INDYCARNATION

The Fast Track to Indy

Since joining INDYCAR in 2002, the Firestone Indy Lights has been an essential steppingstone for several drivers who have made at least one start in the IZOD IndyCar Series, including several drivers who have had the opportunity to compete in the Indianapolis 500.

MARCO ANDRETTI
Marco Andretti is the grandson of World Champion racer Mario Andretti and the son of IZOD IndyCar Series team owner Michael Andretti. He debuted in Firestone Indy Lights in 2005 just three weeks after turning 18 and won his debut at St. Petersburg, Fla., and two other races before advancing to the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2006. Driving for Andretti Autosport, he became the youngest winner of a major open-wheel series race when he won at Infineon Raceway. He also finished second in the Indianapolis 500 and earned series Rookie of the Year honors.



Career Path: Andretti began karting at age 10. He also competed in Skip Barber Formula Dodge, Formula TR 1600 Pro Series and Star Mazda before joining the Firestone Indy Lights in 2005.

ANA BEATRIZ
Ana Beatriz competed in Firestone Indy Lights in 2008-09 and became the first female driver to win a race in Firestone Indy Lights when she won at Nashville Superspeedway in 2008, when she finished third in points. She won again in 2009 at Iowa Speedway when she finished eighth in points. She made four IZOD IndyCar Series starts in 2010, with a best finish of 13th in her debut at Brazil.



Career Path: After a successful career in karting, Beatriz moved to Brazilian Formula Renault and South American F3 before moving to Firestone Indy Lights in 2008.

ED CARPENTER
Ed Carpenter competed in the Firestone Indy Lights in 2002 and 2003, winning the inaugural Firestone Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In September 2003, he made history when he became the first driver to compete in an Firestone Indy Lights event and an IndyCar Series event on the same weekend. He finished second in the Firestone Indy Lights race and 13th in his IZOD IndyCar Series debut. Carpenter, who claimed his first IZOD IndyCar Series pole position at Kentucky in 2010, will run selected events with Sarah Fisher Racing in 2011.



Career Path: Carpenter began racing at age 8 when he climbed behind the wheel of a quarter-midget. He advanced through the USAC ranks, racing Midgets, Silver Crown and Sprint cars before moving to the Firestone Indy Lights when it was formed in 2002.

A.J. FOYT
A.J. Foyt IV is the grandson of four-time Indianapolis 500 champion A.J. Foyt. The younger Foyt won the inaugural Firestone Indy Lights championship in 2002 at the age of 18. In 2003, he became the youngest driver in IndyCar Series history.



Career Path: Foyt IV began racing junior dragsters at the age of 9, winning two titles. He also competed in karts, SCCA Formula Continental and USAC Silver Crowns before moving to the Firestone Indy Lights in 2002. He advanced to the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2003.

J.R. HILDEBRAND

J.R. Hildebrand won the Firestone Indy Lights championship in 2009 in dominating fashion, winning four times and claiming six poles. He made his IZOD IndyCar Series debut in 2010 running a pair of races with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and will compete full-time in 2011 with Panther Racing.

Career Path: Hildebrand began his career driving go-karts at Infineon Raceway near his home in California before winning Formula Russell and F2000 Championship titles. He raced in Champ Car Atlantic in 2007 before switching to Firestone Indy Lights in 2008.

JAY HOWARD
Jay Howard won the Firestone Indy Lights championship in 2006. He won two races and posted five additional podium finishes to claim the title by 4 points, the closest margin in series history. He made his IZOD IndyCar Series debut in 2008 with Roth Racing and drove  in a limited schedule in 2010 with Sarah Fisher Racing.




Career Path: Jay grew up in England where he began competing in karts at age 7. After winning several championships, he advanced to cars where he won titles in Renault 200 Winter Series and Formula Ford Zetec. He moved to the United States in 2005 and captured the U.S. Formula Ford Zetec championship before competing in the Firestone Indy Lights.

ALEX LLOYD
Alex Lloyd re-wrote the Firestone Indy Lights record book in 2007 en route to the series championship. Alex won the season’s first five races and eight overall to win the title by a record 171-point margin. He also won two races during a partial season in 2006 and is the Firestone Indy Lights all-time leader with 10 race victories. He signed with Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 2008 as a development driver, competing in two Indianapolis 500 races. In 2010, Lloyd competed full-time in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Dale Coyne Racing, winning Rookie of the Year honors.



Career Path: Alex grew up in England where he began competing in karts at age 9. He competed in Formula Renault for several seasons, and in 2003 was named the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year. Following two partial seasons of F3000 competition, he moved to the United States and began competing in the Firestone Indy Lights in 2006.

RAPHAEL MATOS
Raphael Matos won the Firestone Indy Lights championship in 2008. He won three races, five pole positions and posted five additional podium finishes to claim the title by 32 points, the third-closest margin in series history. Matos, who also claimed two Firestone Indy Lights races in 2006, made his IZOD IndyCar Series debut in 2009 with Luczo Dragon Racing and claimed the APEX-Brasil Rookie of the Year Award.



Career Path: Rafa grew up in Brazil where he began competing in karts at age 14. After winning several championships, he advanced to cars where he won the Formula Chevrolet crown. He moved to the United States in 2002 and captured the Skip Barber National Runoff title, the Skip Barber National Series championship, Star Mazda Championship and Champ Car Atlantic title before racing in Firestone Indy Lights full time in 2008.

HIDEKI MUTOH
Hideki Mutoh finished second in the Firestone Indy Lights in 2007, recording victories on the road course at Indianapolis and the oval at Kentucky. After recording 10 top-five finishes in 15 starts, Panther Racing rewarded him with an IndyCar Series start in the season finale at Chicagoland Speedway. Hideki finished eighth and recorded the fastest lap of the race. He competed with Andretti Green Racing in 2008 and 2009, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2008.



Career Path: Hideki began karting in Japan at age 12. He later moved to Europe where he competed in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford. He returned to Japan where he captured the Formula Dream title and competed in Formula 3, Formula Nippon and Super GT before joining the Firestone Indy Lights in 2007.

MARIO ROMANCINI
Mario Romancini finished sixth in the Firestone Indy Lights in 2009, recording victories at The Milwaukee Mile and Homestead-Miami Speedway. After recording 11 top-five finishes in 15 Firestone Indy Lights starts, he moved to the IZOD IndyCar Series with Conquest Racing in 2010.



Career Path: Mario began karting in Brazil at age 15. He competed in Brazilian Formula Renault and South American Formula 3 later moved to Europe where he competed in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford. He raced in World Series by Renault before joining the Firestone Indy Lights in 2009.

OTHER GRADUATES

Jaime Camara:
Jaime Camara competed in Firestone Indy Lights from 2005-2007, recording three wins. He made 14 IZOD IndyCar Series starts with Conquest Racing in 2008.

P.J. Chesson:
P.J. Chesson competed in the Firestone Indy Lights in 2004-05, recording three victories. He started four IZOD IndyCar Series races in 2006 and one in 2007.

Paul Dana:
Paul Dana competed in the Firestone Indy Lights in 2003-04, finishing second in the series in 2004. He made three IZOD IndyCar Series starts in 2005.

Phil Giebler:
Phil Giebler made 19 Firestone Indy Lights starts from 2004-2007, recording a victory in his debut race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Giebler made his IZOD IndyCar Series debut in the 2007 Indianapolis 500, earning Chase Rookie of the Year honors.

Arie Luyendyk Jr.:
Arie Luyendyk Jr., the son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, made 62 Firestone Indy Lights starts from 2002-2008, recording his first victory in 2008 at Chicagoland. He competed in the 2006 Indianapolis 500.

Thiago Medeiros:
Thiago Medeiros won the Firestone Indy Lights championship in 2004, recording six victories. He competed in the 2006 Indianapolis 500.

Marty Roth:
Marty Roth, a veteran of the CART-sanctioned Indy Lights in the 1980’s returned to competition in the Firestone Indy Lights in 2002, making 33 starts through 2006. In 2004, he formed his own team and expanded it to include an IndyCar Series car. Roth made 22 IZOD IndyCar Series starts from 2004-2008, including four Indianapolis 500 starts.

Jeff Simmons:
Jeff Simmons won seven Firestone Indy Lights races from 2003-06, finishing second in the championship in 2003 and 2005. He made his IZOD IndyCar Series debut in the 2004 Indianapolis 500 and was hired to drive full-time for Rahal Letterman Racing early in the 2006 season.

Mark Taylor:
Mark Taylor won the Firestone Indy Lights championship in 2003 on the strength of seven victories. In 2004, he started 15 of 16 IndyCar Series race, recording top-10 finishes in the final two races.