The Indy Racing League recently announced the launch of a new program younger drivers that they now call the “Road to Indy”. The program seeks to designate a path for young drivers to reach the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. The program establishes a series of “minor league” circuits including the Fireston Indy Lights, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda.
Drivers from each of the affiliated series will have the opportunity to progress to the next level through participation in programs put together by each series or the Indy Racing League, which will sanction USF2000 National Championship races.
This developmental ladder will offer guidance to career-minded drivers, who are unsure of how exactly to get to Indy. It will allow the best new talent to build their motor sport careers, leading this crop of talented drivers to Indy.
“In creating the ‘Road to Indy,’ we are trying to bridge the gap between the premier open-wheel racing divisions and the entry level open-wheel series by creating a clear career path for aspiring racing drivers,” said Brian Barnhart, president of competition and racing operations for the Indy Racing League, which sanctions the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights.
“With the ‘Road to Indy,’ a driver has the opportunity to hone his professional racing skills at an early stage of his or her career and has a chance to build upon those skills in a professional environment while driving similar-style, open-wheel racing vehicles on similar tracks at every step.”
This program looks like it will be beneficial on all sides. Young drivers will have more guidance to reach their goals as well as hone their talent. IndyCar will be raising a generation of new talent from the start garnering the sport more attention and fans. “Road to Indy” looks like it may have the power to better the sport as a whole raising it to new levels of competition.
Filed in: Uncategorized.
[...] 37, a physical education and health teacher at South Brunswick High School in South Brunswick, NewIRL Road to Indy Program 2011 Baltimore Grand PrixThis developmental ladder will offer guidance to career-minded drivers, who are unsure of how [...]