Juan Piedrahita Tag

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer The final step on the Mazda Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires might have the smallest field, but top to bottom the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires has an extremely stacked field going for a one million dollar scholarship package to move to the Verizon IndyCar Series. First, let’s look at the schedule. The 2018 schedule is identical in layout to 2017 except for two changes. The final race weekend is now at Portland International Raceway and it’s also a doubleheader weekend instead ofRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer Mark Twain popularized the phrase “There are three kinds of falsehoods; lies, damned lies and statistics,” which he attributed to British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. Statistics was how this writer looked at Team Pelfrey in a recent roundtable discussion.  In it, this writer said that the team had been disappointing because “I did not expect a large organization like Pelfrey to have only one win this season.” Motorsports Tribune sat down at Watkins Glen with Jonathan Baker to speak about the team’sRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Ahead of the Soul Red Finale weekend at Watkins Glen, New York for the Mazda Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires are two championship battles that are very close between two drivers and one that is close to being clinched. Let’s take a look at all three battles ahead of the four races this weekend. Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires Juncos Racing’s Kyle Kaiser has the easiest championship position this weekend for Indy Lights. Kaiser simplyRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer A thrilling final three lap shootout nearly allowed Juan Piedrahita to earn his first win in the Mazda Road to Indy but it was Santiago Urrutia who walked away from Gateway Motorsports Park with another victory in his sophomore Indy Lights season. The race began with a first lap yellow flag after Belardi Auto Racing teammates Aaron Telitz and Shelby Blackstock had contact resulting in Telitz’s retirement from the event. Soon after the green flag came out for the restart there wasRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer LEXINGTON, Ohio — Nico Jamin started second and with five previous victories was hoping for a win at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires. The Frenchman’s wish was granted in Sunday’s race. It was a chaotic start as teammates Jamin and Colton Herta had light contact while fighting for the lead on the first lap of the race. Jamin led the first lap, but eventually Herta got around to lead a lap. Further back in theRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer Kyle Kaiser had to deal with Colton Herta in front and Santiago Urrutia behind. By Lap 25, neither were a concern for the California native as he went on to win the second Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires race on the streets of Toronto, completing a weekend sweep for Juncos Racing. The 45 lap race started with Herta on pole ahead of Urrutia and Kaiser but Kaiser got second at the start. While the leaders were going through Turn 2, NicoRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer The grid for the 2017 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires is starting to come together after the Friday’s confirmations of Matheus Leist and Juan Piedrahita to join the field for Carlin and Team Pelfrey. For Leist, this represents a move back across the pond to race in America after leaving his home of Brazil to race in the UK. The 19-year-old raced in Brazil in the 2014 Formula 3 Light category, finishing second in the championship with two wins and nine podiumsRead More

Team Pelfrey Indy Lights announced today that Mazda Road to Indy veteran Garett Grist will pilot the No. 3 BuyGapGuard.com Team Pelfrey Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Mazda machine for the remaining road course races in 2016. “I am very excited to be joining team Pelfrey for the rest of the 2016 Indy Lights season,” said Grist. “The team has proven they can win races and run up front. I’d like to thank Dale Pelfrey for the opportunity he has given me. It wouldn’t be possible without him andRead More

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season-opening Indy Lights Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by Lucas School of Racing turned out to be a race of two halves. Returning series veteran Zach Veach looked to have the spoils within his grasp until hindered by a mechanical problem, whereupon Felix Serralles, from Ponce, Puerto Rico, took full advantage and sped on to a clear victory. Serralles’ form and good fortune ensured that the British Carlin team remains undefeated on the streets of St. Petersburg followingRead More

Long Beach, Calif. – A thrilling Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires qualifying session on the streets of Long Beach saw Englishman Jack Harvey post a new lap record just as time expired, edging top rookie Spencer Pigot to the pole position for tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Long Beach Presented by Allied Building Products.   Harvey, from Lincoln, England, who finished second in last year’s championship, losing out only on a tie-breaker to Gabby Chaves, turned a lap of 1:12.0405 (an average speed of 98.345mph) in the closing moments ofRead More