amazing. I've come here since I was a little kid. It is just fantastic to be able to race in front of all of your friends and family - especially at this place. This is the coolest place in the world. You're going 200 miles an hour, and it is an amazing feeling."
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Firestone Indy Lights rookie Kyle O'Gara, the brother-in-law of former IZOD Indy Car Series competitor and current team owner Sarah Fisher, has some busy days ahead.
O'Gara practiced and qualified today for the Firestone Freedom 100 and will drive in the race Friday. and qualifying in his No. 67 SFHRD/RW/SPM - Moynahan Williams car for the Firestone Freedom 100, followed by the race on Carb Day Friday. On Saturday, he is graduating from Roncalli High School, located on the south side of Indianapolis. After he receives his diploma, he heads out to the NOS Energy Drink Night Before the 500 USAC Midget Series at Lucas Oil Raceway.
KYLE O'GARA: "I'm looking forward to it. We know it is going to be a busy weekend. I think we can tackle it and take it all one step at a time. I am really looking forward to (Friday.) It will be my first time racing in the Indy Lights series. There are a lot of talented drivers in the field. The car count may not be high, but the quality is up. I'm really looking forward to it. On Saturday, I'm driving for RW Motorsports after I graduate from high school. It's going to be fun." (Is it true that your high school principal is letting you graduate first so you can make the Saturday night race?) "That is right. I am walking first from my class. Then I am heading out to Clermont to practice for The Night Before the 500. I think we can pull out another podium. We raced out in New Smyrna, Florida, in the beginning of February. It was my best national finish (second.) The team has really stepped up this year. I have Bobby Santos as a teammate. He is very good to lean on. I tested out there last week, and everything went really well." (With the busy weekend ahead, which is the bigger event for you: Driving and racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or graduating from high school?) "Definitely turning laps at Indy. It is something that I have always looked forward to doing. We got this chance at the beginning of the month. Every lap is something different; you learn something different. It's awesome. I have studied the history of the track for a long time, since I was little. To be a part of it now really means a lot."
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Firestone Indy Lights to delay introduction of next-generation car
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013) - Firestone Indy Lights announced today that the introduction of its next-generation car will be delayed until after the 2014 season.
"While we have generated quite a bit of interest from a variety of manufacturers, we feel it's best to delay the introduction of the next-generation chassis and engine," said Tony George Jr., director, Firestone Indy Lights. "We want our teams, drivers and manufacturers to be competitive and successful, and if that means taking a step back to create a stronger series to support the economics of this long-term capital investment as well as a formula that we believe will allow our drivers to transition between Pro Mazda and the IZOD IndyCar Series, then we're willing to make sure the introduction is timed properly."
Series officials, citing the desired attributes of a contemporary chassis with enhanced aerodynamics and technology, announced last May that a request for proposal had been distributed to potential manufacturers and development firms for both engine and chassis. All Firestone Indy Lights competitors currently run a Dallara chassis and 3.5-liter, normally aspirated V8 engine.
"We continue to spend a considerable amount of time conducting due diligence, taking into account the needs of our teams, drivers, manufacturers and other key constituents to make our series stronger," George said. "This ongoing process has proven just how much people believe in Firestone Indy Lights and the entire Mazda Road to Indy driver development system."
INDYCAR continues to make investments to grow Firestone Indy Lights while providing further value to all participants throughout the Mazda Road to Indy system that also includes the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.
This season Firestone Indy Lights has an improved TV package, with all races televised on NBC Sports Network. The television schedule features enhanced time windows, serving as lead-in programming to IZOD IndyCar Series broadcasts where the schedules allow, showcasing the series to a larger audience. The Freedom 100 on May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be televised live.
Additionally, INDYCAR recently re-launched the Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy website as part of indycar.com, serving as the go-to resource for news and features on the next generation of the sport's stars.
The Firestone Indy Lights champion, claiming a Mazda Road to Indy scholarship to apply to an IZOD IndyCar Series program, has graduated to the premier series three of the past four years. Tristan Vautier will drive for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in the 2013 season. Scholarships also were awarded to 2012 Pro Mazda champion Jack Hawksworth and USF2000 champion Matthew Brabham, both of whom will graduate to the next step on the ladder this season.
"INDYCAR would like to thank the suppliers, manufacturers and other parties for their continued interest and involvement in the development of the new car," George said. "Everyone involved believes there is a bright future ahead for the series."
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"While we have generated quite a bit of interest from a variety of manufacturers, we feel it's best to delay the introduction of the next-generation chassis and engine," said Tony George Jr., director, Firestone Indy Lights. "We want our teams, drivers and manufacturers to be competitive and successful, and if that means taking a step back to create a stronger series to support the economics of this long-term capital investment as well as a formula that we believe will allow our drivers to transition between Pro Mazda and the IZOD IndyCar Series, then we're willing to make sure the introduction is timed properly."
Series officials, citing the desired attributes of a contemporary chassis with enhanced aerodynamics and technology, announced last May that a request for proposal had been distributed to potential manufacturers and development firms for both engine and chassis. All Firestone Indy Lights competitors currently run a Dallara chassis and 3.5-liter, normally aspirated V8 engine.
"We continue to spend a considerable amount of time conducting due diligence, taking into account the needs of our teams, drivers, manufacturers and other key constituents to make our series stronger," George said. "This ongoing process has proven just how much people believe in Firestone Indy Lights and the entire Mazda Road to Indy driver development system."
INDYCAR continues to make investments to grow Firestone Indy Lights while providing further value to all participants throughout the Mazda Road to Indy system that also includes the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.
This season Firestone Indy Lights has an improved TV package, with all races televised on NBC Sports Network. The television schedule features enhanced time windows, serving as lead-in programming to IZOD IndyCar Series broadcasts where the schedules allow, showcasing the series to a larger audience. The Freedom 100 on May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be televised live.
Additionally, INDYCAR recently re-launched the Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy website as part of indycar.com, serving as the go-to resource for news and features on the next generation of the sport's stars.
The Firestone Indy Lights champion, claiming a Mazda Road to Indy scholarship to apply to an IZOD IndyCar Series program, has graduated to the premier series three of the past four years. Tristan Vautier will drive for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in the 2013 season. Scholarships also were awarded to 2012 Pro Mazda champion Jack Hawksworth and USF2000 champion Matthew Brabham, both of whom will graduate to the next step on the ladder this season.
"INDYCAR would like to thank the suppliers, manufacturers and other parties for their continued interest and involvement in the development of the new car," George said. "Everyone involved believes there is a bright future ahead for the series."
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Star Mazda Champ Jack Hawksworth to Join Sam Schmidt Motorsports Firestone Indy Lights Team in 2013
INDIANAPOLIS (December 7, 2012) - Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ (SSM) Indy Lights team will embark on the quest for its seventh Firestone Indy Lights Championship in 2013 with the signing of 21-year-old British racer Jack Hawksworth.
Hawksworth dominated the 2012 Star Mazda series where he broke series records for the most wins, poles and fastest laps on his way to capturing the championship.
“I am delighted to confirm that I will be competing in Firestone Indy Lights with SSM,” Hawksworth said. “The team’s success speaks for itself and I am relishing the opportunity to work with this team and help them achieve the best results possible in 2013.”
The 2013 Firestone Indy Lights season will kick off in St. Petersburg, Fla. on March 23 and be highlighted by the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24. The 12-event season that runs in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series will conclude on October 19 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
SSM owner Sam Schmidt believes Hawksworth’s dominating effort in Star Mazda will enable him to excel in Firestone Indy Lights.
“I’m really pleased to have Jack join SSM in 2013,” Schmidt said. “I watched his progress very closely this year in Star Mazda. He did a fantastic job, especially since he had not raced in the US before and everything was unfamiliar.”
SSM tested Hawksworth in a Firestone Indy Lights car at Sebring International Raceway in November.
“We’ve run several drivers straight out of the Star Mazda Series, and Jack seemed to adapt very quickly to the Lights car,” Chris Finch, SSM Firestone Indy Lights engineer, said. “He got up to speed very quickly and provided very analytical feedback. It will be great to see his nuances as he establishes his driving style in a Lights car.”
The signing of Hawksworth shows the continued commitment team owner Sam Schmidt has shown to the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system.
SSM’s 2012 Firestone Indy Lights champion, Tristan Vautier, won the 2011 Star Mazda Championship before joining SSM to compete in Firestone Indy Lights. Hawksworth follows in Vautier’s path from Star Mazda to Firestone Indy Lights, with an eventual goal of reaching the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500.
“It’s an honor to facilitate the Mazda Road to Indy scholarship at this level for the third year in a row,” Schmidt said. “The ladder has been proven to properly prepare drivers for the next level and if the performances of drivers like Tristan Vautier and Conor Daly are any indication, Jack Hawksworth will be a Firestone Indy Lights championship contender in 2013.”
Jack Hawksworth’s Career at a Glance
2012: Star Mazda Champion, collected 8 wins
2011: Won at Croft and scored multiple podiums in Formula Renault U.K. Championship
2010: Won British Kartmasters Championship
For more information on what's new and exciting at Sam Schmidt Motorsports, follow the team online at www.samschmidtmotorsports.com or on Twitter@SSMindy or Facebook at www.facebook.com/samschmidtmotorsports.
Follow Jack Hawksworth online at www.jackhawksworth.co.uk or on Twitter @jackhawk91.
Hawksworth dominated the 2012 Star Mazda series where he broke series records for the most wins, poles and fastest laps on his way to capturing the championship.
“I am delighted to confirm that I will be competing in Firestone Indy Lights with SSM,” Hawksworth said. “The team’s success speaks for itself and I am relishing the opportunity to work with this team and help them achieve the best results possible in 2013.”
The 2013 Firestone Indy Lights season will kick off in St. Petersburg, Fla. on March 23 and be highlighted by the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24. The 12-event season that runs in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series will conclude on October 19 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
SSM owner Sam Schmidt believes Hawksworth’s dominating effort in Star Mazda will enable him to excel in Firestone Indy Lights.
“I’m really pleased to have Jack join SSM in 2013,” Schmidt said. “I watched his progress very closely this year in Star Mazda. He did a fantastic job, especially since he had not raced in the US before and everything was unfamiliar.”
SSM tested Hawksworth in a Firestone Indy Lights car at Sebring International Raceway in November.
“We’ve run several drivers straight out of the Star Mazda Series, and Jack seemed to adapt very quickly to the Lights car,” Chris Finch, SSM Firestone Indy Lights engineer, said. “He got up to speed very quickly and provided very analytical feedback. It will be great to see his nuances as he establishes his driving style in a Lights car.”
The signing of Hawksworth shows the continued commitment team owner Sam Schmidt has shown to the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system.
SSM’s 2012 Firestone Indy Lights champion, Tristan Vautier, won the 2011 Star Mazda Championship before joining SSM to compete in Firestone Indy Lights. Hawksworth follows in Vautier’s path from Star Mazda to Firestone Indy Lights, with an eventual goal of reaching the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500.
“It’s an honor to facilitate the Mazda Road to Indy scholarship at this level for the third year in a row,” Schmidt said. “The ladder has been proven to properly prepare drivers for the next level and if the performances of drivers like Tristan Vautier and Conor Daly are any indication, Jack Hawksworth will be a Firestone Indy Lights championship contender in 2013.”
Jack Hawksworth’s Career at a Glance
2012: Star Mazda Champion, collected 8 wins
2011: Won at Croft and scored multiple podiums in Formula Renault U.K. Championship
2010: Won British Kartmasters Championship
For more information on what's new and exciting at Sam Schmidt Motorsports, follow the team online at www.samschmidtmotorsports.com or on Twitter@SSMindy or Facebook at www.facebook.com/samschmidtmotorsports.
Follow Jack Hawksworth online at www.jackhawksworth.co.uk or on Twitter @jackhawk91.
Veach, K12 to compete for '13 FIL title
Mazda Road to Indy Star Continues His Climb Up The INDYCAR Ladder
INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 3, 2012) - Andretti Autosport announced today it has signed 17-year-old Zach Veach to compete in Firestone Indy Lights alongside 20-year-old Carlos Muñoz. Veach will pilot the No. 12 K12 entry for the 2013 season, which includes the Freedom 100 held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"I'm glad to have Zach [Veach] back with us for 2013 and to see him step up to a [Firestone Indy] Lights car is great, it means the [Mazda Road to Indy] ladder is working," said Michael Andretti, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Andretti Autosport. "He's been with us for each step of the ladder so far and we've continued to be impressed by him. We're looking forward to seeing his talent develop even further this season."
Veach, of Stockdale, Ohio will contest the 12-race Firestone Indy Lights schedule on a diverse line up of ovals as well as road and street circuits. The season will open on March 23-24 on the streets of St. Petersburg and the season finale will be hosted at Auto Club Speedway, Oct. 18-19. All Firestone Indy Lights races will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network and Veach will be competing for the $1 million Mazda Road to Indy scholarship to move up to the IZOD IndyCar Series and attempt to qualify for the famed Indianapolis 500.
"It's crazy to think I'm going into my fourth season in 2013 with Andretti Autosport," said Veach. "I'm still just as excited as I was the first day I joined the team and to be moving up to Firestone Indy Lights is a dream come true. The cars are very similar to the Atlantics car, which I spent a considerable amount of time testing in 2009 and 2010. I'm stoked to jump up to a bigger car with more horsepower and the start of the season can't come soon enough! I have to give a big thank you again to K12 for continuing to be apart of my program both on the racetrack and for my education. Without them I would not still be chasing this crazy dream of mine. I also have to thank Michael [Andretti] for continuing to give me this opportunity with the team and to my family for the continued support."
K12, the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for students in kindergarten through high school, will continue its relationship with Veach in 2013 by serving as his primary sponsor. K12 has delivered over 4.5 million online courses from its extensive portfolio over the past decade, including courses developed for credit recovery, core courses, world languages, and AP and high school electives. Curriculum solutions provided by K12 are used in over 2000 school districts and through full-time online public schools like the one Veach attends. The flexibility and quality of these programs, where students access lessons, classrooms and teacher support via the Internet, appeals to a wide variety of students including advanced learners and those who are honing unique talents. For Veach, online learning keeps him on pace to pursue his career as a semi-pro racing driver.
"K12 is incredibly excited and proud to have the opportunity to give Zach the tools he needs to achieve his racing dream, while also fulfilling his strong passion for learning," said Ron Packard, CEO and Founder of K12 Inc. "With this sponsorship we hope to introduce more parents and students to the benefits of K12's flexible online education system and show how exceptional students, like Zach, can benefit from an individualized education."
This will mark Veach's first year in Firestone Indy Lights, after he topped the speed charts and set an unofficial new track record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while testing a Firestone Indy Lights machine on the Brickyard's celebrated grounds in mid-2012. For the 2012 racing season, Veach had nine top-10 finishes, three of which were top-five results including a runner-up finish on the Streets of Toronto in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Prior to that, he won the 2012 Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear Winter Series championship, using four race wins and four pole positions to capture the title.
In 2010 Veach first joined Andretti Autosport and in addition to 2011, competed in the USF2000 National Championship, which means he is the first driver to successfully compete at every level of the Mazda Road to Indy developmental ladder system. Following his 2010 season, Veach clinched the 2011 USF2000 Winterfest Championship title with two race wins and three pole awards. Following his 2011 season, he was then voted "Most Popular Driver in USF2000" along with being named by ESPN The Magazine as a NEXT athlete in motorsports.
Off the track, Veach is an advocate against distracted driving and bullying prevention. He has also authored a book, 99 THINGS TEENS WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE TURNING 16, and released a phone app, urTXT, and entered his senior year of high school at K12 this past fall.
In addition to K12, Veach's Firestone Indy Lights effort is also supported by: The Young Marines, ADS IT Solutions, Zakosi Data Backup, Replay XD, OMP, Arai Helmets, and Oakley.
Sanctioned by INDYCAR, Firestone Indy Lights is one of three series part of the Mazda Road to Indy developmental ladder system, designed to prepare drivers for the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500. Andretti Autosport is currently the only INDYCAR team to compete in each level of the Mazda Road to Indy as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series.
For more information, please visit www.ZachVeach.com or www.AndrettiAutosport.com.
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INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 3, 2012) - Andretti Autosport announced today it has signed 17-year-old Zach Veach to compete in Firestone Indy Lights alongside 20-year-old Carlos Muñoz. Veach will pilot the No. 12 K12 entry for the 2013 season, which includes the Freedom 100 held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"I'm glad to have Zach [Veach] back with us for 2013 and to see him step up to a [Firestone Indy] Lights car is great, it means the [Mazda Road to Indy] ladder is working," said Michael Andretti, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Andretti Autosport. "He's been with us for each step of the ladder so far and we've continued to be impressed by him. We're looking forward to seeing his talent develop even further this season."
Veach, of Stockdale, Ohio will contest the 12-race Firestone Indy Lights schedule on a diverse line up of ovals as well as road and street circuits. The season will open on March 23-24 on the streets of St. Petersburg and the season finale will be hosted at Auto Club Speedway, Oct. 18-19. All Firestone Indy Lights races will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network and Veach will be competing for the $1 million Mazda Road to Indy scholarship to move up to the IZOD IndyCar Series and attempt to qualify for the famed Indianapolis 500.
"It's crazy to think I'm going into my fourth season in 2013 with Andretti Autosport," said Veach. "I'm still just as excited as I was the first day I joined the team and to be moving up to Firestone Indy Lights is a dream come true. The cars are very similar to the Atlantics car, which I spent a considerable amount of time testing in 2009 and 2010. I'm stoked to jump up to a bigger car with more horsepower and the start of the season can't come soon enough! I have to give a big thank you again to K12 for continuing to be apart of my program both on the racetrack and for my education. Without them I would not still be chasing this crazy dream of mine. I also have to thank Michael [Andretti] for continuing to give me this opportunity with the team and to my family for the continued support."
K12, the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for students in kindergarten through high school, will continue its relationship with Veach in 2013 by serving as his primary sponsor. K12 has delivered over 4.5 million online courses from its extensive portfolio over the past decade, including courses developed for credit recovery, core courses, world languages, and AP and high school electives. Curriculum solutions provided by K12 are used in over 2000 school districts and through full-time online public schools like the one Veach attends. The flexibility and quality of these programs, where students access lessons, classrooms and teacher support via the Internet, appeals to a wide variety of students including advanced learners and those who are honing unique talents. For Veach, online learning keeps him on pace to pursue his career as a semi-pro racing driver.
"K12 is incredibly excited and proud to have the opportunity to give Zach the tools he needs to achieve his racing dream, while also fulfilling his strong passion for learning," said Ron Packard, CEO and Founder of K12 Inc. "With this sponsorship we hope to introduce more parents and students to the benefits of K12's flexible online education system and show how exceptional students, like Zach, can benefit from an individualized education."
This will mark Veach's first year in Firestone Indy Lights, after he topped the speed charts and set an unofficial new track record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while testing a Firestone Indy Lights machine on the Brickyard's celebrated grounds in mid-2012. For the 2012 racing season, Veach had nine top-10 finishes, three of which were top-five results including a runner-up finish on the Streets of Toronto in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. Prior to that, he won the 2012 Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear Winter Series championship, using four race wins and four pole positions to capture the title.
In 2010 Veach first joined Andretti Autosport and in addition to 2011, competed in the USF2000 National Championship, which means he is the first driver to successfully compete at every level of the Mazda Road to Indy developmental ladder system. Following his 2010 season, Veach clinched the 2011 USF2000 Winterfest Championship title with two race wins and three pole awards. Following his 2011 season, he was then voted "Most Popular Driver in USF2000" along with being named by ESPN The Magazine as a NEXT athlete in motorsports.
Off the track, Veach is an advocate against distracted driving and bullying prevention. He has also authored a book, 99 THINGS TEENS WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE TURNING 16, and released a phone app, urTXT, and entered his senior year of high school at K12 this past fall.
In addition to K12, Veach's Firestone Indy Lights effort is also supported by: The Young Marines, ADS IT Solutions, Zakosi Data Backup, Replay XD, OMP, Arai Helmets, and Oakley.
Sanctioned by INDYCAR, Firestone Indy Lights is one of three series part of the Mazda Road to Indy developmental ladder system, designed to prepare drivers for the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500. Andretti Autosport is currently the only INDYCAR team to compete in each level of the Mazda Road to Indy as well as the IZOD IndyCar Series.
For more information, please visit www.ZachVeach.com or www.AndrettiAutosport.com.
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Tim Paul Signs with AJ Foyt Racing for Indy Lights in 2014; Running Both F2000 Series in 2013
Mahopac, NY – Open-wheel racing and former midget and sprint car driver Timothy Paul of Mahopac, New York, has signed an agreement to race in the Firestone Indy Lights Championship in 2014 for AJ Foyt Racing.
Prior to the 2014 season, Paul, who has run competitively in the F2000 Championship Series, will spend 2013 competing in both F2000 and USF2000 in a CellMark Paper-sponsored entry to gain the maximum amount of seat time possible.
“2013 is going to be a turning point for me. We really need to focus this year and put our program together in a whole new way to compete where I think we should, near the front of the field,” said Paul.
The 2013 USF2000 schedule features races at Sebring with ALMS, St. Petersburg with IndyCar, the Night before the 500, Toronto and Mid-Ohio with IndyCar, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with Grand-Am, and the Houston Grand Prix at Reliant Park with IndyCar.
Paul will drive a green and orange Van Diemen, with the livery inspired by Mazda’s LeMan’s winning 787b. Engineering support will come from GTP Motorsports led by Glenn Phillips and Michael Witson.
Paul continued: “This is something that you can only dream about growing up, and it's been a long road. Our involvement with Foyt Racing is going to enhance every single component of our team, from our weekend strategies and competitiveness to our resources and confidence. I could not be more proud about this season and what we have accomplished in less than three years of road racing competition.”
Paul, who said A.J. Foyt is one of his heroes, met Foyt at an IndyCar race at Nazareth, where the Indy 500 legend autographed a then-young-race-fan’s karting helmet. Paul started karting at age nine.
“It was always easy for me to look up to him in awe, because we had done the same types of things in the motorsport world. I began on dirt and never ran a road course in my life until three years ago, at my Skip Barber license school before my first season of the Championship Series. I was a dirt oval, sprint car and midget guy through and through. A.J. was one of the guys that lived in that world in a larger-than-life context,” Paul added. “I feel like my ride has just begun, and I honestly feel it couldn't have started in a more historic, revered and flat out awesome way than to be hooked up with Foyt Racing.”
Team Director Larry Foyt is looking forward to working with young Paul in 2014 as well as the expansion of the team which will serve his long term goals for the AJ Foyt Racing team.
“Tim has done a lot of different open wheel racing in his career coming through the midgets and sprints which we appreciate more than most IndyCar teams I think,” said Foyt. “I watched him run some Formula 2000 races last year and I think he has a lot of potential. He’ll be competing in the USF2000 series next year to be ready for Indy Lights in 2014. He’s worked very hard to get this opportunity and it will be a strong team effort. It works well for us as well because I’ve wanted to start up our Indy Lights program again. Not only is it a great feeder program for young drivers but also for young mechanics who aspire to work in the IndyCar Series. Being in Texas, we’re a bit removed from the racing hub but we enjoy bringing on young guys and training them our way.”
The Franklin Pierce University student, majoring in English, is a cancer survivor, and will contest the 2013 season for GTP Motorsports and SMR Racing in the No. 06 Van Diemen/Zetec in the F2000 Championship Series, switching over to a similar Van Diemen, although with a Mazda powerplant for the full USF2000 Championship schedule.
Continued Paul: “Being able to compete in front of the IndyCar and ALMS crowds on the same weekends is going to be the thrill of a lifetime. I can't thank everyone involved from Foyt and my team enough, so I am not going to try to do it in words. I will show them how much I appreciate and am grateful for their trust, support and friendship out on the track, by performing the best that I possibly can and making sure everyone around me is proud to have me where I am, and proud that they went out on a limb to support us.”
Paul finished sixth overall in a highly competitive edition of the 2012 F2000 Series, his third year in the Championship, and will head to Florida in January to gain some laps in a Van Diemen/Mazda during the winter SCCA Nationals at Sebring International Raceway to continue development of the USF2000 car.
The 27-year-old fits in well with the Foyt Racing program, having a long resume of regional sprint and midget experience before Tim and his father attended a F2000 race in 2009 and decided to go road racing.
Learn more about Tim on TimPaulDrive.com and ScreamingMonkeyRacing.com.
Prior to the 2014 season, Paul, who has run competitively in the F2000 Championship Series, will spend 2013 competing in both F2000 and USF2000 in a CellMark Paper-sponsored entry to gain the maximum amount of seat time possible.
“2013 is going to be a turning point for me. We really need to focus this year and put our program together in a whole new way to compete where I think we should, near the front of the field,” said Paul.
The 2013 USF2000 schedule features races at Sebring with ALMS, St. Petersburg with IndyCar, the Night before the 500, Toronto and Mid-Ohio with IndyCar, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with Grand-Am, and the Houston Grand Prix at Reliant Park with IndyCar.
Paul will drive a green and orange Van Diemen, with the livery inspired by Mazda’s LeMan’s winning 787b. Engineering support will come from GTP Motorsports led by Glenn Phillips and Michael Witson.
Paul continued: “This is something that you can only dream about growing up, and it's been a long road. Our involvement with Foyt Racing is going to enhance every single component of our team, from our weekend strategies and competitiveness to our resources and confidence. I could not be more proud about this season and what we have accomplished in less than three years of road racing competition.”
Paul, who said A.J. Foyt is one of his heroes, met Foyt at an IndyCar race at Nazareth, where the Indy 500 legend autographed a then-young-race-fan’s karting helmet. Paul started karting at age nine.
“It was always easy for me to look up to him in awe, because we had done the same types of things in the motorsport world. I began on dirt and never ran a road course in my life until three years ago, at my Skip Barber license school before my first season of the Championship Series. I was a dirt oval, sprint car and midget guy through and through. A.J. was one of the guys that lived in that world in a larger-than-life context,” Paul added. “I feel like my ride has just begun, and I honestly feel it couldn't have started in a more historic, revered and flat out awesome way than to be hooked up with Foyt Racing.”
Team Director Larry Foyt is looking forward to working with young Paul in 2014 as well as the expansion of the team which will serve his long term goals for the AJ Foyt Racing team.
“Tim has done a lot of different open wheel racing in his career coming through the midgets and sprints which we appreciate more than most IndyCar teams I think,” said Foyt. “I watched him run some Formula 2000 races last year and I think he has a lot of potential. He’ll be competing in the USF2000 series next year to be ready for Indy Lights in 2014. He’s worked very hard to get this opportunity and it will be a strong team effort. It works well for us as well because I’ve wanted to start up our Indy Lights program again. Not only is it a great feeder program for young drivers but also for young mechanics who aspire to work in the IndyCar Series. Being in Texas, we’re a bit removed from the racing hub but we enjoy bringing on young guys and training them our way.”
The Franklin Pierce University student, majoring in English, is a cancer survivor, and will contest the 2013 season for GTP Motorsports and SMR Racing in the No. 06 Van Diemen/Zetec in the F2000 Championship Series, switching over to a similar Van Diemen, although with a Mazda powerplant for the full USF2000 Championship schedule.
Continued Paul: “Being able to compete in front of the IndyCar and ALMS crowds on the same weekends is going to be the thrill of a lifetime. I can't thank everyone involved from Foyt and my team enough, so I am not going to try to do it in words. I will show them how much I appreciate and am grateful for their trust, support and friendship out on the track, by performing the best that I possibly can and making sure everyone around me is proud to have me where I am, and proud that they went out on a limb to support us.”
Paul finished sixth overall in a highly competitive edition of the 2012 F2000 Series, his third year in the Championship, and will head to Florida in January to gain some laps in a Van Diemen/Mazda during the winter SCCA Nationals at Sebring International Raceway to continue development of the USF2000 car.
The 27-year-old fits in well with the Foyt Racing program, having a long resume of regional sprint and midget experience before Tim and his father attended a F2000 race in 2009 and decided to go road racing.
Learn more about Tim on TimPaulDrive.com and ScreamingMonkeyRacing.com.
Firestone Indy Lights announces 2013 slate
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, October 18, 2012) - Firestone Indy Lights announced today a 12-race schedule for its 2013 season, featuring a diverse line up of ovals, road and street circuits, designed to prepare drivers for the for the next step on the Mazda Road to Indy ladder - the IZOD IndyCar Series.
New additions to the schedule for 2013 are the historic 2.5-mile oval at Pocono Raceway, the 1.7-mile, 10-turn temporary street course at Reliant Park in Houston and the series' return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, its first race at the 2.258-mile natural terrain road course since 2010.
"Our goal is to create a schedule that will challenge our up-and-coming drivers while preparing them for the diversity of the IZOD IndyCar Series," said Tony George Jr., director, Firestone Indy Lights. "For the 2013 season, we are adding one new oval, road course and temporary street circuit, which only enhances the strength of our schedule. To be crowned champion and earn the $1 million Mazda Road to Indy scholarship to the IZOD IndyCar Series, a driver must master each discipline on the circuit in order to maximize points opportunities."
The season will open March 23-24 on the streets of St. Petersburg and the season finale will once again be hosted at Auto Club Speedway, Oct. 18-19. Nine venues that hosted Firestone Indy Lights races in 2012 return and all event weekends will be run in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series and complemented by other series in the Mazda Road to Indy.
George added: "We feel it's important to create opportunities to expose the talents of our Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy drivers alongside the IZOD IndyCar Series. We want to showcase the strength of our ladder system and there is no better way to do that than to run at the tracks where the IZOD IndyCar Series competes."
The first oval of the season will be the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24, two days before the Indianapolis 500. In total, five ovals appear on the 2013 Firestone Indy Lights schedule.
All Firestone Indy Lights races will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network, with dates and times to be announced soon.
2013 Firestone Indy Lights Schedule
March 23-24 Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street course
April 6-7 Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course
April 20-21 Streets of Long Beach 1.968-mile street course
May 24 Indianapolis Motor Speedway2.5-mile oval
June 14-15 The Milwaukee Mile 1-mile oval
June 22-23 Iowa Speedway .875-mile oval
July 6-7 Pocono International Raceway 2.5-mile oval
July 12-13 Streets of Toronto 1.75-mile street course
Aug. 3-4 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Streets of Baltimore 2.04-mile street course
Oct. 5-6 Reliant Park 1.7-mile street course
Oct. 18-19 Auto Club Speedway 2-mile oval
Schedule subject to change
-end-
New additions to the schedule for 2013 are the historic 2.5-mile oval at Pocono Raceway, the 1.7-mile, 10-turn temporary street course at Reliant Park in Houston and the series' return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, its first race at the 2.258-mile natural terrain road course since 2010.
"Our goal is to create a schedule that will challenge our up-and-coming drivers while preparing them for the diversity of the IZOD IndyCar Series," said Tony George Jr., director, Firestone Indy Lights. "For the 2013 season, we are adding one new oval, road course and temporary street circuit, which only enhances the strength of our schedule. To be crowned champion and earn the $1 million Mazda Road to Indy scholarship to the IZOD IndyCar Series, a driver must master each discipline on the circuit in order to maximize points opportunities."
The season will open March 23-24 on the streets of St. Petersburg and the season finale will once again be hosted at Auto Club Speedway, Oct. 18-19. Nine venues that hosted Firestone Indy Lights races in 2012 return and all event weekends will be run in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series and complemented by other series in the Mazda Road to Indy.
George added: "We feel it's important to create opportunities to expose the talents of our Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy drivers alongside the IZOD IndyCar Series. We want to showcase the strength of our ladder system and there is no better way to do that than to run at the tracks where the IZOD IndyCar Series competes."
The first oval of the season will be the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24, two days before the Indianapolis 500. In total, five ovals appear on the 2013 Firestone Indy Lights schedule.
All Firestone Indy Lights races will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network, with dates and times to be announced soon.
2013 Firestone Indy Lights Schedule
March 23-24 Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street course
April 6-7 Barber Motorsports Park 2.38-mile road course
April 20-21 Streets of Long Beach 1.968-mile street course
May 24 Indianapolis Motor Speedway2.5-mile oval
June 14-15 The Milwaukee Mile 1-mile oval
June 22-23 Iowa Speedway .875-mile oval
July 6-7 Pocono International Raceway 2.5-mile oval
July 12-13 Streets of Toronto 1.75-mile street course
Aug. 3-4 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Streets of Baltimore 2.04-mile street course
Oct. 5-6 Reliant Park 1.7-mile street course
Oct. 18-19 Auto Club Speedway 2-mile oval
Schedule subject to change
-end-