INDY LIGHTS PRESENTED BY COOPER TIRES

[Visit RoadToIndy.Info for a full overview of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires.]

The third and final step on the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires debuted as Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires in 2014. Sanctioned by INDYCAR, the series is now operated by Andersen Promotions, which oversees all three levels of the ladder system including the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.

The Mazda Road to Indy is the only driver development program in the world to feature a champion’s scholarship at every level to advance to the next step on the ladder system. The Indy Lights champion is awarded a scholarship valued at $1M toward the Verizon IndyCar Series with three guaranteed races including the Indianapolis 500. Team and driver prize packages total approximately $2 million.

The highly acclaimed series, which has a rich history as a development platform for many of today’s top drivers, was transformed in 2015 with the introduction of a new equipment package to complement the arrival of Cooper Tires as the Official Tire of Indy Lights and presenting sponsor in 2014.

The Dallara IL-15 is a collaboration between Dallara’s Italian headquarters in Varano Melegari (Parma) and Dallara LLC in Speedway, Ind. The new car offers a modern, stylish appearance and provides the proper training required for drivers as the final step on the ladder to the Verizon IndyCar Series.

The chassis is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged Mazda MZR-R engine. Developed in conjunction with Advanced Engine Research (AER), the MZR-R was first campaigned by Mazda in the American Le Mans Series and Mazda customer teams in the European Le Mans Series. The engine enjoyed several milestone victories including Mazda’s first-ever major success in North American sports car racing and the 2011 LMP1 engine manufacturers championship.  The engine, further developed by AER, will produce 450 horsepower and last an entire season without a rebuild.

Kyle Kaiser of Juncos Racing won this year's championship and scholarship valued at $1M.  He will make at least four starts in the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series with Juncos Racing, including the 102nd Indianapolis 500.

HISTORY

Indy Lights has produced some of the Verizon IndyCar Series’ biggest names during its 28-year history. Its 100+ graduates include Marco Andretti, Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan to name a few. More recently, several Indy Lights champions and front-runners have gone on to pursue their dream of racing in the IndyCar Series and the famed Indianapolis 500. Among them are 2017 champion Kyle Kaiser, 2016 champion Ed Jones, 2015 champion Spencer Pigot, 2014 champion Gabby Chaves, 2013 champion Sage Karam, 2012 champion Tristan Vautier, 2011 champion Josef Newgarden, 2010 title runner-up James Hinchcliffe, 2010 fourth-place finisher Charlie Kimball and 2009 champion JR Hildebrand.

SCHEDULE

Indy Lights will be featured on 10 weekends alongside the Verizon IndyCar Series headline event, marking a total of 17 races with doubleheader rounds on the streets of St. Petersburg, at Barber Motorsports Park, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (road course), Road America, on the streets of Toronto, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Portland International Raceway. Indy Lights will contest single rounds at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (oval), Iowa Speedway and Gateway Motorsports Park.

The focal point in the 2018 schedule will be the month of May at Indianapolis. The Grand Prix of Indianapolis will continue to feature all three Mazda Road to Indy series at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Two weeks later, the crown jewel of the Indy Lights season – the Freedom 100 – will continue to be the traditional 100-mile race on Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. 

* Doubleheader Rounds

SERIES PARTNERS

Cooper Tires, Mazda, Dallara, Advanced Engine Research (AER), Motegi Racing, Tilton, Cosworth, Braille Battery, Life Racing, SS Tube Technology, VP Racing Fuels, Allied Building Products, Royal Purple, Hi-Tide Boat Lifts, RACER, Carl Haas Automobile Imports, Performance Friction, Dynamic Suspensions, Stäubli, INDYCAR Ministry, Holmatro, Racing Communications, Safety-Kleen.

TELEVISION

Indy Lights will continue to enjoy one-hour race broadcasts on NBCSN as well as live broadcasts on the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network to Sirius XM Satellite Radio, indycar.com, indycarradio.com and the INDYCAR app from Verizon. ESPN International holds the international broadcast rights with races airing in Canada, Colombia, Mexico and Australia amongst others.

All race weekends will feature worldwide live streaming on indycar.com, indylights.com, RoadtoIndy.TV and the RoadtoIndy.TV App including pre- and post-race coverage in the shows. Additional coverage such as post-race press conferences and special events will be streamed on the series website and the RoadtoIndy.TV App. 

In 2016, the Mazda Road to Indy became the first American racing series with a dedicated broadcast channel on demand. The channel is currently available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and, most recently, the Xbox One Official App.

The popular RoadToIndy.TV will continue to provide behind-the-scenes access to all competitors on the Mazda Road to Indy. 

CARS

New state-of-the-art single-seat, open-wheel, Indy car-style chassis manufactured by Dallara Automobili, complete with paddle shifters, push-to-pass and safety components meeting INDYCAR and FIA standards.

ENGINES

2.0-liter turbocharged Mazda MZR-R developed in conjunction with Advanced Engine Research (AER) producing 450 HP with 50 HP push-to-pass for high speed overtaking and capable of running an entire season without a rebuild.

TIRES

Cooper Tires

POINT SYSTEM

Per race, for both driver and team championships. One bonus point is awarded for pole position, most laps led and fastest race lap. Single car teams will be awarded three bonus points in the team championship to help with the equality to multiple car teams. Only the two best results will count in the team championship for teams fielding more than two entries.

PRIZE MONEY AND AWARDS

The Indy Lights champion is awarded a scholarship value at $1M toward the Verizon IndyCar Series with three guaranteed races including the Indianapolis 500. Team and driver prize packages total approximately $2 million. 

CURRENT TRACK RECORDS

*Two-lap qualifying run

MILESTONES

INDY LIGHTS CHAMPIONS

KEY

ARS - American Racing Series
CART - Championship Auto Racing Teams
INDYCAR - INDYCAR