Cooper Tire and the Mazda Road To Indy program, consisting of the ladder series Indy Lights, Pro Mazda, and USF2000, have teamed up for an inaugural social media hashtag program showcasing driver- and team-generated content throughout the entire 2014 racing season.

Zach Veach had to be content with a starting position on the outside of the front row when qualifying yesterday for the St. Petersburg 100 was canceled due to inclement weather. He more than made amends this afternoon as he took the lead from polesitter Gabby Chaves at the start and was never seriously challenged in the opening round of the new Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires.

Gabby Chaves will start from the pole position for tomorrow’s St. Petersburg 100, the first Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires race of the season which will be held on the streets of St. Petersburg.

The rejuvenated Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires series will commence this weekend on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., where all three levels of the Mazda Road to Indy will lead the supporting program for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the opening round of the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series.

Flanked by racing industry leaders, regional corporate, political and community leaders and competitors in the Mazda Road to Indy, Andersen Promotions Owner and CEO Dan Andersen and Tampa-based Victory Group’s CEO Adam Goodman this evening announced a new web TV initiative designed to boost open-wheel racing in North America “beginning with the sport’s next generation.” The gala launch of RoadToIndy.TV was held at the Victory Group’s studios with over 200 guests in attendance.