NASCAR Invades San Diego

Although three other racing series beat them Thar’, Boy Howdy!

 

Unfortunately, this weekend’s NASCAR race is on Amazon Prime, meaning we won’t get to hear Mike Joy pontificating over NASCAR being the first series to race at a San Diego Naval Base. After all, wasn’t it Joy who proclaimed that NASCAR invented the SAFER Barrier, Oh Never Mind!

 

NASCAR is hosting its inaugural Street Race this June 21st at Naval Air Station (NAS) Coronado, part of San Diego’s active Naval base. Since originally, the Naval Training Center (NTC) was built in the early 1920’s before finally being closed in 1997.

 

Yet in 2000, the SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am Series hosted a race on a 1.65 mile, 14 Turns racecourse upon the streets of the Naval Training Center.

 

What I’ve wondered for awhile, since I first fell down this Wabbit’ Hole in mid-January! Is what’s the distance between the Naval Training Center (NTC) and the Naval Base Coronado (NZY) on North Island?

 

According to Al Gore’s wonderous invention, the All knowing Intrawoods’. As the crow or Seagulls fly is three miles. By car between nine and twelve miles, depending upon starting location.

 

Thus, these two separate entities are very close to one another indeed. And is it just CoInky-dense that NTC closed in 1997 and today’s consolidated Navel Base Coranado; and not the television company, Hya! (NBC) began in 1997, eh?

 

While I’m told that today the remaining NTC infrastructure is known as Liberty Station. With many acres turned into parks and recreation areas, along with housing…

 

As I find it pretty funny that I seem to be one of the extremely few that remembers this previous Trans Am race now over a quarter century ago. While details on the new race were very sketchy when I was tryin’ to stop my mind from wonderin’. (Where it will go?”

 

As Johnny Miller in a Chevrolet Corvette won the 60 lap (99 miles) race held on November 5th, 2000 ahead of Boris Said in a Ford Mustang. Followed by Brian Simo in the Tommy Bahamas Qval DeTomaso Mangusta.

 

Other notable names, or those I recognize from the past include Willy t. Ribbs, Chris Neville, Lou gigliotti, Tony Drissi, Leighton Reese, Stu Hayner, Randy Ruhlman, Michael Lewis and Paul Meatheadz’ Gentilozzi.

 

With a perusal of the 34 car entry grid, with 33 starters revealed the name Linda Pobst, who’s totally unknown to Mwah.

 

Although that last name set off claxon bells , since I remember Randy Pobst being a Bad Arse racer in the long forgotten, defunct North American Touring Car championship. (NATCC) Which He won the second and final championship driving for Honda thirty years ago.

 

Randy Pobst: A legendary Racing Driver

 

Although I wasn’t aware there was a Bruce Qvale, who naturally was entered in a second Qvale Mangusta team entry. Yet retired with zero laps due to ignition failure.

 

While “Bad Boy” Tony Drissi, the 2005 Trans Am Champion was still causing waves in last year’s Trans Am series

 

With the race paying a quaint $18,850 to the winner.

 

San Diego Grand Prix: Naval Training Center, Coranado

 

This year’s three day NASCAR weekend of Trucks, Grand National and Cup takes place on the Coranado Street Course, a 3.4-mile, 19 Turns layout. Having first hosted the Mazda MX-5 Cup series between 2012-2013, followed by Robby Gordon’s Stadium Trucks series in 2014.

 

Two prominent names will be making cameo appearances over the weekend. Having learned that seven times NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson would contest the Trucks and Cup race Wayback’ in February during the Day-Toner’ 500.

 

Whilst only recently stumbling upon the news that Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen will run Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 entry at San Diego. Which has previously run “Wildcard” entries for thee original “Iceman” Kimi Raikkonen, the Gis’, aka Shane van Gisbergen and ‘Ol Dancin’ fool Hulio’, nee Helio Castroneves.

 

Meaning Trackhouse will field four Chevrolet Camaro entries with it’s No. 1 of Ross Chastain, No. 88 for rookie connor Zilisch, and No. 97 for Shane van Gisbergen, plus Magnussen.

 

As it’s all Johnson’s fault! That I learned about the Sand Diego Street race when reading His press release for this year’s Daytona 500. Noting He’d be pulling “Double Duty” in San Diego. Driving the No. 1 Tricom Garage’s Toyota Tundra PickEmUp’ Truck in the inaugural Craftsman Truc Series race. And His No. 84 Legacy Motor Club’s Toy-Yoter’ Camry in the Cup event.

 

While Jimmie’s dream of chauffeuring the fabled “Blue blaster”, Atlas Van Lines Unlimited Hydroplane at last year’s Seafair race got me wonderin’ how far Fiesta Island and Mission Bay are from either the former NTC, or North Island Naval Air Station Coranado?

 

HYDROS: Atlas Van Lines latest Hotschue’

 

Reputedly, Fiesta Island and NAS Coranado are 12-13 miles as the Seagulls flock. Or 14-15 miles by automobile. 

Foyt to become regional Feeder Series powerhouse?

Although letting others do the Heavy lifting…

 

Indy NXT competitors return to action with a Double Header weekend at Mother Speedway beginning today, after a month’s hiatus. Which currently is a battle of the “Young guns”, with Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR’s rookie Nikita Johnson leading the championship ahead of Andretti global rookie Max Taylr.

 

AJ Foyt Enterprises rookie driver Alessandro de Tullio is making some noise Himself. Having finally “Broke His Duck”  last time out at thee Oh, so Beautiful Barbers’, nee Barber Motorsports Park, scoring His maiden Indy NXT win. Currently fifth overall, de Tullio’s been quick, having scored three poles in the first four races, albeit currently 60 markers adrift of Johnson.

 

Interestingly, Foyt has decided to beef-up its Junior Open Wheel Racing involvement with the decision to partner with Crosslink Motorsports in Formula four U.S. and Formula regional(FR) Americas Championship feeder series, to strengthen its driver development ladder.

 

Crosslink Motorsports, a Dallas, Texas racing organization is a “Powerhouse” itself. Claiming to have won the most F4 U.S. races, plus two F4 U.S. titles. Since the team’s official website mentions their known as Crosslink Kiwi Motorsports. Whilst I’ve also seen this written as Crosslink with Kiwi Motorsports and Crosslink/Kiwi Motorsports, Corfuzed?

 

Having won the U.S. formula 4 title in 2019 and 2023. While Kiwi Motorsports won last year’s championship.

 

Crosslin Kiwi Motorsports won the2023-2024 FR Americas titles with drivers Callum Hedge and Patrick Woods-Toth respectively.

 

Crosslink Motorsports won a third consecutive FR Americas Championship with Titus Sherlock last year. Although I’m still not sure how the FR Americas Championship fits into the grand scheme of Feeder Series?

 

Since I’m Arse-suming nobody’s heard of either Woods-Toth or Sherlock, and I cannot find what they’re currently doing? With Sherlock garnering a measly $100,000 cash prize for winning the championship, Youch!

 

SCCA Pro Racing’s Alternate Single Seaters Feeder series

 

By my rudimentary records, Kiwi’ Hedge is the latest FR Americas driver to graduate to Indy NXT, having raced two years for HMD Motorsports and Abel Motorsports between 2024-2025, with a best finish of fourth overall in 2024.

 

Although the Road to Indy and now USF Pro championships run by Anderson Promotions still seemingly is the preferred pathway to Indy NXT.

 

America’s preferred Open wheel Racing ladder system

 

Currently four FR Americas Alumni; Kyle Kirkwood, David Malukas, Kyffin Simpson and Jacob Abel are IndyCar drivers. Kirkwood and Simpson are past champions, with Malukas finishing runner-up. While Abel will race in His first Indy 500 this year, after failing to qualify in 2025.

 

Yet being a champion of both series doesn’t guarantee a long term IndyCar career. As just ask Linus Lundqvist about that! Having won the 2020 FR Americas and 2022 Indy NXT Championships, who's still trying to return to IndyCar…

 

Crosslink appears to be mimicking Indy NXT juggernaut HMD Motorsports by having the most cars on the grid with six. With rookies Alejandro Bobadilla, (#8) Kekai Hauanio, (#29( Evagoras Papasavvas (#71) and Aidan Schuh driving the storied No. 14. Plus Barrett Wolfe (#13) and Kevin Janzen. (#24)

 

While Kiwi Motorsports has just two entries for rookies Harbir Dass and Cooper Shipman.

 

Papasavvas briefly made waves in Indy NXT last year upon debut driving for HMD Motorsports. Qualifying third and finishing runner-up to Dennis Hauger at Barber in the vacated No. 24 seat Sophia

Florsch occupied for one round. Having signed for a partial season, before finishing P21 overall after five races.

 

Perusing the entry list for drivers, another Indy NXT Journeyman’s name jumped out to Mwah. Noticing that Christian Bogle is driving for Toney Driver Development this year. Having raced four seasons in Indy NXT, beginning with Carlin, remember them Y’all? And then a further three seasons with HMD Motorsports, but I digress…

 

Crosslink’s drivers will be welcomed into the Foyt program to interact with Engineers and other team personnel to help them advance their careers, while giving Foyt access to more talented, potential future drivers…

 

Further muddying the waters, when trying to find out more about Kiwi Motorsports, I learned that Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) formed the same “strategic” partnership alliance with New Zealand Kiwi Motorsports them late 2024. Seeing Kiwi Motorsports and Crosslink become fully separate entities for 2025.

 

Along with learning that Kiwi Motorsports are Toyota’s entry in the Formula Oceania series.

 

Thus giving us two FR Americas operations with clearly defined links to Indy NXT, and possibly IndyCar. 

SCCA Pro Racing’s Alternate Single Seaters Feeder series

But does anybody besides Hard Core racing Fans pay Attenzione to these Championships?

 

I’ll admit that this new for 2024 SCCA Pro Racing single seater ladder system is largely foreign to Mwah. Especially since I’ve never paid any Attenzione to the United States F4 series run under FIA Formula 4 regulations. And only casually know about FR Americas due to it’s “linkage” to Indy NXT competition…

 

What I found entertaining about these three feeder series is that their Race Director is a former IndyCar driver from Up North Eh! Unfortunately known here on No Fenders as Scott “What Pace Car?” Goodyear!

 

As the Sports Car club of America (SCCA Pro Racing) and the previously unheard of Parella Motorsport Holdings (PMH) organizations are billing these three tiered feeder series  as a lower cost alternative, complete with Scholarship prize funding to it’s other Open wheel Racing series. Including a Ligier chassis, Hankook tyres and a monetary award for advancement up the ladder’s rungs.

 

Which if I’m reading the proverbial tea leaves correctly, is PR Speak for Cheaper ladder system than its USFPro Championships competizione…

 

Ligier JS F4 Series

Guessing that this is the SCCA’s, and Ligier’s answer to Anderson Promotions introduction of it’s USF Juniors program? Which is intended to compete directily vs. the Formula 4 United State Championship

 

Although reportedly Tony Parella,.proprietor of Parella Motorsport Holdings, creator of the series says He saw a need to fill the void between jumping directly from Karting to U.S. F4 single seaters.

 

This marks the newly created single seaters series debut season. With entrants 14 years and up racing “GEN 1” (First Generation) Ligier JS F4 racecars. Arse-sumedly replete with Honda 2.0-litre inline four cylinder normally aspirated lumps’, regulated to a maximum of 160bhp.

 

The six race calendar begins at Nola Motorsports Park in New Orleans. (April 11-14) Running under the Speed Tour banner in conjunction with it’s “Big Brother” U.S. Formula 4 Brethren, both serving as support series to FR Americas. Along with the  SVRA  and Trans Am series.

 

Followed by stops at Road America, Mid-Ohio, New Jersey, Trois Riviers and COTA. As the Circuit Of The Americas season finale  is a Fortnight after Austin plays host to it’s yearly United States Grand Prix Formula 1 race weekend.

 

Formula 4 United States championship

For 2024, this series sees the introduction of the new Ligier JS F422 as it’s sole chassis, utilizing the 1.65-litre Ligier Storm’ V-4 engine instead. As Honda seems to have quietly exited supporting SCCA single seater racing this year.

 

The season’s first round slated for Nola Raceway Park this April was cancelled due to delays with the arrival of the new chassis. As the championship will contest the same remaining five rounds as above. Beginning at Road America from May 16-19, and ending at COTA October 31-November 3rd.

 

As I’d like to Arse-sume these Ligier racecars are faster than their previous JS F4 chassis, and ditto for the FR Americas entries…

 

FR Americas (Formula Regional Americas)

This is the only rung of the series I’m casually aware of, due to it’s influx of participants to Indy Lights, and now Indy NXT.

 

As former FR Americas champions Kyle Kirkwood, Linus Lundqvist and Kyffin Simpson have all graduated from Indy Lights and are now competing in Indy Cars. Along with FR Americas runner-up David Malukas.

 

While FR Americas Alumni Benjamin Pedersen also graduated to Indy Lights before a single season racing for A.J. foyt enterprises in IndyCar last year. Making for a total of five Alumni to make it All the way to the Big boyz’ rainks, ergo IndyCar, America’s premiere Open Wheel Racing category.

 

As I’ve come up with a total of 14 former drivers who’ve graduated to Indy NXT. Including reigning 2023 FR Americas Champion Callum Hedge, who won 13 of 18 races last year enroute to the title! And now drives for HMD Motorsports in Indy NXT.

 

The series will contest a total of seven rounds this year, each comprising of three races for a total of 21 races.

 

FR Americas will contest All six rounds above with it’s Junior F4 Brethren. Along with a Non-points Invitational round at Laguna Seca May 2-5. With the Big News being it’s Debutante event at Mother Speedway! When taking part June 13-16 during the SVRA Sprint Series outing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 

From the series inception in 2018 thru 2023, FR Americas competitors competed for a scholarship advancement prize to contest the following Super Formula season courtesy of Honda. Which as noted, has quietly ended it’s association with these two SCCA Pro Racing Feeder Series.

 

As the previous Ligier JS F3 sported a 2.0-litre DOHC inline four cylinder turbocharged Honda engine producing 303bhp.

 

While this year’s Ligier JS F3 chassis sports the Ligier Storm V-4 lump’. For which all I could discern about this 1.65-liter 90-degrees V-4 engine utilized for both the JS F422 and JS F3 single seater chassis. Is that it has only two valves per cylinder, presumably SOHC, whilst I’d like to Arse-sume that the JS F3 version is also turbocharged? And producing relatively the same Horsepower as it’s predecessor.

 

While I’m also guessing that the new scholarship advancement prize award for this year’s FR Americas champion allows it’s recipient to graduate to Indy NXT, the next logical step upon this ladder system… 

The Unknown Formula race Promotions ladder Staircase

Since who’s Heard of FRP lately?

 

Today begins another Ha-Ha Short! Intended three part No Fenders tome covering the current Open Wheel Racing “Staircases” to Indy Cars, North America’s premiere Open Wheel Racing category. But as typical, I keep finding more “Driftwood” on the shores of Nofenderville…

 

Thus, I suppose if I keep Digging for Clams, I’ll learn about more Open wheel Racing single seater Championships I’ve been totally unawares’ of, Righto?

 

Since I was just trying to spell out today’s best known ladder systems for aspiring racers to progress upon once what was known as the Road to Indy. Which was the best, most concise ladder system to date…

 

Thanks to researching two aspiring “Junior” talents, I ran into what is billed as the East coast’s “premiere” Formula Cars Feeder Series – sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing.

 

Having never heard of Formula Race Promotions (FRP) before, visiting their website which only gives the briefest of descriptions. Somehow I “spotted” the logo for Parella Motorsports Holdings, (PMH) for which I couldn’t ascertain if FRP is owned by them or not?

 

Since PMH, which is owned by Tony Parella seems to be a fairly large motorsports entity, primarily owners of SVRA )Sports Car Vintage Racing) and the modern day Trans Am series. Whilst also being involved with another “rival” Junior Open Wheel Racing ladder system. Making it All as clear as Mud on a Rainy Day!

 

FRP’s single seater ladder system comprises of F1600, F2000 and Atlantic Championships, and presumably is “Billed” as a lower cost alternative for aspiring racers. Since what’s that ‘Ol Adage about Cubic Horsepower costs Cubic Dollars! And how many people who start with a large budget end up with a small budget after going racing, or something to that effect…

 

These three categories serve as support series to SVRA and Trans Am events around the nation, with this year’s calendar consisting of seven events.

 

Road Atlanta (March 21-24) served as the season opener. Followed by Mid-Ohio, (April 26-28) Lime Rock*, (May 24-27) Pittsburg International Race Complex, (June 7-9) Road America, (June 28-30) New Jersey Motorsports Park* (July 25-28) and Summit Point Motorsports Park. (August 16-18)

 

The Atlantic Championship will not contest the Lime Rock weekend. While the New Jersey event will also include the U.S. formula 4 and FR Americas series.

 

F1600 Championship

The F1600 Championship Pro category is an almost exclusive Honda engine category, utilizing 1.6-litre normally aspirated four cylinder engines, hence the series name. Although also having spotted a lone ford lump’ noted. With the series being dominated by the Van Diemen chassis, with Piper, Mygale and Swift sprinkled about this “Formula ford” single seater series.

 

I first learned about this series when perusing the career summary of Jace Denmark, who ran three races in 2021. While 2020 F1600 Championship winner Simon sikes is now His Pabst Racing teammate in the USF Pro 2000 Championship.

 

Other series champions include Nicholas D’Orlando, (2021) younger brother of Michael D’Orlando, the 2022 U.S. F2000 National Championship champion. Along with Thomas Schrage, (2022) and the reigning champion Porter Aiken. All having gravitated to the U.S. f2000 National championship and USF Pro 2000 Championship series.

 

F2000 Championship

This is the second rung of the series, in what are known as “Wings & Slicks” single seaters with a larger 2.0-litre four cylinder naturally aspirated motor. As the class dovetails with the re-introduction of the U.S. F2000 National Championship in 2010, when the Van Diemen DP08 was selected as the sole spec chassis for this category.

 

Becoming the Elan DP08, the chassis was used for U.S. F2000 National Championship competition until Tatuus won the contract and began supplying the series first carbon fibre USF-17 chassis beginning in 2017.

 

With No Disrespect to today’s competitors, from what I can tell, this is now an “Ameteur” Class utilizing “vintage” single seaters primarily with the Mazda MZR and older spec Zetec Ford powerplants. Since Van Diemen ceased as a company in the early 2000’s when Former American Le Mans Series founder Don Panoz bought the company. With the Van Diemen name being replaced by Elan after full integration.

 

As a mix of “vintage” chassis compete in this class, including Van Diemen, Mygale and Piper for example.

 

A few of the class’s former Alumni include “The Viking”, aka Andres Krohn who won the 2008 championship. While Chris Miller who won the following year’s title also progressed to what then was known as Star Mazda a la Krohn.

 

Krohn and 2010 F2000 Champion victor Carbone would compete against each other in the 2011 Indy Lights Championship with mixed results.

 

Whilst ’08 F2000 Alumni Conor Daly would graduate into Indy Cars. Beginning  in 2013, as a “One-off” Indy 500 entry for A.J. Foyt enterprises. Yet Daly’s IndyCar career arguably could be summed up as an “Journeyman’s” career until being “let go” by Ed Carpenter Racing after the 2023 Indianapolis 500…

 

Atlantic Championship

When I hear the word Atlantic, I immediately think of the former Toyota Atlantic Championship, which later became the Champ Car Atlantic Championship The series continued for two more years, albeit no longer part of the Champ Car World Series, (CCWS) which thankfully finally merged with it’s rival Indy Racing League for 2008.

 

Formula Race Promotions effectively took over the Atlantic championship circa 2012, and has run it ever since. Which now utilizes the Swift 016 chassis for it’s 2016 category. Whilst presumably older chassis for it’s Open category… 

The Other “Half” of Indy Lights 2022 Title Rivals

As can the HMD Motorsports Juggernaught Defeat Andretti Autosport this year?

 

By now, the Indy Lights Championship has wrapped up hosting it’s third round of the season at Mother Speedway. It’s first of three Double Header outings this year; the others being at Detroit’s Belle Isle and Laguna Seca. As perhaps Y’all caught them Trackside as part of IndyCar’s “guns & Roses” IndyCar GP “Undercard,” Eh?

 

Prior to this weekend’s action on Indianapolis’s Road Corse, the winners were split 1-1 between the two Big Dawgs’, i.e.; Andretti Autosport’s four car entity vs. HMD’s five car Armada. Whilst “We” shouldn’t take Anything Away from the other Lights Competizione…

 

Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports (1)

#24 Benjamin Peterson, USA

 

Had never heard of this racing Organization before last year’s Lights season, which is funny since the Global Racing Group’s based in Samammish,Washington, on the East side of Seattle. Having apparently spent the past several years competing in the unknown U.S. F4 and F3 Americas Championships, with the latter having been rebranded Formula Regional Americas Championship in 2020. Having won the Championship twice (to Date) between 2019-2020 with drivers Dakota Dickerson and Linus Lundqvist respectively.

 

Benjamin Peterson is a Danish American racing driver currently living in Seattle and holds Dual Citizenship. He’s contested Single Seater racing around the Globe, including a best season finish of fourth in the U.S. formula 4 Championship in 2017.

 

Peterson also finished Runner-up behind Dakota Dickerson in the 2019 FR Americas Championship, and finished fourth Overall in last year’s Lights Championship.

 

Prior to the Indianapolis Lights rounds, He’d scored two second place finishes, including a wild All Skate’ on Shreaded rain tyres  with HDM Motorsports teammate Linus Lunqvist at Barber Motorsports Park! And surely is close to finally standing on the Top step of a Lights podium soon.

 

HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing (4)

#7 Christian Vogle, USA

#26 Linus Lundqvist, Sweden

#59 (R) Manuel Sulaiman, Mexico

#68 Danial Frost, Singapore

 

This season, HMD Motorsports in conjunction with Dale Coyne Racing, where David Malukas has joined their IndyCar team, Bulks up to four cars, albeit really a five car operation, including Peterson’s GRG/HMD effort.

 

Christian Vogle moves over from the departed Carlin effort, having finished 11^th Overall last year. While Danial Frost moves over from Andretti Autosport where He finished 5th Overall last season, one place Ahead of former Lights teammate and now Rookie IndyCar Driver Devlin DeFrancesco.

 

Mexico’s Manuel Sulaiman previously won the NACAM Formula 4 Championship consecutively between 2018-2019 before joining Juncos Racing’s Indy Pro 2000 effort, where He won at Road America, before jumping up to Indy Lights with HMD Motorsports in 2021 at Portland for a partial season. As Manuel tackles his first full season Lights campaign with the HMD/DCR Boyz’ Alphabet Soup Brigade, Hya!

 

Sweden’s Linus Lundqvist is a multi-times Championship winning driver, including winning the 2018 BRDC British F3 title and the 2020 FR Americas Crown, where He thoroughly Dominated the season. Crushing Runner-up David Malukas with 15 total wins, including eight in-a-row at Seasons beginning!

 

As his reward was that year the FR Americas began giving the Champion a fully funded Indy Lights Scholarship, which Lundqvist put to good effect with the Global/HMD Partnership. As Lundqvist won at Alabama and Road America enroute to finishing third Overall in the championship.

 

As mentioned, Lundqvist won a very entertaining All Skate’ at Barber Motorsports Park this May, barely Holding off teammate Peterson for his third Lights win to date. As these two drivers seem to be early favourites for the Championship this year.

 

TJ Speed Motorsports (2)

#12 (R) James Roe Jr, Republic of Ireland

#21 (R) Kyffin Simpson, Barbados

 

(R = Rookie Driver)

 

This team was born out of the former Belardi Auto Racing Lights team, which team owner Tim Neff purchased late 2020. As Neff said it was too late for a “proper” Lights campaign last year, so they focused upon the FR Americas Championship instead, which they won first time out!

 

As Aussie’ Neff is an interesting character, being a former triple World Jet Ski champion who competed against the likes of Beth Boles, Conor Daly’s Mum’. Not to mention being a veteran Open Wheel Racing Engineer whos worked both in Lights and IndyCar, and won Lights Championships with the former Powerhouse Sam Schmidt Motorsports effort.

 

Irishman James Roe Jr. came Across thoust Bloody Puddle and finished fifth Overall in the 2019 FR Americas Championship behind Global Racing Group teammates Dakota Dickerson and Benjamin Peterson who finished 1-2 that year. Roe graduated to the Indy Pro 2000 championship and claimed his first W’ at the 2021 Season Finale at Mid Ohio before moving to Lights this year.

 

Kyffin Simson who Hails from the Cayman Islands is a 17yr Old Teenager, who’s only in his third year of racing  Single Seaters. Making his debut in 2018 in U.S. formula 4 after nine years of Karting in the Caribbean, and already has a Championship title to his credit. As Simpson won seven races in last year’s FR Americas Championship and graduates to Indy Lights courtesy of his title winning Honda Scholarship.

 

As Kyffin also was Guest of the Haas F1 Team at the just concluded Miami Grand Prix, which you can read about below…

 

https://racer.com/2022/05/10/fr-americas-champion-simpson-looking-to-build-on-haas-secondment/

 

And now on the Heels of scribblin’ this No Fenders story comes word that Chip Ganassi Racing has just signed Simpson to a multi-year Driver Development Deal, which will allow him access to it’s IndyCar Drivers along with being part of Driver Debriefs, etc. 

Presenting Half of the 2022 Indy Lights Contendahs’

As it appears to be a Good ‘Ol donnybrook between Mikey A’s team and the multi-car HMD Motorsports concern for Top of Ye Pops…

 

This weekend, the Road to Indy’s “Premiere” Category, i.e.; Indy Lights holds the first of it’s three Double Header weekends at Mother Speedway, which for those of you with that Dastardly Peacock service can watch today and tomorrow. Or for those of us Visually Challenged, Ahem Blind, they’re also Available on the IndyCar Radio Network.

 

And although I still think it’s a Bad idea to Not run the Freedom 100 anymore, arguably Indy Lights signature event at Mother Speedway. Nonetheless, I like to believe that Indy Lights is making positive gains, even if appearing only minutely. But Arse-sumedly with Penske Entertainment having reacquired Indy Lights from Anderson Promotions, and installing former racer and USAC Official Levi Jones as it’s Series Director, the final rung on the Road to Indy ladder will indeed move forwards…

 

From what I can ascertain, Thars a “Boomp” of one car to this year’s field vs. last year’s, i.e.; 14 entries vs. 13. Along with three brand new Lights teams, one being rebranded and four leaving the series.

 

There’s seven rookies in this year’s field from six Nations, All with Diverse racing Backgrounds…

 

Abel Motorsports (2)

#11 Antonio Serravalle, Canada

#51 (R) Jacob Abel, USA

 

Abel Motorsports is a Family racing team located in new facilities in Speedway, Indiana, previously having contested the Road to Indy’s Pro 2000 Category, and making their Debut in Lights this year.

 

As Jacob Abel began his Single Seater career contesting the U.S. Honda backed F4 Series, before moving up to what then was the F3 Americas series, now rebranded as the FR Americas Championship. Followed by two partial seasons in Indy Pro 2000 along with racing GT3 Sports Cars in the World challenge series.

 

While Jacob’s presumably the Only Lights Driver who’s contested a round of Robby Gordon’s Stadium Trucks series, having done so last year at Nashville’s IndyCar race, Yeehaw!

 

Antonio Serravalle returns for his second Lights season after racing for his own “Cobbled” together Lights team, having finished 12^th Overall. As the 19yr Old Kuhnuck’s followed a similar progression with stints in FR Americas, etc. and hasn’t ever finished in the Top 10 Standings of any Single Seater series contested.

 

Andretti Autosport (4)

#2 Sting Ray Robb, USA

#27 (R) Hunter McElrea, New Zealand

#28 (R) Christian Rasmussen, Denmark

#83 Mathew Brabham, Australia

 

This is one of the two “Powerhouse” Lights team’s on the Grid, with Mikey a’s team seeing former Juncos Racing Lights Driver Sting Ray Robb, the 2020 Indy Pro 2000  Champion joining the Multi Lights Championship winning team for his second Lights campaign. Whilst former Andretti Autosport Lights Driver Mattie B’, aka Mathew Brabham makes his return after  seven years out of the series.

 

As Brabham took a fortuitous win at the St Pete season opener when leader and Andretti teammate Christian Rasmussen who’d led much of the race, ran Out of Fuel with less than two laps remaining!

 

Meanwhile, Andretti teammate McElrea who’d started from Pole, lost the back end of his racecar and Crashed Out on lap 13! Leaving the Door Open for Brabham, who’s last Lights start came Wayback in 2015 at Long Beach to lead just the final two laps, scoring his first Lights win since long ago in May, 2014 on Indianapolis’s Road Corse! As Mattie B’ like All Lights racers Hopes to win the Championship in order to resume his Stillborn IndyCar career…

 

Kiwi’ Hunter McElrea is seemingly Fast, but has had multiple collisions in the season’s first two races!

 

Having won the 2018 Australian Formula 4 Championship with 13 wins in his second season, McElrea won the U.S. F2000 Shootout Scholarship prize and finished Runner-up in the 2019 U.S. f2000 Championship. Hunter then spent the next two seasons contesting the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, scoring multiple wins enroute to a best finish of third Overall in 2021 before graduation to Indy Lights.

 

Denmark’s Christian Rasmussen is a multiple Single Seater Championship winning Driver, having secured the U.S. F2000 title in his second season with nine wins and eight Poles.

 

Then the Dane’ won the 2021 Indy Pro 2000 title in his Rookie season with seven wins, scoring Both titles driving for Jay Howard before graduating to Indy Lights, where He fills the #28 Andretti Autosport seat previously occupied by Kyle Kirkwood, Just Sayin’. As Rasmussen gets my nod for One of the three Lights champions candidates…

 

Force Indy (1)

#99 (R) Ernie Francis Jr., USA

 

(R = Rookie Driver)

 

Presumably Y’all know the story of Force Indy being part of El Capitano’s Shrinking Violet’s Diversity Campaign, having unceremoniously Dumped Myles Roe after their initial U.S. F2000 campaign last year in favour of moving up to Lights this year with Ernie Francis Jr. For which I harbour No ill will against Ernie Francis Jr, who’s one Bad Arse Tintops’ Hombre!

 

As the 24yr Old Floridian Francis Jr. Burst upon the National Scene in last year’s (SRX) Superstar’s Racing Experience series, winning once at Lucas Oil Raceway and finishing runner-up to SRX Champion and series Co-Owner Smoke’, aka tony Stewart.

 

Whilst I’ve previously scribbled Here upon No Fenders how Ernie’s a Bad Arse Trans Am Driver, having won seven Trans Am titles consecutively! Not to mention lagging only behind such legendous’ Trans Am Aces Paul Meatheadz’ Gentilozzi, Mark Donohue and the Other TK’, aka Tommy Kendall for most Trans Am series victories!

 

Francis Jr. cut his teeth in Open Wheel Racing in last year’s FR Americas Championship, where He finished third Overall before graduating to Lights this season.